Pilgrimage Tour Italy : (15 Nights / 16 Days )
Portugal | Spain | France | Italy

Valid from 10^th January to 20^th December 2008 & 10^th January to 31^st March 2009

** Price on Request

Visit Italy with us. Click here for Pilgrimage Tour Italy...

Day 01 : Arrive - Lisbon
Arrive Lisbon and transfer to Fatima 80 Milan ore than 80 miles north of Lisbon in west central Portugal. The place where the Blessed Mother appeared in 1917 to three simple shepherd children and exhorted mankind to pray for world peace. Dinner and overnight in Fatima. (D)

Day 02 : Fatima
Six times, from the May 13 to Oct 13, 1917, the Virgin Mary appeared to three novices belonging to the diocese of Leiria. A new big basilica is under construction, however just as beautiful, an older basilica was constructed here in 1928, and millions of pilgrims visit each year. Fatima is one of the most visited holy places for Catholics from around the world. The atmosphere of intense spirituality and the importance of Fatima have been attested to by the visits of two Popes: Paul VI and John Paul II. Touring Fatima, see the Little Chapel of the Apparitions, Basilica, the site of Francesco and Jacinta's graves, the Hamlet of Aljustrel, where the children lived, and Valinhos, the site of Our Lady's appearance after the children's return from prison. Follow the Stations of the Cross along the Via Sacra (The Sacred Way) culminating in the Chapel of Calvary, which overlooks all of Fatima. Join pilgrims from around the world in an evening candlelight procession to pray the rosary. Dinner and overnight in Fatima. (B,D)

Day 03 : Fatima - Burgos
Today after Breakfast at the hotel proceed to Burgos (Spain).Drive through the Conty side of Portugal and Spain and arrive in the capitals of Castile (Castilla), the historic heart of Spain and was the birthplace of the Spanish 11th Century hero El Cid.' Burgos. After dinner explore Burgos (on your own), admire the magnificent limestone Cathedral. Overnight in Burgos. (B,D).

Day 04 : Burgos
Today after Breakfast at the hotel. Mass at the Santa Maria Cathedral Later Proceed for a city tour of. Burgos. Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel in Burgos. (B,D)

Day 05 : Burgos - Loyola - Lourdes
After Breakfast, leave Burgos, heading to Lourdes. En route stop in Loyola, the birthplace of St Ignatius, founder of the Jesuits. Here, we'll see the 17th Century Basilica dedicated to St Ignatius. Behind the sanctuary is the family home of St. Ignatius, which we'll visit during our stop. The most venerated place in this building is the room where Ignatius at age 30, was brought following his serious wounding at the Battle of Pamplona. Later, delight in the scenery as we motor through the Pyrenees Mountains into Lourdes. Here, standing between the spectacular mountain-river, Gave de Pau, stands picturesque Lourdes, the birthplace of St Bernadette to whom Our Lady appeared in 1858 near the Grotto of Massabielle. Settle into your hotel, explore before dinner, followed by a candlelight procession before retiring for the evening. (B,D).

Day 06 & 07 - Lourdes
During your stay in Lourdes you may celebrate daily Mass at the Grotto, enjoy a video presentation telling the story of Lourdes, and walk in the footsteps of St Bernadette. See Holy Mill where St Bernadette was born and the "Cachot," an abandoned prison where Bernadette's impoverished family lived. Pray for the sick, drink water from the miraculous spring, submerge yourself in the healing baths, and experience Christ's love as you walk the life-sized Stations of the Cross overlooking the holy grotto. Kneel in the chapel built on the very rock of the grotto, attend the blessing of the sick, and participate in nightly candlelight processions requested by Our Lady. Time for private devotions before dinner and overnight. (B, D)

Day 08 : Lourdes - Rome
Travel by flight (s) to Rome. Upon arrival your Transfer to your hotel and enjoy a free afternoon for rest, relaxation, or exploration. Overnight at the hotel in Rome (B, D).

Day 09 : Rome (Papal Audience and Vatican Museum Tour)
Wake up in Eternal City, one of the greatest centers of Western Civilization and the first truly cosmopolitan city on earth! It is also spiritual capital for all the Catholics around the world. Today is truly a day we will have in our minds for many years to come. This morning we go to Vatican City to attend the weekly Papal Audience or Blessing given by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI (pending papal schedule). Following the audience visit of the Vatican Museums, a group of most impressive edifices with hundreds of galleries filled with art treasures. See awe-inspiring relics and works of art donated throughout centuries as tributes of faith. We'll cover The Tapestry Gallery, The Raphael Rooms and the most overwhelming Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo's Masterpiece, restored mural of the Last Judgment. Later, enter the largest church in Christendom St Peter's Basilica, built on the site where St Peter was martyred. Unsurpassed in beauty, a monument to the long history of the Catholic Church, to which pilgrims come from around the world, St Peter's is the grandest of the world's churches. Marvel Pieta and Bernini's amazing bronze canopy. Before dinner, we'll have some time at leisure, to explore your own paths, to shop, or just to sit in one of the outside cafes and watch the world go by. (B,D).

