Chesterton Academy

Pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi

Chesterton Academy of the Holy Family

June 1 – 21, 2021 / $3100.00

This incredible journey will immerse the students of Chesterton Academy in the greatest moments and monuments of Roman and Christian civilization. Prepare to explore the ancient world’s most magnificent city – Rome – and witness how it became even more magnificent as it was transformed by Christianity. This trip features one week in Rome and a three-day excursion to Assisi and Orvieto.

This trip is open to Chesterton Academy of the Holy Family students and chaperones. Space is limited.

Trip Highlights

On this trip we will venture in the footsteps of the greatest saints and martyrs of our Catholic heritage. We will experience the history and magnificence of Rome firsthand, exploring the greatest sites found anywhere in the world. Most importantly we will celebrate Mass every day, reorienting and reinvigorating our lives in, through and towards Christ.

Rome

Every morning we will depart our Vatican guesthouse and set out into Rome. We will explore Rome’s greatest sites, from the tunnels of crypts and catacombs to the many ancient amphitheaters and early Christian churches.

Assisi

The trip concludes in Assisi, where we will spend two days touring the medieval city. Here the students will have the unique opportunity to get to know one of history’s greatest saints and adventurers, St. Francis.

Orvieto

The Vatican

Our hotel in Rome is located just next to the Vatican – we will walk through St. Peter’s Square nearly every morning. We’ll also have the chance to see the Pope, attend Mass in St Peter’s Basilica and climb to the top of Michelangelo’s dome!

The Itinerary

From Rome to Assisi!

June 1 - 8

Rome

Rome is the Eternal City. There is no place more beautiful and more important in the history of the world than Rome. As Catholic Christians, Rome’s eternal purpose of civilizing and saving the world through the work of Christ’s Church.

This trip features one full week in Rome. During this week we will explore the history and places of Rome’s incredible three-thousand year history, highlighting the artistic and architectural treasures along the way. The itinerary includes a Papal Audience, the Colosseum and Roman Forum, the Catacombs, the Four Major Basilicas, the Best Baroque Churches and Monuments of Rome, the Jesuit Churches, Rome’s Best Museums (the Vatican Museums, the Borghese Gallery and the Capitoline Museums) and so much more.

June 9 - 11

Assisi

Known as the Seraphic City for its angelic beauty, the students will explore the timeless charm and beauty of Assisi for two days. We’ll go back in time to the 13th century, when St. Francis and St. Claire gave up their lives to follow Christ and proclaim the truth and beauty of the Faith. We’ll witness the Gothic masterpieces of Giotto and Cimabue, the great precursors of the Renaissance, and we’ll glimpse the actual beauty of a the medieval age which has so often been misrepresented as dark and unenlightened.

Many do not know the true story of St. Francis. In reality, St. Francis experienced terrible despair before his great conversion – and only recovered by clinging completely to God. His story is an incredible one, and his deeds following his mid-life conversion are absolutely epic. We’re going to relive his story – from his decadent youth to his pursuit of poverty, and from his hermitage in the mountains to his crusade to Egypt. Throughout our time in Assisi, St Francis will become a friend, a mentor, and a model for the students.

June 9

Orvieto

On the way to Assisi we will stop in the beautiful city of Orvieto, home to one of Italy’s finest Gothic cathedrals, the Duomo of Orvieto, which serves as a solemn reliquary for the Eucharistic Miracle of Bolsena, the first Church-approved Eucharistic miracle and the impetus behind the institution of the Feast of Corpus Christi!

TRIP DETAILS

Pricing & Registration

Payment Details

$200.00 / due @ registration

$1450.00

due February 1, 2021

$1450.00

due April 15, 2021

Check Payment or CC (3% Surcharge)

Regular Price

Includes EVERYTHING except travel insurance!

$3100.00

Airfare, Lodging, Transportation

Tours, All Meals, Fees & Gratuities

No Hidden Costs!

Upgrades & More

Limited availability.

INQUIRE

Single Room: $300.00

Extra Legroom: Inquire

Flight Changes: Inquire

SIGN UP TODAY!

Basic Instructions

Register Today!

Click "Register Now" below to register today!

Start Fundraising and Putting Funds Aside

ProRome provides a fundraising guide that can be used to help raise funds for your trip. Lots of our students use this guide to make their trip possible!

Get Your Passports Ready

Apply as soon as possible. NB - Passports that expire within six months of the travel dates are NOT VALID to enter Europe.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I register?

Click below!

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What about COVID? What if we have to cancel?

We will determine the viability of the trip by April 14th. Full refunds – less a $100.00 airline fee and $100.00 ProRome fee – are possible if we cancel before this date.

If we decide to operate the trip (which is likely), but then something happens after April 14th that impedes us from going, here are the possible solutions:

1) ProRome secures refunds, and then issues full refunds to the group.

2) If full refunds are not possible, ProRome will be given credits by the airlines and hotels. Hence ProRome will have to reschedule the trip and use the credits to travel later in the year OR the following year.

3) If ProRome is forced to reschedule the trip, but you cannot attend for one reason or another, you will have to fund someone to go in your place if you would like a refund.

NB – ProRome issued FULL REFUNDS to all groups that cancelled in 2020 due to COVID. We will do everything in our power to do the same again.

Can I book my own flights? What is the land-only price?

Yes. You may book your own flights and will be given a $800.00 discount (the cost of the group flight). Please inquire with ProRome.

