*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: Saturday 29th August – Arrive Rome
We depart in total comfort from Shannon Airport at 11:55hrs on our Ryanair flight. Arrival in Rome is scheduled for approximately 16:05hrs.
On landing, a Joe Walsh Tours representative will be waiting to meet and assist us. After collecting our luggage from the carousel, we will be transferred by private coach to our accommodation, Casa di Santa Francesca Romana, located in the lively and central Trastevere district, an area well known for its charming streets and excellent restaurants.
After check-in, we will walk just two minutes to the hotel’s restaurant for dinner at 19:00hrs. Overnight in Rome.
DAY 2: Sunday 30th August – San Pietro in Montorio and The Vatican
After breakfast, we begin our day with a visit to San Pietro in Montorio, where we will celebrate Mass in this beautiful and historically significant church.
Following Mass, we travel to the Vatican area and make our way to St Peter’s Square to attend the Angelus at 12:00 noon, a special moment of prayer and reflection with the Holy Father.
Afterwards, there will be free time for lunch in one of the many nearby cafés or bistros, with recommendations provided by our tour guide.
In the afternoon, we enjoy a comprehensive guided tour of St Peter’s Basilica, one of the most important and iconic churches in the world. We will then continue our visit to the Basilica’s grottoes, where many popes and saints are laid to rest, offering a deeply spiritual conclusion to our day.
Time to go back to the accommodation for dinner and overnight.
DAY 3: Monday 31st August – Walking tour of Rome and Major Papal Basilicas
Today we begin with a walking tour of Rome, taking in some of the city’s most beloved landmarks,including the magnificent Trevi Fountain and the elegant Piazza Navona, rich in history and Baroque beauty.
Following our walk, time to get an early lunch and snacks before moving to the Irish College where mass will be celebrated. The Irish College is a place of great spiritual and
historical significance for Irish pilgrims. In the afternoon, we continue our day with the visit of one of the Major Papal Basilicas, the Basilica of St John Lateran, the Cathedral of Rome and the Pope’s official ecclesiastical seat. Nearby, we will visit the Sanctuary of the Holy Stairs, a treasured site traditionally believed to be the steps Jesus ascended during His trial before Pontius Pilate.
After a beautiful and insightful day we return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 4: Tuesday 01st September – Mass in the Basilica of St Mary Major
After breakfast today we will visit and have Mass in the Basilica of St. Mary Major, one of Rome’s four major basilicas and a site of profound spiritual significance. After Mass, there will be time for personal prayer at the tomb of Pope Francis, allowing for reflection and devotion.
The afternoon is at leisure, offering the opportunity for shopping, exploring local streets, or enjoying personal sightseeing in Rome.
We conclude the day with dinner and overnight at our hotel, preparing for tomorrow’s departure.
DAY 5: Wednesday 02nd September – Papal Audience in St Peter’s Square and depart to Assisi
Today we will have a very early breakfast and check out form the hotel to attend the Papal Audience in St. Peter’s Square, an unforgettable experience to see and receive the blessing of the Holy Father.
Afterwards, we depart for Assisi, in the central part of Italy and St Francis birthplace. Lunch and comfort stop en route. Upon arriving in Assisi, we will visit the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, home to the Chapel of the Porziuncola, a site of deep significance in the life of St. Francis.
Following our visit, we transfer to our accommodation in Assisi, Domus Laetitiae, where we will stay for the next three nights on a Half Board basis. The evening concludes with dinner and overnight at the hotel.
DAY 6: Thursday 03rd September – Assisi
After a nice breakfast our day in Assisi will begin with visit and Mass in the Basilica of St. Clare of Assisi, a beautiful and spiritually significant church dedicated to the beloved saint. We will see the original San Damiano cross, and amongst other relics on display, her long hair which was cut off by St. Francis during her religious profession, her habit and her cord belt.
We then visit the Sanctuary of the Spoliation and the Tomb of St. Carlo Acutis, offering time for reflection and prayer at these important pilgrimage sites.
In the afternoon, enjoy a walking tour of Assisi, exploring its charming streets, historic squares, and rich Franciscan heritage. The day concludes with dinner and overnight at our hotel.
DAY 7: Friday 04th September – Siena and the Basilica of St Dominic
Today we enjoy a full day in Siena, a city renowned for its medieval architecture and rich history. We begin with a walking tour, exploring the famous Piazza del Campo, one of Europe’s most beautiful squares, and the stunning streets of the historic centre. We will celebrate Mass at the Basilica of St. Dominic, known for housing the relic of the Holy Head of St. Catherine of Siena.
Pilgrims can also visit the Oratory of St. Catherine and other chapels within the city, providing moments for personal prayer, meditation, and connection to Siena’s deep spiritual heritage.In the late afternoon, we return to Assisi for dinner and overnight at our hotel.
DAY 8: Saturday 05th September – Depart Assisi to Lanciano, continue to San Giovanni Rotondo
After an early breakfast and check out, we depart from Assisi for the last leg of our journey. We will be traveling south to Lanciano, home of the Eucharistic Miracle, the first recorded Eucharistic Miracle in history. We will celebrate Mass at the sanctuary, followed by free time for lunch in the local area. In the afternoon, we continue our journey to San Giovanni Rotondo, famous for St. Padre Pio.
We check in to the Parco delle Rose Hotel, where we will be staying of the next three nights on a Full Board basis. Enjoy dinner and overnight.
DAY 9: Sunday 06th September- San Giovanni Rotondo | Morning Mass at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Grace | Shrine of St Michael the Archangel
After a nice breakfast, our first day in San Giovanni Rotondo will begin with the morning Mass at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Grace, a site visited by countless pilgrims seeking spiritual renewal.
We then visit the English Pilgrims Office, where there is the opportunity for a blessing with the relic of St. Pio. Our tour continues through the sanctuary, including a visit to the crypt of St. Pio, where his tomb is located. Lunch back at the hotel.
In the afternoon, we travel to the Shrine of St. Michael the Archangel, a site of devotion since the early Middle Ages. Home to the sacred grotto where the Archangel Michael is said to have appeared in the 5th century. A long line of Saints and Popes have visited this holy site to pray, including St. Francis of Assisi, St. Pio, and St. John Paul II.
The day concludes with dinner and overnight in our hotel.
DAY 10: Monday 07th September – Pietrelcina | Cathedral of Avellino
After breakfast, we depart from San Giovanni Rotondo to Pietrelcina, the birthplace of St. Padre Pio. We celebrate Mass in the Church of the Holy Family and enjoy a walking tour of the town, exploring the streets where Padre Pio grew up and learning about his early life. Walk in the footsteps of Padre Pio in his quaint little town and learn about his dream of becoming “a monk with a beard” and visit the family home where Padre Pio was born and the Church of Sant’Anna where he was baptised.
We then continue our journey to Avellino.In Avellino, pilgrims can enjoy a moment of reflection and spiritual enrichment at the Cathedral of Avellino (Duomo di Avellino), dedicated to San Modestino, one of the city’s patron saints. The city also offers the Santuario di Montevergine, a short drive from Avellino, which is an important Marian shrine and pilgrimage site perched on the mountainside, offering both spiritual inspiration and stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
Even a brief visit allows pilgrims to pray, light a candle, and soak in the devotional atmosphere before continuing the journey. Time to go back to San Giovanni to the hotel for our last dinner and overnight.
DAY 11: Tuesday 08th September
Today is the last day of this beautiful pilgrimage. Following breakfast and check out, we depart for Naples to take our return flight to Shannon, bringing with us the memories and blessings of our Italian pilgrimage.
