Cosmos Spiritual Highlights of Italy with Medjugorje - Faith-Based Travel (5305)

12 Day Tour from Rome to Dubrovnik

On this inspirational tour, you’ll have the opportunity to visit the Catholic icons of Rome, such as the four major Basilicas, the Scala Sancta, and the Papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo. You will also attend the Papal Audience, learn about some of Italy’s beloved Saints, and celebrate Mass. Learn about St. Pio of Pietrelcina, a modern-day saint; visit the Shrine of Monte Sant’Angelo, gather in prayer at the Sanctuary of the Eucharistic Miracle in Lanciano, reflect in the Holy House of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Loreto, and admire the timeless beauty of the Basilicas of St. Francis and St. Clare in Assisi. Italy is a must for Catholic travelers and art lovers. By spending an additional couple of days in the atmospheric Serb pilgrimage site of Medjugorje, complete an even more memorable spiritual experience, visiting the town where the Virgin appeared to some visionaries to send a message of peace.

Itinerary (2024)

Day 1	ARRIVE IN ROME, ITALY
	Welcome to Italy! Check into your hotel, with rest of the day free to explore on your own. This afternoon, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers, and prepare for your upcoming spiritual journey. Later this evening, a welcome dinner awaits at your hotel. (D)
Day 2	ROME
	This morning, attend the Papal Audience (subject to availability) for the chance to see the Pope and receive the Papal Blessing. Later, with a Local Guide, visit St. Paul Outside the Walls, burial place of St. Paul the Apostle, St John Lateran Basilica and St. Mary Major Basilica, the Rome’s four major Papal basilicas. Experience the Scala Sancta (Holy Stairs), transported from Jerusalem to Rome around 326 AD by St. Helena, Emperor Constantine’s mother. These 28 marble steps are traditionally ascended in a kneeling position with a prayer recital dedicated to Jesus Christ. Then, visit the impressive St. Mary Major Basilica and attend [M] Mass. (B)
Day 3	ROME. EXCURSION TO CASTEL GANDOLFO
	A different, quite unique experience is offered today. We will take an included excursion to Castel Gandolfo, a quaint village in the hills outside Rome, to visit the Papal summer residence and its manicured gardens with a Local Guide. This is a unique chance to see the rooms that have been occupied by many Popes over the centuries. Enjoy the opportunity to reflect and meditate in the garden’s quiet and relaxing surroundings. In the afternoon, take advantage of time at leisure in Rome or join the optional excursion to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, world famous for Michelangelo’s impressive fresco of The Last Judgment. Today's Distance: 50 mi / 80 km (B)
Day 4	ROME–PIETRELCINA–SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO
	On your way south, stop in quaint Pietrelcina, to visit the house where the beloved St. Pio was born, before heading towards San Giovanni Rotondo on the east coast, the Saint’s home from 1916 until his death in 1968. Today's Distance: 258 mi / 415 km (B,D)
Day 5	SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO. EXCURSION TO MONTE SANT’ANGELO
	Attend [M] Mass this morning at Santa Maria delle Grazie (Old Church), then visit St. Pio’s friary, including his tomb, cell, confessional, and the Padre Pio Pilgrimage Church (New Church). Afterwards, take a short drive to the nearby Shrine of Monte Sant’Angelo, one of Christendom’s most celebrated, where St. Michael the Archangel appeared in 490, 492, and 1656. Tonight, attend the candlelight procession in San Giovanni Rotondo. Today's Distance: 43 mi / 70 km (B,D)
Day 6	SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO–LANCIANO–LORETO–ASSISI AREA
	Visit St. Francis Church in Lanciano, home of the Sanctuary of the Eucharistic Miracle, and attend morning [M] Mass. Continue to the famous Marian Sanctuary of Loreto for a guided visit including the Holy House, where, according to tradition, angels transported the house of the blessed Virgin Mary. Arrive at the hilltop village of Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis and St. Clare. Today's Distance: 298 mi / 480 km (B,D)
Day 7	ASSISI
	Today, learn more about St. Francis, patron saint of animals and the environment. Attend early morning [M] Mass at St. Francis Basilica, famous for its 14th-century Giotto frescoes depicting the life of St. Francis. Meet your Local Guide and visit the Upper and Lower Basilicas of St. Francis and the Basilica of St. Clare, founder of the Order of Poor Clares. Next, stop at the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, situated at the foot of Assisi’s hills and protecting the Porziuncola, where St. Francis is said to have founded the Order of Friars Minor in 1209, and the Cappella del Transito, where the saint died in 1226. (B)
Day 8	ASSISI AREA–CASCIA–ROME
	Travel to Cascia this morning, a scenic town located in Umbria and home of St. Rita, the “Patron Saint of Impossible Causes.” Visit the Sanctuary and see the Major Basilica, housing the chapel with St. Rita’s tomb. Stop in prayer at the Minor Basilica, site of the Eucharistic Miracle, commemorated each year with the Feast of Corpus Christi. Return to Rome for a final overnight stay. Today's Distance: 149 mi / 240 km (B)
Day 9	ROME–DUBROVNIK or SPLIT–MEJDUGORJE
	Fly from Rome to Dubrovnik or Split, then transfer by coach to your hotel in Medjugorje. Meet your local Tour Director. Today's Distance by coach: 81 mi / 130 km (B,D)
Day 10	MEDJUGORJE
	Celebrate [M] Mass in the morning. During the day, you’ll have the opportunity to climb Apparition Hill while reciting the Rosary, and/or Mt. Krizevac (the Cross Mountain) and pray at the stations of the Cross. In the late afternoon, join pilgrims from all over the world for the evening prayer program in saying the Rosary, as all anxiously await the arrival of Our Lady to the visionaries. Join [M] Mass if you wish and the additional daily prayers. (B,D)
Day 11	MEDJUGORJE–DUBROVNIK
	This morning you may have an opportunity to meet the visionaries at their home if available, or take some time for additional meditation and prayer before you travel to Dubrovnik. Free time on arrival to visit the city center and attend [M] Mass. Today's Distance: 81 mi / 130 km (B,D)
Day 12	DUBROVNIK
	Your vacation ends in Dubrovnik (B)

Included Cosmos Meals

Buffet breakfasts daily, 7 dinners

Cosmos Notes

The Papal audience at the Vatican is subject to availability.
Mass services may be in local language and venues are subject to change

Departure May 21 St. Pio feast day (25 May)
Departure June 16 Medjugorje apparition anniversary (25 June) – No Papal audience on this departure
Departure September 19 St. Pio death anniversary (23 September) – No Papal audience on this departure