Fri, May 23^rd: Depart JFK airport on your overnight flight to Rome, via Lisbon.

Sat, May 24^th: Rome/Tivoli
Upon arrival in Rome we are transferred to TIVOLI. Tivoli from ancient times has been a favorite holiday resort for the Romans as well as a place of worship for the local divinities. It is now the site of the Villa Gregoriana, a fine Cathedral, the renowned Rocca Pia, and, Villa d'Este, with its’ Italian gardens famous for their magic atmosphere. After time to rest we visit Villa D’Este. (B,D)

Villa d'Este, a former Benedictine convent, was commissioned and built by Cardinal Ippolito d'Este. Born in 1509, he was a man of the 16th century and the Mannerist generation. He was the son of Lucrezia Borgia and the grandson of Pope Alexander VI. He was the only Cardinal who could say that he was the grandson of the Pope. It would seem that he never missed an opportunity to do so. Lucrezia was Alexander VI's daughter. He arranged her marriage to Alfonso I, duke of Ferrara. Ippolito was the son of Lucrezia and Alfonso I. Ippolito d'Este was a bishop at the age of two, an archbishop at the age of ten and a cardinal at thirty. At the age of forty-one, he came close to becoming Pope. The papal throne was wrested from him by Julius III. A dreadful rivalry existed between Ippolito and Julius III. The success of the latter brought about the formers’ exile. Julius III immediately sent him packing by naming him the Governor of Tivoli. This was extraordinarily clever of him since a governor could not leave the province he governed.  

Villa D’Este was restored by Pirro Ligorio around 1550. It later became the property of the Austrian government and was returned to Italy in 1918.  Villa D’Este is a UNESCO Heritage Property. (D)

Sun, May 25^th:  Tivoli/Pietrelcina
Morning departure to PIETRELCINA, birthplace of Padre Pio. We celebrate Padre Pio’s birthday in the town where he was born. En route to Pietrelcina we stop at MUGNANO, to visit the Shrine of St. Philomena. Upon arrival in Pietrelcina, we visit Piana Romana where Padre Pio received the invisible stigmata.  We have a free day to visit the places associated with Padre Pio’s birth and childhood. We visit the house where Padre Pio was born, Santa Ana Chapel where he was baptized, and Santa Maria degli Angeli where he served his first Mass and heard confessions. (B,D)

Mon, May 26^th: Pietrelcina/San Giovanni Rotondo
Morning departure to SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO. Upon arrival we will have a tour of the Basilica of Our Lady of Grace to see Padre Pio’s cell and tomb. While in San Giovanni Rotondo, we will have Mass at the Tomb of Padre Pio. (B,D)

Tue, May 27^th: St. Michael’s Cave
This morning we visit St. Michael’s Cave, where St. Michael the Archangel appeared. (B,D)

Wed, May 28^th: San Giovanni Rotondo/Rome
Upon arrival in ROME we are transferred to our hotel. (B,D)

Thu, May 29^th: Christian Rome
Today we have a full day tour of Christian Rome.  We visit the four major Basilica’s of Rome -  St. Mary Major, St. John Lateran, St. Paul Outside the Walls and St. Peter’s. (B,D)

Fri, May 30^th: Rome/Lisbon/Fatima
Today we are transferred to Rome airport for our flight to Lisbon. Upon arrival in Lisbon, we are transferred to FATIMA.  En route we stop at SANTAREEM where we will have the opportunity to venerate the “Bleeding Host.” Upon arrival in Fatima, we visit the Chapel of Apparitions, the Chapel of Adoration and the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary where we see the Tombs of Blessed Jacinta and Francisco. (B,D)

Sat, May 31^st: Fatima/Aljustrel/Valinhos/Fatima
This morning we tour ALJUSTREL where we visit the homes of the children and perhaps meet some of the relatives.  Then on to VALINHOS where Our Lady appeared to the children in August 1917 and where the Angel appeared to the children in 1916.  Next to the Parish Church of Fatima where the children and their parents received the sacraments. (B,D)

Sun, June 1^st: Fatima/Coimbra/Fatima
Morning departure to COIMBRA to visit the CARMELITE CONVENT of Sister Lucia only living visionary of the Fatima apparitions.  After our Mass and visit, we continue to the Convent of the Poor Clare’s to see the Silver coffin that holds the incorrupt body of St. Elizabeth of Portugal. (B,D)

Mon, June 2^nd: Fatima/Lisbon
Today we have a full day tour of LISBON.  Our tour includes the Jerónimos Monastery, the Tower of Belém, the Monument to the Discoveries, Rossio and Marquês de Pombal Square. (B,D)

Tue, June 3^rd:  Lisbon/USA
Morning departure to Lisbon airport for our return flight to the USA. (B)

Click here for a printable reservation form

Pilgrimage Includes: Air Fare from JFK or Newark, Three & Four Star Hotels, Deluxe Motorcoach, Sightseeing as per itinerary, Breakfast & Dinner Daily, Daily Mass, Porterage (one piece of luggage) at hotels, Taxes & Service Charges, All tips for the guides and bus drivers are included**.

** This means that there will be no collections at the end of the pilgrimage for the guides and drivers.  If individuals feel that they would like to give someone a tip on their own because they felt they did an exceptional job, that is their personal decision. The Guides and Drivers tips are included in the price of the pilgrimage.