Duration: 10 nights/ 11 days
Capacity: 15 or more people
A faith tour in Italy is a type of travel itinerary that focuses on religious sites and experiences. Our tours can be tailored to fit the interests of individual groups, and they often include visits to churches, monasteries, synagogues, and other places of worship. Faith tours can also include opportunities to learn about the history and culture of religion in Italy. They can also be a spiritual experience for travelers who are looking to connect with their faith in a new and meaningful way.
Pathways of Faith Tour Itinerary
Day 1 – Rome
Arrival at Rome airport, meet your local Tour Manager and board your coach to the Colosseum, not only an iconic symbol of Imperial ages but also widely regarded as a Christian site. Next, we will visit the Church of St. Peter’s in Chains, which houses the relics of the chains that bound Saint Peter. Transfer to your hotel for check-in. Then a welcome dinner in a typical Roman restaurant.
Day 2 – Rome
Meet a local guide and depart to the Vatican City to visit the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. We will then see the Basilica of St. Peter’s, by tradition the burial site of the first Pope and Bishop of Rome. In the afternoon we will visit the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls and complete our tour with a visit to the Christian Catacombs in a beautiful setting off the famous cobblestone of Via Appia Antica.
Day 3 – Rome
Early transfer to St. Peter’s square to attend the General Audience with Pope Francis. In the afternoon visit St. John Lateran’s Basilica, Cathedral of Rome, and the nearby Scala Sancta (Holy Stairs). Our tour will end with the Church of St. Mary Major, the largest Catholic Marian church in Rome.
Day 4 – Rome/S. Giovanni Rotondo
Today we leave for a long distance transfer to San Giovanni Rotondo. On our way, we will visit the Benedictine Abbey of Montecassino. Before reaching our destination, we will also stop in Pietrelcina, birthplace of St. Pio. Dinner will be at the reserved hotel.
Day 5 – S. Giovanni Rotondo
This morning we will visit the new Church of Saint Pio and its crypt with the tomb of the Saint. Later on we will make our way to the Sanctuary of Monte Sant’Angelo, the oldest shrine in Western Europe dedicated to the archangel Michael.
Day 6 – S. Giovanni R./Lanciano/Loreto/Assisi
Driving along the Adriatic coastline, we will arrive at Lanciano and visit the great Eucharistic shrine. We will then continue on to Loreto and visit the House of the Holy Family, miraculously transferred here from Nazareth, as tradition says. Early evening arrival in Assisi, known as the town of peace.
Day 7 – Assisi
Meet your local guide at your hotel and start a guided tour which includes St. Francis Basilica, considered one of the most important places of pilgrimage in Italy, the Church of St. Clare and the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels with the little Porziuncola church, where the young Francis started the Franciscan order.
Day 8 – Assisi/Padua
Buffet breakfast and check-out. Departure to Padua, a beautiful old university town with an illustrious past. Here we will visit the Basilica of St. Anthony, which welcomes millions of believers and pilgrims every year.
Day 9 – Padua/Venice/Padua
Today we will enjoy a day trip to nearby Venice with a guided tour of the Byzantine Basilica of St. Mark. We will continue with the monumental Rialto Bridge, the Doge’s Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. Afternoon at leisure and return to Padua.
Day 10 – Padua/Milan
Departure to Milan where we will meet our local guide with a visit to the Duomo, which is considered to be one of the world’s largest churches and best example of Northern Gothic architecture in Italy. The tour will be completed with visits to the Sforza Castle and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. Farewell dinner included.
Day 11 – Milan
Bus transfer to Milan Airport for your flight home. Tour ends.
TRIP OVERVIEW
Tour features Buffet Breakfast and local city tax; Professional Tour Manager; Modern A/C private coach; Private motor boat transfers in Venice; Professional local guides; Admissions fees; Shrines of Italy; Welcome dinner in Rome; Farewell dinner in Milan.
Travel tips
More activities can be added or included on optional basis; Tour on half or full board basis; Organization and celebration of Masses; Meet with local monastic communities; Visit the shrine of St. Rita when in Umbria; Include the city of Turin which houses the Holy Shroud; Tour in Summer or Winter to access low season rates.