Pilgrimage to Italy
Visiting Pisa, Florence, Assisi and Rome
10th - 19th September 2024
£1795.00 per person / based on sharing a twin or double room
2 nights in Pisa, to nights in Assisi, 2 nights in Rome, 3 nights at Villa Palazzola near to Lake Albano
Led By Father Roy Tablizo
Organised by Gill Tomei
Please contact us to request a brochure! info@special-pilgrimages.co.uk
Tuesday 10th September
London Gatwick / Pisa Airport / Pisa
Meeting and assistance on arrival at the airport. We depart with Easy Jet from London Gatwick on a direct flight to Pisa. You will have one hand luggage and one check in luggage per person. Please note a meal is not served inflight but snacks and purchases can be purchased directly onboard. Meeting and assistance upon arrival and transfer to our hotel in Pisa for check in, dinner by own arrangement and overnight stay.
Wednesday 11th September
Pisa
After breakfast, celebrate Mass in Pisa at 09:00 hours. We then begin our walking tour of Pisa. starting from Keith Haring’s graffiti and passing the lovely Lungarno and its medieval neighbourhoods. Continue to Cavalieri Square before finishing at the magnificent Miracle Square, where we visit Pisa Cathedral (Duomo), which is one of the most impressive churches in Tuscany, Italy. A masterpiece of Pisan Romanesque architecture chiefly famous for its bell tower, the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Lunch on your own in Pisa (not included). In the afternoon, you will be free in the vicinity for your own activities. Dinner by own arrangement and overnight stay at your hotel in Pisa.
Thursday 12th September
Florence / Assisi
This morning we check out of our hotel and drive to Florence. Celebrate Mass in Florence at 10:00 hours. After a quick orientation from your tour manager, the rest of the day is free in Florence for your own activities. Lunch on your own in the vicinity (not included). Later in the afternoon, we then depart from Florence, driving to Assisi to our hotel in Santa Maria Degli Angeli, Assisi for check in, dinner and overnight stay.
Friday 13th September
Assisi
Today will be a full day guided visit in Assisi, the birth place of St. Francis the patron Saint of Italy and founder of the Franciscan order. Visit the town of St. Francis and his devout follower St. Clare. We start at San Damiano Church, which is the site of Saint Francis's conversion, where he obeyed the orders given to him by the Crucifix, which told him "Go forth Francis, and re-build my crumbling house", as well as where Saint Clare lived for 42 years. We also visit the Basilica of St. Clare. The Basilica is one of the most beautiful buildings in Assisi and is built on the same spot, where the Church of St. George stood. It was then incorporated into St. Clare's convent, where St. Francis was originally buried. Inside we see the original ‘San Damiano’ crucifix that spoke to Francis. Only later did St. Francis understand the deeper meaning of this dream, urging him to “rebuild My Church”. Francis interpreted the dream literally and went to work on repairing the building. We also visit the Tomb of St. Clare, whose body was found under the High Altar in 1850. This church was the first monastery of the Order of Saint Clare, where Saint Clare built her community. The convent became the home of Saint Clare of Assisi and her followers in 1212. Work was carried out to provide buildings for this religious community and the sisters stayed until Clare's death in 1253, when it was thought too dangerous to remain. We then continue walking to Chiesa San Pietro, an ancient Benedictine monastery for a visit. Lunch in the vicinity (not included). In the afternoon, we visit the Basilica of Saint Francis (upper and lower Basilicas) where we will see the famous works of art, mostly attributed to Giotto and his pupils. Celebrate Mass in the Basilica of St. Francis at 16:00 hours (please note this is a concelebrated Mass). We will have some time to pray at the Tomb of St. Francis, before we return to our hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Saturday 14th September
Assisi / Greccio / Rome
After breakfast, check out and visit the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Degli Angeli. The Basilica was constructed in the Mannerist style between 1569 and 1679, enclosing the 9th-century little church, the Porziuncola, the most sacred place for the Franciscans. It was here that the young Francis of Assisi understood his vocation and renounced the world in order to live in poverty amongst the poor, and thus starting the Franciscan movement. We then drive to Greccio village. Lunch in Greccio village (not included). In the afternoon, we visit Greccio, known throughout the world as the Franciscan Bethlehem and the place of the First Living Nativity. It is a powerful architectural complex, rising from the rocks 635 metres about sea level. Known throughout the world as the Franciscan Bethlehem, the Sanctuary, which is located at 635 meters above sea level, is a powerful architectural complex that seems to rise from the bare rock. Celebrate Mass in Greccio at 15:00 hours. Continue to our hotel in Rome for check in, dinner by own arrangement and overnight stay.
