PILGRIMAGES and CHURCH PROGRAMS

Joseph Walker’s Italy Revealed is one of the leaders in meeting the needs of religious group travel planners. We have directly assisted priests, deacons and lay leaders alike in organizing their trips to Italy. Many of our trips are even used as fund-raisers for their church or organization.

Our staff and members are very careful from the professional planning to the final implementation of the trip so that all guests receive spiritual enrichment and inspiration upon their return home.

Unlike other tours, our staff on the ground, consist of true experts of the history, logistics and religious aspects of our programs. They always strive to meet and exceed the expectations of each and every guest. After all, this is for many a once in a lifetime trip, and Italy Revealed will make sure that it will make a positive impression with lasting memories for all.

Some of our Principal Tours include:

• Pilgrimage to Italy (Highlighting Rome and Assisi)
• Following the Footsteps of Paul
• Mystical and Spiritual Italy (Highlighting Rome, Assisi, Monte Cassino and San Giovanni Rotondo)
• The Churches and Basilicas of Northern Italy
• The early Medieval Church in Italy and its principal locations
• The Early Church: Italy, Greece, and Turkey at the time of Christ

Let us customize a pilgrimage or church program for you. Contact us at reservations@walkertravels.com today.

Below, take a look at a sample pilgrimage program (that can be adjusted as one desires):

A Pilgrimage to Italy

Rome and Assisi

A pilgrimage to Italy is a special and momentous occasion where spiritual growth and learning occur in an atmosphere that is exciting and fun! “Italy Revealed” is pleased to offer you this pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi as we explore and learn about Ancient Rome and the foundation of the Holy Roman Church as well as experiencing the medieval mysticism of Assisi and its naturalistic elements that changed the church forever! Come walk in the hallowed grounds of religious giants and discover more about the earliest Christians who forged a new religion in the very heart of one of the most powerful civilizations of the ancient world.

Your itinerary:

Day 1 : Flight to Europe

Board for your overnight flight to Rome, Italy with complimentary meals served on board.

Day 2 : Rome to Assisi

Upon arrival, we will be met by our Italy Revealed Tour Director who will accompany us throughout our journey. After just a few short hours by deluxe motor coach, we will arrive in Assisi, clinging to the side of the magnificent Mount Subasio. We will next check-in our centrally located hotel and have some free-time for rest and relaxation. At 18:30 we will get back together to enjoy a welcoming dinner. (B, D)
Overnight: Assisi

Day 3 : Assisi – Tour of the town highlighting the Basilica of St. Francis

After a delicious breakfast, we will enjoy an early Mass at the Basilica of Saint Francis. After the mass, we will explore the medieval Basilica as we learn about the life of St. Francis. Next we will have a walking tour of Assisi itself and we will visit the sites associated with his life and other important town landmarks such as the Chiesa Nuova, built incorporating the home of St. Francis’ family, and the Church of San Rufino, with its impressive baptismal font of the saint. We next will visit the Basilica of St. Clare who lies in repose here. We will view the original “San Damiano” crucifix that spoke to Francis, commanding him to “Rebuild my Church.” Francis did just this by repairing the building of San Damiano. Only later did he realize the deeper meaning of his dream and the command…! Rest of the afternoon will be at your leisure to explore more of the medieval town or to relax. We will enjoy dinner together tonight in fellowship. (B,D)
Overnight: Assisi

Day 4 : Assisi (Saint Mary of the Angels) and on to Rome

After breakfast, we visit the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, containing the famous Porziuncula, which was built by St. Francis and the Mother Church of the Franciscan Order. Nearby is the actual spot where St. Francis died. After this, we venture South for the short two hour ride to Rome.

Upon arrival in Rome, we will have some free-time to check in our hotel and to enjoy some lunch before discovering Rome of the Caesars. Highlighting the cultures, customs, and glory of ancient Rome, we will explore the Roman Coliseum. The Coliseum, or Flavian Amphitheater as it was known in Roman times, owes its origin to the “Colossal” statue of the Emperor and first persecutor of Christians, Nero…We next visit the Basilica of St. Paul’s outside the Walls, housing the tomb of St. Paul the Apostle, and affectionately known as the Apostle of the gentiles. Here we will celebrate Mass.

