*Please note this pilgrimage involves a certain amount of walking and physical activity, such as stairs, standing for extended periods and walking on uneven surfaces; especially when visiting historical and religious sites. We kindly ask that you assess your comfort level with these activities before booking and travel with a companion that can provide assistance if required. If you have any mobility concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact our team to discuss.
DAY 1: Thursday 15th May – Rome
Early departure from Dublin Airport, at approximately 06:20hrs with Aer Lingus. We will be arriving in Rome at 10:25am with the full day ahead of us. Our Joe Walsh Tours representative will be there to meet and greet us on arrival.
We will be then transferred by private coach to Santa Maria Maggiore – S. Mary Major for lunch(at your own expense) in one of the many local cafes’, or Bistrot’s, suggested by our experienced tour guide.
St Mary Major is one of the four major Papal Basilicas in Rome and the largest Marian Church.
After lunch, we will have an orientation tour of the area, visit and Mass of this major Basilica, before heading to the Cardinal St Peter Hotel situated between the green of Villa Doria Pamphili, with a beautiful view of St. Peter’s Basilica, where we will be staying for the next 4 nights on a Half Board basis. Time to check in, dinner and overnight.
DAY 2: Friday 16th May – St Peter Basilica, St Peter Square and the Holy Door
Today after breakfast will have a full morning with a guided tour of St Peter Basilica and Square and the Holy Door. The Basilica is one of the holiest sites of Christianity and Catholic Tradition, it is traditionally the burial site of its titular, St. Peter, who was the head of the twelve Apostles of Jesus and, according to tradition, the first Bishop of Antioch and later the first Bishop of Rome, rendering him the first Pope.
After such a full and interesting morning time for lunch before starting our walking tour of Rome’s main sites. We will be admiring the iconic Trevi Fountain, followed by the Spanish Steps and the former Roman temple “Pantheon”. Time to visit and have Mass in Piazza Navona, one of the most beautiful squares in Rome. This is the end of our day, we will be transferred to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 3: Saturday 17th May – Basilicas of St Paul Outside the Walls and St John in the Lateran
After breakfast today our day will follow with the visits of two other major Papal basilicas: the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls and St John in the Lateran, where we will have mass.
Time for lunch. In the afternoon we will visit (from the outside) the famous Colosseum of Rome, and learn about the Roman Forums along with a visit to St. Cosma and Damian’s beautiful church.
Back to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 4: Sunday 18th May – St. Mary of the Angels
After a good breakfast we will be picked up at 10:30am and transferred to Piazza della Repubblica where we will witness in St.Mary of the Angels, the work of the famous meridian, then by 12.30 Mass will be celebrated at St. Bernard Church.
Time for lunch and free afternoon for personal visits and shopping. Our tour guide will be happy to recommend things to do and see. If you are planning on visiting the Vatican Museums, the Catacombs, or the Colosseum please make sure to plan ahead and book online through the official web-sites (must be done individually).
Meet back at the hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 5: Monday 19th May – Mass in the Irish College and flight back home
Today is the last day of this beautiful pilgrimage. After breakfast we will travel o the airport to catch our 11:10 flight back to Dublin.
*Please note itinerary may be subject to changes.
