Rome, Just Rome – Advent Edition

Small group. Mass daily. Wine tasting. Food tour. Rome’s best guides – Agnes Crawford, Liz Lev, and Sophie Minchilli. Opening the Vatican Museums. Alone in the Sistine Chapel. And since it’s Advent, we will be exploring lots of beautiful Italian presepi (nativities).

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 completely back to normal, but Italy is Italy so we need to be up for anything.

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 19 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.

You need to be able to carry your own luggage.
You are responsible for your luggage. We do 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

Tuesday, December 12th
We meet this afternoon at 2:00 PM in our hotel and then head out to tour our neighborhood home for the week, the Borgo.

We will visit a tiny parish inside the walls of the Vatican, the home of the Carmelites, and the Divine Mercy Shrine.

We will stop for a spritz in a locals-only bar on Borgo Pio before having dinner in the neighborhood’s nicest restaurant.

Wednesday, December 13th
This morning we visit some churches with Liz Lev.

This afternoon, half of you are free to explore, while the other half will be strolling and eating your way through Campo de Fiori, the Jewish Ghetto, and Trastevere with Rome’s most famous food tour guide, Sophie Minchilli.

Thursday, December 14th
This morning we will visit a museum with Liz Lev.

This afternoon, the other half of you are free to explore, while the half who were free yesterday will be strolling and eating your way through Campo de Fiori, the Jewish Ghetto, and Trastevere with Rome’s most famous food tour guide, Sophie Minchilli.

Friday, December 15th
This morning, after coffee from one of Rome’s most famous cafes, we will get a tour of the city center from Agnes Crawford of Understanding Rome. She never gives the same tour twice, so we will just see where it leads us!

Tonight we have a fabulous dinner and a wine tasting at the world famous Rimessa Roscioli.

Saturday, December 16th
Today we have another tour with Agnes Crawford – location to be revealed later.

Sunday, December 17th
After Mass this morning, you’ll have a chance to see the Holy Father at the Angelus.

We will have lunch together before visiting some of my favorite churches.

You probably want to get to bed early tonight, because tomorrow we leave the hotel at 5:30 AM.

Monday, December 18th
This morning we will open the Vatican Museums. We will have the museums and Sistine Chapel all to ourselves, hours before anyone else is allowed. We will be unlocking the doors, turning on the lights, and taking photos in empty galleries. This is truly a once in a life time experience.

You’ll have some time this afternoon to rest and pack before we head out to Mass and dinner.

Tuesday, December 19th
Tour over after breakfast at the hotel.

Price

$4,100 per person – ground only.

$1,000 deposit secures your spot.

Final payment of $3,100 is due November 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 7 nights
We are staying 7 nights at the lovely Hotel Bramante located in the Borgo neighborhood.

Breakfast daily plus 6 additional meals in some of my favorite restaurants, never hotels!

Drinks, including unlimited wine, is included in all our lunches and dinners.

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 December 12th – we will begin at 3:30 PM on December 12th. 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 December 19th, our last group activity is on December 18th (you have the room for the night, of course, checking out on the 19th). 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.

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.