Italy, Lourdes, Fatima

Flights

• Flights can originate from anywhere in the U.S. where published. (same price)

Hotels

Hotels listed below are our preferred hotels. If reservations cannot be made at one or more of these locations, a comparable hotel will be reserved. We only use 4 or 5 star accommodations.

Trip Includes

• Flights can originate from anywhere in the U.S. where published. (same price)
• Daily Mass is available but not mandatory. Proximo Travel has always one or more Catholic Priests accompanying the group as chaplain(s).
• Airport Taxes, Security Fees & Fuel Surcharges
• Transfers as per itinerary
• 4 or 5 star Hotels in Downtown Areas
• Transportation with Luxury Bus
• All Breakfasts and all Dinners. Wine included with all dinners
• All Tips to Driver, Hotel, and Tour Guide
• Guided Tours and Tour Fees
• Luggage handling (1 piece per person)
• Remember: Our trips are not more expensive during high season ~  Passengers will never be expected to pay extra for anything while on the trip ~ Our group size is small to medium ~ We always wait for passengers and never leave anyone behind ~ There are no extra charges if a passenger would like to depart from overseas at a later date

Trip Does Not Include

• Lunch
• Travel Cancellation Protection Policy (optional) : $200 per person
• $400 surcharge for those flying from Hawaii or Alaska

Trip Itinerary

• Day 1: Departure from USA.
• Day 2: Arrival. Rest for a few hours. Visit Basilica of St. Paul outside the Wall where the body of St. Paul is buried. It is the 2nd largest basilica in Rome and the 5th in the world. Check in the hotel. In the afternoon, 0ur private bus will take us to the town where the Pope’s Summer Residence is located: the charming Castel Gandolfo with its spectacular Lake Albano. Awesome place just like those towns you see on TV. Wine Tasting and opening night dinner at 6:00 pm at a local upscale restaurant: eat where the Italians eat. Several courses of delicious Italian food. Unlimited red and white wine included. Casual dress. Overnight in Rome.
• Day 3: Late Start. Visit the Colosseum in the morning. The Colosseum, the symbol of the city of Rome , is a great building that has been standing since 80 A.D. In the afternoon go to St. John Lateran, the first Basilica ever to be built in the Roman Empire and then visit the Catacombs. The Catacombs are breathtaking. 500,000 people were buried there.  Back at the Hotel around 5:30 pm. Rest for an hour. Dinner around the hotel area at 6:45 pm. Red and white wine included. Overnight in Rome.
• Day 4: Start the day by visiting St. Mary Major, the main Basilica dedicated to Mary in Rome. We will see the remains of Jesus’ manger, the tomb of Bernini, the remains of St. Matthew the Evangelist, the tomb of St. Jerome, and the oldest icon in the world of the Virgin Mary painted by St. Luke: the famous Salus Populi Romani. We will visit the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel (the Pope's private Chapel) and St. Peter's in the Vatican, the largest Basilica in the world.  Long pants, capris, or skirts below the knee, shoulders covered. Dinner and overnight Rome.
• Day 5: Private bus around 7:30 am to the Vatican to experience the 10:00 am Audience with the Pope. We will see the Pope very closely; sometimes we even shake his hand.  We will visit the Spanish Steps. This is the place where Romans hung out. Walk to Trevi Fountain for lunch and shopping. Walk to Pantheon, the oldest functional building in the world and then to the great artistic place of Piazza Navona around 4:30 pm. Dinner at Piazza Navona. Red and white wine included. Casual Dress throughout the day. Overnight in Rome.
• Day 6: En route to Florence stop in Assisi. See the tombs of St. Francis and St.Clare, enjoy a peaceful walk on the streets of Assisi. Dinner in Assisi. Overnight in Florence.
• Day 7: Tour of Venice: an amazing city built on water. Leave for Venice in the morning on our private bus. Estimate time of arrival is 11:00 am. Visit St. Mark’s plaza. Optional: Gondola ride and shopping. Dinner in Tuscany at a local restaurant. Red and white wine included. Back to Hotel 10:00 pm. Long pants if you intend to go inside St. Mark’s. Casual dress if you intend to go on a Gondola ride or spend time shopping and visiting the beautiful streets and bridges of Venice. Overnight in Florence.
• Day 8: Tour of Florence in the region of Tuscany. Tour of the Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, the Uffizzi, Michelangelo's masterpiece, The David, Flea Market, Duomo (Cathedral), and the Baptistery. Tour Guide will show to those interested the location of Basilica of San Lorenzo and the Medici Chapel (where the Medici family was buried), and Basilica della Santa Croce (where Michelangelo and 15 other glorious Italian artists and thinkers were buried). Dinner in Florence. Red and white wine included. Casual dress throughout the day. Overnight in Florence.
• Day 9: Fly from Florence to Lourdes. Upon arrival, you will be met by your tour guide and motor coach for transfer to the hotel. After checking into the hotel, we will enjoy dinner and participate in the Rosary Candlelight Procession at the Shrine. Dinner and overnight in Lourdes.
• Day 10: We will start the day by celebrating Mass at the Grotto of Apparitions. We will enjoy a walking tour of Lourdes visiting places associated with St. Bernadette’s life, which is helpful to understand the 1858 Apparition. Afternoon is free to visit the Grotto, the underground Basilica or the “Miraculous Baths”. After dinner, gather for the evening Candlelight Rosary Procession. Dinner and overnight in Lourdes.
• Day 11: Fly from Lourdes to Fatima.  Upon arrival in Lisbon travel to Fatima by private bus to check-in at the hotel. Free afternoon in Fatima. Dinner and overnight in Fatima.
• Day 12: Late Start. Full day in Fatima. Start off your days by going to Mass at the Little Chapel of the Apparitions. We will see the Basilica, the site of Francesco and Jacinta's graves, the Hamlet of Aljustrel, where the children lived, and Valinhos, the site of Our Lady's appearance after the children's return from prison. Experience Christ's love as you walk and follow the Stations of the Cross along the Via Sacra (The Sacred Way) culminating in the Chapel of Calvary, which overlooks all of Fatima. Join pilgrims from around the world in an evening candlelight procession to pray the rosary for the sick and drink water from the miraculous well. Time for private devotions before dinner and overnight in Fatima.
• Day 13: Depart Fatima for your return flight home to USA.

General Trip Information