Sunday 15th September
Rome
After breakfast, celebrate Mass in a Church near our hotel at 09:00 hours. We will all have tickets for the hop on and off city bus to use around Rome today. The day is free for your own activities. Lunch by own arrangement (not included). Overnight stay at your hotel in Rome.
Monday 16th September
Vatican & Saint Peter’s Basilica
After breakfast at your hotel, we check out. We then go by coach to visit the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, world famous for Michelangelo’s ceiling paintings and The Last Judgement. Continue with a visit to the monumental St. Peter’s Square and Basilica. Celebrate Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica (arranged by Father Roy Tablizo). Lunch and time on your own in the vicinity (not included). Later in the afternoon drive to Villa Palazzola. Dinner and overnight stay. Set in the hills of South Rome, this is an ideal and beautiful place to enjoy, relax and reflect whilst still being able to easily access Rome.
Tuesday 17th September
Free day at Villa Palazzola
Celebrate Mass in the Chapel after breakfast at 10:00 hours. The rest of the day is free to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Lunch, dinner and overnight stay at the Villa.
Wednesday 18th September
Rome
After breakfast we drive to Rome stopping at Domatillo Catacomb for a visit. Continue to St. Paul Outside the Walls, where we celebrate Mass at 11:00 hours. We will be dropped off near Piazza Navona and the Spanish steps, where the rest of the day is free for your own activities. Lunch in the vicinity (not included). Later in the afternoon, return to Villa Palazzola for dinner and overnight stay.
Thursday 19th September
Castel Gandolfo / Rome Fiumicino / Gatwick
This morning we will celebrate Mass at Villa Palazzolo at 09:00 hours. We then check out of our hotel and drive to Castel Gandolfo, the picturesque lake town nearby which is famously home to the Pope’s summer residence. It is located in the hills overlooking Lake Albano. Here we will enjoy a visit to the Papal Palace and the beautiful gardens (with audio guide). We will then have some time in the village and at the lake. Lunch in the vicinity (not included). Transfer to Rome Fiumicino for our return flight to London Gatwick on Easy Jet. End of services. Last days activities are subject to flight times permitting.
INCLUDED IN THE TOUR PRICE
Direct flights from London Gatwick to Pisa, returning from Rome to London Gatwick. You will have one hand luggage and one check in luggage per person.
Hotel accommodation; in Pisa for 2 nights on bed and breakfast basis at the Hotel Bologna or similar Pisa Hotel, 4 star Hotel Pisa, Booking Hotel Pisa, Italy - Hotel Bologna, for 2 nights on half board basis in Santa Maria Degli Angeli, Assisi at Hotel Cenacolo or similar https://www.hotelcenacolo.com/ for 2 nights in Rome on bed and breakfast basis at Hotel Nova Domus Aurelia or similar Homepage – Nova Domus Aurelia and for 3 nights on half board basis near lake Albano in the hills South of Rome at Villa Palazzola or similar About us — Palazzola . Rates are based on sharing a double / twin room. All rooms will be with private facilities.
1 Lunch at Villa Palazzola
An Italian (English speaking) tour manager for the duration of your Pilgrimage.
Coach transportation as follows: SEPT 10—airport pick up & transfer to your hotel SEPT 11—No coach service SEPT 12— full day coach SEPT 13—transfers to Assisi old town, SEPT 14 - full day coach SEPT 15—no coach service, SEP 16 - Rome, Vatican City and transfer to Villa Palazzola, SEPT 17 no coach service, SEPT 18 – full day coach, SEPT 19 - full day coach
Licensed English speaking guide as follows: In Pisa for a half day guided tour, In Assisi for a full day tour, in Rome for a half day tour of the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica.
City taxes
Whispers sets for the scheduled sightseeing tours
Entrance fees - Pisa Cathedral and leaning tower, Rome hop on and off bus 24 hours ticket, Rome Vatican museums and St. Peter’s Basilica, Catacombs, Castelgandolfo Palace and gardens with audio guide,
The advance booking of all the services including Mass
NOT INCLUDED IN THE TOUR PRICE:
