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Join Fr. Drew Woodke, John Morris, and the Spirit FM staff on a Pilgrimage to Rome to celebrate 40 years of Spirit. This trip will visit Rome, Assisi, Orvieto, and more!
Fr. Drew Woodke, John Morris, the Spirit FM staff, and a Christian guide will meet your party at the airport and accompany you every step of the way as you explore Assisi, Orvieto, Rome, and much more.
John Morris is the station manager of Spirit FM 90.5, a Catholic radio ministry of the Diocese of St. Petersburg. He has helped lead a Select International Tours pilgrimage to Italy celebrating the station’s forty years of sharing the Gospel through Catholic media.
Tipping /Gratuities for the guide(s), driver, and wait staff (please refer to the suggestions we will provide for you with your final documents) Suggested budget $200- $220.00.
Depart this evening on an overnight flight to Rome from Tampa International Airport. Dinner and breakfast are served on the plane. Add-on flights and optional premium economy and business class rates are available upon request. (Please note: specific seat assignments are not possible with group air. You may choose to book your own air if seat location is a priority)
Welcome to Italy. Our English-speaking guide meets us at the airport and assists us with the luggage and bus boarding. We depart for Assisi, driving to the magnificent hilltop town of Orvieto, famous for its wine and the cathedral, considered one of Italy’s most beautiful. Upon arrival, we see the dodecagon, a rare and unique twelve-sided figure, at Sant’ Andrea Church on Piazza Republican. We then visit the Cathedral and see the Miracle of the Eucharist of Bolsena. We celebrate Mass at the Basilica. Our pilgrimage starts with a wonderful lunch and a taste of the famous Orvieto Classico wine this region is known for. Our motorcoach takes us to Assisi, the beautiful city of birds and silence. Before we settle into our hotel, we explore the magnificent Basilica of Santa Maria Degli Angeli (St. Mary of the Angels), where we see the thornless rose bush. Dinner and overnight in Assisi. (Special Lunch. D)
Assisi is considered one of Italy’s most peaceful spots and a spiritual treasure. The day starts with a visit to the St. Francis Basilica for Mass. We then see the tomb of St. Francis, the world-renowned frescoes of Giotto, and the upper and lower parts of the Basilica with our expert guides before walking the length of the town to the Church of St. Clare. Following lunch, we visit San Damiano. We see the relics of Blessed Carlo Acutis at the Sanctuary of Esplorazione. In the afternoon, we visit the Ermo della Carceri, St. Francis’ retreat hermitage near the summit of Mt. Subasio. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Assisi.
Our morning visit is to Siena, where you will see the famous Piazza del Campo, known for its horse races. Later, we see the relics of St. Catherine, the patron Saint of Italy at St. Dominic Church, where we celebrate Mass. In the afternoon, we return to Assisi for time at leisure and to explore the hilltop town of birds and silence on foot. Dinner and overnight in Assisi.
We start with a visit to Cascia, home of St. Rita, where we see the Saint’s incorrupt body and places associated with her life and work. We celebrate Mass at this holy site and have time for prayer and reflection. Following lunch, we continue to Rome. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Rome.
Today, we are at the center of Western civilization and the heart of modern Italy. The “Eternal City,” where three millennia of Mediterranean civilization co-exist, is full of larger-than-life monuments, which you see during the Ancient and Christian Rome tour. In the morning, see thousands of years’ worth of history in the Christian Rome tour, including visits to the Basilicas of St. Mary Major, St. John the Lateran, the Holy Stairs, and the Holy Cross in Jerusalem. Mass is celebrated at St. Mary Major. History is revealed before us as we tour the Colisseum, drive by the Piazza Venezia, Via Veneto and marvel at the other highlights of Rome. Tonight we enjoy dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight in Rome. (B. Special dinner)
Our day starts with a visit to St. Peter’s Basilica, where we celebrate Mass and walk a short distance to the Vatican Museum for a guided tour. Enjoy seeing the incomparable masterpieces, including the Sistine Chapel. Following a visit to St. Peter’s Basilica and the Scavi Museum (TBC) we enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. We then cross over the Tiber River into central Rome for a walking tour, which includes the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, and the Gesu Church. You may want to visit the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps which are in the area. Dinner is at leisure. Overnight in Rome. (B. Special lunch)
Early today, we are transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica to take our place at the weekly Papal Audience, where we receive the Papal Blessing and see the Holy Father. Following our included lunch, we drive to St. Paul Outside the Walls to visit the great Basilica and celebrate Mass. We also see Tre Fontane Convent, where St. Paul was beheaded, and the Shrine of Our Lady of Revelation. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B. Special lunch. D)
We are celebrating 40 Years of Spirit FM Radio with a visit to the Vatican Radio (Pio Palace) and the North American College, where we have magnificent views of Rome. (TBC) We celebrate Mass and the afternoon is at leisure to shop, visit one of the many museums, or just relax with a cup of espresso in a local cafe. Tonight we have a special celebratory dinner in a local restaurant with wine. Overnight Rome. (B. Farewell dinner)
Transfer to the airport for your flight back home.
Land and Air. Main trip package.
Land Only. Main trip package.
Solo Room (Additional Charge). Additional supplement.
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