IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ST FRANCIS IN ITALY

The Experience

Day 1: Depart on your international flight. International flight options include Los Angeles or New York.

Day 2: Upon arrival at Rome Airport, you will be greeted by our English-speaking tour manager, who will accompany the group throughout the entire stay in Italy. Board the private deluxe bus and transfer to the city center. Enjoy a relaxing walk on Palatino Hill to visit the Church of St. Bonaventura al Palatino to celebrate Mass, and then settle into your hotel. (D) Overnight in Rome.

Day 3: Early this morning, travel to the Vatican City to attend the Papal Audience in St Peter’s Square with Pope Leo. After lunch, visit the old quarter of Trastevere and the Church of St. Francis a Ripa, which is the first church in Rome dedicated to the Saint. It was here that Saint Francis stayed when he visited Rome. You will be able to see the cell where he slept and the rock he used as a pillow. Then we will visit the Basilica of St. Lawrence. Outside the Walls, which contains the relics of St. Lawrence, who was martyred on August 10, 258. The emperor Valerian sentenced him to die by roasting him on a gridiron. (B, D) Overnight in Rome.

Day 4: The morning is dedicated to your spiritual reflection. In the afternoon, visit the Vatican Museums, where you will see the magnificent rooms painted by Raphael, as well as the Sistine Chapel, and then continue to the Basilica of St. Peter. Celebrate Mass before returning to your hotel. (B, D) Overnight in Rome.

Day 5: The morning is dedicated to your spiritual reflection. After lunch, visit St. Mary Major, the Holy Stairs, and St John in Lateran. Just outside this Basilica, there is a large statue of St Francis and his friars, which commemorates the Saint’s profound link to Pope Innocent III and to the Papal Archbasilica of St. John Lateran. (B, D) Overnight in Rome.

Day 6: Visit the Franciscan Sanctuary of Poggio Bustone. According to tradition, in this place, St Francis, as he reached the village at the foot of the Apennines for the first time, greeted the inhabitants with his famous exclamation: “Good morning, good people”. Then drive to Greccio to visit the Franciscan Sanctuary set on the rocky ridge of the mountain. The Sanctuary is famous worldwide for having been chosen by St. Francis as the site of the first re-enactment of the Bethlehem Nativity in Christian history, which took place on the night of Christmas 1223. Continue to Assisi and check into your hotel. (B, D) Overnight in Assisi.

Day 7: Following breakfast, enjoy a relaxing walk through the streets of Spoleto and a visit to the Duomo, with its magnificent façade, in which one of the very rare original letters written by St. Francis is kept. In the afternoon, you will reach the city of Perugia to see its historical center, where St Francis was imprisoned after the battle of Collestrada in 1202. Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Assisi. (B, D) Overnight in Assisi.

Day 8: This morning, start the last stage of the St. Francis’ Way (the Northern Way). It is called the “Perfect Joy” leg. On the way from Perugia to Santa Maria degli Angeli, St. Francis explained to Friar Leone what the “perfect joy” was and how to achieve it. The route starts from the old town center of Perugia and descends towards the valley. You will reach the Basilica of St Mary of the Angels first. This Basilica is where St. Francis spent most of his life and is made up of two structures: the Porziuncola, where St. Francis founded his order, the Friars Minor (Franciscans), and the Capella del Transito, where St. Francis died. This afternoon, visit the Convent of St. Damiano, where St. Francis received his miraculous calling in 1205 and where St. Clare died in 1253. (B, D) Overnight in Assisi.

Day 9: Today you will enjoy a full day of touring the hometown of St Francis. First, visit the Basilica of St Clare, the foundress of the Poor Clare Sisters. She followed the teachings of St. Francis very closely, living a life of poverty and humility. Finally, visit the Basilica of St Francis. The upper Basilica with Giotto’s frescoes represents the life of St. Francis. Take time to pray at the Tomb of St Francis and to celebrate Mass. In the afternoon, visit the Carceri Hermitage to see the natural caves once used by the friars as cells. You will visit the small oratory where they gathered for common prayers. (B, D) Overnight in Assisi.

Day 10: Drive to the Franciscan Sanctuary of La Verna. This is the place where St. Francis has been seven times over the years and where, in 1224, he received the stigmata. Here, you can pray in the Chapel of the Stigmata. After lunch at the Pilgrim’s refectory, celebrate Mass. (B, L, D) Overnight in Assisi.

