This special 5-day pilgrimage to Rome and the Vatican city promises a blessed and meaningful experience filled with grace and spiritual growth. In Rome, we will see a vast wealth of religious shrines, ancient and beautiful architecture and Renaissance art. We experience the General Papal audience with Pope Leo XIV (when he is in residence). With our professional, English-speaking local guide, we visit the four major Basilicas of Rome; St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, Archbasilica of St John Lateran, Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls and the Basilica of St Mary Major (to see the final resting place of Pope Francis). Join this group and have a wonderful and enriching pilgrimage to the eternal city.
Bristol - Rome - St Paul Outside the Walls + Catacombs UK - Rome
Fly to Rome on our direct flight from Bristol Airport with easyJet. The provisional flight time is 06:00, arriving in Rome at 09:35. Upon arrival, we will be met by our professional English-speaking tour escort. Our local tour representative can provide extra support, guidance and advice as required and will be with the group on all touring days (days 1, 2 and 5). We will begin the pilgrimage with a short half-day guided tour, with time factored in for lunch before we proceed to our hotel. We first visit 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. We will have a guided tour of the basilica and then continue onto the Catacombe di San Callisto (the largest and most important underground cemetery in Rome where around half a million Christians are buried, among them many martyrs and 16 popes). Mass will be arranged at either the basilica of St Paul or the Catacombes depending on availability. We then proceed to the hotel for check-in. Evening dinner in a local restaurant.
Full day of touring in Rome - Basilica of St Mary Major - Archbasilica of St John Lateran
After breakfast in the hotel, we are met by our tour escort in the hotel lobby and we will tour Rome. Today, we will have a guided visit of 2 major basilicas in Rome. Firstly, we visit the the Basilica of St Mary Major, which houses the true relics of the manger from Bethlehem in which Jesus was laid following his birth and is also the final resting place of Pope Francis. Private Mass here. After Mass, we have free time for lunch and then we continue our tour, visiting St Peters in Chains Basilica to view Michelangelo’s famous Statue of Moses. Lastly, we visit the Archbasilica of 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. The Stairs were brought to Rome by Saint Helena in the fourth century. We can ascend these stairs on our knees, in memory of Christ’s agonizing Passion. After our guided tour, evening dinner in a local restaurant.
Rome - Free Day
Breakfast in the hotel and private Mass afterwards. Free day today to view places of interest. We recommend exploring Rome in your own time on foot; you can visit the Sistine Chapel, the famous square Piazza Navona, the Colosseum, Spanish Steps, Pantheon and/or Trevi Fountain in the old city. All within walking distance from the hotel. Free evening today; there are many restaurants, cafes and cost-effective take-aways for our evening meal in Rome. Return to the hotel.
Rome - St Peter’s Basilica - Free Afternoon in St Peter’s Square
After breakfast in the hotel, we are met by our tour guide in the hotel lobby. This morning we will have a guided tour of St Peter’s Basilica, the largest of all the Catholic churches. We explore this wonderful basilica and the grounds and visit the Crypt and view the tombs of St Peter and recent Popes. After our guided tour, we’ll have free time for lunch and for the rest of the afternoon in and around St Peter’s Square. We return to the hotel and evening dinner in a local restaurant.
Rome - Papal Audience & St Peter’s Square - Bristol
After breakfast, we check-out and store our luggage safely in the hotel and then meet our tour escort in the hotel lobby, leaving the hotel for St Peter’s Square to attend the Papal Blessing (subject to the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV being available). Free time for lunch. We then return to the hotel to collect our luggage and transfer to Rome Fiumicino Airport for our direct flight back to Bristol. The provisional departure time is 17:20, arriving in Bristol Airport at 19:10.
The booking deadline at this price is 07/11/2025. If you are booking after this date, please contact us first to confirm the current price.
A deposit payment of £400 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.
