DAY 1: BENEVENTO
Depart Dublin Airport at approximately 06:15 hrs. Our Joe Walsh tours representative will meet us on arrival in Naples. Coach transfer to Benevento where we will check into the Grand Hotel Italiano and have lunch. After lunch and rest in the afternoon we will have mass in the Benevento Cathedral followed by a short walking tour. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
DAY 2: PIETRELCINA & SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO
This morning after breakfast and check out will visit and have a walking tour of Piana Romana and Pietrelcina, before continuing to San Giovanni. Pietrelcina is the birthplace of Saint Pio. We visit St. Pio’s family home and the church of St. Anna where Padre Pio was baptised and received his First Holy Communion. In San Giovanni Rotondo we will check in in the Centro di Spiritualita hotel for three nights on a full board basis.
DAY 3: SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO
Today we will have the full day in San Giovanni Rotondo. One of the most beautiful shrines to see in San Giovanni Rotondo is the Old Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie or Our Lady of Grace, a small church where Padre Pio lived, heard confessions and prayed.
Time also to visit the Capuchin Friary, the cell where Saint Pio lived and died, the crucifix before which he received the stigmata. We will not miss the tomb of St. Pio and the English Office.
DAY 4: SAN MARCO IN LAMIS, ST MATTHEW'S MONASTERY & MONTE SANT ANGELO
This morning we travel to the nearby town of San Marco in Lamis and visit St. Matthew’s monastery. After lunch we then continue to Monte Sant Angelo the shrine in the cave where the Archangel Michael appeared in the fifth century. A long list of Saints and Popes have visited this cave to pray to the Archangel, among them St. Francis of Assisi, St Pio and St John Paul II. Mass and return to hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 5: FIUGGI
After breakfast and check out from the hotel we will be making our way to Fiuggi. The village of Fiuggi is known for its Acqua di Fiuggi which flows from its natural sources in the mountains, classified as low-mineral water. The town is divided into two: the typical medieval hill town and a spa town dating back to the 20th century called Fiuggi Terme. Among the religious buildings, the Church of San Biagio, dedicated to the patron saint of Fiuggi, is the best known.
Check in the San Giorgio Hotel where we will be spending the next three nights with breakfast and dinner every day.
DAY 6: MONTE CASSINO
Today we will be traveling to Monte Cassino.
We will spend the full day visiting the ethereal Abbey of Monte Cassino. The Abbey is perhaps most famous for its resilience. It was the first house of the Benedictine Order, established by the Benedict of Nursia himself in 529 CE. The abbey has since been destroyed and rebuilt on many occasions.
We will have mass after the guided tour. Back to Fiuggi for dinner and overnight.
DAY 7: TIVOLI AND GENAZZANO
After breakfast today we will be visiting Tivoli and Genazzano.
Tivoli has a handful of world-renowned UNESCO Heritage sites, which includes the three magnificent villas and gardens and several churches.
Genazzano hosts the miraculous Fresco of Mother of good Counsel, or else known as the Madonna of Genazzano. The church of Genazzano is where the order of Saint Augustine has served since 1356. After a beautiful day exploring these two beautiful towns and mass, we will head back to Fiuggi for dinner and overnight.
DAY 8: FLIGHT TO DUBLIN
After breakfast and check out from the hotel we depart Fiuggi for our evening flight to Dublin. On the way will visit and have Mass at Saint Maria Goretti Shrine, in Nettuno.
