Shrines of Umbria & Marche
A pilgrimage & cultural holiday
to the heart of Italy
Visiting Assisi, Cascia, Tolentino & Loreto
With Rev. Fr. Shaju Varkey
4-night / 5-day fully escorted pilgrimage holiday including return flights with British Airways from Heathrow to Rome, private group transfers, staying 4-nights in Lower Assisi (2 mins walk to Basilica of St Mary of the Angels), half-board (breakfasts & evening meals), entrance fees & a full religious itinerary.
06 - 10 November 2023
£735 - per person sharing
Overview
Dear friends,
I’m delighted to welcome you on our next pilgrimage; a journey to the heart of Italy!
This pilgrimage holiday is a magnificent opportunity to explore the Sanctuaries of some of the most revered Saints in the Roman Catholic Church, as well as plenty of time to enjoy the peaceful ambiance of Assisi and behold the enchanting scenery of the Umbria & Marche regions of Italy. You will have ample time to reflect on St Francis’s life and the lessons that we can all learn from him whilst enjoying beautiful countryside and delicious local Italian food.
Our journey together will visit the shrines of St Francis, St Clare, St Rita of Cascia, St Nicholas of Tolentino, Blessed Carlo Acutis & visit the Sanctuary of the Holy House of Loreto. We will also have a pilgrimage Priest for daily celebration of Holy Mass & Spiritual Guidance.
The package includes flights with British Airways from Heathrow to Rome, generous luggage allowance, 4-nights half-board in a 4* Hotel in Lower Assisi (just next to the Portiuncula), private group transfers, entrance fees, guided visits of each shrine & city tax.
I very much look forward to welcoming you on this special pilgrimage.
Rev. Fr. Shaju Varket – PP St Boniface, Tooting.
What's included in this tour
- Return flights from Heathrow T5 to Rome Airport
- 1 suitcase not exceeding 23 kg & 1 item of hand-luggage not exceeding 23 Kg per passenger
- All airport taxes, ATOL Protection and Assisi City Tax
- 4-nights hotel accommodation in lower Assisi on a half board basis
- 8 meals (4 breakfasts & 4 dinners in hotel.
- Luxury coach transfers throughout including parking tolls (Assisi, Cascia, Loreto)
- Taxi service in Assisi on Day 2 (visiting Upper Assisi & St Damiano). Eliminates much walking
- Fully escorted & guided tours by Anam Cara Travel consultants (including audio headsets where required)
What's not included in this tour
- Travel Insurance - We have not included Insurance for this tour, priced at £56.00 (T&C apply)
- Single room supplement (£195 additional) - Limited rooms available
- Light lunch meals during 5 afternoons
- Any COVID-19 testing which may be in place in Nov 2023 (either in the UK or in Italy). Currently, no testing is required for travel.
- Gratuities for hotel staff and coach drivers
ITINERARY
NOTE: This is a draft itinerary. Due to confirmation of transfers and churches for Holy Mass, a confirmed itinerary will not be released until 3 weeks prior to departure. All sites mentioned will be visited.
Flight departure (07:05am) from Heathrow T5. Arrival at Rome Airport (10:40am).
Transfer from Rome to Assisi is approx. 3 hours – we will stop during the transfer for a lunch break. Visitto the church of Santa Maria di Rivotorto, built on the site of a previous building built to protect the “Tugurio Francescano”, which is now kept inside the church. The ruins are where St Francis & his companions took refuge to pray and meditate. Here we will celebrate our Opening Mass.
Following Mass, we will transfer to Assisi, check-in to our hotel for 4-nights.
Time to rest / relax before dinner is served in the hotel restaurant. (MEALS – D)
After breakfast, the group will visit the church of the Porziuncola; the place from where the Franciscan movement started! After a guided visit of the Monastery and Papal Basilica of St Mary of the Angels, the group will take taxi transfers to Upper Assisi to the Convent of St Damiano; the place of Francis’ conversion in 1205 and where St Clare established her mission in 1210. After our visit to the Convent, we will take a short transfer to the old city.
The group will walk to the ancient church of Santa Maria Maggiore, also known as Sanctuary of the Spoliation. This special Church also houses the mortal remains of Blessed Carlo Acutis; the English-born Italian youth was an amateur computer programmer, who is best known for documenting & cataloging the numerous worldwide Eucharistic Miracles onto a website which he created before his death from leukemia in 2006.
Free time for Lunch (not included) before our guided visit to the Basilica of Saint Clare. With our guide, we will explore the streets of Assisi leading us to the Basilica of St Francis. Pilgrims will have an opportunity to spend time in quiet reflection at his tomb before celebration of Holy Mass. Return to hotel by taxi for evening meal. (MEALS – B & D)
After breakfast transfer by luxury coach through the breath-taking Umbrian countryside toward Cascia & the Sanctuary of St. Rita. The group will celebrate Holy Mass in the Sanctuary containing the mortal remains of St. Rita.
