DAY 1: DUBLIN TO ROME
Early departure from Dublin Airport. The group will be arriving in Rome at 10:35am with the full day ahead.
A Joe Walsh Tours representative will be there to meet and greet the group on arrival.
From the airport we will travel by private coach to Santa Maria Maggiore area – S. Mary Major – for lunch in one of the many local cafes or Bistros, suggested from our experienced tour guide (lunch and refreshments at your own expenses).
St Mary Major is one of the four Major Papal Basilicas in Rome and the largest Marian Church, housing the tombs of seven popes.
After lunch, the group will enjoy an orientation walking tour of the area, visit and attend Mass at this Major Papal Basilica, before heading to the Hotel Pacific situated a short five-minute drive from Piazza Navona and Castel Sant’Angelo, where we will be staying for the next four nights.
DAY 2: TOUR OF ROME
After breakfast, the group will be picked up from the hotel and start our walking tour of Rome’s most iconic sites, walking by the most famous amphitheatre, the Colosseum, learning about the Roman Forums, Piazza Venezia, the iconic Trevi Fountain, followed by the former Roman temple “Pantheon” and Piazza Navona, one of the most beautiful squares in Rome.
Time for lunch before continuing with the visit of Chiesa del Gesu’,The Mother Church of the Society of Jesus we will have mass. It is the mother church of the Society of Jesus (best known as Jesuits).The Church of the Gesù is one of the great 17th-century preaching churches, first conceived in 1551 by Saint Ignatius of Loyola, the Spanish founder of the Society of Jesus. Mass and time to head back to the hotel for dinner.
DAY 3: PAPAL BASILICAS
After breakfast we will visit two Major Papal basilicas:
the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls and St John in the Lateran where we will have mass.
The Basilica of St John Outside the Walls is the conventual church of the adjacent Benedictine abbey and one of the Seven Pilgrim’s Churches.
The Arch basilica of St John in the Lateran is the Catholic cathedral of the Diocese of Rome in the city of Rome and serves as the seat of the bishop of Rome.
After lunch, time permitting due to the Jubilee queues, we will visit the Basilica of St.Cosma and Damian, a beautiful titular church in Rome.
DAY 4: VATICAN
Today we will have an early start and spend the morning in the Vatican area, where we will take a guided tour of St Peter Basilica, St Peter Square and the Holy Door. The Sunday Solemn Mass will be celebrated at 10:30am.
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, we will have free time for lunch and in the afternoon, for shopping, resting or visiting the **Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, Colosseum and so on. Our guide will be happy to give recommendations on what to do and see.
**Please note the Vatican Museum and Sistine chapel are not included in the package. We recommend anyone interested to book in advance through the official web-site www.museivaticani.va. We won’t be able to assist with these bookings.
DAY 5: ROME TO DUBLIN
Today is unfortunately our last day of this beautiful pilgrimage to Rome during the Holy Year. After breakfast and check out we will have time to visit and have mass in the Irish College before heading to the airport to catch our 15:10 flight back to Dublin.
*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.
