Shrines of Italy
From the hallowed Basilica of St. Francis to the glorious Sistine Chapel, discover why Italy is a bastion of Catholicism. Discover the Holy House of Loreto, said to have been transported from Nazareth by angels. Spend time at the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi, the beloved saint’s hometown. Explore the burial sites of the Catacombs where the early Christians hid and venerated their dead. Attend the weekly Papal audience and receive the blessing given by the Holy Father. Discover Michelangelo’s Last Judgment mural and explore St. Peter’s Basilica. See the world’s most inspirational sites and relics on a journey through the rolling hills and lively cities of Italy.
From the hallowed Basilica of St. Francis to the glorious Sistine Chapel, discover why Italy is a bastion of Catholicism. Discover the Holy House of Loreto, said to have been transported from Nazareth by angels. Spend time at the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi, the beloved saint’s hometown. Explore the burial sites of the Catacombs where the early Christians hid and venerated their dead. Attend the weekly Papal audience and receive the blessing given by the Holy Father. Discover Michelangelo’s Last Judgment mural and explore St. Peter’s Basilica. See the world’s most inspirational sites and relics on a journey through the rolling hills and lively cities of Italy.
Highlights
- Rome is the capital of modern Italy and the historical home of one of the great civilizations in history, the Roman Empire. The historical city was founded in 753 BC and has grown to a size of over 3 million inhabitants today. The city is home to major monuments like the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain and many more. The city was built on the seven ancient hills along the Tiber River. Today it is a collection of neighborhoods with vibrant shops, restaurants and museums just waiting to be explored.
- Dive into the depths of Rome when you explore the Catacombs, a collection of underground burial sites for early Christians. Wander among the numerous pathways and discover the hidden passages of this ancient relic.
- St. Peter's Basilica is an example of late Renaissance architecture and was designed by great architects like Raphael, Michelangelo and Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Completed over the course of 120 years, St. Peter's is one of the largest churches in the world, and an important holy site for Catholics. The church is built over the burial site of Saint Peter and contains the tombs of numerous popes. The church is known for its mosaic decorations and grand dome.
- The Papal Audience is a weekly gathering of pilgrims held in St. Peter's Square every Wednesday when the Pope is present. Each audience consists of teachings or readings in multiple languages and greetings from the Pope and finishes with the Apostolic Blessing from the Pope. The Pope arrives in the square by Popemobile and passes around the square before taking his seat on stage. Pilgrims can bring items like rosaries to be blessed at the end.
- Take a sojourn to the Holy House of Nazareth, a beloved shrine in Loreto. Join fellow worshippers when you visit this monument, which is believed to be the place that the Holy Family lived.
Hotels
- Cardinal Hotel St. Peter — Rome
- Hotel Cenacolo, Santa Maria degli Angeli — Assisi
- Cardinal Hotel St. Peter — Rome
Details
- Tour Operator
- Collette
- Start City
- Rome
- End City
- Rome
- Duration (Days)
- 11
- Activity Level
- Level 3
What's Included
- 14 meals included
- Rome is the capital of modern Italy and the historical home of one of the great civilizations in history, the Roman Empire. The historical city was founded in 753 BC and has grown to a size of over 3 million inhabitants today. The city is home to major monuments like the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain and many more. The city was built on the seven ancient hills along the Tiber River. Today it is a collection of neighborhoods with vibrant shops, restaurants and museums just waiting to be explored.
- Dive into the depths of Rome when you explore the Catacombs, a collection of underground burial sites for early Christians. Wander among the numerous pathways and discover the hidden passages of this ancient relic.
- St. Peter's Basilica is an example of late Renaissance architecture and was designed by great architects like Raphael, Michelangelo and Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Completed over the course of 120 years, St. Peter's is one of the largest churches in the world, and an important holy site for Catholics. The church is built over the burial site of Saint Peter and contains the tombs of numerous popes. The church is known for its mosaic decorations and grand dome.
- The Papal Audience is a weekly gathering of pilgrims held in St. Peter's Square every Wednesday when the Pope is present. Each audience consists of teachings or readings in multiple languages and greetings from the Pope and finishes with the Apostolic Blessing from the Pope. The Pope arrives in the square by Popemobile and passes around the square before taking his seat on stage. Pilgrims can bring items like rosaries to be blessed at the end.
- Take a sojourn to the Holy House of Nazareth, a beloved shrine in Loreto. Join fellow worshippers when you visit this monument, which is believed to be the place that the Holy Family lived.