Day 11: On your way back to Rome, visit the city of Gubbio, where you will visit the sites related to the history of the wolf of Assisi. In the afternoon, visit Castel Gandolfo, then check into your hotel in Rome. (B, D) Overnight in Rome.

Day 12: After an early breakfast, we will leave by motor coach and transfer to Rome airport for return flights home. (B)

Ehance Your Journey - Malta Pre-Tour (from $2498.00 per person)

October 7 – Depart from Home
Make your way to your local airport, where you will board your overnight flight(s).

October 8 – Arrive in Malta
Upon arrival, collect your luggage and proceed to the arrival hall, where you will be met by a tour guide and/or driver and transferred to your hotel. Your guide will share the Maltese Islands’ rich history of St. Paul and Christianity, and you will attend Mass at a local church before dinner at your hotel.
Overnight in Qawra.

October 9 – The Three Cities 
After breakfast at your hotel, depart for a full-day guided excursion to the Three Cities of Vittoriosa, Cospicua, and Senglea. In 1530, the Knights of St. John settled here on the east coast in the creeks of Grand Harbor. Next, see the Miraculous Statue of Jesus Christ the Redeemer in the Oratory of the Basilica, dedicated to the Virgin Mary's birth in Senglea. Later, take a typical harbor boat tour from Vittoriosa across the Grand Harbor to Valletta and see its waterfront. You will also see St. John’s Co-Cathedral and Museum in Valletta. Visit the Oratory, which houses the famous Caravaggio paintings. Enjoy dinner and a restful overnight.
Overnight in Qawra.

October 10 – Mellieha & Gozo
After breakfast at your hotel, depart for Gozo, a sister island of Malta. Here you’ll visit the Mellieha Sanctuary of Our Lady, a Marian Shrine. Pope John Paul II blessed the Sanctuary during his visit to Malta in 1990. You will be able to enjoy a picturesque view of the Valley of Our Lady, Mellieha Bay, Comino, and Gozo. Later, see Munxar Parish Church, a Baroque-style building dedicated to St. Paul; the Gozo Cathedral of the Assumption; and St. George’s Basilica, known as the golden church of the “Marble Basilica” of Gozo. The relics of St. Clement rest in the Baroque altar in the side chapel of St. Lazarus, which is one of eleven side chapels within the Basilica. Next, visit the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of Ta’Pinu, Malta’s most important pilgrimage site. The narrow rooms on either side of the altar are full of testaments to the local people’s belief in the intercession of Our Lady. Return by ferry to Malta.
Overnight in Qawra.

October 11 – St. Paul’s Bay, Mosta, Mdina & Rabat
After breakfast at your hotel, another full day of touring awaits. See St. Paul’s Bay by boat, the Church of the Assumption of Our Lady, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Museum in Mdina, the medieval walled city, the Bastions, St. Paul’s Catacombs, and St. Paul’s Grotto. St. Paul’s Grotto is said to be the place where St. Paul took refuge and prayed for three months while trying to convert the Maltese people to Christianity following his shipwreck around 60 AD. Pope John Paul II prayed in the grotto during his 1990 visit. Return to Malta for dinner and your last overnight. (B, D)
Overnight in Qawra.

October 12 – Fly to Rome 
After an early breakfast and heartfelt farewells, transfer to the airport for your flight to Rome, Italy, to join the main tour. (B)

Dates, Package Deposit & Payment Schedule

Reservation Dates

• Arrival Date: Monday, October 11, 2027. 
• Departure Date: Friday, October 22, 2027

Spaces are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Trip Deposit & Payment Schedule

• A payment of $300.00 per person is all that is due to secure your spot for this pilgrimage. This includes a $100.00 per person non-refundable cancellation fee. SEE CANCELLATION POLICY BELOW FOR MORE DETAILS
• Full payment for your trip is due 120 days prior to travel. Reservations submitted after this date are due in full and are 100% non-refundable; neither space nor pricing space is guaranteed.
• If you would like a single stay, there is an additional supplement of $798.00 for the tour. These single supplement fees are in addition to the full price per person for your trip and will guarantee you will not share a room or stateroom during your trip.

