Overview
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Small Group Discovery
Each Cosmos faith-based vacation is limited to an average of just 24 guests per departure. There’s always room to roam with extra space between you and other travelers—while still getting up close and personal to the experiences you’ve been dreaming of. Small-Group Discoveries include all the features of a traditional Cosmos escorted vacation, complete with expert Tour Director, Driver, and Local Guides who ensure that your health and safety is our top priority. A Small-Group Discovery vacation is the perfectly sized tour—without the crowds.
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See offer details2021 Tour itinerary
Total meals included:
- 8 breakfasts, 4 dinners
ARRIVE IN ROME, ITALY.
Day1
Welcome to Italy! Check into your hotel, with rest of the day free to explore on your own. This afternoon, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers, and prepare for your upcoming spiritual journey. Later this evening, a welcome dinner awaits at your hotel.
Meals included:
- Dinner
ROME.
Day2
This morning, attend the PAPAL AUDIENCE (subject to availability) for the chance to see the Pope and receive the Papal Blessing. Later, with a Local Guide visit ST. PAUL OUTSIDE THE WALLS, burial place of St. Paul the Apostle and one of Rome’s four major Papal basilicas, along with ST. JOHN LATERAN BASILICA. Next, visit the SCALA SANCTA (Holy Stairs), transported from Jerusalem to Rome around 326 AD by St. Helena, Emperor Constantine’s mother. These 28 marble steps are traditionally ascended in a kneeling position with a prayer recital dedicated to Jesus Christ. Then, visit the impressive ST. MARY MAJOR BASILICA and attend M Mass.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
ROME. EXCURSION TO CASTEL GANDOLFO.
Day3
A different, quite unique experience is offered today. We will take an included excursion to Castel Gandolfo, a quaint village in the hills outside Rome, to visit the PAPAL SUMMER RESIDENCE and GARDENS with a Local Guide. Visit the rooms that have been occupied by many Popes over the centuries and enjoy the opportunity to reflect and meditate in quiet and relaxing surroundings. In the afternoon, enjoy time at leisure in Rome or join the optional excursion to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, world famous for Michelangelo’s impressive fresco of The Last Judgment.
Today's Distance: 50 mi / 80 km
Meals included:
- Breakfast
ROME–PIETRELCINA–SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO
Day4
On your way south, stop in quaint Pietrelcina, to visit the house where the beloved St. Pio was born, before heading towards San Giovanni Rotondo on the east coast, the Saint’s home from 1916 until his death in 1968.
Today's Distance: 258 mi / 415 km
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO. EXCURSION TO MONTE SANT’ANGELO.
Day5
Attend M Mass this morning at SANTA MARIA DELLE GRAZIE (Old Church), then visit the FRIARY of Padre Pio, including his tomb, cell, confessional, and the PADRE PIO PILGRIMAGE CHURCH (New Church). Afterwards, take a short drive to the nearby SHRINE OF MONTE SANT’ANGELO, one of Christendom’s most celebrated shrines, where St. Michael the Archangel appeared in 490, 492, and 1656. Tonight, attend the evening candlelight procession in San Giovanni Rotondo.
Today's Distance: 43 mi / 70 km
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO–LANCIANO–LORETO–ASSISI AREA.
Day6
Visit ST. FRANCIS’ church in Lanciano, home of the Sanctuary of the Eucharistic Miracle, and attend morning M Mass. Continue to the SANCTUARY OF LORETO, including the HOLY HOUSE, where, according to tradition, angels transported the home of the blessed Virgin Mary. Arrive at the hilltop village of Assisi, home of St. Francis and St. Clare.
Today's Distance: 298 mi / 480 km
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
ASSISI.
Day7
Today, learn more about St. Francis, patron saint of animals and the environment. Attend early morning M Mass at ST. FRANCIS BASILICA, famous for its 14th-century Giotto paintings depicting the life of St. Francis. Meet your Local Guide and visit the UPPER and LOWER BASILICAS of St. Francis and the BASILICA OF ST. CLARE, founder of the Order of Poor Clares. Next, visit the BASILICA of Santa Maria degli Angeli, situated at the foot of Assisi’s hills and protecting the Porziuncola, where St. Francis is said to have founded the Order of Friars Minor in 1209, and the Cappella del Transito, where the saint died in 1226.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
ASSISI AREA–CASCIA–ROME.
