Italy

Rome and the Vatican City with Canon Neil Roberts

Prices from £1,650 pp

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‘After I have been to Jerusalem, I must also see Rome’ (Acts of the Apostles).

This comprehensive programme of sightseeing offers the opportunity to encounter some of the great saints who have shaped Western Christianity. We focus on the city’s patron saints, Peter and Paul and visit St Peter’s Basilica and St Paul’s Outside the Walls. Guided visits to the Cathedral of Rome, St John Lateran and the Basilica of St Mary Major, home of the burial place of Pope Francis are also included. We drive along the Via Appia Antica, the route Peter and Paul would have taken entering Rome, to discover the underground burial sites and places of worships for the early Christian community; with our local guide we appreciate the grandeur of ancient Rome by walking past the Roman Forum, Coliseum and visiting one of the hidden gems of Rome, the Basilica of San Clemente and its underground layers of history encapsulating the stunning phases of the ancient city. Our visit also include the medieval quarter of central Rome and sites such as Piazza Navona, the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain. The bustle of Rome is contrasted with the peace of our strategically located accommodation. Set just outside Rome in the Castelli region, Villa Palazzola offers stunning views over the extinct volcanic Lake Albano.

We invite you to join us on this pilgrimage which promises to be a spiritually enriching experience.

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Itinerary

Travel to Rome

Fly from London to Rome Fiumicino. On arrival we will be met by our tour manager and transfer to our accommodation located just outside Rome in the hills of the Castelli region. Four-night stay at Villa Palazzola overlooking the extinct volcanic Lake Albano. Dinner at Villa Palazzola.
San Clemente and Ancient Rome

This morning we call at the Basilica of San Clemente, the first of six Titular churches we shall visit, built over the site of a C4th Titular Church. We visit the 12th century Basilica and see its magnificent mosaics and early renaissance frescoes; as well as the underground 4th century church housing some of the world’s finest medieval frescos and the lowest level by entering the 1st century area with its Mithraic temple. We then walk past the Coliseum and the Roman Forum to appreciate the grandeur and immense scale of ancient Rome.

Today we hope to join the congregation at the Anglican center for Eucharist followed by lunch.

This afternoon we continue to the medieval quarter of central Rome to discover sites such as Piazza Navona and the Pantheon. From here we then walk to the Trevi Fountain. Return to Villa Palazzola for dinner.
Catacombs and the main Basilicas

This morning we drive along the Via Appia Antica to the catacombs of St Sebastian, through which we will be guided. We then continue to the Basilica of St-Paul-Outside-the-Walls, built over the saint’s tomb, before returning to our accommodation.

After some free time for lunch at own cost, we transfer by coach to two of the Major Basilicas: St Mary Major and the Cathedral of Rome – St John Lateran. We cross the road here to see the Scala Santa – the steps brought back by Empress Helena from Jerusalem in the fourth century and said to be those ascended by Christ on his way to Pilate. Return to Villa Palazzola for dinner.
The Basilica of St. Peter and the Vatican

This morning we have a guided tour of the Basilica of St Peter which houses the Michelangelo’s Pieta, the artwork of Bernini and the tombs of several popes, including St John Paul II. Lunch The afternoon is free to have lunch and wander at your leisure and visit other places of interest. You may wish to take the opportunity to visit the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel (pre-booking advised). Return to Villa Palazzola for dinner.
Home

We transfer to Rome Airport for our return flight to London.

Essential Information

The cost is £1,650 per person sharing a double or twin room. There is a limited number of single rooms available.

We stay at Villa Palazzola a 13th century Cistercian monastery set in a stunning lakeside location in the hills of the Castelli region South of Rome. The monastery, owned by the Venerable English College in Rome, has been fully refurbished and modernised and offers breathtaking views over the lake. The tour includes daily breakfast and dinner, plus one lunch. Touring is by air-conditioned coach and we will be accompanied by our tour guide who will look after the formalities of hotel check-ins, etc. All entrance fees are included as well as gratuities; these will be disbursed locally to those who help us on our journey. The tour price also includes return flights to Italy, flying from London to Rome. All airport and security charges are included.

