Holy Week in Rome

Holy Week in Rome is amazing. Palm Sunday is the most beautiful Mass of the year. Holy Thursday is the most amazing night in Rome. Veneration of the Cross with the True Cross is a once in a life time experience. Stations of the Cross with the pope and the candlelit Colosseum is dramatic Rome at its finest. And, of course, Easter Mass with Saint Peter’s Square covered in colorful tulips shipped in from the Netherlands. I cannot wait to share these experiences with you.

This group will be no more than 20 people.

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. I hope that Italy is completely back to normal by spring of 2023, but still, Italy is Italy and there are always surprises.

We plan to attend several Papal liturgies. I’ve never, not once in 17 years, been unable to get tickets for Masses with the pope, but of course that’s always a possibility, so I need to mention that here.

There’s also always the chance the pope cannot preside at a Mass, like with the Easter Vigil this year.

So 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 17 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 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. We don’t not have porters and the two story hotel we use in Rome does not have an elevator. 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 will start with two nights in Rome at the lovely Hotel Bramante in the Borgo neighborhood – with lots of great food and shopping just outside the door, and Saint Peter’s Basilica a 60 second walk away. We will go to the Lenten Station Church where Saint John the Evangelist was boiled in a vat of oil. We’ll attend Palm Sunday Mass in Saint Peter’s Square.

Then we travel into Umbria to Assisi. We will be staying three nights at Hotel Umbra, just off the main piazza. We will have a local guide take us on tour of the shrines, including San Damiano, the Hermitage, and the Porziuncola. We will visit the nearby town of Montefalco to tour a winery and have lunch on an Umbrian family farm.

We return to Rome for four nights. We will visit many of the Altars of Repose on Holy Thursday. We will climb the Scala Santa and venerate the True Cross on Good Friday. Later that evening you can go to the Colosseum for Stations of the Cross with the Holy Father. On Sunday we will attend the Easter Sunday Papal Mass in Saint Peter’s Square, followed by the Urbi et Orbi message from the Holy Father.

Along the way, we will visit many of Rome’s best churches, dine in my favorite restaurants, and

Price

$3,800 per person – ground only.

$1,000 deposit secures your spot.

Final payment of $2,800 is due March 1st, 2023.

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 $800. Single rooms are limited.

Included in the price

Accommodations for 9 nights
We are staying 6 nights at the lovely Hotel Bramante located in the Borgo neighborhood.

We are staying 3 nights at Hotel Umbra in Assisi, just off the main piazza.

Breakfast daily plus 7 additional meals in some of my favorite restaurants, never hotels!
Drinks, including unlimited wine, is included in all our lunches and dinners.

Lunch at an Umbrian winery

Airport transfers
Airport transfers both ways between FCO and our Rome hotel. Send me your flight info and my driver will pick you up. Easy.

All group ground transportation
We’ll be traveling in a private motor coach.

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 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.

Not Included

Your flights
You should arrive in Rome no later than March 23rd, we will begin at 3 PM on March 23rd. If you want to arrive early, contact the hotel directly and let them know you are with The Catholic Traveler.

You should depart no earlier than April 1st, our last group activity will be a traditional Easter lunch on March 31st. If you want to stay longer, contact the hotel directly and let them know you are with The Catholic Traveler.

Most airlines are offering free changes should anything happen to the trip. Most airlines are not offering refunds, but rather a credit.

If you need to cancel your trip for any reason, if the situation in Italy changes and we need to cancel or postpone the trip, it’s your responsibility to work with your airline to cancel, reschedule, or request refunds.

Cancellations

If for any reason I need to cancel or postpone the trip, you will be refunded 100% of the cost of the pilgrimage.

If Italy changes their requirements for entry, and you decide that doesn’t work for you, you will be refunded 100% of the cost of the pilgrimage.

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.

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.

COVID Stuff

There are currently no restrictions or requirements related to COVID.

Sign up

Use the form below to sign up for this pilgrimage. If you have any questions, email me at mtn@thecatholictraveler.com

Deposit Info
You’ll be able to pay by credit card or check. Payment info will be emailed to you once you sign up.