Shrines of Italy - Faith-Based Travel
Shrines of Italy - Faith-Based Travel
$3390
Shrines of Italy - Faith-Based Travel
14 Days Starting in Milan, Italy and ending in Rome, Italy
Visiting: Milan, Turin, Padua, Ravenna, Rome, San Giovanni Rotondo, Assisi
Tour operator:
Tour code:
5365-2025
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
25 - 43
Age range:
5-99
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Cultural, History, Religion and Spiritual, Special Guest Tours
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on a spiritual journey through Italy with the "Shrines of Italy - Faith-Based Travel" tour. This enriching experience takes you to some of Italy's most revered religious sites, including the Gothic Duomo and St. Ambrose Basilica in Milan, the Holy Shroud Museum in Turin, and the Carthusian Monastery in Pavia. Explore the early Christian monuments of Ravenna, attend a Papal Audience in Rome, and visit the Papal Summer Residence in Castel Gandolfo. Discover the birthplace of St. Francis in Assisi, the Sanctuary of the Eucharistic Miracle in Lanciano, and the Marian Sanctuary of Loreto. This tour offers a profound connection to Italy's religious heritage, complemented by comfortable accommodations and guided visits to significant spiritual landmarks.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive In Milan,Italy
Location: Milan
Accommodation Name: Ramada Plaza Milano
Meals Included: Dinner
Check into your hotel and spend free time exploring this busy city on your own before meeting your tour companions and Tour Director for an included welcome dinner at your hotel.
Day 2: Milan
Location: Milan
Accommodation Name: Ramada Plaza Milano
Meals Included: Breakfast
Dedicate the morning to Milan's most important Catholic churches: St. Ambrose Basilica and the Gothic Duomo. St. Ambrose is the patron saint of beekeepers, beggars, learners, and Milan. Celebrate [M] Mass and discover the treasures of the Basilica and the Duomo with a Local Guide.
Day 3: Milan,Turin
Location: Turin
Accommodation Name: Holiday Inn Corso Francia
Meals Included: Breakfast
Turin is known in the Catholic community worldwide as the home of the Holy Shroud, only available to the public on very special occasions. The city was also home to St. John Bosco, the priest who founded the Salesian religious institute to help poor children with their education during the industrial revolution. Your visit includes the Holy Shroud Museum, the Basilica of St Mary Ausiliatrice and St. John’s rooms. You’ll have time to appreciate the elegance of this city and former capital of Italy before attending [M] Mass. Today’s Distance: 90 mi / 145 km
Day 4: Turin,Pavia,Padua
Location: Turin
Accommodation Name: Hotel NH Padova
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Pavia boasts a beautiful Carthusian Monastery, built in the 1400s by Gian Galeazzo Visconti, Duke of Milan. The monastery is one of Italy’s “hidden treasures” with lavish decorations and it is inhabited and looked after by monks who still live a traditional life of seclusion and prayer. Today's Distance: 245 mi / 395 km
Day 5: Padua,Pomposa,Ravenna
Location: Padua
Accommodation Name: NH Ravenna
Meals Included: Breakfast
Attend morning [M] Mass and visit St. Anthony Basilica in Padua with a Local Guide, then enjoy a short city sightseeing tour and time on your own. In the afternoon, on the way to Ravenna, we’ll stop to see the Abbey of Pomposa, where the Benedictine monk Guido d’Arezzo invented modern musical notation in the 11th century. Today’s Distance: 85 mi / 137 km
Day 6: Ravenna,Rome
Location: Ravenna
Accommodation Name: BV Oly Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
UNESCO declared the early Christian monuments of Ravenna as having “outstanding universal value.” Ravenna was the seat of the Roman Empire in the 5th century and of Byzantine Italy until the 8th century. It has a unique collection of early Christian mosaics and places of worship. All buildings—the Neonian Baptistry, the Basilica of St. Apollinare Nuovo, St. Vitale Church and the Archbishop’s Chapel of St. Andrew were constructed in the 5th and 6th centuries. They show great artistic skill, including a wonderful blend of Greek-Roman tradition, Christian iconography, and Asian and Western styles. The morning is dedicated to discovering these masterpieces and focusing on the Byzantine-style mosaics with a Local Guide. In the afternoon, travel to Rome. Today’s Distance: 221 mi / 355 km
Day 7: Rome
Location: Rome
Accommodation Name: BV Oly Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today you have the unique chance to attend the Papal Audience in the Vatican (subject to availability). Afterwards, enjoy an included city tour with a Local Guide to see the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, where St. Paul was buried after his martyrdom, St. John Lateran Basilica, the Cathedral of Rome, and seat of its Bishop (the Pope) and the Holy Stairs. Said to have led Jesus to the praetorium of Pontius Pilate, the stairs were transferred to Rome by Empress St. Helena. Finally, visit St. Mary Major Basilica, where a reliquary contains wood from the Holy Crib. Attend [M] Mass here before returning to your hotel.
