Join Bishop Daniel Thomas of the Diocese of Toledo, Ohio, on a pilgrimage to our Sister City of Toledo, Spain! From October 10 – 23, 2022, we will tour Toledo, Avila, Madrid, and Segovia, before departing for Rome, Italy! While in Italy, we will spend two nights in Assisi, the city of Sts. Francis and Clare, visit the Eucharistic Miracle of Orvieto, enjoy an excursion to Castel Gandolfo, and finally spend 5 nights in Rome, with a papal audience, tour of the Vatican and its Museums, the Major Basilicas and sites of Rome, and a trip to the North American College (home to our Toledo seminarians in Rome). This is an incredible opportunity to get to know our Bishop and to increase solidarity with our Sister Diocese of Toledo, Spain!
Due to the desire to foster fellowship between the bishop and his flock, this pilgrimage is EXTREMELY limited availability! Only registration forms with deposits will be held.
Itinerary*
*Subject to change
Day 1 – Monday, October 10: Depart U.S.
Flight to Madrid with meals served aloft.
Day 2 – Tuesday, October 11: Madrid / Toledo
Upon arrival in Madrid we meet our guide and board our motor coach for Toledo, one of Spain’s most ancient and charming cities and our sister city. Celebrate Mass at Santo Tomé or one of the other local churches in Toledo, Spain. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Toledo. (B, D)
Day 3 – Wednesday, October 12: Toledo
Today we will tour the Old Town of Toledo, visit the El Greco Museum, and the Primada Cathedral, one of the largest in Europe. We will celebrate Mass at the Cathedral, pending final confirmation. Enjoy the afternoon wandering the quaint streets. There will be ample time to shop for Toledo’s famous gold jewelry and cutlery. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Toledo. (B, D)
Day 4 – Thursday, October 13: Toledo / Madrid
After breakfast we depart for Madrid. Upon arrival we visit the famous Cathedral where we celebrate Mass. Continue to the Prada Museum, which is widely considered to have one of the world’s finest collections of European art, dating from the 12th century to the early 20th century, based on the former Spanish Royal Collection, and the single best collection of Spanish art. Dinner and overnight in Madrid. (B, D)
Day 5 – Friday, October 14: Madrid / Avila / Segovia / Madrid
Today visit Avila, the town associated with St. Teresa, one of the female Doctors of the Church. In Avila, visit the Convent of St. Teresa (site of her birthplace), Convent of Nuestra Senora de Gracia, and the Encarnacion, where St. Teresa made her profession. Continue to Segovia, St. John of the Cross’ town to visit the Cathedral and the tomb of St. John of the Cross. (Mass at tomb of St. John of the Cross, pending confirmation). Return to Madrid for dinner and overnight. (B, D)
Day 6 – Saturday, October 15: Madrid / Rome / Assisi
Today we will transfer to the airport for our flight to Rome. Upon arrival, we will meet our guide, board our motor coach and drive to Assisi for dinner and overnight. Pending flight schedule and arrival time we will celebrate Mass at a local church in or near Assisi. (B, D)
Day 7 – Sunday, October 16: Assisi
This morning, we begin the day with Mass at the Tomb of St. Francis (pending confirmation). After Mass we will participate in a guided tour of Assisi including such sites as the beautiful Basilica of St. Francis, the Church of Santa Clara which houses her Incorrupt body and the Basilica of St Mary of the Angels which houses the Porziuncola. Dinner tonight at your hotel. (B, D)
Day 8 – Monday, October 17: Norcia / Deruta / Assisi
Today we rise early and make our way to visit the Monastero di San Benedetto in Monte, Norcia. We will participate in Mass in the new Chapel on the Mountain. After Mass meet with the Monks and enjoy lunch, pending confirmation. Time permitting visit the town damaged by earthquakes in 2016. This afternoon we visit Deruta, the lovely town where the famous pottery is made and hand painted. Return to Assisi for dinner and overnight. (B, D)
Day 9 – Tuesday, October 18: Assisi / Orvieto / Rome
After breakfast we say goodbye to Assisi and make our way to Rome. On the way we will stop in Orvieto, the town that sits on a 1,000-foot high rock formation, poetically crowned by Italy’s most renowned Gothic cathedral. Because of its strategic location, Orvieto for centuries served as a refuge for the popes in troubled times. We visit the famous Cathedral housing the corporal of the Miracle of the Eucharist in Bolsena and visit the Signorelli Chapel. Continue on to Rome for dinner and overnight. (B, D)
