Please make sure your have a valid, current United States Passport. Do not wait until the last minute to apply for a passport. click here to visit a government web site that may be helpful in this matter.

Internet service and WiFi is available in most of the places you will visit. However, the service is often unstable and irregular. There are locations — usually associated with cafes — that provide internet service. The pilgrimage staff will provide direction to help in this area.

GENERAL PILGRIMAGE ITINERARY

The following is a generalized itinerary. You will receive a detailed, hourly itinerary with the Final Correspondence Packet, which will be sent approximately 4 weeks prior to your departure date.

Departure
Check your ticket receipt as soon as you receive it to make sure there are no errors. Plan to arrive at the airport at least 2-3 hours prior to your travel to check-in.

Arrival at your destination
After arriving at your destination, claim your baggage, pass through customs, and your Pilgrimage Staff will meet you. Due to possible heightened security, you may experience delays. Be patient and answer any questions addressed to you. A chartered bus will be waiting to transfer you to your lodge , unless you have been informed otherwise.

Rome
Each day there will be input and prayer. You will visit the places special to St. Francis and today’s Christians:

• St. Peter’s Basilica—The seat of Catholicism where a liturgy of praise is celebrated near the Tomb of Peter.
• St. John Lateran — The Cathedral Church of the Pope who is Bishop of Rome, and where St. Francis met the Pope.
• San Francesco a Ripa—This church is the only sanctuary in Rome dedicated to St. Francis, for he often stayed here on his visits to Rome.

An optional evening walking tour of Rome will acquaint you with many well-known places of interest. You will also have some free time to pursue your own interests such as visiting the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel (if these are open) or doing some shopping. To get a flavor of the city, there will be opportunities to join with companion pilgrims and eat out on your own in local restaurants for a few meals.

Assisi
Each day there will be input and prayer. When you are in Assisi, the city of SS. Francis and Clare, some of the following will be explored:

· Chiesa Nuova This church is built on the place that claims to have been the home and birthplace of St. Francis.

· San Damiano It was here that St. Francis had his memorable experience with the San Damiano Crucifix and also composed the Canticle of the Creatures. St. Clare lived in the monastery for more than 40 years.

· Porziuncola This is where Franciscan Gospel living began and developed. Perhaps no other place has so many memories connected with the life or death of St. Francis and the early years of the brotherhood. In addition, here is where St. Clare was received into the order.

· Basilica of St. Francis At this magnificent Basilica you can view the story of St. Francis as it unfolds in the art of Giotto, Cimabue, Simone Martini, and Lorenzetti. Eucharist may be celebrated at, or near, the Tomb of St. Francis.

· Basilica of St. Clare At this Basilica, restored after being damaged by an earthquake in 1997, visit the Chapel of St. Agnes, the Tomb of St. Clare and the San Damiano Crucifix.

· Piazza del Comune This is the central gathering place of the city of Assisi.

· San Rufino Close to St. Clare’s paternal home, this church houses the font where SS. Francis and Clare were baptized. St. Francis preached here.

Greccio / Rieti Valley
Between Assisi and Rome you will pass through the Rieti Valley and Greccio, where St. Francis popularized the custom of the Christmas crib. A Christmas liturgy or prayer service will be celebrated, usually followed by a festive Christmas dinner.

Israel / Jordan (Holy Land Pilgrimages)
Each day there Eucharist, time for prayer and reflection and
input. As your journey as pilgrims, you relationship with Jesus through Scripture and spirituality of place will deepen each day. You will visit, experience and pray at all or some of these places:

Bethlehem Jericho
Calvary Mount of Beatitudes
Cana Mount of Olives
Capernaum Mount Tabor
Dead Sea Petra
Gethsemane River Jordan
Holy Sepulcher Western Wall

While there are so many books written on the Holy Land, we have selected “The Pilgrim’s New Guide to the Holy Land” by Steven Doyle (1999) as a viable and timeless text to support your reflection on the spirit and history of the holy places you will visit.

Will the hotels we stay in have hair dryers/irons for use or do travelers need to take them? 

CASA PAPA GIOVANNI IN ASSISI HAS HAIR DRYERS IN ROOMS.  IT IS A PROBLEM WITH CONVERTERS FOR HAIR DRYERS WITH FUSES BLOWING OUT.

