The Trip of a Lifetime
A Pilgrimage to Italy
November 3 – 13, 2021 / $4490.00, air-inclusive from IAD
Join Father Peter McShurley and Father Ed Hathaway of the Diocese of Arlington on pilgrimage to Italy this autumn. This trip features six nights in Rome and three nights in Assisi and includes round-trip airfare, beautiful four star hotels, private transportation, an incredible program of Catholic and cultural tours led by Catholic master guides, most meals, and daily Mass, prayers and spiritual direction. Space is limited!
About
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.
Italy's Most Incredible Places
Your trip features six nights in Rome and three in Assisi, with day trip to the hilltop town of Orvieto included as well.
Four Star Hotels & Amenities
We chose the Michelangelo in Rome, next to the Vatican, and the Hotel dei Priori off the main square in Assisi.
Catholic Tour Guides
This trip is staffed by dedicated Catholics who will earnestly share their love and knowledge of the faith with you.
Private Transportation
You’ll enjoy private transportation aboard our very own deluxe Mercedes Benz motor-coach for the trip.
Planning Timeline
Register
In order to register simply fill out the form on this page! Your place on the trip is then secure!
Purchase Travel Insurance
Request a quote from ProRome directly. To cover preexisting conditions insurance must be made within two weeks of registration.
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.
Get Welcome Packet & Pack Your Bags
At 45 days before the trip we will send you Welcome Packets with lots of useful information. Pack your bags and get ready!
The Itinerary
Getting There
Wednesday, November 3
Today the group will meet at IAD airport at the gate of departure at 8:00 PM. We will then board Lufthansa Airlines flight 415, scheduled to depart for Munich at 11:30 PM. Our flight lands in Munich at 12:15 PM (next day). We will then have some time to stretch our legs prior to boarding Lufthansa Airlines flight 1868 for Rome, Italy. Departure is at 1:20 PM.
Part 1
Rome
Thursday, November 4
Our flight arrives at 2:50 PM. Upon arrival we will collect our luggage and meet our tour director and private coach. We then depart for Rome, where we will check-in at the four-star Hotel Michelangelo (or similar). This beautiful hotel is located right next to the Vatican City. After checking in we will enjoy an open-air coach tour of the city of Rome, stopping for Mass and a tour at the Basilica of St Mary Major. Following our visit to St. Mary Major we will then make our way to the church of San Carlo al Corso, the resting place of the heart of St. Charles Borromeo, whose feast we celebrate today! We’ll then return to the hotel for dinner together.
Friday, November 5
Today we begin with Mass at the tomb of Pope St. John Paul II in St. Peter’s Basilica. We’ll then tour the Basilica together, followed by an optional climb to the top of Michelangelo’s great dome. Following Mass we will make our way “outside the walls” to the catacombs of St. Sebastian. Prior to the tour we will enjoy an Italian pranzo at the lovely restaurant Cecilia Metella, nestled in a garden overlooking the Basilica of St. Sebastian. Following our lunch we will enter the Basilica of St. Sebastian in order to venerate the great saint and martyr Sebastian, together with the many other witnesses of the Faith buried here. There will then be an optional excursion underground on a guided tour of the catacombs. Departing the catacombs we will then make our way back to the hotel for a free evening. You might consider joining your tour director to Abruzzi for dinner!
Saturday, November 6
Today begins with a visit to the Cathedral of Rome, built by Constantine in honor of Christ the S avior, dedicated to St. John the Evangelist and St. John the Baptist, “the Lateran.” Here we will celebrate Holy Mass followed by a Holy Hour together. We will then have free time for lunch, followed by visits to the Holy Stairs and the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem. Our day concludes with dinner together at La Vittoria.
Part 2
Rome
Sunday, November 7
Today begins with Mass in the Basilica of Sts. Cosmas and Damian, located within the Roman Forum! We will then tour the Roman Forum and the Colosseum. Following the tour we have lunch at Isidoro, a wonderful hosteria located nearby the Colosseum. Following lunch we will visit the Basilica of San Clemente. Here we will again go underground – three levels – to discover Rome’s incredible past. Guided by a Dominican friar, we will actually see and experience the transformation of the city of Rome from the first century until the 20th century, and discover some of her most incredible relics and works of art along the way! After the tour we’re off to Trastevere to visit the Basilica of St. Cecilia. We will then enjoy a free evening in Rome. You might consider joining your tour director on an evening hike up the Gianicolo for an incredible view of the Eternal City!
