Italy Pilgrimage
Ten days in Assisi and Rome, with Siena and Orvieto along the way, the tomb of St. Carlo Acutis, the four major basilicas and the Vatican, with Fr. Don Andrie and Mass each day.
Your chaplain and spiritual director
Fr. Don Andrie
Pastor, St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, Horseshoe Bay, Texas
Fr. Don Andrie is pastor of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Horseshoe Bay, Texas. A priest of the Paulist Fathers, ordained in 1994, he previously served as pastor of St. John XXIII University Parish at the University of Tennessee.
Dcn. Paul Lavallee
St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Marble Falls, Texas
“You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church.”
Matthew 16:18
Christ’s words to the first of the apostles, whose tomb lies beneath St. Peter’s Basilica. On Wednesday, February 3, we visit the basilica and, if available, attend the Papal Audience in St. Peter’s Square.
St. Peter’s Square · Vatican City
Italy, January 26 to February 4, 2027
Ten days, eight nights in Assisi and Rome, with Siena and Orvieto along the way, and Mass each day.
Begins in Assisi and ends in Rome
OvernightVisit
Nights: 4 Assisi, 4 Rome.
Departure
Our pilgrimage begins as we depart the United States on our overnight flight to Rome, Italy.
Arrival in Rome & transfer to Assisi
Upon arrival at Rome Fiumicino Airport, we are greeted by our local guide and board our private motor coach for the scenic drive to Assisi. Along the way, we enjoy glimpses of the beautiful Umbrian countryside. After checking into our hotel, we gather for a welcome dinner and get to know our fellow pilgrims before retiring for the night.
Assisi
We begin our day with a guided tour of the Basilica of St. Francis, admiring its stunning frescoes and venerating the tomb of St. Francis. Next, we visit the Basilica of St. Clare, where we view the San Damiano Cross that spoke to St. Francis. After lunch, we walk through the charming streets of Assisi, visiting the birthplace of St. Francis and other key sites. We celebrate Mass at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, home to the Porziuncola, and return to our hotel.
Assisi
Today, we journey to the peaceful Eremo delle Carceri, a hermitage nestled in the hills where St. Francis and his followers retreated for prayer and contemplation. We have time for personal reflection in this serene setting. In the afternoon, we visit the Church of San Damiano, where St. Clare lived and where St. Francis received his calling. We then visit the Sanctuary of the Spoliation, where we venerate the tomb of St. Carlo Acutis, the first millennial to be beatified. We celebrate Mass and enjoy a leisurely evening exploring Assisi’s local shops and cafes before dinner.
Siena day trip
We embark on a day trip to Siena, a city rich in Catholic heritage. Our first stop is the Basilica of San Domenico, which houses the relics of St. Catherine of Siena, Doctor of the Church and co-patroness of Europe. We visit the Siena Cathedral, a masterpiece of Italian Romanesque-Gothic architecture, and explore the Piazza del Campo, famous for the Palio horse race. After celebrating Mass, we return to Assisi.
Orvieto & transfer to Rome
After breakfast, we bid farewell to Assisi and make our way to Rome. En route, we stop in the hilltop town of Orvieto to visit the magnificent Orvieto Cathedral, which houses the Eucharistic Miracle of Bolsena. We’ll celebrate Mass, then continue our journey to Rome, check into our hotel, and enjoy dinner together.
Major basilicas of Rome
Today, we explore the four major basilicas of Rome, beginning with St. John Lateran, the cathedral of the Bishop of Rome. We visit the Holy Stairs, believed to be the steps Jesus ascended during his trial before Pontius Pilate. Next, we visit St. Mary Major, one of the oldest churches dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary; here we will visit the tomb of Pope Francis. In the afternoon, we visit St. Paul Outside the Walls, where we venerate the tomb of St. Paul. We celebrate Mass at one of these sacred sites and have free time in the evening to explore Rome.
Ancient Rome
We step back in time as we explore ancient Rome. Our day includes a guided tour of the Colosseum, symbol of the Roman Empire, and the Roman Forum, the heart of ancient political life. We visit Palatine Hill, the legendary founding site of Rome. After lunch, we walk along the Appian Way, one of the earliest roads of the Roman Republic, and visit the Catacombs of St. Callixtus, where early Christians gathered and were buried. We celebrate Mass and return to our hotel.
Vatican City
If available, we’ll begin in St. Peter’s Square at the Papal Audience with the Holy Father, then visit St. Peter’s Basilica, the heart of the Catholic Church. After lunch, we’ll tour the Vatican Museums, marveling at the treasures of the Church, including the Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo’s iconic ceiling. We’ll celebrate Mass near the Vatican then return to our hotel.
Return to the US
We transfer to Rome Fiumicino Airport for our flight back home, carrying with us the spiritual graces, friendships, and unforgettable experiences from our pilgrimage.
What’s included
Everything below is covered by the package price.
Your hotels in Italy
Four-star hotels throughout: four nights in Assisi and four in Rome. Hotels are subject to final confirmation; if a hotel changes, it is replaced with one of the same standard.
