Price: $4,400
Included in the price: Airfare, accommodations for ten nights, seven meals with unlimited drinks, all tips.
Visiting: Venice, Padua, Florence, Assisi, Orvieto, Rome
Itinerary
Tuesday, June 11th
KLM 662 departs Houston at 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday, June 12th
KLM 662 arrives Amsterdam at 7:15 a.m.
KLM 1651 departs Amsterdam at 9:10 a.m. and arrives Venice at 10:50 a.m.
I’ll meet you at the airport and we’ll take water taxis into Venice to our hotel. After you have time to freshen up, we’ll meet our local guide who will give us a tour of some of the hidden canals of Venice. We’ll end with a visit to San Marco, where we will celebrate Mass. We’ll have dinner together this evening.
Thursday, June 13th
Today is the Feast of Saint Anthony, so we will day trip out of Rome to Padua. Here will visit the tomb of Saint Anthony, the tomb of Saint Luke, and the amazing Scrovegni Chapel. We will celebrate Mass in Padua before returning to Venice. You’re on your own for dinner this evening. Venice is a wonderful town to wander.
Friday, June 14th
Today we take our private motor coach south to Florence. This afternoon we’ll visit the cathedral of Florence and celebrate Mass here.
Saturday, June 15th
This morning we’ll celebrate Mass in a lovely chapel at the church of Santissima Annunziata. After Mass, we’ll meet our local guide to visit the Accademia to see the trophy of the Renaissance, Michelangelo’s David. She’ll then lead us on a historical walking tour where we’ll see the Duomo, the Baptistry, Santa Croce, Piazza della Repubblica, Piazza della Signoria, and the Ponte Vecchio. You’ll have the afternoon free to explore.
Sunday, June 16th
Today we leave the big city and head to the quiet and peaceful town of Assisi. We’ll meet up with our local guide this afternoon to visit the Basilica of Saint Clare, with the tomb of Saint Clare, the Cathedral of San Ruffino, and the church of Chiesa Nuova, where Saint Francis grew up. We’ll celebrate Mass before dinner. We will have an amazing Umbrian feast tonight.
Monday, June 17th
This morning we will celebrate Mass at the Basilica of Saint Francis. We’ll visit his tomb and tour the church. We’ll then take private vans to visit the nearby shrines of San Damiano, the Hermitage, and Santa Maria degli Angeli, built over the Porziuncola. Then the vans will takes us across the Umbrian Valley to Montefalco where we’ll visit a winery for lunch and a tasting. You’ll have the remainder of the day free to shop, pray, and explore this peaceful town.
Tuesday, June 18th
Today we travel to Rome. But first we’ll stop in the Umbrian hill town of Orvieto. Here we’ll celebrate Mass in the chapel of the Eucharistic Miracle. You’ll have time for lunch before we continue our journey to Rome. Tonight we have a great dinner planned!
Wednesday, June 19th
This morning we’ll attend the Papal Audience with Pope Francis. After a break for lunch, we’ll dig into Ancient Rome with a visit to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. We’ll celebrate Mass at Saint Paul Outside the Walls and you’ll have the evening free.
Thursday, June 20th
This morning we’ll celebrate Mass in Saint Peter’s Basilica. You’ll have some time after Mass if you want to go to confession or climb the dome. This afternoon we’ll take a walking tour through the heart of historic Rome, visiting the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, and the Pantheon. Along the way we’ll visit the tombs of Saint Monica, Saint Catherine, and a couple Apostles. We’ll see art by Raphael, Caravaggio, Michelangelo, and Bernini. We’ll have another great dinner together.
Friday, June 21st
This morning we will take a pilgrimage through the Life of Christ. We’ll see relics of the Manger and a table Jesus built at Saint Mary Major (we’ll also celebrate Mass here), part of the table from the Last Supper at Saint John Lateran, the column where He was scourged at Santa Prassede, the stairs He climbed before He was condemned to death at Scala Santa (with a chance to climb the stairs on your knees), and the relics of the Passion at Santa Croce. We’ll have a big lunch together this afternoon. You’ll have a few hours of free time before we take an exclusive night tour of the Vatican Museums.