Rest of evening will be free and Overnight in Rome, the eternal City…(B)

Day 5 : Rome – Vatican Museums and the Basilica of St. Peter

After a nice breakfast we will explore Christian Rome today starting with the Vatican Museum. Collected from various popes over the ages, these museums have the richest art collection of any museum in the world! From ancient Rome, through the middle ages and renaissance, your visit is made complete by entering the Sistine Chapel, featuring Michelangelo’s most famous masterpiece paintings. We next enter the Basilica of St. Peter itself, awe inspiring for what it represents but also for more art work! Again, we will see a Michelangelo masterpiece, the Pieta. The Pieta is of the Blessed mother holding her crucified son…The tour will be capped off by an ascent, at your individual leisure, to go up into the dome of St. Peter’s itself to enjoy grandiose views over Vatican City and Rome. Before enjoying free time for the afternoon, you may want to visit the Vatican stores with some beautiful religious items that you can acquire.

Dinner tonight will be together at a local restaurant. (B,D)

Overnight : Rome

Day 6 : Rome – The Major Basilicas of Rome

After breakfast, we will start the day by visiting the Basilica of St. Mary Major, the largest church in Rome and dedicated to the Blessed Mother. After celebrating Mass, we next move on for a visit of historical St. John Lateran. St. Francis cajoled Pope Innocent III in allowing for the creation of the Franciscan Order here. The Pope said that he had a dream the prior evening, before St. Francis appeared before him, of Francis supporting the tottering structure of St. John Lateran. Because of his dream, St Francis’ request was approved! A Can’t miss is also the nearby “Scala Santa,” which tradition says were constructed of the actual steps in which Christ climbed just before his condemnation by Pontius Pilate. The rest of the afternoon and evening will be free to explore more of Rome and your Italy Revealed expert can give you some fantastic suggestions, from the Catacombs to other churches of historical and religious interest.

Overnight: Rome (B)

Day 7: Rome – Papal Audience and a Walking Tour of Rome

After a wonderful breakfast, we will depart for Vatican City where we enjoy a Papal Audience with the Holy Father (this is subject to his schedule). After some free-time for lunch, we will commence a walking tour of Rome. This tour will show Rome from the Middle Ages to today and we will discover the most important sites. Starting at the Trevi Fountain, where we must throw three coins in, if we wish to return to Rome, we will next visit the Spanish Steps and the Piazza Trinita’ dei Monti which has extraordinary views of the city of Rome! Next, our tour leads us to the famed Roman Pantheon and on to Piazza Navona, which was an ancient “circus,” and where Romans today enjoy inviting restaurants or to relax while leisurely sipping their “café’.” And finally, we will end our day with free time to enjoy more of Rome…

Evening, we will celebrate our successful trip with an evening farewell Banquet at a local restaurant!

Overnight : Rome (B,D)

Day 8: Return Home after a fantastic experience

Alas alas, after our last breakfast, we leave early for our return flight home out of the International Airport of Rome…

Price and Trip Information:

Dates and Prices per Person: - Adults: Upon request

Your special price includes:

• Accommodations:
  • 4 nights at a first class centrally located hotel in Rome.
  • 2 nights at a first class Hotel in Assisi
• Site-seeing Tours:
  • Guided** Tour of Ancient Rome.
  • Walking Tour of Rome
  • Guided** Tour of the Vatican Museum and St. Peter’s Basilica
  • Guided** Tour of Assisi
• Italy Revealed Personalized Services:
  • Hand-picked Italy Revealed Tour Director with additional commentary/assistance 24/7 of tour duration
  • Private deluxe mini-bus or equivalent for duration of the trip providing all transportation, transfers, and parking fees as per our itinerary.
  • Expert assistance for arranging Mass and other religious assistance
• Dining:
  • All breakfasts as per itinerary and four delicious dinners.

**Our Guides: Our guides are leaders in the travel industry and are all Masters or PHD level specialists in their field and all have a profound experience in leading religious based tours. Joseph Walker, founder and Italy Revealed tour creator believes that any pilgrimage to Italy should be more than a simple site-seeing excursion, but an opportunity to discover, explore and get the most out of your travel experience. To this end, Joseph hand-picks all Italy Revealed staff to give you the very best. **