Italy Autumn Pilgrimage & Art Journey – 20 Oct – 28 Oct 2025

Day 1: Arrival in Rome

Morning: Land at Rome‑Fiumicino Airport, clear customs and take a transfer to your hotel.

Afternoon: Check‑in, enjoy a light Italian lunch and wander the historic centre to get a feel for the city.

Evening: Stroll to Piazza Navona for a first taste of Roman ambience and savor a classic gelato.

Day 2: Rome → Assisi → Florence

Morning: After a hearty breakfast, catch the train from Rome to Assisi, soaking in the Umbrian countryside.

Afternoon: Explore the sacred sites of Assisi: the Basilica of St. Francis, Basilica of St. Clare, San Damiano Church and the secluded Eremo delle Carceri hermitage.

Evening: Board the evening train to Florence, settle into your hotel and enjoy a Tuscan dinner.

Day 3: Florence & Pisa

Morning: Discover the heart of the Renaissance with a visit to the Florence Duomo (Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore) and the adjacent Baptistery of St John.

Afternoon: Take a short high‑speed ride to Pisa and admire the iconic Piazza del Duomo complex, including the Leaning Tower, Cathedral and Baptistery.

Evening: Return to Florence for a relaxed walk to the Basilica di Santa Croce and a dinner in the lively Oltrarno district.

Day 4: Florence → Venice → Padua

Morning: Depart Florence by train for Venice, enjoying the scenic route across the Veneto.

Afternoon: Arrive in Venice and marvel at St Mark’s Basilica, strolling through St Mark’s Square.

Evening: Continue by train to Padua and visit the revered Basilica of St Anthony before checking in for the night.

Day 5: Venice Islands

Morning: Take a vaporetto to the island of San Giorgio and explore the stunning San Giorgio Maggiore Church.

Afternoon: Cross to the Dorsoduro district to admire the elegant Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute by the Grand Canal.

Evening: Enjoy a classic Venetian gondola ride at sunset and dine on fresh seafood by the water.

Day 6: Venice → Rome

Morning: Board the high‑speed train back to Rome, watching the landscape shift from lagoon to hills.

Afternoon: Visit the historic Basilica of St John Lateran and the majestic Basilica of St Mary Major.

Evening: Wander the nearby streets, perhaps stopping at the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls for a quiet evening prayer.

Day 7: Vatican City

Morning: Enter the awe‑inspiring St Peter’s Basilica and linger in St Peter’s Square for a moment of reflection.

Afternoon: Explore the vast Vatican Museums, culminating in the breathtaking Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo’s frescoes.

Evening: Climb the historic Scala Sancta (Holy Stairs) and enjoy a tranquil dinner in the Borgo district.

Day 8: Departure from Rome

Morning: Pack, enjoy a final Italian espresso, and if time allows, a brief visit to the Catacombs of St Callixtus.

Afternoon: Transfer to Rome‑Fiumicino Airport for your onward flight.

Evening: Depart Italy with memories of art, faith, and unforgettable scenery.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Basilica of St Francis (Assisi) – 2 h, €12
• Basilica of St Clare (Assisi) – 1 h, €8
• San Damiano Church – 1 h, €5
• Eremo delle Carceri – 1.5 h, €6
• Florence Duomo (Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore) – 2 h, €18
• Baptistery of St John (Florence) – 1 h, €8
• Piazza del Duomo (Pisa) – 2 h, €30
• Basilica di Santa Croce (Florence) – 1 h, €10
• Basilica della Santissima Annunziata – 0.5 h, €5
• St Mark’s Basilica (Venice) – 1 h, €5
• Basilica of St Anthony (Padua) – 1 h, €6
• San Giorgio Maggiore Church – 1 h, €5
• Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute – 0.5 h, €3
• Basilica of St John Lateran – 1 h, €5
• Basilica of St Mary Major – 1 h, €5
• Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls – 1 h, €7
• Catacombs of St Callixtus – 2 h, €8
• St Peter’s Basilica (dome) – 1 h, €10
• Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel – 3 h, €30
• Scala Sancta – 0.5 h, €5
• Total Estimated Cost: €191

Tips

If you have extra days, consider adding a day in the Amalfi Coast for stunning sea views or a visit to Siena to deepen your Tuscan experience. Conversely, to shorten the trip, you can combine the Assisi and Florence legs by flying from Rome to Florence and using a day‑trip bus to Assisi, reducing travel time while still enjoying the main highlights.