Day 8: Rome
Location: Rome
Accommodation Name: BV Oly Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
A special treat today: Visit the Papal Summer Residence in Castel Gandolfo. Wander through its manicured gardens, an opportunity to reflect and meditate in quiet and relaxing surroundings. Walk through the rooms where many Popes have spent the summer months in the cooler countryside on the hills outside Rome. Later, you can join the optional excursion that will take you back to St. Peter’s to discover the treasures of the Vatican Museum, or you can spend time at leisure enjoying the many monuments of Roman heritage. Today's Distance: 50 mi / 80 km
Day 9: Rome,Pietrelcina,San Giovanni Rotondo
Location: San Giovanni Rotondo
Accommodation Name: Parco Delle Rose
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
On your way south, stop in quaint Pietrelcina to visit the house where the beloved St. Pio was born. Then, head towards San Giovanni Rotondo on the east coast, the Saint’s home from 1916 until his death in 1968. Today’s Distance: 258 mi / 415 km
Day 10: San Giovanni Rotondo. Excursion To Monte Sant’Angelo
Location: San Giovanni Rotondo
Accommodation Name: Parco Delle Rose
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Attend [M] Mass this morning at Santa Maria delle Grazie (Old Church), then visit St. Pio's friary, including his tomb, cell, confessional, and St. Pio Pilgrimage Church (New Church). Afterwards, take a short drive to the nearby Shrine of Monte Sant’Angelo, one of Christendom’s most celebrated, where St. Michael the Archangel appeared in 490, 492, and 1656. Tonight, attend the candlelight procession in San Giovanni Rotondo. Today’s Distance: 43 mi / 70 km
Day 11: San Giovanni Rotondo,Lanciano,Loreto,Assisi Area
Location: Assisi
Accommodation Name: Casa Leonori
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Visit St. Francis Church in Lanciano, home of the Sanctuary of the Eucharistic Miracle, and attend morning [M] Mass. Continue to the famous Marian Sanctuary of Loreto for a guided visit including the Holy House, where, according to tradition, angels transported the house of the blessed Virgin Mary. Arrive at the hilltop village of Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis and St. Clare. Today’s Distance: 298 mi / 480 km
Day 12: Assisi
Location: Assisi
Accommodation Name: Casa Leonori
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today, learn more about St. Francis, patron saint of animals and the environment. Attend early morning [M] Mass at St. Francis Basilica, famous for its 14th-century Giotto frescoes depicting the life of St. Francis. Meet your Local Guide and visit the Upper and Lower Basilicas of St. Francis and the Basilica of St. Clare, founder of the Order of Poor Clares. Next, visit the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, situated at the foot of Assisi’s hills and protecting the Porziuncola, where St. Francis is said to have founded the Order of Friars Minor in 1209, and the Cappella del Transito, where the saint died in 1226.
Day 13: Assisi Area,Cascia,Rome
Location: Rome
Accommodation Name: BV Oly Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Travel to Cascia, a scenic town located in Umbria and home of St. Rita, the “Patron Saint of Impossible Causes.” Visit the Sanctuary and see the Major Basilica, housing the chapel with St. Rita's tomb. Stop in prayer at the Minor Basilica, site of the Eucharistic Miracle, commemorated each year with the Feast of Corpus Christi. Return to Rome for a final overnight stay. Today’s Distance: 149 mi / 240 km
Day 14: Rome
Location: Rome
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Stay at various hotels including Ramada Plaza Milano, Holiday Inn Corso Francia, Hotel NH Padova, AC Marriott, NH Ravenna, Ibis Styles Roma Aurelia, Parco Delle Rose, Casa Leonori, and BV Oly Hotel.
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Meals
Buffet breakfasts daily and 6 dinners are included.
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Guided Tours
Local guides will provide tours of significant religious sites including St. Ambrose Basilica, the Gothic Duomo, the Holy Shroud Museum, and more.
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Mass Services
Attend Mass services at various significant religious sites throughout the tour.
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UNESCO Sites
Visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Assisi (the Basilica of San Francesco), Early Christian monuments of Ravenna, and Vatican City.
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Papal Audience
Opportunity to attend the Papal Audience in the Vatican (subject to availability).
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Transport
Transportation between cities and sites as per the itinerary.
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Welcome Dinner
Included welcome dinner on the first day in Milan.
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Candlelight Procession
Attend the candlelight procession in San Giovanni Rotondo.