Ability to Travel

Passengers registering for this tour accept the responsibility for being in good health and able to walk and travel on this tour. Because many of the sites are not accessible to the physically challenged, those needing oxygen, wheelchairs, or other ambulatory assistance will find the tour extremely limiting to their experiences.

Persons using C-Pap machines requiring distilled water will need to inform Hidden Gem Travel ahead of time, so we can work with local operators to prepare as it is not always available. We reserve the right to refuse or revoke travel to anyone who is, in the sole judgement of us, incapable of group travel without causing undue demands upon the staff or other tour participants. Accessible rooms are very limited and subject to confirmationn after receiving the registrant's written request.

This is an adult-only tour offering.

-Very Important - Please Read-

Reservation Cancellation Policy

Those registering for this pilgrimage should be aware of the following cancellation penalties: 

From the day of registration to 120 days prior to travel, you will be charged the $100.00 non-refundable cancellation fee plus any airline & land fees. Additionally, thereafter, you will be charged any airline penalties, land penalties and a single room supplement if your cancellation forces your roommate plus the following per-person charges: 119 - 75 DAYS PRIOR TO TRAVEL = $400.00; 74 - 60 DAYS PRIOR TO TRAVEL = $600.00; 59 - 31 DAYS PRIOR TO TRAVEL = 40% total cost of trip; 30 DAYS OR LESS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE = 100% NON-REFUNDABLE. Cancellations must be submitted in writing no later than 12pm CST on the day of cancellation.

Registrations reveived after the final payment due date have additional fees  starting at $100.00 per person. Additional fees will be advised after registering.

Statements of Responsibility

Hidden Gem Travel, and ETS Tours do not accept responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air schedules, hotel overbookings, other hotel related problems or causes, and/or travel supplier cancellations or postponements. Travel suppliers include all tour operators, cruise lines, airlines, hotels, bus companies, entertainment venues, agencies, and any other travel supplier used to operate the tour.

All such losses or expenses will be the responsibility of the passenger. ETS Tours reserves the right to make adjustments to the itinerary as deemed desirable by us, and we reserve the right to cancel any tour prior to departure. If a tour is canceled beyond the control of us, ETS Tours will provide a refund or a future travel credit to be used two years from the date of issuance for the value of all funds paid by the passenger less nonrefundable travel supplier prepaid deposits, travel supplier change fees, nonrefundable travel protection premiums, and a $150 administration fee collected by ETS Tours.

Travel Insurance

**If you have any questions about the travel insurance please call Travel Insured at 1-800-243-3174. We (Hidden Gem Travel) are not a licensed insurance company and cannot legally answer any insurance-related questions.**

Not purchasing travel protection could result in the loss of your travel money and/or require more money to correct the situation. Without protection, there is no way to recoup any costs, losses, or expenses incurred.  The price of Travel Protection is NOT included in the price of room selections and is non-refundable once purchased.

Having travel protection is definitely important and we recommend it for everyone. However, the choice to have travel protection is solely up to you, and you are welcome to purchase through any company you like.

Click here to purchase travel insurance.

When you click the link, you will need to answer a few questions about your trip, and you'll be redirected to a page with their policy plans and pricing.

The website offers plans like the "Worldwide Platinum Trip Protector" plan with optional add-ons like CFAR (Cancel for Any Reason), Optional Bed Rest to cover any quarantine expenses, and more. Travel Insured is the company we personally use and we highly recommend them for travel insurance needs.

If you want the CFAR (Cancel for Any Reason) benefit you will have to add it to the policy and you must purchase insurance no later than 20 days after you make your initial payment. CFAR is not available to NY residents.

The basic "Worldwide Platinum Trip Protector" plan which does not include CFAR can be purchased at any time, including more than 20 days after your first payment, but it will not cover the Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion Waiver or the Bankruptcy/Default of an airline, cruise line, tour operator or any other travel vendors. However, you can still cancel for a covered reason and potentially receive up to 100% in refunds as long as it's a covered reason.

Depending on the reason for canceling, travel insurance will cover 75-100% of your trip cancelation and many other things like medical services, trip delay, lost luggage, and more.

We strongly suggest you call and verify which policy will be best for your travel needs. You can reach an insurance agent at 1-800-243-3174.