The Chesterton Schools Network

2026 Pilgrimage to Italy

$2700 + airfare (TBD for each school separately)

The 2026 Chesterton Schools Network pilgrimage is taking place in two separate groups: March 16 – 27, 2026 (“Week Uno”), and March 30 – April 10, 2026 (“Week Due”). Each group will visit the same sites and share the same experiences: six nights in Rome, one night in Florence and three nights in Assisi. The 2026 pilgrimage is particularly special as we will have the opportunity to greet Pope Leo XIV and receive his blessing, which during the first year of his papacy carries with it a plenary indulgence. For the full itinerary click on the brochure, linked below.

Please register for the pilgrimage at the link below on this webpage. Our office will then be in touch with you by email with more information and a link to pay the $300 deposit, which will secure your place on the trip. 

The $2700 cost includes everything except daily lunch or dinner and airfare. Airfare will be arranged for each school on a case by case basis and will be communicated to each school separately.

If you have any questions, please contact our office directly at office@prorome.com or by phone at (434) 953-1112.

Pilgrims MUST register before July 20, 2025. After this date it may not be possible to add travelers.

2026 Pilgrimage Overview

Rome

This pilgrimage includes a touring program in Rome purposefully crafted to immerse the students in the vast heritage, history and cultural patrimony of Catholic civilization. Our goal is to convert the hearts of the students as they pass through places made sacred by the blood of the martyrs and the faith of the saints.

Vatican City

The Vatican is the heart of the Catholic Faith. We’ll explore in depth this ancient and sacred place, from the underground Scavi Tour (TBD) to Bernini’s Basilica and through the magnificent Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. We will see the Vicar of Christ on Earth – Pope Leo XIV!

Florence

Known as the “Cradle of the Renaissance”, Florence is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in the world. The glory of this city lies in its eternally captivating art and architecture, which proclaim the love of God for mankind, and invite the beholder into this same love.

Panoramic view of Assisi. Umbria.
Assisi

As 2026 is the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis, time spent in Assisi will allow the group to understand St. Francis’s passionate love of the Faith, especially through Christ’s Real Presence in the Eucharist. Not coincidentally, the great promoter of the Real Presence is also buried in Assisi, the soon to be canonized Carlo Acutis.

IMPORTANT ACTION ITEMS

Planning Schedule

Registration - Through July 20, 2025

Registration is open through July 20, 2025. Due to the volume of travelers it will likely be impossible to add travelers after this date.

Passports - Upload or Apply Today

After registering we will send you a link to upload your passport. If you do not have a valid passport you must apply ASAP. It can take up to three months for new and renewed passports to arrive. Passports must be valid six (6) months AFTER the date of return to the USA.

Introductory Zoom Meeting - September 2025

This meeting will prepare you for the trip and introduce the ProRome team. The link will be sent out two weeks prior to the meeting and will be recorded should you be unable to attend.

Training Meeting on Zoom - January 2026

This meeting will further prepare the students, faculty, staff and parents of the CSN for their trip. The link will be sent out two weeks prior to the meeting and will be recorded should you be unable to attend.

Final Trip Info & Welcome Boxes

ProRome Tours will send each school welcome boxes to distribute to all trip participants in February/March 2026. Items include CSN branded gear for the trip, name tags, luggage tags, final detailed itineraries and more. Information will also be sent by email at this time.

Pricing, Payments & Cancellation

Payments

Below is the payment schedule.

$300 / due @ registration

$1200
due September 15, 2025
$1200
due October 15, 2025
Airfare (Cost TBD)
Due November 15, 2025

Regular Price

See brochure for full list of inclusions.

$2700 / + airfare

10 Nights Lodging in Rome, Florence & Assisi
Double/Triple/Quad Occ. Rooms
All Tours and Entrance Fees
Highly Trained ProRome Tour Manager
Private English-Speaking Guides
Private Bus Transportation
We still walk 6-10 miles per day
Daily Continental Breakfast
Daily Lunch or Dinner
Three Full Courses
All Gratuities & Mass Offerings

Cancellation

See Terms for more information.

Our Policy

100 Days or More before Tour
Full refund less $300 deposit
100-75 Days before Tour
50% Refund
Within 75 Days of Tour
No Refund

Additional Information

Registration, Payments and Cancellation

In order to register, please click on the “Chesterton Registration” button on this webpage. We will then process your registration and contact you by email with more information.

For questions regarding cancellation, please refer to our Terms and Conditions found here: https://prorometours.com/terms-conditions/

What Schools Are Attending?

