Join Father Don Planty on Pilgrimage

In the Footsteps of Saint Charles

November 10 – 19, 2023 / $3300 (includes airfare)

Join your fellow parishioners on a faith-filled trip to the holy sites of Rome and Milan, especially those associated with our patron, St. Charles Borromeo. From the Vatican–where we will receive the Holy Father’s blessing–to the other Roman basilicas and churches dedicated to St. Charles, to his tomb at the Duomo of Milan and a trip to his birthplace on picturesque Lago Maggiore, Fr. Don will serve as your spiritual and cultural guide, offering daily Mass and other opportunities for prayer.

The itinerary features five nights in Rome and three nights in Milan. The program includes daily Mass in the most sacred churches of Italy, privately guided Catholic tours, the Angelus with the Pope, and authentic Italian food and wine.

  • This trip is limited to 40 travelers. All travelers will be sharing a room.
  • This pilgrimage will involve a lot of walking (5-8 miles per day) and simple accommodations in religious guest houses.
  • Pilgrims must be registered members of St. Charles Parish.
  • The itinerary is subject to change

Covid-19 Travel Requirements? None!

There are currently no required Covid-19 vaccines or testing requirements in place in order to visit Italy. If you have any questions or concerns please contact us.

Highlights

On this trip we will venture in the footsteps of the greatest saints and martyrs of our Catholic heritage, with a special emphasis on Saint Charles Borromeo.

Vatican,,Italy,-,June,26,,2014:,The,Sun's,Rays,Pour
Daily Mass

The cornerstone of each day is Mass. Father Don will celebrate Mass for us in some of Italy’s most sacred and beautiful churches.

The Vatican

An Angelus with the Pope, the Scavi Tour, the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and Saint Peter’s Basilica are included in the itinerary.

Rome

Featuring five days in the Eternal City, we will explore Rome’s greatest sites, from the tunnels of crypts and catacombs to the many incredible churches.

Milan

In Milan we will visit many sacred places as well as the special places associated with Saint Charles, such as his home on Lake Maggiore and his burial place in the Duomo of Milan.

Planning Checklist

Register

In order to register simply fill out the form at the top this page! Your place on the trip is then secure!

Purchase Travel Insurance

We will send you an insurance quote as soon as you register. We strongly suggest that everyone purchases travel insurance.

Upload Passport Information

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

TRIP DETAILS

Pricing, Payments & Cancellation

Payments

Below is the payment schedule.

$200 / due @ registration

$1550
due June 15, 2023
$1550
due August 1, 2023

Regular Price

See brochure for full list of inclusions.

$3300 / per-person

Roundtrip Airfare from IAD on ITA
Includes luggage
Eight Nights Lodging in Religious Guesthouses
All Tours, All Tour Fees and Most Meals
ProRome Tour Director, Private Guides, Headsets
Private Bus Transportation
Most Days

Cancellation

If you cancel, this policy applies.

Our Policy

100 Days or More before Tour
Full refund less $200.00 deposit
100-75 Days before Tour
50% Refund
Within 75 Days of Tour
No Refund

Additional Trip Information

Registration, Payments and Cancellation

In order to register please click on the “Register Now” button at the top of 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/

Airfare Information

Roundtrip airfare IS included in the price. Below is the flight information. Please note that everyone will be seated in the economy cabin and seats will be allocated at time of check-in. One carry-on, one personal item and one check bag (weighing no more than 50 lbs) is included in the price.

Outbound – One Leg

  • November 10 – ITA Airways Flight 619 departs IAD (Dulles) at 4:30 PM and arrives FCO (Rome) on November 11 at 7:05 AM

Return – Two Legs

  • Leg 1:  November 19 – ITA Airways – Flight 2021 departs LIN (Milan Linate) at 8:00 AM and arrives Rome (FCO) at 9:10 AM.
  • Leg 2: November 19 – ITA Airways – Flight 618 departs FCO (Rome) at 10:20 AM and arrives in IAD (Dulles) at 2:35 PM.

Weather and Packing

The Weather 

You can expect pleasant weather in Italy in November. High temperatures will average in the lower-60s (Rome) and lower-50s (Milan), with lows in the mid-40s. Do expect a few rain showers throughout the course of the trip. 

Packing 

Please remember to bring one warm rain jacket, an umbrella (telescopic) and at least two pairs of shoes – a pair for more formal occasions and a pair for touring. Although we’ve eliminated as much walking as possible, Italian city-centers are more often than not pedestrian only. We will be walking (on average) five to eight miles each day. Make sure your “tour shoes” are broken-in and comfortable. We would also suggest bringing one heavy jacket for those evenings that you might enjoy strolling through town. 

Tip: Many seasoned travelers pack the essentials in their carry-on bag, in case their luggage happens to get lost or delayed. 

Tour Dress and Dinner Dress Suggestions

Tour Dress

In Italy style is everything. You’ll find that the Italians dress incredibly well and you’ll want to dress up yourself. That being said, comfort is paramount. We will be walking a lot and will be constantly getting on and off the bus. The most important thing to keep in mind is your feet. 

Tip: Worn-in walking shoes – preferably water proof – will serve you faithfully. Moleskin and baby powder might also come in handy!

Dinner Dress 

We call the dinner dress code “country club casual” or “smart casual. ” That means something like collared shirts and non-jeans pants for men, and a casual dress or pants with a nice top for women. These suggestions are by no means mandatory, they are solely meant to be taken as humble advice if you would like to fit in with the Italian culture. They like to dress well!

Tip: A jacket that can be dressed up and dressed down is an autumn traveler’s best friend.

Group Meals

The Meals

Daily breakfast and a number of lunches and dinners are included in the tour package. Please see the brochure for precise information on what is included. For included meals, you can expect three or four bountiful courses – an antipasto – literally “before the meal,” a main course, and a desert. Water and house wine are included in the included meals. 

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.

If you feel inclined to leave a tip for the housekeeping at the hotel, a few euro left in your room is more than sufficient.

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

Dietary and Health Restrictions

There are no dietary 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. 

NB – 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 $1.17 (as of September 28, 2021). 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 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 below. 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 him 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.