Day8
Travel to Cascia this morning, situated in Umbria and home of St. Rita, the “Patron Saint of Impossible Causes.” Visit the SANCTUARY and see the Major Basilica, the chapel that houses the tomb of St. Rita. Also, see the Minor Basilica, home of the Eucharistic Miracle that is commemorated each year with the Feast of Corpus Christi. Return to Rome for a final overnight stay.
Today's Distance: 149 mi / 240 km
Meals included:
- Breakfast
ROME.
Day9
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
Things to note
May 21 Departure St. Pio's feast day ( May 25)September 19 Departure Anniversary of the passing of St. Pio (September 23) – No Papal audience on this departure.
Extend your stay
Hotels
It may occasionally be necessary to use alternative hotels of a similar standard to those shown.
Club House
Superior Tourist-Class
Hotel Club House is located in a quiet area behind Rome's Via Aurelia, 100 m from Rome's Cornelia Metro Station and 3 stops away from the Vatican City (2 from the Vatican Museums). All 105 guestrooms boast simple but elegant design furnishings in warm colors and Italian woods and offer air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and satellite TV. Breakfast is a buffet of fresh cakes and pastries and the in-house bar serves a range of refreshing wines, exotic cocktails, and snacks.
Location
Via Andrea Alciato, 14/16, Rome, Italy
Hotel Facilities
- Concierge desk
- Luggage Storage
- Free WiFi
- Bar/Lounge
- Elevator
Room Facilities
- Mini-bar
- Climate Control
- Iron/Ironing Board
- Hair Dryer
- Room Service
- In-Room Safe
- Air Conditioning
- Desk
- Cable/Satellite
- Phone
- Television
- Air Conditioning (Seasonal)
- Complimentary Toiletries
- Internet Access
Pineta Palace
Moderate First-Class
The Hotel Pineta Palace is a 4-star hotel in Rome, located not far from Vatican City.
Location
Via San Lino Papa, Roma, Italy
Hotel Facilities
- Ice Machine
- Currency Exchange
- Restaurant On-Site
- Laundry Available
- Luggage Storage
- Fitness Room
- Business Center
- Elevator
- Parking/Valet
- Concierge desk
- Bar/Lounge
- Gift Shop
Room Facilities
- Mini-bar
- Wake-Up Calls
- Desk
- Complimentary Newspaper
- Air Conditioning
- Phone
- Window Opens
- Cable/Satellite
- Alarm Clock
- In-Room Safe
- Internet Access
- Non-smoking Rooms
- Room Service
- Television
- Disabled Access / Rooms
- Hair Dryer
Parco Delle Rose
First-Class
This family-run, 205-room hotel boasts a large outdoor area with an Olympic-size swimming pool, a wonderful sun terrace and a room with a grand piano. The in-house restaurant offers both traditional and international cuisine and Free Wi-Fi access is available throughout the property.
Location
Viale Also Moro, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
Hotel Facilities
- Pool
- Luggage Storage
- Free WiFi
- Restaurant On-Site
- Laundry Available
- Bar/Lounge
- Elevator
Room Facilities
- Room Service
- Alarm Clock
- Cable/Satellite
- Mini-bar
- Hair Dryer
- Television
- In-Room Safe
- Climate Control
- Window Opens
- Disabled Access / Rooms
- Non-smoking Rooms
- Air Conditioning
- Desk
- Internet Access
- Air Conditioning (Seasonal)
- Wake-Up Calls
- Complimentary Toiletries
- Phone
Casa Leonori
First-Class
Casa Leonori is located in Santa Maria degli Angeli, facing the Subasio Hills on which lies the Assisi Basilica. This 60-room hotel is set in its own courtyard and boasts a a gourmet restaurant and spacious communal areas. The adjacent courtyard offers a nice alternative to relax with its green and peaceful location. Free Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout the property.
Location
Via G. Borsi, 11 / 13, Santa Maria Degli Angeli, Assisi, Italy
Hotel Facilities
- Elevator
- Restaurant On-Site
- Free WiFi
- Bar/Lounge
- Laundry Available
- Luggage Storage
Room Facilities
- Window Opens
- Room Service
- Cable/Satellite
- Phone
- Disabled Access / Rooms
- Non-smoking Rooms
- Alarm Clock
- Air Conditioning
- Television
- Complimentary Toiletries
- Climate Control
- Air Conditioning (Seasonal)
- Wake-Up Calls
- In-Room Safe
- Desk
- Hair Dryer
- Internet Access