“As a group leader, I couldn’t have asked for a better experience.”
“It was a truly authentic Catholic pilgrimage”
“Thank you for taking care of the day to day details, leaving all of us free to focus on prayer and spiritual growth”
Questions pilgrims ask
Short answers to what most people want to know before they put down a deposit.
It is a touring pilgrimage by motorcoach, not a walking one. Expect about 2 to 3 miles of walking on a typical day. Days usually start around 7am, with departure by 9am, and end back at the hotel between 5pm and 6pm. Assisi is built on a hillside with steep streets, Orvieto is a hill town, and the day at the Colosseum, the Forum and the Appian Way involves the most walking.
You can have a room to yourself, with a single room supplement of $995, or share a room. If you would like to share, we will do our best to match you with a roommate. If we cannot find a match by October 28, 2026, the single room supplement applies. Couples, families, friends and singles are all welcome, and plenty of pilgrims come on their own.
Lunches, donations at Masses, souvenirs, laundry and the cost of your passport. A typical lunch costs about $15 to $20. Tips for restaurant and hotel staff are included. Tips for your tour director and driver are at your discretion: as a guide, $8 to $10 per person per day for your tour guide and $6 to $8 for your driver. Travel insurance if you choose it, and a 3% fee if you pay by card. Abroad, we recommend paying for most things by credit card, which is accepted almost everywhere and comes with protection that cash does not; bring a couple hundred U.S. dollars in cash for emergencies. When a card machine or ATM asks whether to pay in dollars or in the local currency (euros in Italy), choose the local currency; it is almost always cheaper.
Cancel in writing. Up to October 28, 2026 (90 days before departure), everything you have paid is returned except $200. After that date, the $450 deposit and any costs we cannot recover are kept. Travel insurance may cover a cancellation, depending on the reason.
Fr. Don Andrie and Dcn. Paul Lavallee lead the group from the Catholic Parish Community of Marble Falls and Horseshoe Bay.
More answers in the FAQ below and in our Support Center, or call us at +1 (800) 653-0017.
Price per person
Per person, including roundtrip group airfare. Premium economy and business class are available: call us for pricing.
Shared rooms are always doubles with two beds. If you would like us to match you with a roommate, tell us when you book and we will do our best. Please note that if we cannot find you a match by the final payment date of October 28, 2026, the single room supplement will apply.
Couples, families, friends, singles, all are welcome!
Some pilgrims come as a couple, some bring the whole family, some come with a friend from the parish, and plenty come on their own. Everyone is welcome.
$200 per person is non-refundable.
Final payment is due 90 days before departure. Payment plans are available if you would like to make smaller payments before then.
Check
ACH bank transfer
Zelle
Cash, money order or cashier’s check
Assisi and Rome
January 26 to February 4, 2027, with the Catholic Parish Community of Marble Falls & Horseshoe Bay and Fr. Don Andrie. Reserve today with a $450 deposit per pilgrim.
Questions? Call +1 (800) 653-0017 or email hello@canterburypilgrimages.com.
Secure your spot today with a $450 deposit per pilgrim.
Frequently asked questions
This is an active program that covers a good amount of ground each day. Expect a wake-up call around 7am, departure by 9am and a return to the hotel between 5pm and 6pm. You should be able to walk 2 to 3 miles a day at a moderate pace, with uneven surfaces, stairs, cobblestones and some slopes. Assisi is built on a hillside and its streets are steep, and the day at the Colosseum, the Forum and the Appian Way involves a lot of walking.
Expect winter weather: cool days and cold evenings, with rain likely. Assisi, in the Umbrian hills, is colder than Rome. Bring warm layers, a waterproof jacket, an umbrella and comfortable shoes with good grip.
The Papal Audience is held on Wednesday mornings when the Holy Father is in Rome, and it is confirmed closer to the date. If it takes place, we arrive early to pass through security and find our places.
Yes. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the return date, and passport cards are not accepted for international travel. We need your passport details at least 90 days before departure. Entry rules for Europe can change, so we will let you know before departure if anything new applies to your trip.
Yes. The price includes group airfare; if you book your own flights, the price is reduced by $1,000. Tell us at registration so we can line your arrival up with the group’s at Rome Fiumicino on January 27 and its departure on February 4.
Final payment is due on October 28, 2026, 90 days before departure. Payment plans are available if you would like to make smaller payments before then.
We strongly encourage travel insurance for all of our pilgrims, and we partner with Allianz Travel Insurance to offer affordable coverage. Most of our pilgrims choose the Classic Plan. Insurance can be quoted and purchased after registration.
A pilgrimage is not a vacation or excursion but a unique spiritual journey that provides many opportunities to deepen your relationship with God and enrich your Catholic faith by bringing Scripture to life. Pilgrimages offer the opportunity to let Christ draw you near.
More questions are answered in our Support Center, covering booking, payments, travel insurance, passports and what to expect on pilgrimage.