Day 10 : Rome
This morning we depart for a sightseeing tour with focus on "Christian Rome" Touring we will see many important cultural and monumental sights around Rome. Stop for a visit at three major Basilicas: St Mary Major, one of the oldest shrines dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, a shrine that contains a relic from the manger of the infant Jesus. The Basilica of the St John in Lateran, is the former residence of the popes prior to their return to Rome in 1377. St Paul outside the Walls, which houses the remains of St Paul under its main altar. We will also see the ancient Baths of Caracalla, Arch of Drusus, Chapel "O'Domine Quo Vadis?" the remains of imperial tombs, Tomb of Celilia Metella, and the catacombs of St Callixtus where the early Christians hid themselves to escape persecution. Dinner and overnight for your last evening in Rome. (B, D).

Day 11 - Rome - Monte Cassino - San Giovanni Rotondo
Leave Rome, the Eternal City, for San Giovanni Rotondo. Time permitting we will stop in Monte Cassino, a beautiful town founded by St. Benedict in 529. Dinner and overnight in San Giovanni Rotondo. (B,D).

Day 12 - San Giovanni Rotondo- Monte Sant’Angelo
After celebrating Mass at the tomb of Padre Pio, we tour the sanctuary; see the old church and the crucifix from which he received the stigmata in 1918. You will see the confessional where Padre Pio spent innumerable hours with a multitude of pilgrims, directing them on their journey toward God. Enjoy a breathtaking view of the Cargano Peninsula and a visit to the Grotto of Michael the Archangel. Six different popes, St Francis and at least four other saints have knelt in prayer at this grotto, seeking the protection of St Michael. A panoramic view of the ocean and the surrounding countryside awaits you at this most celebrated shrine of early Christianity, a shrine consecrated by St Michael himself in 490. Return to San Giovanni for devotions, reflection, and a restful overnight. (B,D).

Day 13 - San Giovanni Rotondo - Lanciano - Loreto - Assisi
We will have breakfast at our hotel before we embark on a drive up the Adriatic coast to Lanciano where we will see the Eucharistic Miracle and celebrate Mass. We then continue on to the great Marian shrine of Loreto to visit the Holy House of Nazareth and the beautiful Madonna of Loreto. More than 50 popes have made a pilgrimage to the house transported by angels to this hill in central Italy in 1294. Tradition has it that this is the house in which Mary first prayed the Magnificat, in which Jesus grew to manhood, and in which the Holy Family lived. Continue to Assisi for dinner and overnight. (B,D).

Day 14 – Assisi
Visit the tomb of St Francis. Explore the quaint hilltop birthplace of St Francis that still retains something of the atmosphere of the early 1200s, the period when St Francis began his ministry. Contained within the huge 13th-century Basilica are many of the saint's possessions and a series of frescoes depicting his life. You may kneel before the crucifix from which Jesus spoke to St Francis, asking him to rebuild His church. It was in St Mary of the Angels Basilica where St Francis spent most of his life. Here we visit the Chapel, Portiuncola, the rose bush, and the cave where the saint retired for prayer. Stroll the medieval streets of the compact little town. After stopping at an outdoor cafe with a view of an ancient Roman temple, we go to the Church of St Clare to see the saint's incorrupt body. The foundress of the Order of Poor Clares followed the teachings of St Francis by living a life of poverty and humility. We will visit these two saints' tombs before dinner and retiring for the evening. (B,D).

Day 15 - Assisi - Orviedo - Sienna
If you like, today, you may sit back, relax and reflect in Assisi, or you may join a new added tour to Orvieto and Sienna. First, on to the beautiful town of Orvieto to see the Cathedral, the landmark in the town’s main square of the tiny city. View the holy corporal containing the blood from the Eucharistic Miracle of Orvieto in 1263 that occasioned the proclamation of the Feast Corpus Christi. Continue to Siena, the birthplace of Saints Catherine and Bernardine and one of Italy’s loveliest medieval cities. Here we will stroll the Piazza Del Campo, one of Italy’s finest squares and visit the Cathedral and the Basilica of St. Francis, containing the miraculous consecrated hosts that remained intact since 1730. View the incorrupt head of St. Catherine at the Basilica of St. Dominic. Return to Assisi for dinner and overnight. (B, D).

Day 16 - Assisi - Rome – Fly back Home
Depart from Assisi in the early morning for Rome for our Flight back Home. We fondly say, Arrivederci Roma!

Tour Ends

Our Price Includes :
» 2 nights: Fatima, Portugal
» 2 nights: Burgos, Spain
» 3 nights: Lourdes, France
» 3 nights: Rome, Italy
» 2 nights: San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
» 3 nights: Assisi, Italy
» Breakfast and dinner daily
» Transportation by air-conditioned motor coach
» Guided tours and Entrances Fees
» Hotel taxes and service charges
» Papal Audience (if available)

Visit Italy with us. Click here for Pilgrimage Tour Italy...