It’s timely in a Jubilee Year for the Catholic Church and the Pope’s failing health that groups heading in Francis’s footsteps in Rome and Assisi are putting the call out to pilgrims.
Of which I have been one and need to be again.
Barter’s Travelnet have put together a seven-day programme under the spiritual guidance of Canon Martin Keohane.
Leaving from God’s own country Ireland and the most special bit of it, according to my old Corkonian pals.
Pilgrims’ progress
You’ll leave Cork on June 13 before being taken to Rome Hotel.
The first full day you’ll be taken on a guided tour of St Peter’s Basilica and its Holy Door.
Before getting time off for good behaviour after lunch.
And refuel well because next up is a walking tour of Rome, visiting the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona.
Day 3 involves one of the real highlights of any trip to the Vatican, a Papal Audience (depending on the Pope’s schedule).
Y0u’ll have worked out by now that holy doors are staple diet on this pilgrimage and your visit to St John Lateran Basilica comes with one as does St Mary Major’s Basilica.
Day 4 sees a special visit to the Catacombs of St Callixtus and St Paul’s Outside the Walls and you guessed it, its Holy Door.
This magnificent Basilica once being the largest in the world. The sarcophagus of St Paul is now visible since the 2008 excavations.
Francis then Assisi
Rome wasn’t seen in a day and not even four days is enough but it’s time to depart for Assisi, a travelling day.
Your guide will treat you to a walking tour of the main sights of the medieval town of Assisi the next day.
With a visit to the Basilica of St. Francis and checking in on the Basilica of St Clare, foundress of the Order of the Poor Clares.
Your penultimate day we will be spent in Cascia and Roccaporena (weather permitting) which you’ll know as the birthplace of St Rita.
Before returning to Assisi for dinner and overnight and then the last day on your way back to Rome Airport and your flight back to Cork.
All blessed and holy having followed in Francis’s footsteps in Rome and Assisi.
Deal us in
All of which boiled down means…
Inclusions
- Air travel ex Cork to Rome return on the services of Ryanair.
- 20kg luggage per person.
- 4 nights accommodation – Torino Hotel Rome on B&B Basis and 3 nights accommodation – Cristallo Hotel Assisi on Half Board basis
- Guided visits in Rome as per the Itinerary.
- Guided visits in Assisi as per the Itinerary.
- City taxes.
- Accompanied by Representative of Barter’s Travelnet.
Exclusions
- Single room supplement: €395.00 for duration. Single rooms are very scarce and are on a first come first served basis.
- Insurance: €50.00 per person.
- Meals where not specified.
- Drinks at meals.
- Tips.