Monday, November 8
Today begins with a tour beneath St. Peter’s Basilica – the Scavi Tour. The Scavi Tour is a subterranean tour that takes the visitor right to the tomb of St. Peter. A free lunch follows the tour. Our afternoon then features Mass and a tour of St. Paul’s Outside the Walls. We will depart for the great Basilica of St. Lawrence. Here we will venerate the tombs of St. Lawrence, St. Stephen, St. Justin Martyr and Blessed Pope Pius IX. We’ll then head back to the hotel where we will enjoy dinner together.
Tuesday, November 9
Today we will then enjoy a guided tour of the churches, piazzas and temples of the Campus Martius, the ancient “Field of Mars.” This tour includes some of Rome’s favorite sites, such as the Pantheon and the Piazza Navona – as well as countless sacred sites and relics. Throughout the course of the day we will examine the Counter Reformation, exploring the lives, legacies and churches of great 16th century saints like St. Philip Neri and St. Ignatius of Loyola. In the early evening we will celebrate Mass at the tomb of St. Monica in the church of St. Augustine, followed by a leisurely stroll through Rome’s most beautiful streets. Our day concludes with dinner at Le Cave di Sant’Ignazio, one of Rome’s best restaurants located just across from the Basilica of St. Ignatius! After dinner consider joining your tour director on an optional visit to the Trevi Fountain.
Orvieto
Wednesday, November 10
Today begins with a Papal Audience! Following the Audience we will depart by bus for Assisi. On the way there we will stop in the hilltop town of Orvieto for Mass and a tour of the Cathedral. This beautiful Cathedral serves as a 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! We’re then back on the bus and headed to Assisi. Upon arrival at bus parking, taxis will shuttle us into the medieval city center to the lovely Hotel dei Priori, a 16th century palace located right off of the main square. We’ll then enjoy a group dinner together at Il Menestrello.
Assisi
Thursday, November 11
Today begins with Mass at the tomb of St. Francis followed by a tour of the Basilica built over his tomb. Following lunch we will depart for the original home of the Franciscan order, and the place of St. Francis’s death – the Porziuncola. Here we will say a rosary together. Following our visit to the Porziuncola we will visit the monastery of San Damiano, the original monastery of the Poor Clares and the place of St. Clare’s death. We’ll then return to the hotel for some free time followed by dinner.
Friday, November 12
Today begins with Mass in the Basilica of St. Clare. Following Mass we will enter the crypt of the church to venerate her relics. The rest of the day is free – you might explore the other churches of Assisi, or perhaps consider a hike up to Rocca Maggiore, a beautiful castle overlooking Assisi and the Umbrian plains below! In the evening we will rendezvous at the hotel and then depart for a farewell dinner.
Coming Home
Saturday, November 13
Today begins with Mass in the Chiesa Nuova, which is built over the home of St. Francis of Assisi. We will then depart for FCO airport. Our flight Lufthansa Airlines 719 departs FCO at 1:05 PM and arrives in Munich at 2:40 PM. After a brief layover we will board LH flight 414, which departs for IAD at 4:30 PM and arrives at 7:55 PM.
TRIP DETAILS
Pricing & Registration
Meet the Team
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need in order to enter Italy?
1 – Negative Test
Any traveler coming from the U.S.A. must present a negative coronavirus test taken within three days of their arrival in Italy, regardless of their vaccination status. This may be a negative molecular PCR or rapid antigen test result carried out within 72 hours of entering Italy.
2- Passenger Locator Form
American tourists must fill out a passenger locator form. ProRome Tours will send the most up-to-date version of this form for you to complete one month prior to departure.
3 – Proof of Vaccination or Proof of Recovery
Travelers from the United States may enter Italy if they present a Covid document compliant with Italian authorities certifying one of the following conditions:
- A vaccination certificate recognized by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). At present, the EMA recognizes the following vaccines: Pfizer-BioNtech, Moderna, Johnson and Johnson, and AstraZeneca. The date of the final vaccine dose must be at least 14 days prior to travel. Travelers vaccinated in the United States can prove this via the “white card” bearing the CDC logo.
- A medical certificate confirming recovery from COVID dated no more than six months before departure. Please request an official certificate from your medical practitioner.
Can unvaccinated Americans visit Italy?
Unvaccinated Americans are permitted to enter Italy, under the condition that they self-isolate for five days and then get tested after that period. Although this restriction is only in place until October 25, we suggest that unvaccinated individuals do not register for this trip as this rule can and may be extended.