Week Uno (March 16 – 27)

Chesterton Academy of the Twin Cities

Chesterton Academy of The Holy Family

Chesterton Academy of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati

Chesterton Academy of the Willamette Valley

Chesterton Academy of Notre Dame

Chesterton Academy of St. Louis

Chesterton Academy of the Sacred Heart

Chesterton Academy of the St. Croix Valley

Holy Name High School, A Chesterton Academy

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Academy

Chesterton Academy of Omaha

Chesterton Academy of St. Mary’s

Chesterton Academy of Annapolis

Chesterton Academy of Our Lady of Hope

 

Week Due (March 30 – April 10)

Chesterton Academy of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Chesterton Academy of St. George

Chesterton Academy of Rochester

Chesterton Academy of St. James

Chesterton Academy of Sacramento

Chesterton Academy of St. John Paul II

Chesterton Academy of St. Scholastica

Chesterton Academy of St. Joseph

Martin Saints Classical High School

Chesterton Academy of Milwaukee

Chesterton Academy of The Florida Martyrs

Chesterton Academy of Orlando

Flight Information

Airfare is being arranged for each school separately. You will receive your airfare costs and routes as soon as they are available. Once airfare is arranged, reach out to your school’s Point of Contact for your group’s itinerary.

Please refer to our Airfare FAQs and General FAQs for more information.

Group Meals

The Meals

Daily breakfast and either lunch or dinner are included in the tour package. Your meals have been pre-arranged and selected by ProRome. Beverages other than water are not included.

Tip: If you are allergic to something simply inform the tour director at the beginning of the trip. 

Tipping and Gratuities

Tips and gratuities are included in the price.

Tipping is not required nor expected in restaurants, taxis or bars.

Dietary and Health Restrictions

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

Regarding health, please review a clause from our Terms and Conditions.

ProRome Tours expects you to make a realistic assessment of your health. All Participants are expected to be in active good health, to enjoy traveling as part of a group, and to be ready to experience cultural differences with grace. Walking and climbing stairs are required in many hotels and airports, to board the aircraft, and as part of many excursions. Prior to traveling, we highly recommend visiting your personal physician for a check-up, so that you may discuss your ability to participate in this type of journey. For the latest recommendations on specific health precautions for the areas you will visit, consult your physician and the Centers for Disease Control. Any physical condition requiring special attention, diet, or treatment should be reported in writing when the reservation is made. We will make reasonable efforts to accommodate Participants with special needs; however, we cannot accommodate wheelchairs. If you require a slower pace, extra assistance, or the use of a cane or walking stick, arrangements will be made for private touring at each destination, if necessary, at the discretion of our Tour staff. Any extra cost for such arrangements will be the responsibility of the Participant. If you would like to forgo some of the scheduled sightseeing to rejuvenate and relax, please feel free to do so at any time.

Placing Calls in Italy

If you are calling from an American phone number, you must dial the international “dial out” code first, which is “00”, or simply the “+” symbol. You must then dial the country code (USA is 1, Italy is 39), followed by the number. 

Remember to contact your service provider a few days before the trip and activate international calling on your phone.

Country-Specific Information

Quick Facts 

  • Official Name: Italian Republic 
  • Population: 60.36 Million 
  • Capital: Rome 
  • Language: Italian 
  • Type of Government: Republic 
  • Money: Euro 
  • Time Zone: 6 hours ahead of EST
  • Most Popular Sport: Soccer (“Football”) 
  • Best Club Team: AS Roma!
  • Industries: Tourism, Manufacturing, Import/Export (Wine, Olives) 

Basic Italian 

  • Buongiorno: Good morning/good afternoon 
  • Buona Sera: Good afternoon/evening 
  • Ciao – Hi or Bye 
  • Arrivederci: Goodbye 
  • Per favore: Please 
  • Grazie mille – Thank you very much 
  • Prego – You’re welcome 
  • Mi Scusi – Excuse Me 
  • Mi dispiace: I’m sorry 
  • Yes/No: Si/No 
  • I am American: Sono Americano (Americana if a female) 
  • Do you speak English?: Parla inglese?
  • I don’t understand: Non capisco 
  • How much?: Quanto costa? 
  • Where is…?: Dov’è…? 
  • Bathroom: Toilette 
  • Tea: Té 
  • Coffee: Caffé, Cappuccino, Caffe Latte, Caffe Macchiato 
  • Cheers!: Salute! 
  • Restaurant check/bill: Il conto, per favore!
  • Have a nice day!: Buona giornata!
  • Have a nice evening!: Buona serata! 
  • Numbers 1-10: Uno, due, tre, quattro, cinque, sei, sette, otto, nove, dieci! 
  • The Week: Lunedi, Martedi, Mercoledi, Giovedi, Venerdi, Sabato, Domenica 
  • Happy Birthday!: Buon compleanno!

