Are you looking for a way to get your feet wet before plunging into pilgrimage? Maybe you’ve been on pilgrimage with us before and are looking to view Italy, Francis, and Clare through a different lens? One of our Tourgrimages may be the answer for you!

Our mission is to provide an affordable yet very enjoyable tour of Italy accompanied by one of our friars and an English-speaking, licensed Italian tour guide. We will stay at both modern hotels and pensione, the latter run by religious communities with chapels that serve pilgrims and tourists. This year’s Tourgrimage will start in Florence, before traveling down to Assisi. From there, we will travel to Greccio to celebrate the birth of Christ, and then make our way to the Eternal City, Rome. The Tourgrimage is a fine mixture of sanctuary visits, wine tasting, scenic walks, shopping, quiet reflection time.

Departure from the United States on October 16, with arrival in Florence, Italy on October 17. After getting a good cup of espresso or cappuccino, we will visit the beautiful Church of Santa Croce. There are plenty of good places to eat nearby. Then we will regroup to continue our tour of this beautiful city. Later, we check into our hotel, where dinner will be served. A good time to rest up for tomorrow’s activities!

After Mass and breakfast, we will visit the Academia, home of Michelangelo’s “David,” and continue to visit other historic sites in Florence. After lunch, there will be plenty of time to browse Florence’s outdoor markets and leather shops. Dinner will feature a delicious Tuscan specialty at a nearby restaurant.

After breakfast, we will travel to the beautiful and peaceful town of Assisi on our private bus. Following lunch at our hotel, Fr. Greg will lead a walking tour of Assisi's shrines, including the Tomb of St. Francis, with the possibility of celebrating Mass there. In the evening, we will enjoy a wine-and-cheese tasting, followed by dinner at a nearby restaurant.

Today we will go to the Our Lady of the Angels Basilica for Mass, visit the Portiuncula, and see the site where St. Francis had his transitus, meaning his passing to Sr. Death. A quick lunch will be available nearby. We will pass by Rivo Torto, where the early friars ministered to the leper colony outside of Assisi. Our group will then travel to Greccio, where St. Francis introduced the first Christmas crèche into the Western world. Later in the afternoon, we will head to Rome.

There will be an early morning wake-up as we head to St. Peter’s Square to see the Pope. If the Pope is not available, we will go to the Sistine Chapel. A tour of St. Peter’s Basilica is a must! After lunch, we will tour the Catacombs of St. Sebastian, where Mass will be offered. Dinner will be at our hotel in Rome. After dinner, join Fr. Greg for a stroll to St. Peter’s Square for a less crowded view.

After Mass and breakfast, we will walk to see the Vatican Museums. After lunch, we will tour the Major Basilicas, including St. Paul outside the Walls, Santa Maria Maggiore, and St. John Lateran. We have arranged a festive Roman dinner, and Fr. Greg will offer a walking tour of the hip and famous Trastevere (meaning “across the Tiber”.

Mass will be offered, followed by breakfast. Then we begin a tour of the famous (or infamous!) Colosseum. From there, we head to the Spanish Steps. You will have free time to explore and pick up those last-minute souvenirs for someone special back home. Dinner back at the hotel. Time to pack all those gifts into your suitcases!

We say goodbye to Italy and return to the United States. But your pilgrimage continues back home!