ITALY
PILGRIMAGE
APRIL 28-MAY 8
CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19
ITINERARY
Tuesday, April 28: Depart
7:00pm Depart from San Diego (British Airways)
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Wednesday, April 29: Milan
1:35pm Arrive in London
3:29pm Depart from London
6:25pm Arrive in Milan
Dinner and overnight in Milan
Thursday, April 30: Venice
Venice​
Walking Tour
Free time for Lunch & Shopping
Mass at Basilica of St. Mark
Tomb of St. Mark the Evangelist
Dinner: Ristorante Trovatore
Overnight in Padua
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Friday, May 1: Padua, Florence
Mass at St. Anthony's Basilica
Tomb of St. Anthony
Guided Tour of Florence
Overnight in Florence
Saturday, May 2: Florence
Mass at Basilica di Santa Croce
Tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo & Machiavelli
Galleria dell'Accademia Museum
Michelangelo's David
Tuscan Winery
Overnight in Florence
Sunday, May 3: Siena
Hometown of St. Catherine
Mass at Basilica of San Domenico
Church of the Crucifix: Cross of the Stigmata
Free time for Lunch at Piazza del Campo
Guided Tour of Siena
Overnight in Assisi
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Monday, May 4: Assisi
Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli
Prayer Retreat
Mass in Lower Basilica of St. Francis
Free time for Lunch and Shopping in Assisi
Basilica of St. Clare
San Damiano
Overnight in Assisi
Tuesday, May 5: Rome
Basilica of Saint Paul’s Outside the Walls
Tomb of St. Paul
Mass at the Catacombs of St. Calixtus
Appian Way
Panoramic Tour of "Illuminated Rome at Night"
Night walk to Trevi Fountain
Overnight in Rome
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Wednesday, May 6: Rome
Audience with Pope Francis (if in town)
Free time for Lunch and Shopping in Piazza Navona
Pantheon
Mass in the Basilica of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva
Tomb of St. Catherine of Siena
Church of the Gesu: Mother Church of the Jesuit Order
Remains of Saint Ignatius of Loyola
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Thursday, May 7: Rome
St. Peter's Basilica
Catacombs
Sistine Chapel
Mass at Basilica of St. Mary Major
Capitoline Hill
Ancient Roman Forum, Constantine's Arch, the Arch
of Titus, the Circus Maximus and ancient Roman Aqueducts
Pictures outside Colosseum
St. John Lateran, remains of Sts. Peter and Paul
Holy Staircase from Pilate's Palace in Jerusalem
Farewell Dinner at Ristorante La Carovana
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Friday, May 8: Depart
8:00am Depart from Rome (British Airways)​
9:50am Arrive in London
1:20pm Depart from London
4:55pm Arrive in San Diego
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TRIP COST
PRICE $4,195
INCLUDES:
• Round trip Economy class air flight ticket from San Diego to Italy with British airways
• All necessary land transportation during the tour includes airport pick up and transfer
• Sightseeing in deluxe private air-conditioned motor coach
• First-class lodging in Hotels - double occupancy - 2 per room
• Breakfast buffet and dinner daily
• Baggage handling
• All admission and entrance fees
• Transfers, taxes, fuel surcharges
• Gratuities for personnel
NOT INCLUDED:
Travel insurance, daily lunches, costs for items not on table (wine),
laundry, telephone calls, or services other than those specifically mentioned.
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Single Room available for additional $600
Flight Seat Upgrades available for additional price​
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Is this a Catholic trip?
Yes! We will celebrate daily Mass in Basilicas across Italy. This pilgrimage will be a unique experience, allowing you to pray as you follow in the footsteps of your favorite saints. We will also have time for a prayer retreat in Assisi. Finally, there will also be a decent amount of fun and tourism, too (e.g. Tuscan winery!).
2. Can I go if I'm not Catholic?
Yes, all are welcome! Please be respectful to others on the trip and recognize that it will be centered around Catholic beliefs, saints, and rituals, including Mass at holy sites.
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3. What makes this trip unique?
This Italy trip provides two opportunities that you would regularly not receive through traveling to Italy alone. First, it is an all-inclusive trip. Everything is prepared for you, so you that you can relax and focus on your spiritual formation. Second, along with your English-speaking tour guide, we'll have private full Masses for our group with our own priest (Fr. Kelly) and music (Katie).
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4. Can I travel solo?
Absolutely! You will be paired with another solo traveler for your hotel stays. If you would like to have your own room, you'll need to pay an additional $600 for the trip. If you or we cannot find another solo traveler for you to be paired with, you will be forced into a single room with the additional cost of $600.
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5. What will weather be like?
It should average around 60 degrees and with beautiful sunny skies. Spring is a great time to visit Italy!
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6. How will we travel around?
We'll travel to Milan by plane and then we'll be in a deluxe motor coach with Wifi and air conditioning for the rest of the trip. We will have a licensed tour guide with us for the entire trip, as well as an experienced bus driver.
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7. What will food be like?
You'll experience Western food at the hotels. You'll be on your own for lunch in most town centers, so you can search for your favorite meal in each town. You are not forced to eat the meals at the hotels (although they are very tasty!). Feel free to venture out into the cities to eat whatever you like and experience more of Italy.
8. How much walking will there be?
Quite a bit, but you will have the ability to sit out anytime you get tired. Feel free to sit on a bench while the group tours a basilica or wait in the air conditioned bus.
9. What are the accommodations like?
Please remember: this is a pilgrimage, not a luxury resort trip, but we will be staying in 4-star/First Class hotels.
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10. Could I bring a relative from out-of-state?
Sure! The travel agency can help them book their flight from their own city to meet us in London or in Milan.
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11. Can I extend my trip and travel Europe on my own?
Totally! You can travel in with us and stay in Europe after or arrive in Europe before us to travel around and meet us in Milan or our layover. Our travel agent can help book you flights that will sync up with us for the parts you'd like or you can book on your own.
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12. What happens if we don't get 20 people?
The trip doesn't happen, so invite your friends and family!
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13. Will you provide another trip during the year?
Currently, this is the only Italy trip for 2020, but other Holy Land trips are being planned for 2020. Reach out if you're interested in going!
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14. Could I bring my children on this trip?
If they are junior high school age or older, absolutely! You must chaperone them on the trip though.
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15. What is the payment schedule like?
You will pay a $500 deposit directly to the travel agency upon registration. The final balance is due two months prior to departure. You are free to make partial payments along the way and you will be mailed an updated statement of account. You will be asked to include a copy of your passport picture page with your final payment.
16. What happens if I need to cancel?
There are no fees for cancellations at least three months prior to departure. Penalties only apply once we hit the two-month window.
17. What organization are we traveling with?
This is a multi-parish wide trip based out of San Diego organized by Katie Cavallo through Catholic Pilgrimage Tours.
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