Pricing
| Option | Price | Departure | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double | USD 3,499.00 | 2026-10-19 | |
| Single | USD 4,249.00 | 2026-10-19 | |
| Triple | USD 3,449.00 | 2026-10-19 |
Itinerary
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Day 1: Overnight Flight
Travel on an inspirational journey to some of the most fascinating religious sites and relics in the world.
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Day 2: Rome, Italy
Your tour opens in Rome, the spiritual center of the Catholic faith. As arrival times will vary, there is no scheduled sightseeing today. Spend the day as you wish, exploring the city independently. This evening, savor regional flavors as you join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner.
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Day 3: Rome
Begin your exploration of Rome's most revered Christian sites with a visit to the Cathedral of Saint John Lateran and its ancient Baptistery. Continue to the Scala Sancta, the Holy Stairs, believed to be the very steps that Christ climbed when he appeared before Pontius Pilate. Then, visit the Marian Basilica of St. Mary Major, before concluding your day at Saint Praxedes, one of Rome's oldest churches, where you have the possibility of celebrating Mass.*
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Day 4: Rome - Santa Maria degli Angeli, Assisi
Travel north to the region of Umbria, known as “the green heart of Italy” and where St. Francis spent most of his life. Pause for lunch at a family-owned winery nestled in the countryside. This afternoon, visit the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, where you explore the Porziuncola – the small chapel that is the founding site of the Franciscan Order. Stroll through the rose garden, where tradition holds that the miracle of the thorny bush took place. Then pause for a moment of reflection at the Chapel of the Transitus, where St. Francis of Assisi passed away. You’ll have the opportunity to celebrate Mass* at the basilica before checking into your hotel in the early evening. Settle in for a four-night stay before spending an evening at leisure.
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Day 5: Assisi - Loreto - Assisi
This morning, journey across the Apennine Mountains to the Marian shrine of Loreto, a site so sacred that more than fifty Popes have made a pilgrimage here. Pause for a moment of devotion at the statue of the Madonna di Loreto, especially venerated as the universal patroness of air travelers. Then, visit the shrine of the Holy House of Nazareth, which is believed to have been miraculously transported by angels from the Holy Land in 1294. The Holy House is revered as the place where the Virgin Mary was born, lived, and received the Annunciation. You have the opportunity of celebrating Mass* at the basilica before returning to Assisi in time for dinner at your hotel.
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Day 6: Assisi
Guided by a local expert, set out on a morning-long walking tour of the medieval hilltop town of Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis. Spend time at the church of St. Clare, pausing for a moment of reflection at the crucifix from which Jesus spoke to Francis. Visit the Sanctuary of the Spoliation that now enshrines the tomb of St. Carlo Acutis, the first millennial saint who used his skills in website design to document and share Eucharistic miracles. Then, explore the 13th-century basilica of St. Francis, where you can see many of his possessions and a series of famous frescoes depicting his life. You can celebrate Mass* at the basilica before an afternoon at leisure to spend in prayer and meditation or exploring more of this charming hilltop town on your own.
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Day 7: Assisi - Roccaporena di Cascia - Assisi
This morning, travel along the winding roads of Nera Valley to the hamlet of Roccaporena, the birthplace of St. Rita. Visit the humble home where the patron saint of impossible causes was born, and the small church of San Montano where she got married. You will have the opportunity to celebrate Mass* in Roccaporena before continuing your journey to Cascia for a visit to the basilica that houses St. Rita's earthly remains. Return to Assisi in the early evening, in time for dinner at your hotel.
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Day 8: Assisi - Rome
This morning, say ciao to Assisi and travel back to Rome where you visit the Catacombs. Upon arrival, follow the steps down to the underground tunnels where early Christians, martyrs and saints gathered to worship and bury their dead. You have the possibility of celebrating Mass* in one of the garden chapels before continuing to your hotel. Then, settle in for a three-night stay and an evening at leisure.
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Day 9: Rome - Vatican Museum - St. Peter's Basilica
Today, explore the Vatican Museum,** including the Sistine Chapel where the Pope is elected and where Michelangelo’s famous Last Judgment mural is located. End your visit in St. Peter’s Basilica, the world’s largest church. Feel the grace around you as you meander along towering marble columns and stand in awe before the Pietà, Michelangelo’s renowned sculpture of the Christ and the Virgin Mary. The afternoon is yours to explore more of the Eternal City. You may celebrate Mass* at a local church before an evening at leisure.
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Day 10: Rome - Papal Audience
Early this morning, attend the weekly Papal Audience*** in the Vatican City to receive the blessing given by the Holy Father. The afternoon is yours to do as you wish. This evening, gather for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant, celebrating the end of a memorable pilgrimage to Italy.
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Day 11: Rome - Tour Ends
Your tour comes to a close in Rome.