$5,400 (plus air)
Small group – around 20 people. Daily Mass. Excellent local guides. Amazing meals.
After decades of having Holy Week in Rome all to myself, I started offering this pilgrimage just two years ago and last year’s sold out in under a minute. We begin with a few Lenten Station Churches, including a chapel that’s only open a few minutes a year, attend Palm Sunday Mass with the Holy Father, head to Assisi for a few nights, returning to Rome for the Holy Thursday walk across the city to visit as many Altars of Repose as we can. You’ll have a chance to venerate the True Cross on Good Friday, and for those looking for more crowds, you can attend Stations of the Cross with the Holy Father outside the Colosseum. We end our pilgrimage with Holy Mass in Saint Peter’s Square with the Holy Father, followed by a huge Easter pranzo at one of my favorite restaurants.
Is this pilgrimage trip for you?
You need to be flexible.
This pilgrimage is not for grumpy people or those unable to be joyfully flexible. Italy is Italy and we need to be up for anything.
This being the Jubilee Year, which happens every 25 years, means the crowds could be crazy. While I will always do my best to avoid lines and crowds, there could be times when it’s unavoidable.
If you are easy-going and excited to travel, even with some uncertainties mixed in, this could be the trip for you!
If this pilgrimage doesn’t work for you, no worries, I’ve been doing this for nearly 20 years and plan to do many, many more.
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 can walk up to 5 miles per day. Please do consider this before signing up. Also keep in mind that if we encounter crowds, at the holy doors, for example, we could be required to stand in lines for long periods of time.
You need to be able to carry your own luggage.
You are responsible for your luggage. We do not have porters. Our lovely hotel in Rome does not have an elevator, so keep that in mind when deciding how many pairs of shoes to bring. I will provide a thorough packing list to help you pack lightly and efficiently.
Itinerary
You’ll get the full itinerary closer to departure, but…
We begin with 3 nights in the Borgo neighborhood of Rome, just two blocks away from Saint Peter’s Square.
Then we head north to Assisi for 3 nights in the city center, just off the main piazza.
We return back to the same hotel in Rome for another 4 nights.
We begin in Rome with a few Lenten Station Churches, including a chapel that’s only open a few minutes a year. We will attend Palm Sunday Mass with the Holy Father, before heading to Assisi for three nights. We return to Rome for the Holy Thursday walk across the city to visit as many Altars of Repose as we can. You’ll have a chance to venerate the True Cross on Good Friday, and for those looking for more crowds, you can attend Stations of the Cross with the Holy Father outside the Colosseum. We end our pilgrimage with Holy Mass in Saint Peter’s Square with the Holy Father, followed by a huge Easter pranzo at one of my favorite restaurants.
In addition to going through the four Holy Doors of Saint Peter’s Basilica, Saint John Lateran, Saint Mary Major, and Saint Paul Outside the Walls, we will visit lots of other amazing churches, including those containing:
- the stairs Christ climbed when He was condemned to death;
- the relics of the Passion;
- a Eucharistic Miracle in Rome;
- a Marian apparition or two;
- where Peter started his ministry in Rome;
- where Paul was martyred;
- the tombs of Saint Catherine and Saint Monica;
- and lots more…
We will tour the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. We will have several walking tours around the city.
In Assisi we will visit the tombs of Saint Francis and Saint Clare. We will visit San Damiano, the Hermitage, and the Porziuncola. We have some excellent meals here and also an afternoon at an Umbrian winery.
As always, we have some special surprises planned along the way.
Mass will be celebrated daily, with the exception of Good Friday and Holy Saturday, of course.
Price
$5,400 per person – ground only.
$1,000 deposit secures your spot.
Final payment of $4,400 is due March 11th, 2025.
The cost is per person, in double occupancy, meaning two people to a room.
Traveling alone?
I match singles with other traveling singles (of the same sex) and that always works out great. If you are uncomfortable sharing a room with a stranger, you can request a single room for an additional $1,000. Single rooms are extremely limited.
Included in the price
Accommodations for 10 nights
3 nights in Rome
3 nights in Assisi
4 nights in Rome
Breakfast daily plus 7 additional meals in some of my favorite restaurants, never hotels!
Drinks, including unlimited wine, is included in all our group lunches and dinners.
Winery visit, tasting, and lunch
We will spend the afternoon at one of my favorite Umbrian wineries about an hour from Assisi.
Aperitivo
We will have a traditional aperitivo in one of my favorite Roman bars.
Airport transfers
Airport transfers both ways between the Rome airport and our Rome hotel. Send me your flight info and my driver will pick you up. Easy.
All group ground transportation
Full time service of a tour director
I’ll be with you at all times.
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.
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.
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! I’ll set up a private Facebook group for the 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. I also include free time for you to explore, shop, and relax on your own.
Not Included
Your flights
You should arrive in Rome no later than April 11th, we will begin at 3 PM on April 11th. If you want to arrive early, contact the hotel directly and let them know you are with The Catholic Traveler. This will ensure that you don’t have to switch rooms once the pilgrimage begins.
You should depart no earlier than April 21st, our last group activity will be lunch on April 20th and you’ll have the hotel room for the night. If you want to stay longer, contact the hotel directly and let them know you are with The Catholic Traveler. This will ensure that you don’t have to switch rooms once the pilgrimage ends.
Some airlines are offering free changes should anything happen to the trip. Most of these airlines are not offering refunds, but rather a credit.
No Hassle Cancellations
No other tour or pilgrimage company offers this level of free cancellation coverage.
If you need to cancel for any reason at all, up to 60 days before the start of the trip, you will be refunded 100% of the cost of the pilgrimage.
If you need to cancel for any reason at all within 60 days of departure, you’ll get everything back minus the deposit.
If for any reason I need to cancel or postpone the trip, you will be refunded 100% of the cost of the pilgrimage.
In all cases, you are responsible for working with the airline to get credit or refunds for changed or cancelled flights.
Trip insurance is a wise investment in case something comes up while you are in Italy. If you think there is any chance you may need to cancel, I recommend you purchase travel insurance. 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. I have a friend who specializes in trip insurance, you can contact him directly, but you are under no obligation to use him and I don’t get any sort of kick backs, so shop around and find what is best for you.