Shrines of Northern Italy & Rome - Faith-Based Travel
Shrines of Northern Italy & Rome - Faith-Based Travel
$2361
Shrines of Northern Italy & Rome - Faith-Based Travel
9 Days Starting in Milan, Italy and ending in Rome, Italy
Visiting: Arrive In Milan, Italy, Milan, Turin, Pavia, Padua, Pomposa, Ravenna, Rome
Tour operator:
Tour code:
5360-2025
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Cultural, Festive and New Year, History, Religion and Spiritual, Special Guest Tours
Activities:
Tour Overview
Catholic heritage in Italy extends well beyond the Vatican. On this tour, discover the inspiring Catholic Italian icons of northern Italy as well as the Catholic treasures of Rome. From Milan’s St. Ambrose to Turin’s St. John Bosco and Padua’s St. Anthony, you’ll collect memories and inspiration that will remain with you for life. Visit the Holy Shroud Museum in Turin and the Gothic Duomo in Milan, and marvel at the unique beauty of the Carthusian Monastery of Pavia. Discover the history of musical notes at the Abbey of Pomposa and admire in awe the early Christian works of art of the Byzantine era in Ravenna. Spend two full days in Rome, focusing on Papal legacies. Attend the Papal Audience (subject to availability), visit the four major Basilicas of Rome, join Mass, and collect in prayer at many inspiring places of worship instilling a sense of solemnity and serenity. Enjoy a special treat as you visit the Papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo and its gardens, the perfect spot to meditate surrounded by beauty.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive In Milan,Italy
Location: Arrive In Milan, Italy
Meals Included: Dinner
Check into your hotel and, if you have time, start exploring this busy city on your own before meeting your tour companions and Tour Director during the included welcome dinner at your hotel.
Day 2: Milan
Location: Milan
Meals Included: Breakfast
Dedicate the morning to Milan’s most important Catholic churches: St Ambrose Basilica and the Gothic Duomo. St Ambrose is the patron saint of beekeepers, beggars, learners, and Milan. Celebrate [M] Mass and discover the treasures of the Basilica and the Duomo with a Local Guide.
Day 3: Milan,Turin
Location: Milan, Turin
Meals Included: Breakfast
Turin is known in the Catholic community worldwide as the home of the Holy Shroud, only available to the public on very special occasions. The city was also home to St. John Bosco, the priest who founded the Salesian religious institute to help poor children with their education during the industrial revolution. Your visit includes the Holy Shroud Museum, the Basilica of St Mary Ausiliatrice, and St John Bosco's rooms. You’ll have time to appreciate the elegance of this city and former capital of Italy before attending [M] Mass. Today's Distance: 90 mi / 145 km
Day 4: Turin,Pavia,Padua
Location: Turin, Pavia, Padua
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Pavia boasts a beautiful Carthusian Monastery, built in the 1400s by Gian Galeazzo Visconti, Duke of Milan. The monastery is one of Italy’s “hidden treasures” with lavish decorations. It is still inhabited and looked after by monks who live a life of work, seclusion, and prayer. Today's Distance: 245 mi / 395 km
Day 5: Padua,Pomposa,Ravenna
Location: Padua, Pomposa, Ravenna
Meals Included: Breakfast
Attend morning [M] Mass and visit the spectacular St. Anthony Basilica in Padua with a Local Guide, then enjoy a short city sightseeing tour and time on your own. In the afternoon, on the way to Ravenna, we’ll stop to see the Abbey of Pomposa, where the Benedictine monk Guido d’Arezzo invented modern musical notation in the 11th century. Today’s Distance: 85 mi / 137 km
Day 6: Ravenna,Rome
Location: Ravenna, Rome
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
UNESCO declared the early Christian monuments of Ravenna as having “outstanding universal value.” Ravenna was the seat of the Roman Empire in the 5th century and of Byzantine Italy until the 8th century. It has a unique collection of early Christian mosaics and places of worship. The Neonian Baptistry, the Basilica of St. Apollinare Nuovo, St. Vitale Church and the Archbishop’s Chapel of St. Andrew were all constructed in the 5th and 6th centuries. They show great artistic skill, including a wonderful blend of Greek-Roman tradition, Christian iconography, and Asian and Western styles. The morning is dedicated to discovering these masterpieces and focusing on the Byzantine-style mosaics with a Local Guide. In the afternoon, travel to Rome. Today’s Distance: 221 mi / 355 km
Day 7: Rome
Location: Rome
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today you have the unique chance to attend the Papal Audience in the Vatican (subject to availability). Afterwards, enjoy an included city tour with a Local Guide to see the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, where St. Paul was buried after his martyrdom, St. John Lateran Basilica, the Cathedral of Rome, and seat of its Bishop (the Pope) and the Holy Stairs. Said to have led Jesus to the praetorium of Pontius Pilate, the stairs were transferred to Rome by Empress St Helena. Finally, visit St. Mary Major Basilica, where a reliquary contains wood from the Holy Crib. Attend [M] Mass here before returning to your hotel.* * For operational reasons, changes to the Rome program cannot be excluded.