Are you seeing cheaper flights online than the group flight? Here is why.

1) The group flights are full refundable up until 90 days.

2) The airlines offer group rates that do not change. In order to offer a steady price to our group that does not change, we need to lock in rates. The only way to do so is to book a group flight.

3) There is a common misunderstanding that group flights are cheaper. Group flights are in fact more expensive. The reason is simple. The airline is allocating an enormous portion of the airplane to the group, without any certainty that the group will actually fill the seats. In effect, the airline is assuming the risk. Hence group seats need to be sold at a rate that is profitable for the airline.

How many bags can I bring on the flight?

Carry-ons and personal items. Check-bags are permitted ONLY on the return.

I am a chaperone. Can I fly separately?

No. Chaperones are required to fly with the group on both outbound and the return.

If I fly separately do I need to arrange transportation from the hotel to the airport?

Yes. You are responsible for your own transportation from Rome FCO to the hotel on March 18, and from Assisi to Rome FCO on March 27.*

*You are welcome to join the bus transfer from Assisi to Rome FCO on March 27, but please note that the bus will arrive at Rome FCO at 9:00 AM. If your flight is scheduled to depart before 11:00 AM you will not have enough time to make your flight.

Why am I seeing cheaper flights online than the group flight?

1) The group flights are full refundable up until 90 days.

2) The airlines offer group rates that do not change. In order to offer a steady price to our group that does not change, we need to lock in rates. The only way to do so is to book a group flight.

Are you insured?

Yes. We are fully insured with Travel Agents and Tour Operators Professional Liability Insurance through Zurich American Insurance Company . And yes, travel insurance can be purchased through ProRome Tours.

Will I be safe with your group?

Safety is our #1 priority. We alway stay together as a group. Our policy is 24/7 adult supervision. The only exception is campus, where our students can spend time together without adult supervision.

What do you do in the event of an emergency?

ProRome remains in close contact with the American embassy in Rome, who issues safety and security messages for Italy on their website found here: https://it.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/security-and-travel-information/. In the case of an emergency, we will first ensure that all of our students are safe and able to communicate immediately with their parents. We will then follow the instructions of the local Italian and American authorities and make an informed decision on how to proceed.

Our staff receives training before the program, which involves reading, understanding and committing to memory a forty-page crisis management plan. If you would like to see a copy of this plan please inquire.

Can you accommodate people with food allergies or specific dietary restrictions?

Absolutely. Vegetarian or vegan, gluten-free or celiac, we work only with restaurants and caterers who have ample options for you.

Trip Patron

St. Joseph – the foster father of Jesus Christ – is the greatest of saints. As our trip patron, we will pray to St. Joseph before and during the trip, asking this incredible man, the protector of the child Jesus, to protect us on our pilgrimage!

Meet the Team

Mrs. Julie Bowles

Mrs. Bowles served as the Executive Director of Chesterton Academy from 2015 – 2020. As the Rome pilgrimage planner and leader, she helps facilitate one of the most incredible aspects of the Chesterton experience – a pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi!

Mr. Joe Long

Joe is the tour planner and tour director. As the founder and director of ProRome, Joe has been leading trips through Europe for six years. He holds an MA in Church History and speaks fluent Italian. He looks forward to sharing the greatest places in the world with you!

Fr. Ryan Adorjan

Fr. Ryan Adorjan is our trip chaplain! The chaplain of Chesterton Academy, he is also the parochial vicar of the Cathedral of Saint Raymond Nonnatus and Sacred Heart parish. He looks forward to celebrating Mass and leading us spiritually on this pilgrimage!

ProRome Office

ProRome is a full-service tour operator and travel agency located in Charlottesville, VA. If you need anything at all – travel insurance, flight add-ons, special requests, payment extensions – do not be afraid to reach out. Someone in the office will be here to help!

Testimonials

Here are a few words from past clients.

Richard Thomes

We have been to Europe nine times and this was by far the best trip we have taken. The trip had an excellent agenda and every place we stopped was exciting. The guides were full of knowledge and spoke excellent English. After 10 days we were not ready to come back home. We would love to tour with ProRome again.

Tyler Reohr

I participated in a trip with ProRome tours in April-May 2019. I had a really great time. I enjoyed not only Joe's professional attitude and knowledge of Rome, but also his great friendly and relatable personality. The first guided tour I've been on where I felt engaged by a guide who loved the history and culture around what he was showing, rather than just preaching about something with little interest. Thanks to Joe for a great trip and very enjoyable time in Rome!

Lita Hess

We had the trip of a lifetime to Italy. It was as perfect as humanly possible. Joe tried to meet any needs that arose with individuals, his planning made it so we could see and learn as much as possible in the time we had. I was extremely happy with our accommodations. I have a hard time calling it a pilgrimage because I had so much fun along the way. The restaurant choices were great too. Thanks so much!

Travel Insurance

Protecting You, and Your Loved Ones

Protect Your Travel Investment, and Plan Worry Free

Most of our clients who purchase travel insurance will never have to file a claim. This is a very good thing. If you do have to visit a hospital over in Europe, however, it is good to know that you have the world’s largest and best travel insurance provider at your back. They’ll get you in and taken care of quickly.

On another note, the majority of those who cancel their trip with ProRome do so because of an illness or death in their family prior to the trip. This is covered in most of our plans. If nothing else, this is a very good reason to purchase a plan today.

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Pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi