Join us on a truly special pilgrimage to Assisi in the New Year, as we take part in an historic moment of the Franciscan Centenary. Between 22 February and 22 March 2026, for the first time in history, the mortal remains of St Francis of Assisi will be visible to all within the Basilica of St Francis. Approved by Pope Leo IV, the body of St Francis will be moved from his tomb, located in the crypt of the Franciscan Basilica, and placed at the foot of the papal altar in the lower church within the Basilica of St Francis. This extraordinary and remarkable gift is a profound invitation to prayer, offered as part of the worldwide commemoration of the 800th anniversary of St Francis’s passing. "This exposition, rooted in the Gospel theme of the seed that dies to bear fruit in love and fraternity, invites us to reflect on the life of the Saint, which continues to bear fruit 800 years later and still inspires humanity along the path of peace, fraternity, service to the poor, joy, and care for creation."
London - Gubbio - Assisi
Fly direct from London Stansted to San Francesco d’Assisi Airport with Ryanair. The provisional departure time is 07:20, arrival at 10:50 local time. Upon arrival, we will be met by our local tour escort. We then travel by coach to Gubbio on the way to our hotel. Upon arrival we’ll have free time for lunch and afterwards we visit St Ubaldo Basilica, the patron Saint of Gubbio, where his miraculously preserved body is located. St Francis lived here around 1220 where he met the wolf that he tamed. Mass here. After our visit to Gubbio, we proceed to our hotel and check-in. Evening dinner in the hotel.
Assisi - Basilica of St Francis, St Clare and St Carlo Acutis’ tomb
Breakfast in the hotel. We’ll drive to St Clare where we’ll begin our guided tour of Assisi. The Basilica of St Clare houses her incorrupt body. Clare of Assisi left her family’s palace in 1212 and was received by St Francis (with other young women) at the Porziuncola, thereafter establishing the Order of Poor Clares. One of the chapels here contains the crucifix that bowed its head and ordered St. Francis to “repair God’s Church.” We then walk towards the centre of Assisi, visiting St Mary Major Parish, also known as the Shrine of the Renunciation, which refers to the time when St. Francis stripped himself of his clothing in front of his father as a way of renouncing his wealth. We view the tomb of St. Carlo Acutis here, whose Canonisation Ceremony took place recently on 5th September 2025. We’ll finish our morning’s guided tour at the Basilica of St Francis, built in 1228 to house the Relics of the saint. The “upper” basilica houses beautiful frescoes of Giotto. It is in the lower church where we will view the mortal remains of St Francis (available between 22 Feb and 22 March only). Mass at the Basilica of St Francis, followed by lunch and free time for the rest of the afternoon. Return to the hotel by coach for evening dinner.
Assisi - St Mary of the Angels & Sanctuary of San Damiano
After breakfast, we will walk to and have Mass and a guided visit of the Basilica of St Mary of the Angels (Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli), a papal minor basilica situated in the plain at the foot of the hill of Assisi. The basilica was constructed around the very ancient chapel; the Porziuncola, named after the piece of land it was built on, was venerated for an apparition of angels within it and was originally the property of the Benedictines of Subasio. After a long period of abandonment, the little church Porziuncola was restored by St. Francis. It was here the young Francis of Assisi understood his vocation to live in poverty amongst the poor. It was here he founded the Order of Friars Minor (1209), "establishing here his home" and the church thus became the most sacred place for the Franciscans. St Francis died here in 1226. Free time for the rest of the morning. We then check out of our hotel and proceed to our hotel in Perugia for 1 night. On the way to our hotel we will stop and visit San Damiano, a church with a monastery near Assisi. Built in the 12th century, it was the first monastery of the Order of St Clare, where St Clare built her community and died on 11th August 1253. Dinner in the hotel.
Assisi - London
Early morning Mass if time allows. Breakfast in the hotel and check-out. Proceed to the airport for our direct flight back to London Stansted with Ryanair. The provisional departure time is 10:55, arrival at 12:25 local time.
The booking deadline at this price is 05/12/2025. If you are booking after this date, please contact us first to confirm the current price.
A deposit payment of £300 with your completed booking form will confirm your place on this tour. The final balance is due 2 months prior to the departure date.
We’ll mail your travel pack around two weeks before travelling, including your flight information, boarding passes (if applicable), general information booklet, hymn and prayer booklets, name badge, lanyard and luggage label.
All Saints Travel is an ATOL licence holder (no. 6049). In the very unlikely event of company insolvency, you are guaranteed a refund and repatriation back to the UK through the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and Air Travel Trust Fund (ATTF). Please visit www.caa.co.uk/atol-protection for further information.
It’s your responsibility to ensure you have a passport with at least 6 months validity remaining from the date of return, in addition to any visas required to travel to the relevant countries. Please call us on 01793 881166 for further information.
For the latest travel advice please visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
While people of all ages are invited to travel on this tour, a reasonable level of fitness is required in order to keep pace with the group. There may be extended periods of standing and walking on hard surfaces.
It’s compulsory to have adequate travel insurance for your journey. When booking with us we can refer you to Global Travel Insurance Services Ltd, or you can buy your insurance independently.