Day 8: Rome
Location: Rome
Meals Included: Breakfast
A special treat today: visit the Papal Summer Residence in Castel Gandolfo. Wander through its manicured gardens, an opportunity to reflect and meditate in quiet and relaxing surroundings. Walk through the rooms where many Popes have spent the summer months enjoying the cooler countryside on the hills outside Rome. * Today's Distance: 50 mi / 80 km * For operational reasons, changes to the Rome program cannot be excluded.
Day 9: Rome
Location: Rome
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
What's Included
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Welcome Dinner
Included welcome dinner at your hotel on the first day.
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Local Guides
Local guides for tours in Milan, Turin, Padua, Ravenna, and Rome.
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Mass Services
Attend Mass services at various significant churches and basilicas.
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Papal Audience
Chance to attend the Papal Audience in the Vatican (subject to availability).
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Accommodation
Accommodation in various hotels including Ramada Plaza Milano, Holiday Inn Corso Francia, Hotel NH Padova, AC Marriott, NH Ravenna, and Ibis Styles Roma Aurelia.
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Meals
Buffet breakfasts daily and 3 dinners.
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Transportation
Transportation between cities and to various tour locations.
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UNESCO Sites
Visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites including early Christian monuments of Ravenna and properties of the Holy See in Rome.
What's Not Included
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Optional Excursions
Optional excursions such as the visit to the Vatican museums are not included.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and should be purchased separately.
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Flights
International and domestic flights to and from Italy are not included.
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Papal Audience Availability
The Papal audience at the Vatican is subject to availability and not guaranteed.
Meals
Buffet breakfasts daily, 3 dinners
Notes
The Papal audience at the Vatican is subject to availability.Mass services may be in local language and venues are subject to change.Papal audience not available on departures June 11 and September 14.Rome - the 2025 Jubilee Year events may necessitate changes in the sequence of activities or the omission of certain events/places. Every effort will be made to follow the itinerary, but it may be subject to change.
UNESCO Sites
Early Christian monuments of Ravenna|Rome (St. Paul Outside the Walls)|The properties of the Holy See in Rome enjoying extraterritorial rights and San Paolo outside the Walls|Vatican City
Accommodation
Milan:Ramada Plaza MilanoTurin:Holiday Inn Corso FranciaPadua:Hotel NH PadovaPadua:AC MarriottRavenna:NH RavennaRome:Ibis Styles Roma Aurelia
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of accommodations can I expect during the tour?
You will stay in a variety of hotels including the Ramada Plaza Milano, Holiday Inn Corso Francia, Hotel NH Padova, AC Marriott, NH Ravenna, and Ibis Styles Roma Aurelia. These hotels offer amenities such as free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, fitness centers, and on-site restaurants.
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Will there be opportunities to attend Mass during the tour?
Yes, there will be multiple opportunities to attend Mass throughout the tour, including at St Ambrose Basilica in Milan, the Basilica of St Mary Ausiliatrice in Turin, and St. Anthony Basilica in Padua, among others.
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What are some of the key religious sites we will visit?
Key religious sites include St Ambrose Basilica and the Gothic Duomo in Milan, the Holy Shroud Museum and Basilica of St Mary Ausiliatrice in Turin, the Carthusian Monastery in Pavia, St. Anthony Basilica in Padua, and several early Christian monuments in Ravenna. In Rome, you will visit the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, St. John Lateran Basilica, the Holy Stairs, and St. Mary Major Basilica.
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Is there a chance to attend a Papal Audience?
Yes, there is a unique chance to attend the Papal Audience in the Vatican, subject to availability.
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What kind of meals are included in the tour?
The tour includes buffet breakfasts daily and three dinners.
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Are there any UNESCO World Heritage Sites included in the tour?
Yes, the tour includes visits to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the early Christian monuments of Ravenna, St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome, and properties of the Holy See in Rome enjoying extraterritorial rights.
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What is the significance of the visit to Castel Gandolfo?
Castel Gandolfo is the Papal Summer Residence. You will have the opportunity to wander through its manicured gardens and walk through the rooms where many Popes have spent the summer months.
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What is the distance covered during the tour?
The tour covers various distances between cities, such as 90 miles from Milan to Turin, 245 miles from Turin to Padua, 85 miles from Padua to Ravenna, and 221 miles from Ravenna to Rome.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1961
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Cosmos is committed to minimizing our impact on the environment and to reducing dependence on non-renewable resources. In this endeavor, we have implemented policies to support this mission and are working carefully to enhance our products with this mission and our values combined. We are committed to complying with all relevant legislation and/or regulations.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Travel documents, including any air tickets, itineraries, and other information, are available approximately two to three weeks prior to departure provided full payment has been received.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
All guests are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 for travel through February, 2023. Beginning March 1, 2023, while we highly recommend vaccination, we will no longer require it. We ask all guests to comply with airline and destination requirements, which still may apply. To check your destination requirements for your travel dates, view the Latest Travel & Health Restrictions for Travel.
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May 01, 2025 - May 09, 2025Wednesday - Thursday
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Sep 14, 2025 - Sep 22, 2025Thursday - Friday
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Low Deposit
Barrhead Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 98 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of barrhead travel charges.
Up to 98 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 97 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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