Faith In Travel invites you to join "From Brescia To The Heart of Italy With Fr. Larry Hostetter," a Catholic pilgrimage through Italy from September 20th to September 30th, 2025. This spiritual journey begins in Rome, where pilgrims will visit significant basilicas such as Santa Cecilia, San Francesco a Ripa, and Santa Maria in Aracoeli and explore the Vatican Museum.  The tour continues to Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis, and Gubbio, where St. Francis tamed the wolf. Travelers will then venture north to Verona, followed by Desenzano, the birthplace of St. Angela Merici, and the picturesque town of Sirmione. The pilgrimage culminates in Brescia, the namesake of Brescia University in Owensboro, Kentucky, offering participants from the university a unique opportunity to experience their institution's Italian roots. This 11-day journey promises to be a deeply meaningful exploration of Catholic heritage and Italian culture.

Deadline to register:  April 30, 2025

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Faith in Travel highly recommends obtaining travel insurance to protect your investment. Travel insurance is non-refundable and needs to be purchased prior to final payment. Faith in Travel works with Travelex Insurance Services.  Please note that for all pre-existing conditions, insurance must be purchased within 21 days of the first initial trip payment.   

For more information and to purchase a policy, click here:  https://www.travelexinsurance.com/?location=17-0069&go=bp&navigation=off

Depart from USA 

Arrive in Rome late the morning of September 20th  

Arrive in Rome Fiumicino Airport and take a chartered bus from airport to hotel. 

Check in at hotel. Enjoy a walking tour of Rome with English speaking guide touring Basilica of St. Cecilia, San Francesco a Ripa, Santa Maria in Aracoeli, San Bonaventura al Palatino and the Roman Forum.  Mass will be offered during the day.  A Welcome dinner will be the highlight of the evening.

Enjoy Breakfast at the hotel followed by a Free leisurely morning.  Join the Holy Father for the Papal Angelus at noon.  Lunch will follow in Borgo Pio.  Then walk to Chiesa del Gesù – Sant’Ignazio – Piazza Navona and Pantheon  with English speaking guide.  Mass will be offered in the afternoon.  Dinner will be enjoyed at Scaletta degli Artisti.  After a wonderful day of touring, return to the hotel.

After breakfast, depart from Hotel and walk to the Vatican Museums for the visit of the Museums, followed by the visit of the Basilica with your guide.  You will enjoy a free afternoon for lunch and exploring. Mass in the Basilica of St. Peter.  Enjoy authentic Italian pizza at Restaurant O’Pazzariello.  Return to the hotel.

After breakfast depart from Hotel at approx. 9:00  with chartered bus to Assisi. Check in at the Hotel in Assisi at 12.00.  Enjoy lunch at Hotel Minerva.  Afterwards, meet your English speaking guides and visit Santa Maria Maggiore (the resting place of Blessed Carlo Acutis), S. Rufino, Basilica di Santa Chiara.  Mass will be celebrated during the day.  In the afternoon take a coach to S Maria degli Angeli and visit Porziuncola and Chapel of the Transition.  

After breakfast, visit the Basilica of San Frances followed by Daily Mass to be held at the S. Bonaventura Chapel.  Depart from Assisi by chartered bus and move to Montefalco.  Meet Former Mayor of Montefalco for private visit of St. Frances Museum then move to the winery “Bocale Vini” for wine making explanation and wine tasting. Weather permitting tasting will be experienced in the vineyards, alternatively in case of rain, indoors.  Return to Assisi 

After breakfast leave Assisi for Gubbio approx. 2 hrs drive.  Check in at the Hotel.  Meet the English speaking guide and visit Piazza Grande, Palazzo dei Consoli, Palazzo del Bargello . Duomo of Gubbio, Church of St. Frances and Church of St. Frances of peace (episode of the wolf), Roman Theater and Antiquarium of Gubbio .  Lunch in Gubbio during the tour.  Return to Hotel in the evening for dinner at the Hotel.  

After breakfast move to a nearby farm for a cooking class. Enjoy what has been prepared during lunch:  First course – main course (meat) and dessert.  In the afternoon visit a nearby Olive oil factory to learn the olive oil making process and participate in an Olive oil tasting.  Travel to Desenzano the birthplace of St. Angela Merici.  Arrive in the evening at the Hotel in Desenzano  with dinner at the Hotel 

After breakfast depart with chartered bus to Verona. Visit Verona and enjoy the Romeo and Juliet tour.  After the visit, take the bus and drive to a Winery in Valpolicella for wine tasting of 8 different wines and a late lunch.  Visit the cellars and learn the wine making procedures.  Return to Hotel in the evening for a light dinner in a restaurant by the lakeside 

After breakfast walk to St. Angela Merici’s birthplace, the Cathedral, Piazza Malvezzi,    Via Santa Maria and Suore Orsoline. Take the bus and proceed to Località Le Grezze and Machetto.  After the morning tour, board the boat to Sirmione, meet your English speaking guide, and start the visit of this jewel of Lake Garda. Depart for Brescia.  Check in and enjoy dinner at the Hotel Master in Brescia.

After breakfast meet your English speaking guide for an half day visit of Brescia, Italy.  Enjoy lunch in the city centre  and the afternoon at the University of Brescia.  We will wrap up the trip with a wonderful Farewell Dinner at the Hotel.

After breakfast departure from Brescia to Milan Airport for flight back to Nashville