Saturday, June 22nd
KLM 1596 departs Rome at 6:30 a.m. and arrives Amsterdam at 9:00 a.m.
KLM 661 departs Amsterdam at 9:50 a.m. and arrives Houston IAD at 1:05 p.m.
Price
$4,400 per person
$1,000 deposit secures your spot. Tour deposit is fully refundable for 14 days from the time you make your deposit.
Final payment of $3,400 is due May 10th, 2019. Final payment is nonrefundable.
This cost is for double occupancy. Traveling alone? No problem! You’ll have a chance to ‘meet’ the other solo travelers before the trip and pick a roommate. This usually works out well. If you really prefer to have your own single room, there is a single supplement of $900.
Included in the price
Flights between Houston and Venice, Rome and Houston
Tuesday, June 11th
KLM 662 departs Houston at 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday, June 12th
KLM 662 arrives Amsterdam at 7:15 a.m.
KLM 1651 departs Amsterdam at 9:10 a.m. and arrives Venice at 10:50 a.m.
Saturday, June 22nd
KLM 1596 departs Rome at 6:30 a.m. and arrives Amsterdam at 9:00 a.m.
KLM 661 departs Amsterdam at 9:50 a.m. and arrives Houston at 1:05 p.m.
Accommodations for 10 nights
2 nights in Venice / Hotel Carlton
2 nights in Florence / Hotel Baglioni
2 nights in Assisi / Hotel Umbra
4 nights in Rome / Hotel Alimandi
Breakfast daily plus 7 additional meals
Wine is included in all our group meals.
All group ground transportation
We’ll be traveling in a private motor coach.
Full time service of a tour director
Visiting new countries can be intimidating! That’s why you will have an experienced Catholic American tour director (me!) with you at all times.
Local guides
We will have local guides join us throughout the trip.
No hidden costs
If we do it as a group, it’s included in the price! You are responsible only for the meals you have on your own, souvenirs you wish to buy, and anything you want to do in your free time. Tips, air taxes, drinks with meals? Already included!
Guaranteed price
Once I receive your deposit, your tour price will not go up!
All tips for group meals, guides, and drivers
Would you believe that many tour companies require you to tip as you go? Not only does that add to the advertised sticker price of a tour, it’s also a huge hassle to you! No need to worry about that here. Tips are already included and we take care of that behind the scenes.
Entry fees and tours
All entry fees and tours to our included group activities.
Social planning
Plan your trip with your traveling companions before you leave! We set up private Facebook groups for each tour to give you a chance to meet before you meet!
You time
We have a lot planned, but time on your own is important. We take our time in churches to give you the opportunity for prayer and reflection. We also include free time for you to explore, shop and relax on your own.
Is this trip for you?
You should be in good physical shape.
We will do a lot of walking, much of it outside, and much of it on uneven ground. We average around 5 miles per day. Please do consider this before signing up.
You need to be able to carry your own luggage.
You are responsible for your luggage and getting it from the plane to the bus and the bus to your hotel rooms. I will provide a thorough packing list to help you pack lightly and efficiently.
You must be flexible.
This is Europe, things may close without notice, a protest could spring up without warning. But, it’s not all negative, great things come up unexpectedly as well. Being flexible is the key for happy travels!
Sign up
Use the form below to sign up for this pilgrimage. If you have any questions, you can email or call 404.330.9913.
Optional Trip Insurance
If you think there is any chance you June need to cancel, I recommend you purchase travel insurance. Many people go through InsureMyTrip.com. A Cancel for Any Reason plan will let you, well, cancel for ‘most’ any reason. Most plans should allow for at least a 75% refund should you need to cancel at any time before departure. Please review all your options to be sure the plan you pick is best for you.
Terms and Conditions
What you are getting by signing up, how much walking you will be doing, what happens if something changes in the itinerary, making your final payment, how we can send you home if you misbehave… and more!
Be sure to read everything carefully.
Deposit Info
You’ll be able to pay by credit card or check. Payment info will be emailed to you once you sign up.