Spiritual Highlights of Italy with Medjugorje - Faith-Based Travel
Spiritual Highlights of Italy with Medjugorje - Faith-Based Travel
Spiritual Highlights of Italy with Medjugorje - Faith-Based Travel
12 Days Starting in Rome, Italy and ending in Dubrovnik, Croatia
Visiting: Rome, San Giovanni Rotondo, Assisi, Cascia, Međugorje, Dubrovnik
Tour operator:
Tour code:
5305-2024
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Age range:
5-99
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
On this inspirational tour, you’ll have the opportunity to visit the Catholic icons of Rome, such as the four major Basilicas, the Scala Sancta, and the Papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo. You will also attend the Papal Audience, learn about some of Italy’s beloved Saints, and celebrate Mass. Learn about St. Pio of Pietrelcina, a modern-day saint; visit the Shrine of Monte Sant’Angelo, gather in prayer at the Sanctuary of the Eucharistic Miracle in Lanciano, reflect in the Holy House of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Loreto, and admire the timeless beauty of the Basilicas of St. Francis and St. Clare in Assisi. Italy is a must for Catholic travelers and art lovers. By spending an additional couple of days in the atmospheric pilgrimage site of Medjugorje, complete an even more memorable spiritual experience, visiting the town where the Virgin appeared to some visionaries to send a message of peace.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive In Rome, Italy
Location: Rome
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner
Welcome to Italy! Check into your hotel, with rest of the day free to explore on your own. This afternoon, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers, and prepare for your upcoming spiritual journey. Later this evening, a welcome dinner awaits at your hotel.
Day 2 : Rome
Location: Rome
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, attend the Papal Audience (subject to availability) for the chance to see the Pope and receive the Papal Blessing. Later, with a Local Guide, visit St. Paul Outside the Walls, burial place of St. Paul the Apostle, St John Lateran Basilica and St. Mary Major Basilica, the Rome’s four major Papal basilicas. Experience the Scala Sancta (Holy Stairs), transported from Jerusalem to Rome around 326 AD by St. Helena, Emperor Constantine’s mother. These 28 marble steps are traditionally ascended in a kneeling position with a prayer recital dedicated to Jesus Christ. Then, visit the impressive St. Mary Major Basilica and attend Mass.* * For operational reasons, schedule changes for the Rome program cannot be excluded.
Day 3 : Rome. Excursion To Castel Gandolfo
Location: Rome
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
A different, quite unique experience is offered today. We will take an included excursion to Castel Gandolfo, a quaint village in the hills outside Rome, to visit the Papal summer residence and its manicured gardens with a Local Guide. This is a unique chance to see the rooms that have been occupied by many Popes over the centuries. Enjoy the opportunity to reflect and meditate in the garden’s quiet and relaxing surroundings. In the afternoon, take advantage of time at leisure in Rome or join one of the optional excursions available.*Today's Distance: 50 mi / 80 km * For operational reasons, schedule changes for the Rome program cannot be excluded.
Day 4 : Rome - Pietrelcina - San Giovanni Rotondo
Location: San Giovanni Rotondo
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
On your way south, stop in quaint Pietrelcina, to visit the house where the beloved St. Pio was born, before heading 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 5 : San Giovanni Rotondo. Excursion To Monte Sant’Angelo
Location: San Giovanni Rotondo
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Attend Mass this morning at Santa Maria delle Grazie (Old Church), then visit St. Pio’s friary, including his tomb, cell, confessional, and the Padre 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 6 : San Giovanni Rotondo - Lanciano - Loreto - Assisi Area
Location: Assisi
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Visit St. Francis Church in Lanciano, home of the Sanctuary of the Eucharistic Miracle, and attend morning 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 7 : Assisi
Location: Assisi
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today, learn more about St. Francis, patron saint of animals and the environment. Attend early morning 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, stop at 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 8 : Assisi Area - Cascia - Rome
Location: Cascia
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Travel to Cascia this morning, 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 9 : Rome - Dubrovnik Or Split (Croatia) - Medjugorje (Bosnia Herzegovina)
Location: Rome
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Fly from Rome to Dubrovnik or Split, then transfer by coach to your hotel in Medjugorje. Meet your local Tour Director.Today's Distance by coach: 81 mi / 130 km
Day 10 : Medjugorje
Location: Međugorje
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Celebrate Mass in the morning. During the day, you’ll have the opportunity to climb Apparition Hill while reciting the Rosary, and/or Mt. Krizevac (the Cross Mountain) and pray at the stations of the Cross. In the late afternoon, join pilgrims from all over the world for the evening prayer program in saying the Rosary, as all anxiously await the arrival of Our Lady to the visionaries. Join Mass if you wish and the additional daily prayers.
