ITALY - THE FOOTSTEPS OF FATHER PIO

DAY 1: HOME CITY / ROME

Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Free afternoon to explore the city. Accommodation.

DAY 2: IMPERIAL ROME – BAROQUE ROME

Breakfast. Transfer by bus to the vicinity of the Colosseum to begin the Imperial Rome walk. We will tour the surroundings of the Colosseum and the Imperial Forums and visit Venice Square, with its impressive Monument to the Fatherland, and Campidoglio Square. In the afternoon, we will explore Baroque Rome with a walk through its main squares such as Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, the Pantheon, or Navona Square. Return to the hotel on your own. Accommodation.

DAY 3: CHRISTIAN ROME

Breakfast. In the morning, we will explore Christian Rome, visiting the Major Basilicas of Santa Maria, St. John Lateran, and St. Paul. In the afternoon, we will head to the Vatican Museums to see this great art collection and the famous Sistine Chapel, ending our visit at the impressive St. Peter’s Basilica. Accommodation. Explore Italy and visit the most emblematic places of Christianity. Discover the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sanctuary of Archangel Michael, the Holy House, and the Sanctuary of Padre Pio, among others. A journey that blends culture and devotion. Accommodation.

DAY 4: ROME / PIETRELCINA / SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO

Breakfast. Departure towards San Giovanni Rotondo, located in the Puglia region. On the way, we will stop in the village of Pietrelcina, the birthplace of San Pio de Pietrelcina (Padre Pio) in 1887, located in the province of Benevento in Campania. Arrival in San Giovanni Rotondo and accommodation.

DAY 5: SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO / MONTE SANT’ANGELO / SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO

Breakfast. Visit to the city of San Giovanni Rotondo, a symbol of Christianity, charity, and love for others. We will visit the Sanctuary of Padre Pio, the spiritual heir of St. Francis of Assisi and the first priest to bear the marks of crucifixion on his body (The Stigmata). Then, we will visit the ancient monastery with the room where he lived and the ancient Church of “Santa Maria de la Gracia.” In the afternoon, we can visit Monte Sant’Angelo, with the mythical Sanctuary of Archangel Michael, the Basilica, the Franciscan way, and the Bell Tower, among others. Return to San Giovanni Rotondo and accommodation.

DAY 6: SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO / LANCIANO / LORETO / ASSISI

Breakfast. Departure towards Lanciano, a small medieval town located in the province of Chieti, where the first and largest Eucharistic Miracle has been preserved for more than twelve centuries: the Eucharistic Miracle of Lanciano. We will continue to Loreto, where the Holy House is located, the house from Nazareth where the Archangel Gabriel announced to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Situated in the center of the Basilica and transformed into one of the great pilgrimage centers, it was transferred during the Crusades from Nazareth to Loreto. Then we will head to Assisi, upon arrival we will visit the Church of Santa Clara, the New Church, where we can find the remains of the house of St. Francis, the City Square, and the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. Accommodation.

DAY 7: ASSISI / CASCIA / ROME

Breakfast. In the morning, we will depart for Cascia, where the Basilica of Santa Rita de Cascia is located, a religious complex where she is venerated, having lived more than forty years of monastic life there. In the monastery, we can see some of the places where Santa Rita spent her life, such as the courtyard with a well, the old choir, the oratory where she received the stigmata, the cells, the dormitory, and the rose garden, recreated to recall the miracle of the rose and figs. Continue to Rome. Arrival and accommodation.

DAY 8: ROME

Breakfast. Transfer to the airport.

INCLUDES

• Airport-hotel-airport transfers with Spanish assistance.
• Bus or minibus throughout the tour.
• 8 days and 7 nights stay in the following hotels or similar, with bed and breakfast.
• Visits as indicated in the itinerary with a Spanish-speaking guide.
• Headphones for simultaneous translations where necessary.
• Tickets: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, and Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi.
• English-speaking tour guide.
• Basic travel insurance without cancellation (Please inquire about the supplement for travel insurance that includes cancellation fees, extended medical coverage, and COVID coverage).
• City Tax.

DOES NOT INCLUDE

• International flight ticket.
• Drinks during meals and dinners.
• Tips and personal expenses.
• Anything not described in “includes”.

PLANNED HOTELS

• • Rome: Hotel Midas 4*
  • San Giovanni Rotondo: Hotel Vallerossa 4*
  • Assisi: Hotel Cenacolo 4*

NOTES

• Price for groups is subject to a minimum occupancy of 50 passengers. Please inquire about prices for smaller groups.
• The first night always excludes dinner, even if the reserved tour is with half board.
• Spanish-speaking drivers during transfers are not guaranteed.
• The included transfers are only on the days of arrival and departure of the tour. Any other day will be charged as an additional transfer.

LA MERCA COMPANY LLC and its subsidiary LA MERCA TRAVEL reserve the right to change the program sequence and hotels without prior notice.

No refunds will be given for unused hotel nights, excursions, or meals during the itinerary.