Visas and Passports 

Visas to Italy are not required for U.S. citizens. If you hold a passport from another country, please check with your local consulate about requirements for travel to Italy. All passengers traveling internationally are required to have a passport. Please carry proper identification (your passport) on you and do not leave it in your suitcase or hotel room. European law requires you to carry your passport with you at all times. 

Currency – The Euro 

The official currency of Italy is the Euro.  1 euro is roughly $1.07 (as of June 14, 2024). Credit cards are accepted in shops and restaurants. However, smaller shops will ask you to pay in cash or have a minimum amount required to use a credit card. You should always carry some cash on you for small purchases such as postcards, gelato or a refreshing drink. 

Budgeting and Shopping 

The following budget guidelines are just approximate values or starting values for meals and are per person. Actual prices will vary widely by restaurant and city within a country but below are some averages as provided by our experienced personnel. 

  • The approximate cost of a soft drink/mineral water/coffee is €3-5. 
  • An average lunch consisting of a salad or sandwich and a soda or water starts at approximately €15. 
  • Dinner at a mid-range restaurant starts at approximately €30. 

Please note that soft drinks and mineral water are often as expensive, if not more expensive than wine or beer. Sales tax or VAT (value added tax) is included on price tags. To obtain VAT refunds (which may take up to three months to process), special forms usually have to be stamped by Customs; please ask for a tax-free shopping form with each purchase and follow the instructions for completion. Customs import charges on items shipped home are not included in purchase prices. 

Electrical Outlets 

Italy runs on 220V. Like the rest of Europe, the plugs are two round prongs. If you have a cell phone, you will need to bring an adapter for the plugs. Here is a link to one on Amazon for less than $10.00 

Crisis Management

The following scenarios are typical “crisis” situations that may occur while on tour Italy and how to best prevent and manage them. Please read. If you would like to read our full plan please download it here: https://prorometours.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/ProRome-Crisis-Management-Plan-.pdf

You Get Lost

This is not a common occurrence. First of all, stay put. Most folks who get really lost do so by running in the wrong direction! Your tour manager will find you if you stay put. If you have a cell phone, please call your tour manager, or any other group member you may be in contact with. If you cannot dial “+” on your phone, dial “00” followed by “1”, followed by the number. If after 30 minutes you are unable to reach your tour manager and cannot find the group, proceed to the nearest Taxi stand and have a cab take you back to the hotel. The hotel address can be found in your pilgrimage information sent 2 months before departure. If you do not see a cab stand nearby, enter the nearest hotel and ask the concierge to call you a cab. Upon arrival at the hotel please call your tour manager and let them know that you have returned to the hotel. 

You Lose Your Phone, Wallet or Passport 

Nine times out of ten, this can be prevented. Theft is not uncommon in Rome, so remember to keep your valuables as protected as possible. Fanny packs under the shirt are ideal. If you use a purse or backpack, hold it in front especially in crowds. Be aware of your surroundings and keep an eye on those around you as well. If you do lose your phone, wallet or passport, inform your tour manager immediately. We will then inform the local authorities and say a prayer to St. Anthony! The US embassy in Rome can turn around new passports within a few hours, but expect a hefty fee – 500 euro!

You Get Injured 

Again, nine times out of ten we can prevent personal injuries by following rules and guidelines that are put in place. That includes never standing while the bus is moving, only crossing the street at crosswalks, and wearing sturdy walking shoes and keeping your eyes on the road. If you do experience an injury, inform your tour manager immediately. If necessary, we will arrange emergency transportation to the nearest hospital for care.

Dehydration and Fatigue

It is crucially important to begin hydration at least three days prior to departure, and to increase your electrolyte intake as well. Touring in autumn can be deceiving, because while you may not feel thirsty in 60 degree weather, your body will nonetheless require lots of water. Always carry a water bottle with you. If you do experience dizziness, a fever or sudden fatigue, notify your tour manager immediately and sit still. If necessary, we will arrange emergency transportation to the nearest hospital for care.

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!

“The Church is like a great ship being pounded by the waves of life’s different stresses. Our duty is not to abandon ship, but to keep her on her course.