Not included

Travel insurance: this is essential. We require all travellers to have adequate cancellation and medical coverage for their journey.We recommend the policy with Holiday Extras who offer a comprehensive policy as well as yearly policies that also cover short UK overnight stays.

Special Requests: any special requirements, such as dietary needs, mobility assistance, and any other requests should be noted at the time of booking.

Completing your Booking: please ensure that we have your full name (as in your passport), correct address, email address and contact numbers as soon as your booking is confirmed. We will need your passport details no later than 10 weeks before departure.

Payments: A non-refundable deposit of £500 per person is required to secure your place. The final balance is due 12 weeks before departure.

Late Bookings: please note that for any late bookings made within 12 weeks of departure, the price may increase due to the fluctuating cost of flights. If this arises, we will always discuss this with you before processing the booking.

Final Travel Documents: will be sent to you via email, two weeks before departure.

Practical information

Entry requirements

British Citizen and EU Citizen Passport holders can currently enter Italy freely with no restrictions or other documentation required. Stays within the EU can be up to 90 days (can be spread over multiple visits) within any 180-day period.

Please note your passport must be valid for three months after your return from Italy.

Full details of entry requirements and any required vaccinations will be detailed in your final paperwork 14 days before departure.

For the latest and most up to date travel advice including entry requirements please consult the Foreign & Commonwealth Development Office travel advice website.

www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

Health & wellbeing

For travel within the EU you should ensure that you have the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) which is free of charge. You can apply for the GHIC card by calling 0191 218 1999 or applying on line at…

www.nhs.uk/ghic

The level of cover offered by the GHIC card varies by country visited and is only applicable in state-run health facilities. In some countries coverage may just be a partial contribution.

Adequate insurance cover will be required for all hospital emergencies and doctors’ visits.

Mobility

There is a certain amount of walking (and stairs) involved on a daily basis on this holiday so please make sure you pack comfy footwear for this so that you are prepared. Your Local Guides will keep you updated on a daily basis with what to expect the following day. If you are finding it difficult to keep up, then please make sure you tell your Local Guide and Group Leader who can help you to find places to rest and relax and then you can re-join the group at a later stage.

Some streets in towns and villages that you will visit will be cobbled. We suggest you take a pair of comfortable shoes with good grips or trainers. For your guided walking tours in Rome and Assisi you must be prepared to be on your feet for up to 90 minutes without the need to sit down and walk two to three flights of stairs unaided.

The McCabe Educational Trust

The McCabe Educational Trust is an independent registered charity with the aim of helping inspiring people we meet on some of our pilgrimages. As ‘the haves’ encounter the ‘have nots’ the Trust has become a practical tool for one to help the other.

McCabe Pilgrimages invite all travellers to become partners in this work. A £20 voluntary donation to the Trust’s work is added to every pilgrim’s invoice and all money raised in this way is given in full to the projects the Trust supports. This scheme is voluntary and confidential with nobody put under any pressure to participate.

Travel insurance

Ensuring that your holidays are appropriately protected is one of our main priorities. That’s why we have specifically chosen Holiday Extras as our *preferred travel insurance provider to ensure that you are protected before and whilst you are travelling. Holiday Extras offer McCabe Travel guests favourable rates for single trip, multi-trip and annual policies.

For more information or to obtain a quote click below for their website

https://www.holidayextras.com/travel-insurance

Or call them on 0800 083 3551 to speak to a friendly advisor.

Please quote AG628 upon calling to receive the best rates.

Full financial security

All money paid to McCabe is fully secure. Holidays including flights are covered by our ATOL license from the Civil Aviation Authority, and holidays without flights are protected by our membership of the ABTOT bonding scheme. If a pilgrimage is cancelled, for instance through lack of numbers or for political considerations, McCabe will promptly refund all monies paid.

AITO Quality Statement

McCabe Pilgrimages is a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators. The Association represents Britain’s leading independent tour operators and encourages high standards of quality and service. McCabe abides by the Association’s Code of Conduct and adheres to the AITO Quality Charter.

You can read McCabe reviews on the AITO website here

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Dates

Upcoming Pilgrimages

We have no tours scheduled to this destination at present. Please contact us if you would like to lead or join a tour.

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