The First Post-Pandemic Pilgrimage to Italy

Okay, maybe it won’t be the first post-pandemic pilgrimage, but it will be my first post-pandemic pilgrimage.

Also, maybe we are not technically post-pandemic yet, but it sounds like a good name for a trip, so we are going with it.

Is this pilgrimage trip for you?

If this pilgrimage doesn’t work for you, no worries, I’ve been doing this for nearly 17 years and this will be my 141st group pilgrimage. I plan to do many, many more. This pilgrimage is just to get things moving again as the world starts to reopen.

You need to be flexible.
This pilgrimage is not for grumpy people or those unable to be joyfully flexible.

So if you are easy-going and excited to travel, even with some uncertainties mixed in, this could be the trip for you!

Not only will this be my first group pilgrimage in 16 months, but it will also be one of Italy’s first group pilgrimages in 16 months. So we will all need some patience in case the driver makes a wrong turn, the sacristan forgets how to set up a group Mass, or the local guide forgets the year a statue was made.

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.

Cancellations

I want you to feel comfortable signing up for one of the first post-pandemic pilgrimages to Italy, so I am offering you 100% refunds for any reason you may wish to cancel.

I offered 100% refunds for all my cancelled/postponed pilgrimages for 2020, and I’m offering that here as well. It’s the right thing to do.

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 up to seven 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 after that date, you’ll get everything back minus $500.

Trip insurance is a wise investment in case something comes up while you are in Italy. I can recommend places for that, if you are interested.

Entry Requirements

As of May 16th, Italy is allowing US tourists back. Vaccine status does not matter, only that you pass a series of negative tests. One test 72 hours before departure, one rapid test at the airport before boarding, and another rapid test on arrival in Rome.

You are responsible for getting tested.

I will keep you updated on Italy’s requirements to make this as easy as possible.

Should anything change, remember, I am allowing you to cancel for any reason with a 100% refund up 7 days before departure.

Masks

As of this writing, masks are not only required in all public places, but also required by law outside. No exceptions are made for vaccinated people. No exceptions are made for those who are unable to wear masks for medical or personal reasons. We are all visitors to a foreign country, so we must be willing to follow their laws.

We will follow the local laws and the request of our bus driver. That means if masks are required while outside and/or on buses, we will comply. But it also means that if masks are not required outside and/or on buses, then it will be up to the individual to wear a mask or not.

If you are uncomfortable around those who do wear masks, or those who do *not* wear masks when not required by law, this is not the trip for you.

Vaccinations

Since Italy is allowing anyone passing a negative test, know that we could have people who are vaccinated on the trip and some who are not.

Keep in mind that as of today, some regions are only vaccinating people 54 and up, so most of the people you interact with here will not be vaccinated.

If you are uncomfortable around those who are not vaccinated, or those who are vaccinated, this is not the trip for you.

Restaurants

Restaurants can only serve at outside tables right now, though they are set to be allowed to offer indoor dining beginning June 1st. I mention this because there is not as much space at outdoor tables, so it is possible we could be sitting at a few different tables for group meals rather than all together. The food will still be amazing.

Openings and Closings

Currently, most everything is open, including churches, museums, restaurants, cafes, and bars. But keep in mind that things can change. Again, we need to be flexible. If something unexpectedly closes, we will look for a good alternative. And while I don’t expect this to happen, even the Vatican Museums, Colosseum, or Papal Audience could close or be cancelled without warning.

Basic Itinerary

I’ll have the detailed itinerary once Masses and tour times are confirmed. But if you have specific questions, let me know.

We are going to take things easy. This is, hopefully, a once in a lifetime opportunity to visit Italy in the summer months before crowds fully return.

Expect some slow walks, long coffee breaks, relaxing meals, and plenty of time for prayer in each place we visit.

We will start with two nights in Rome, then head to Assisi for three relaxing nights, and then return to Rome for four more nights.

In Rome
We will visit lots of amazing churches, including Saint Peter’s Basilica, Saint Mary Major, Saint Paul Outside the Walls, Saint John Lateran, Scala Santa, Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, and many more.

We will attend the Papal Audience.

We will visit the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum, the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and Piazza Navona.

In Assisi
Will will visit San Damiano, San Francesco, Santa Chiara, and the Hermitage.

We will have a winery tour with lunch at a farm.

Price

$2,900 per person – ground only.

$1,000 deposit secures your spot.

Final payment of $1,900 is due June 1st, 2021.

The cost is per person, in double occupancy, meaning two people to a room.

Traveling alone?
Usually I match singles with other traveling singles and that always works out great. This time, I’m not sure how many are willing to share rooms with strangers. So, if you are traveling alone, there will be a single supplement of $500. However, you’ll have a chance to virtually meet any other singles before the trip, so you could always agree to share, and then there would be no single supplement.

Included in the price

Accommodations for 9 nights
Rome: Six nights at Hotel Museum (formerly Hotel Alimandi)
Assisi: Three nights at Hotel Umbra

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.

Coffee / Pastry breakfast at my favorite cafe

Happy Hour one evening

Airport transfers
Airport transfers 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.

Local guides
We will have local experts with us for some tours.

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 June 15th, we will begin at 3 PM on June 15th.

You should depart no earlier than June 24th, our last group activity will be dinner on the 23rd.

At this time, you need to book one of the COVID-tested flights. Delta has a nonstops between Atlanta and Rome, and New York and Rome. Pay close attention to the details of the flight requirements. Other airlines are starting to add flights as well. But you must be on a COVID-tested flight to avoid quarantine.

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.

Sign-Up

Since this is a very small group that’s likely to sell out quickly, please email me to sign up.