Join us and see a vast wealth of religious shrines, ancient and beautiful architecture, Renaissance exhibitions, exquisite food and good wine. Rome, Assisi & San Giovanni has something to offer everyone. Starting off in Rome - where we experience the General Papal audience with Pope Francis (given he is in residence). Also, a guided visit to see the four major Basilicas of Rome. We then move on to a historical city pervaded by the spirit of St. Francis, viewing the Basilica of St Francis and his tomb. We finish our pilgrimage in San Giovanni where we see the Shrine of Padre Pio, his cell and where he said Mass.
UK - Rome
Fly to Rome on our direct flight from London Heathrow with British Airways. Upon arrival transfer to our hotel in Rome where we will stay for three nights.
Rome - Papal Audience - Free time
After breakfast, we leave the hotel for St Peter’s Basilica to attend the Papal Blessing in the Square (subject to the Holy Father being available). Mass will be arranged at The Beda College, where Fr. Peyton studied for priesthood. Free time for the rest of the day. Evening dinner.
Full day of touring in Rome
Today we will have a guided visit of the four major basilicas in Rome. Firstly, the Basilica of St Paul outside the Walls, the second largest church in Rome, which houses the tomb of St Paul kept under the main altar. Secondly the Basilica of St Mary Majors, which houses the true relics of the manger from Bethlehem in which Jesus was laid following his birth. Thirdly St Peters in Chains Basilica to view Michelangelo’s famous Statue of Moses and lastly St John Lateran, the cathedral church of the Diocese of Rome which is the oldest, and the first among the four great "patriarchal" basilicas of Rome. Across the road from here we make a quick visit to the Holy Stairs (Scala Santa). According to tradition these are the steps our Lord walked up on his way to trial before Pontius Pilate. Return to our hotel.
Rome - Cascia - Assisi
Check-out of our hotel after breakfast and travel to Assisi. Halfway through our journey we visit the Shrine of St Rita in Cascia. Mass here. We will have lunch here in this stunning location. Check-into our hotel for two nights. Eveninf dinner.
Assisi
After breakfast, we will have a guided tour, firstly to the church of St. Clare which houses her incorrupt body. One of the chapels here contains the crucifix that bowed its head and ordered St. Francis to “repair God’s Church”. Secondly, we will tour the Basilica of St. Francis, built in 1228 to house the Relics of the saint. The “upper” basilica houses beautiful frescoes of Giotto. We will have Mass in the church of St Francis. We then drive to the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli, The “Porziuncola”, the very ancient chapel, venerated for an apparition of angels within it, and which was originally the property of the Benedictines of Subasio. It was located on a piece of land known as the Portiuncula; this name became attached to the chapel. After a long period of abandonment, it was restored by St. Francis. Here he was given a clear understanding of his vocation. He founded here the Order of Friars Minor (1209), "establishing here his home". Return to the hotel for evening dinner.
Assisi - St Michaels Cave - San Giovanni
After breakfast we leave Assisi and head to San Giovanni Rotondo We stop via the Sanctuary of St Michael the Archangel and visit St Michael’s Cave where the Angels appeared three times in the years 490, 492 and 1656. Mass here. After, we check-in to our hotel in San Giovanni for two nights. Evening dinner.
San Giovanni
After breakfast, we visit The Shrine of St Pio, the second most visited Shrine in the world (second only to Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico). Here we visit Santa Maria Delle Grazie (Our Lady of Grace) where St Pio’s Tomb is kept and on view in the crypt; his Cell; his Confessional from where he performed so many of his miracles, and the choir loft where he received his Sacred Stigmata in 1918 - he suffered from these wounds until his death on September 23, 1968. His well-preserved personal belongings can be viewed here including thousands of letters he received for just one year displayed on the wall. Mass will be arranged and we will do stations of the Cross. Dinner at the hotel.
San Giovanni Rotondo - Rome - UK
Breakfast in the hotel. Mass if time allows. Transfer to Rome for our direct flight back to London Heathrow with British Airways.
The booking deadline at this price is 15/03/2024. If you are booking after this date, please contact us first to confirm the current price.
A deposit payment of £350 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. You have the option of purchasing cover from Global Travel Insurance when booking with us, or you can buy your insurance independently.
