Make your way to your local airport, where you will board your overnight flight(s). Your meals will be served on board.

Upon arrival at Rome airport, collect your luggage in the baggage claim area, and continue to the arrival’s hall, where you will be greeted by a tour escort and/or driver. You will make your way to the bus and transfer to Assisi. Following check-in, you will have free time to unpack and relax. Later your group will meet in the hotel lobby for a “Meet and Greet” with your fellow pilgrims and depart for Mass. Following Mass, you will attend a welcome dinner.

After breakfast, tour of the Basilica of St. Francis, where you will see the tomb of St. Francis (Mass, pending availability), and have the opportunity to view a series of frescoes depicting his life, along with a few of the saint’s possessions. Next you will visit the Santuario Della Spogliazione where Blessed Carlo Acutis’ tomb is, the first millennial to be declared Blessed. Continue tour by walking through this picturesque town, where St. Francis and St. Clare both followed God’s call to rebuild his church. Enjoy some free time for additional prayer, shop and lunch. After lunch, board the bus, which will take you outside of the walls of Assisi, to the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels. This Basilica is made up of two structures, both of which you will visit. The first structure is the Porziuncola and the second is the Capella del Transito which is the place where St. Francis died. Return to the hotel for dinner and a restful overnight.

Following breakfast, this morning, you will ride through the beautiful Umbrian mountains to Orvieto. This incredible town sits on a volcanic high rock formation. Here we visit one of the most beautiful and most renowned Cathedrals in Italy. Because of its strategic location, its Christian history officially started in 1004, but Orvieto was built over preexisting Etruscan era cave tunnels dating back 2,500 years, which some historians believe Christians used to celebrate Mass when Christianity was forbidden. Lunch on own. Continue to the village of Subiaco, famous worldwide for its two Benedictine Monasteries and located in a magnificent natural setting along the Aniene River. Enjoy a visit and eventually Mass on arrival in the spectacular cliff-faced Monastery of St Benedict, which enshrines the sacred cave Sacrae Specola where St Benedict withdrew as a hermit to live for three years (Mass in chapel by cave, pending availability). Departure to Rome for hotel check in, dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, enjoy a guided tour of the iconic Colosseum (Mass at Ss. Cosmas and Damian, pending availability), exploring its fascinating history and architecture. Head to the nearby Roman Forum, the heart of ancient Roman public life, where you can explore the ruins of temples, basilicas, and government buildings. This afternoon, visit the oldest of the four major Basilicas in Rome, the Archbasilica of St. John the Lateran, the cathedral church and seat of the Bishop of Rome. Continue the visit at the Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, with the Chapel of the Relics, where you can see fragments of the True Cross and other sacred relics. Dinner and overnight.

Start your day with a visit to the majestic Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, one of Rome’s four papal basilicas. Admire its stunning mosaics, peaceful cloister, and the tomb of the Apostle Paul—an inspiring place full of history and spiritual significance. Next, continue to the nearby Abbey of the Three Fountains (Mass, pending availability), a serene and lesser-known spot where, according to tradition, Saint Paul was martyred. Depart Rome for Nettuno and for lunch. Enjoy Nettuno and visit the Santuario di Nostra Signora della Grazie e di Santa Maria Goretti, then stop at the Sicily – Rome American Cemetery, a peaceful WWII memorial. We will then return to Rome for some free time before. Dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, this morning we attend the Papal Audience. The Audience is celebrated each Wednesday by His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV (pending the papal schedule). If the audience does not occur, attend the Papal Mass for Ss. Peter and Paul. Next you’ll have some free time for lunch (on own). This afternoon, Discover with a guided tour Trastevere, one of Rome’s most authentic neighborhoods, with its charming cobbled streets and vibrant atmosphere. Visit the Basilica of Santa Cecilia, a hidden gem featuring stunning frescoes by Pietro Cavallini, depicting the life of the saint and offering a unique glimpse into medieval Roman art and spirituality. (Mass at San Lorenzo or Santa Cecelia, pending availability and attendance of Papal Mass earlier that day). Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Today we tour St. Peter’s Basilica, built on the site where St. Peter the Apostle was martyred. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to view Michelangelo’s Pieta sculpture, pray at the tombs of Pope Benedict XVI and St. John Paul II. Next you will visit the Vatican Museum, where you can see the Tapestry Gallery, Raphael Rooms, and Sistine Chapel. Embark on a fascinating Scavi Tour beneath St. Peter’s Basilica, where you’ll explore the ancient Roman necropolis and visit the tomb of St. Peter. Rest of the day at leisure. Dinner and overnight.

This morning explore the ancient Catacombs of Rome (either San Sebastiano or San Callisto), underground burial sites used by early Christians. As you walk through the eerie tunnels, you’ll see early Christian frescoes, inscriptions, and tombs, offering a unique glimpse into Rome’s ancient religious practices. Continue to Piazza Navona, where you can admire the stunning Baroque fountains and explore nearby art galleries. Wander the charming streets to discover artisan boutiques selling handmade jewelry, leather goods, and unique Italian fashion. After shopping, relax in one of the area’s cozy cafés, soaking in the lively atmosphere of this historic Roman square. Farewell dinner and overnight.

After an early breakfast and heartfelt farewells, transfer to Rome airport for return flights home.

*206 Tours Disclaimer:
Occasionally local religious and national holidays, weather, traffic conditions and other events may necessitate changes in the sequence of events or the missing of certain events/places. Though every effort will be made to follow the itinerary, it should be considered as an indication, rather than a contract of events and places to be visited.