What's Not Included
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Optional Excursions
Optional excursions such as the visit to the Vatican Museum are not included.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and should be purchased separately.
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Flights
International and domestic flights to and from Italy are not included.
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Gratuities
Gratuities for guides, drivers, and hotel staff are not included.
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Papal Audience Availability
The Papal audience at the Vatican is subject to availability and not guaranteed.
Notes
The Papal audience at the Vatican is subject to availability.Mass services may be in local language and venues are subject to change.Papal audience not available on June 11 departure
Meals
Buffet breakfasts daily, 6 dinners
UNESCO Sites
Assisi (the Basilica of San Francesco)|Early Christian monuments of Ravenna|Rome (St. Paul Outside the Walls)|The properties of the Holy See in Rome enjoying extraterritorial rights and San Paolo outside the Walls|Vatican City
Accommodation
The tour features stays at various high-quality hotels including the Ramada Plaza Milano, Holiday Inn Corso Francia, Hotel NH Padova, AC Marriott, NH Ravenna, Ibis Styles Roma Aurelia, Parco Delle Rose, Casa Leonori, and BV Oly Hotel. These hotels offer modern amenities such as free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, fitness centers, and on-site restaurants serving Italian and international cuisine.
Mode of Transport
Transportation throughout the tour includes comfortable coach travel between cities and key locations, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable journey as you explore the religious and cultural sites of Italy.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of accommodations can I expect during the tour?
The tour includes stays at various hotels such as the Ramada Plaza Milano, Holiday Inn Corso Francia, Hotel NH Padova, AC Marriott, NH Ravenna, Ibis Styles Roma Aurelia, Parco Delle Rose, Casa Leonori, and BV Oly Hotel. These hotels offer amenities like free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, fitness centers, and on-site restaurants.
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Will there be opportunities to attend Mass during the tour?
Yes, the tour includes several opportunities to attend Mass at significant religious sites such as St. Ambrose Basilica, the Basilica of St Mary Ausiliatrice, St. Anthony Basilica, Santa Maria delle Grazie, and St. Francis Basilica, among others.
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What are some of the key religious sites we will visit?
Key religious sites include St. Ambrose Basilica, the Gothic Duomo in Milan, the Holy Shroud Museum in Turin, the Carthusian Monastery in Pavia, St. Anthony Basilica in Padua, the early Christian monuments in Ravenna, the Papal Audience in the Vatican, the Papal Summer Residence in Castel Gandolfo, and the Sanctuary of the Eucharistic Miracle in Lanciano.
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Is there a chance to see the Pope during the tour?
Yes, there is a unique chance to attend the Papal Audience in the Vatican, subject to availability.
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What kind of meals are included in the tour?
The tour includes buffet breakfasts daily and six dinners.
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Are there any UNESCO World Heritage Sites included in the tour?
Yes, the tour includes visits to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Basilica of San Francesco in Assisi, the early Christian monuments of Ravenna, St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome, and properties of the Holy See in Rome enjoying extraterritorial rights.
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What is the significance of the visit to Turin?
Turin is significant for its association with the Holy Shroud and St. John Bosco. The visit includes the Holy Shroud Museum, the Basilica of St Mary Ausiliatrice, and St. John’s rooms.
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Will there be any special events or activities during the tour?
Yes, the tour includes special activities such as a candlelight procession in San Giovanni Rotondo and a visit to the Papal Summer Residence in Castel Gandolfo.
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What is the focus of the visit to Assisi?
The visit to Assisi focuses on learning about St. Francis, including attending Mass at St. Francis Basilica and visiting the Upper and Lower Basilicas of St. Francis, the Basilica of St. Clare, and the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli.
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What is the significance of the visit to Cascia?
Cascia is significant as the home of St. Rita, the 'Patron Saint of Impossible Causes.' The visit includes the Sanctuary, the Major Basilica housing St. Rita’s tomb, and the Minor Basilica, site of the Eucharistic Miracle.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1961
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Cosmos is committed to minimizing our impact on the environment and to reducing dependence on non-renewable resources. In this endeavor, we have implemented policies to support this mission and are working carefully to enhance our products with this mission and our values combined. We are committed to complying with all relevant legislation and/or regulations.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Travel documents, including any air tickets, itineraries, and other information, are available approximately two to three weeks prior to departure provided full payment has been received.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
All guests are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 for travel through February, 2023. Beginning March 1, 2023, while we highly recommend vaccination, we will no longer require it. We ask all guests to comply with airline and destination requirements, which still may apply. To check your destination requirements for your travel dates, view the Latest Travel & Health Restrictions for Travel.
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Low Deposit
Cosmos requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of cosmos charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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