Day 10 – Wednesday, October 19: Rome
This morning we make our way to St. Peter’s Square to attend the Papal audience, pending the Holy Father’s schedule. This afternoon we visit the Pontifical North American College. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy. You may want to walk through the Trastevere neighborhood. Dinner on own. (B)
Day 11 – Thursday, October 20: Rome
We spend our day visiting a few of the most beautiful churches in Rome. St. Mary Major, St. John Lateran, (the Cathedral of Rome), The Scala Santa, (Holy Stairs), and St. Paul Outside the Walls built over the Saint’s burial place; where we will celebrate Mass. (Pending confirmation). Continue on to one of the Catacombs. Dinner on your own tonight. (B)
Day 12 – Friday, October 21: Rome / Castel Gandolfo
This morning, we make our way by motor coach to the beautiful town of Castel Gandolfo, the summer home of the popes. Visit the beautiful gardens and papal palace, pending confirmation. Celebrate Mass at the local town church, of San Tommaso da Villanova, pending confirmation. Enjoy lunch at the lakeside Ristorante Pagnanelli, included. Return to Rome. Your evening is free to explore Rome on your own. Dinner on your own. (B, L)
Day 13 – Saturday, October 22: Rome
Today we celebrate with Bishop Thomas on the 8th Anniversary of his installation as the Bishop of The Diocese of Toledo and the Feast of Pope Saint John Paul II. Pending confirmation we will celebrate Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica and pray at the Tomb of St. John Paul II. After Mass we will take our guided tour of the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel. Remainder of afternoon is free. Tonight we enjoy a farewell dinner. (B, D)
Day 14 – Sunday, October 23: Rome / USA
This morning depart for the Fumicino Rome airport for our return flight home. (B)
NOTES: While no changes are anticipated, there may be occasions when sequence and days of visits may change and certain alterations become necessary due to changes beyond our control. All Mass locations and times are subject to final confirmation. B, L, D indicates breakfast, lunch or dinner is included on that day.
TO REGISTER FOR THIS PILGRIMAGE PLEASE READ, FILL OUT, AND SIGN THE REGISTRATION FORM AND THE COVID-19 RELEASE FORM !!!
[Click to download Travel Itinerary or Registration Form and Terms & Conditions]
Contact Maggie McDaniel at 419-290-8782 or maggie@catholicfaithjourneys.com if you have any questions or for more information about this pilgrimage.
LAND-ONLY COST
LAND-ONLY price of $4449.00 per person, payment accepted via Cash or Check.
***If you would like to use the group air add: $ 1,490.00 per person Cash/Check. Air cost includes: Detroit to Madrid / Madrid to Rome / Rome to Detroit
Included
12 nights accommodations
13 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 9 Dinners
English speaking tour escort/ guide throughout
Private motor coach throughout
Transfers from international airport
Entrance fees as noted in itinerary
Private Mass arrangements (all Masses pending final confirmation)
Taxes and fuel surcharge (subject to increase, by the airlines, 30 days prior to departure)
Not Included
If you would like to use the group air add: $ 1,490.00 per person Cash/Check. Air cost includes: Detroit to Madrid / Madrid to Rome / Rome to Detroit
Optional Travel insurance – (strongly recommended, consider purchasing from our affiliate and trusted provider)
Lunches & beverages with meals except where noted
Any/all Covid-19 test(s)that may be required by airlines, departing/arriving country and transfer country
Transportation to/from Domestic Airport
Items of personal nature
Any items not specifically mentioned
Limited Single rooms available at an extra cost. Email or Call Maggie at 419-290-8782 for availability and pricing.
**Catholic Faith Journeys, LLC cannot change the cancellation terms or conditions based on the issuance of any warning or advisory issued by the State Department or Center of Disease Control, or the occurrence of any terror, health or other incident in one or more of the places this pilgrimage is scheduled to visit. All cancellation penalties remain in full force and effect. You are strongly encouraged to purchase Travel Insurance to protect your financial investment and any health issues you may have while traveling.