Free time for lunch (not included) in the beautiful town of Cascia.
After lunch the group will continue on to Roccaporena; the birthplace of St Rita to visit the places associated with her life before returning to Assisi. Evening meal in hotel. (MEALS – B & D)
After breakfast transfer by luxury coach through the central mountains of Italy into the Marche region and to the Adriatic coast.
At Loreto, we will visit the Marian Sanctuary of the Holy House, which some Catholics believe, was the house of Our Lady & was translated by angelic beings from Nazareth to its current location. After Holy Mass, free time for lunch and to explore the picturesque town.
Before returning to Assisi, we will stop in beautiful town of Tolentino to visit the stunning Basilica of St Nicholas – Nicholas of Tolentino known as the Patron of Holy Souls, was a 13 Century saint and mystic. He is particularly invoked as an advocate for the souls in Purgatory. Return to Assisi for our evening meal. (MEALS – B & D)
After breakfast, check-out of rooms & walk to the Basilica of St Mary of the Angels for the closing Mass of this pilgrimage.
Coach transfer (10:30am) to Rome Airport for our home-bound flight; we will stop during the transfer for a lunch-break.
Flight departure at 4:35pm / arrival into Heathrow T3 at 6:15pm (MEALS – B)
Accommodation
- Dal Moro Gallery Hotel Assisi (55-nights) – Click here for more details.
FAQs
Of course! You can make installments by card whenever you wish. Just contact us at least 48 hrs in advance so we can prepare a link for the card payment. Alternatively, you can also pay us directly by Bank Transfer (please request more details). The full balance will be requested 9-weeks prior to departure (Monday04 September 2023).
Currently, UK passport holders do not need to apply for a Visa to enter the EU (although this may change later in 2023; we will inform you of any changes). If you hold a EU Passport, you will not need a visa for this tour.
For UK passport holders, your passport must be valid for 3-month after your return date (9 September 2023). If you hold a non-EU/UK passport, please check your entry requirements before proceeding.
Non-UK & non-EU passport holders should check local requirements before making travel plans.
All passengers are permitted one hold luggage (maximum weight of 23 kg) and one item of hand-luggage (maximum weight of 23 kg). You will be advised of the luggage size dimensions in your travel pack (3 weeks prior to departure).
As of May 2023, the estimated scheduled flight times are:
Monday 06 November – BA0548 (Heathrow T5 – Rome FCO) Dep: 07:55am / Arr: 10:40am
Friday 10 November – BA0557 (Rome FCO – Heathrow T5) Dep: 16:35pm / Arr: 18:15pm
NOTE: the airline can alter flight times to suit their schedules. Normally, all times are confirmed 2 months prior to departure.
During early November the weather is much cooler than the summer months but can reach highs of 17+. Evenings & nights are much cooler especially in Assisi, so a warm jacket will be required. Best to dress in layers as the temperatures can vary between 10 – 18 degrees during the day.
You are under no obligation to join all activities on this tour. Some visits require moderate walking especially in Assisi & Cascia. If you feel tired or unable to keep-up with the group pace, please inform your representative so alternative arrangements can be made. Perhaps take time to relax in a cafe and enjoy the ambiance.
It is advisable to bring a light rainproof jacket, a warm jacket and comfortable walking shoes are a must! Most religious sites require modest dress, no sleeveless shirts. Shoulders & knees must be covered when entering religious sites. A pashmina is useful as a wrap-around skirt for ladies once entering key religious sites.
Breakfast and evening meals are included each day in the hotel restaurant. Lunches are not included, as sometimes, pilgrims prefer to eat only a snack during the day. 8 meals (4 breakfasts & 4 dinners in hotel in Assisi).
Normally €12 – €15 per lunch – however, some pilgrims may prefer only a light snack or coffee.
No. We suggest you take in your luggage a small travel kettle and a supply of your preferred tea/coffee. Cups will be available in the hotel.
The following books are available to order online via Amazon or Google Play:
- The Life and Prayers of Saint Francis of Assisi (Wyatt North)
- Francis of Assisi and His World (Mark Galli)
- St. Rita of Cascia: Saint of the Impossible (Joseph Sicardo)
- Clare of Assisi: Light from the Cloister (Bret Thoman)
- House of the Virgin Mary: The Miraculous Story of Its Journey from Nazareth (Godfrey F. Phillips)
- Saint Nicholas of Tolentino: Patron of the Holy Souls (Michael Di Gregorio)
- The life of Blessed Carlo Acutis (Sarah Sneddon) www.carloacutis.com
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