I know I’ve been silent for a while; since we began planning this trip so far in advance there just aren’t a ton of updates, so in this lull I wanted to touch base and fill in any gaps for you. Just for your information, I’ve recently become a certified travel adviser (so we will expand our horizons beyond Italy in the future!). Out of curiosity I logged in to my travel account to see if I could find discounted rates for any of the hotels where we are staying and there wasn’t a single hotel available in any of our destinations that could accommodate our group. SO I’M GLAD WE BEGAN PLANNING EARLY! We are booked and ready to boogie.
08 October: Arrive at FCO, board our coach and head to San Giovanni Rotondo. We will stop at an auto grill for lunch, coffee, and to stretch our legs. Upon arrival in San Giovanni Rotondo, we will check in to Hotel San Pio. We will visit my beloved Saint Padre Pio before we celebrate Mass together at Santa Maria delle Grazie, the old chapel where the great Saint celebrated Mass and heard confessions. After Mass we will have supper together.
09 October: Following an early breakfast, we depart for Monte Sant’Angelo, where we will celebrate Mass in the grotto where Saint Michael appeared in the late 5th century, telling a local Bishop, “I am Michael the Archangel and am always in the presence of God. I chose the cave as sacred to me. There will be no more shedding of bull’s blood. Where the rocks open widely, the sins of men may be pardoned. What is asked here in prayer will be granted. Therefore, go up to the mountain cave and dedicate it to the Christian God.”
After Mass we depart for Assisi, checking into Hotel La Dimora.
Once we are settled into Assisi, we will have time to rest and relax until our supper together. I encourage you to explore the town on your own after we eat! It is a charming place, perhaps my favorite destination on earth.
10 October: After breakfast we will have a quiet morning before meeting up with my dear friend Marco for a walking tour of Assisi. We will see the Basilica of Saint Clare where she is buried, the Basilica of Saint Francis where he is buried, and the Cathedral of Saint Ruffino where these great Saints were Baptized. Mass TBD. Supper together.
11 October: After breakfast we will reunite with Marco for a tour of Saint Francis’ hermitage, the convent of San Damiano (where Saint Clare lived, participated in a Eucharistic miracle, and died),and Santa Maria degli Angeli (where Saint Francis built his Porziuncola and where he eventually died). We will have lunch together, with a free afternoon to enjoy Assisi. Mass TBD.
12 October: After breakfast, we depart Assisi and head to Bolsena, the site of the Eucharistic Miracle which eventually became the foundation for the celebration of Corpus Christi. From Bolsena we will continue to Orvieto where we will check in to Hotel Duomo before our e-bike tour of the city followed by supper together. Mass TBA.
13 October: Following breakfast, we will depart Orvieto for Rome, with a stop at the Abbey at Monte Cassino. The Abbey was founded by Saint Benedict, and he lived here until his death. He is buried along with his sister Saint Scholastica. The Abbey was bombed by allies during WWII, but the resting place of these Saints remained unharmed. Upon our arrival in Rome, we will check in toHotel Sant’Anna and relax until our supper together. Mass TBA.
14 October: After breakfast, we will trek to Trestavere where we will celebrate Mass at the home of Saint Cecilia, which is also the site of her martyrdom. After Mass we will explore Trestavere before we have lunch together. In the afternoon we have a guided tour of the Roman Forum and Colosseum.
15 October: Today we will tour the papal basilicas and enter through the Jubilee Holy Doors! Supper together, and Mass TBA.
16 October: Early breakfast before our 8am tour of the Vatican Museums. Lunch on your own before we regroup for an afternoon tour followed by our final supper together. Mass TBA.
17 October: Transfer to FCO. Arrivederci!
THIS TRIP IS SOLD OUT. Join us on our next journey!