*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: Monday 19th May – Depart to Rome
Early departure from Dublin Airport, at approximately 06:20 hrs.
We will be arriving in Rome at 10:25am with the full day ahead of us. Our Joe Walsh Tours representative will meet us on arrival.
We will then be transferred by private coach to Santa Maria Maggiore for lunch (at your own expense) in one of the many local cafes’, or Bistrot’s, suggested by our experienced tour guide.
After lunch, we will have a walking tour of the area and Mass before heading to the Cardinal Hotel St Peter, situated between the green of Villa Doria Pamphili, only a few minutes from the Vatican Museums and 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: Tuesday 20th May – Rome
Today after breakfast we will be picked up from the hotel and start our walking tour of Rome’s main sites. We will be visiting, (from the outside), and walking around the most famous amphitheater of Rome, the Colosseum, we will be learning about the Roman Forums, Piazza Venezia, and we will be admiring the iconic Trevi Fountain, followed by the former Roman temple “Pantheon” and Piazza Navona, one of the most beautiful squares in Rome.
Time for Mass and to head back to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 3: Wednesday 21st May – Papal Audience
After breakfast today we will spend the morning participating in the Papal Audience. Pilgrims and visitors will have the chance to see the Pope and receive Papal blessings or Apostolic blessings from the successor of the Apostle Peter during their visit. The Audience with the Pope consists of small teachings and readings mainly in Italian but also in English.
Our day will follow with lunch and visits of two of the major Papal basilicas: the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls and St John in the Lateran.
Back to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 4: Thursday 22nd May – St Peter Basilica and St Peter Square
Today after breakfast, we will have a full morning with a guided tour of St Peter Basilica and Square and the chance to visit the Vatican Museums (optional and tickets to be booked individually).
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.
Time for lunch and free afternoon for shopping. Mass and dinner back in the hotel for dinner and overnight.
*For anyone interested in visiting the Vatican Museums please make sure to book in advance.
DAY 5: Friday 23rd May – Irish College and flight back home
Today is the last day of this Rome pilgrimage. After a good breakfast and check out we will be picked up at 10:00am.
We will be transferred to the Irish College. The Pontifical Irish College is a Catholic seminary in Rome for the training and education of priests. It serves as a residence for clerical students from all over the world. After the visit of the College and mass, at 11:30hrs our last pick up to go back to the airport for our afternoon flight back to Dublin departing at 15.10.