Day 11 : Medjugorje - Dubrovnik
Location: Međugorje
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning you may have an opportunity to meet the visionaries at their home if available, or take some time for additional meditation and prayer before you travel to Dubrovnik. Free time on arrival to visit the city center and attend Mass. Today's Distance: 81 mi / 130 km
Day 12 : Dubrovnik
Location: Dubrovnik
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your vacation ends in Dubrovnik
What's Included
-
Accommodation
Stay at the Ibis Styles Roma Aurelia, Parco Delle Rose, Casa Leonori, BV Oly Hotel, Grace, and City Hotel Dubrovnik. Enjoy modern amenities, free Wi-Fi, and convenient locations near key attractions. Relax in comfortable rooms and savor local and international cuisine at on-site restaurants.
-
Transport
Travel by coach throughout Italy and to Medjugorje, with a flight from Rome to Dubrovnik or Split. Enjoy comfortable and scenic journeys between destinations, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable travel experience.
-
Meals
Buffet breakfasts daily, 7 dinners.
-
Excursions
Included excursions to Castel Gandolfo, Pietrelcina, San Giovanni Rotondo, Lanciano, Loreto, Assisi, and Cascia.
-
Guided Tours
Guided visits to St. Paul Outside the Walls, St. John Lateran Basilica, St. Mary Major Basilica, the Papal summer residence, and the Shrine of Monte Sant’Angelo.
-
Religious Services
Opportunities to attend Mass at various significant religious sites, including St. Mary Major Basilica, Santa Maria delle Grazie, St. Francis Basilica, and others.
What's Not Included
-
Papal Audience
The Papal audience at the Vatican is subject to availability.
-
Mass Services
Mass services may be in the local language and venues are subject to change.
-
Optional Excursions
Optional excursions available at an additional cost.
-
Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
-
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended to be purchased separately.
UNESCO Sites
Assisi (the Basilica of San Francesco)|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
Meals
Buffet breakfasts daily, 7 dinners
Notes
The Papal audience at the Vatican is subject to availability.Mass services may be in local language and venues are subject to changeDeparture May 21 St. Pio feast day (25 May)Departure June 16 Medjugorje apparition anniversary (25 June) – No Papal audience on this departureDeparture September 19 St. Pio death anniversary (23 September) – No Papal audience on this departure
Mode of Transport
Travel by coach throughout Italy and to Medjugorje, with a flight from Rome to Dubrovnik or Split. Enjoy comfortable and scenic journeys between destinations, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable travel experience.
Check out our Q&As
-
What type of transportation is used during the tour?
Travel by coach throughout Italy and to Medjugorje, with a flight from Rome to Dubrovnik or Split. Enjoy comfortable and scenic journeys between destinations, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable travel experience.
-
What kind of accommodations can I expect on this tour?
You will stay at the Ibis Styles Roma Aurelia, Parco Delle Rose, Casa Leonori, BV Oly Hotel, Grace, and City Hotel Dubrovnik. Enjoy modern amenities, free Wi-Fi, and convenient locations near key attractions. Relax in comfortable rooms and savor local and international cuisine at on-site restaurants.
-
Will there be opportunities to attend Mass during the tour?
Yes, there are multiple opportunities to attend Mass throughout the tour, including at St. Mary Major Basilica, Santa Maria delle Grazie, St. Francis Church in Lanciano, St. Francis Basilica in Assisi, and during the stay in Medjugorje.
-
Is there a chance to see the Pope during the tour?
Yes, there is a chance to attend the Papal Audience (subject to availability) for the opportunity to see the Pope and receive the Papal Blessing.
-
What unique experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes unique experiences such as visiting the Papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, climbing Apparition Hill and Mt. Krizevac in Medjugorje, and the opportunity to meet the visionaries in Medjugorje if available.
-
Are there any special events or anniversaries during the tour?
Yes, certain departures coincide with special events such as St. Pio's feast day on May 25, Medjugorje apparition anniversary on June 25, and St. Pio's death anniversary on September 23. Note that there will be no Papal audience on the June 16 and September 19 departures.
-
What is the significance of the locations visited on the tour?
The tour visits several significant religious sites including the four major Papal basilicas in Rome, the house of St. Pio in Pietrelcina, the Shrine of Monte Sant'Angelo, the Sanctuary of the Eucharistic Miracle in Lanciano, the Marian Sanctuary of Loreto, and the birthplace of St. Francis and St. Clare in Assisi.
-
What meals are included in the tour?
The tour includes buffet breakfasts daily and 7 dinners.
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1961
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
Reviews of this operator
1 Select your preferred date
Tuesday - Saturday
Sep 24, 2024 - Oct 05, 2024Tuesday - Saturday
Oct 08, 2024 - Oct 19, 2024Book with Confidence
-
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.
-
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.
Enquire for huge savings
Rated 5* on Trust Pilot & ABTA Protected.