What is the "Green Pass" and how do I get it?
What is the “Green Pass”?
The “Digital Green Certificate/Green Pass” is required in order to access certain locations and participate in certain social activities throughout Italy. The purpose of the “Green Pass” is to slow the spread of Covid-19 by permitting only those who pose a low risk of transmitting the virus into crowded spaces. The “Green Pass” allows those who are fully vaccinated, those who have recovered from the virus within six months, and those with a negative Covid-19 test taken within 48 hours, to participate in crowded spaces.
How do I go about getting the “Green Pass”?
Although Americans are not eligible to acquire the “Green Pass”, the Italian Ministry of Health issued an ordinance on July 29, 2021 stating that the following certificates issued in the USA will be regarded as the “Green Pass”. Please make sure that you have a digital and physical copy of one of the following before the trip.
- An Anti-COVID 19 vaccination certificate recognized by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). At present, the EMA recognizes the following vaccines: Pfizer-BioNtech, Moderna, Johnson and Johnson, and AstraZeneca. The date of the final vaccine dose must be at least 14 days prior to travel. Travelers vaccinated in the United States can prove this via the “white card” bearing the CDC logo.
- A medical certificate confirming recovery from COVID dated no more than six months before departure. Please request an official certificate from your medical practitioner.
- A negative molecular PCR or rapid antigen test result carried out within the past 48 hours. ProRome will arrange a rapid antigen test every day for those who will require it. Please know that these tests cost anywhere from $25.00 – $75.00.
Do I need to wear a mask on the flight?
Face masks are required by law. Below you will find the masks which are permitted onboard Lufthansa. Although the laws governing face masks on international flights are subject to change before the trip, please be prepared to wear a mask.
Do I need to wear a mask in Italy?
Although the laws governing masks are subject to change before the trip, wearing a face mask is currently mandatory in indoor public places throughout Italy.
Masks are not mandatory outdoors, but you must always carry one with you and wear it if you find yourself in crowded conditions that do not allow for 1 meter of safety distance between persons to be maintained.
The following persons are not required to wear masks:
• children under the age of 6
• people with disabilities
Always keep a safe distance of one meter from other people and wash your hands frequently or, if this not possible, sanitize them with alcohol-based sanitizing gels. You will find sanitizing gel dispensers at the entrances to shops, restaurants and other businesses.
What do I need to do to come back to the US?
Effective January 26, 2021 the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will require all air passengers entering the United States (including U.S. citizens and Legal Permanent Residents) to present a negative COVID-19 test, taken within three calendar days of departure or proof of recovery from the virus within the last 90 days. Please know that we will organize a time for the entire group to be tested two days before departure. This will be at your expense, and will range anywhere from $20.00 – $50.00.
Please see CDC’s FAQ for answers to questions about the new requirement for proof of negative COVID-19 test or recovery from COVID-19 for all air passengers arriving in the United States.
What if I test positive and cannot board the flight to Italy?
In the event that you test positive for Covid-19 and are unable to board the flight to Italy, travel insurance is the only means of securing a refund. For this reason travel insurance is highly recommended. Please contact Margaret at office@prorome.com for more information.
Please keep in mind that rapid antigen tests are not as reliable as PCR tests. For that reason we highly advise a PCR test.
Source: CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm695152a3.htm
What if I test positive and cannot board the flight home to the US?
In the event that you test positive for Covid-19 and are unable to board the flight home, ProRome will assist in arranging a hotel at your expense. ProRome will also assist in rebooking your flights at a later date at your expense.
Please know that any expenses resulting from a positive Covid-19 test are covered under our travel insurance plans. For this reason travel insurance is highly recommended. Please contact us for more information.
Can I fly separately?
Absolutely. You will save $800.00 if you fly separately. Simply provide your arrival and departure information and we’ll have a private car waiting for you in Rome. Please note that this service incurs an additional $120.00 fee.
Can I use my Points or Miles towards the airline tickets?
No. As this is a group booking we cannot apply Points or Miles towards each individual ticket.
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. We’ll never take you anywhere unsafe.
What do you do in the event of an emergency?
We remain in close contact with the American embassies in Europe, who issues safety and security messages for Italy on their website. In the case of an emergency, we will first ensure that all of our group members are safe and able to communicate immediately with their family at home. We will then follow the instructions of the local authorities and make an informed decision on how to proceed.
Our staff receives training before the trip, 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!
“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.“
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.