Will the standard “Italy” converters work for small appliances in our hotels?

YES, BUT ONE NEEDS TO BE CAREFUL.  SOME AMERICAN CONVERTERS DO NOT WORK WELL.  CONVERTERS CHANGE FROM 220 VOLTAGE (ITALY) TO 110 VOLTAGE (USA) SO THAT AMERICAN APLLICANCES CAN WORK.  THERE ARE ADAPTERS – THESE ARE PLUGS THAT YOU PLUG YOUR TYPICAL AMERICAN PLUG –  TWO PRONGED PLUG  INTO SO THAT YOU CAN PLUG YOUR AMERICAN PLUG INTO THE ITALIAN PLUG (THICKER TWO PRONGED PLUGS) INTO THE SOCKET.  MOST ELECTRIC RAZORS ARE DUAL VOLTAGE AND YOU JUST NEED AN ADAPTER AND NOT A CONVERTER.  HAIR DRYERS ARE ANOTHER THING.  THEY COULD BE PROBLEMATIC.  YOU JUST HAVE TO BE CAREFUL.

Do you need multiple Italian converters?  

ONLY THE 220/110 CONVERTERS CAN BE USED.  MOST TRAVEL STORES HAVE THE CONVERTER (USUALLY WITH AN ADAPTER AS WELL).

Do small appliances require a converter and an adapter? 

RAZORS, LATOPS, SOME RADIOS AND CLOCKS USE THE 220 VOLTAGE AND YOU JUST NEED THE ADAPTOR.  FOR OTHERS, YOU WOULD NEED BOTH A CONVERTER AND AN ADAPTOR.

Do US cell phones work in Italy?  

THERE ARE SOME US CELL PHONES THAT WORK IN ITALY BUT THE ROAMING CHARGES ARE VERY HIGH.  YOUR PHONE MAY HAVE TO BE “UNLOCKED” SO IT WILL WORK IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY. CHECK WITH YOUR PHONE SERVICE PROVIDER AT LEAST TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE PILGRIMAGE. WE TEACH PEOPLE HOW TO USE PHONE CARDS THAT CAN BE USED TO MAKE CALLS TO THE US.  ALSO, ON YOUR SCHEDULE, THERE IS A PHONE NUMBER FOR ALL THE PLACES YOU WILL BE

Are there phones in rooms?  

IN ASSISI, THERE IS A PHONE IN THE ROOM BUT WE DON’T RECOMMEND USING THEM BECAUSE OF THE EXPENSE.

Are there private bathrooms in the hotel rooms?  

Yes, all rooms come with their own bathroom.

What about Italian pickpockets — how do we keep things safe — what is suggested?  

THERE ARE PICKPOCKETS IN ANY LARGE CITY (MORE SO ROME THAN ASSISI).  BE CAREFUL, BE STREET SMART, ONLY CARRY A PHOTOCOPY OF YOUR PASSPORT AND ONLY ENOUGH MONEY YOU WILL NEED WHEN YOU ARE WALKING AROUND OR IN THE CITIES.  DON’T CARRY JEWELRY OR A LOT OF CREDIT CARDS ON YOU AS YOU WALK AROUND THE CITIES.  WHEN YOU GET TO YOUR ROOM, LOCK UP YOUR PASSPORT/AIRLINE TICKET (IF NOT ELECTRONIC), VALUABLES, IN A SUITCASE THAT CAN BE LOCKED.  THERE IS NO NEED TO TAKE ALONG EXPENSIVE JEWELRY.  THE MORE YOU TAKE WITH YOU ON THE STREETS, THE EASIER IT IS TO LOSE.

What type of security are in the hotels we will be staying in at night? 

A few of our lodgings have a curfew at night that requires you to be in at a designated time. Exceptions can be made; ask your pilgrimage leader in case of necessity. Most locations also have security camera systems in place for common areas. Most rooms have small safes in them.

If someone gets sick on our trip, do you have local contacts to help with doctor, hospital or dental needs?

YES, WE HAVE LOCAL CONTACTS FOR DOCTORS, DENTISTS AND HOSPITALS IN THE CITIES WE WILL VISIT.  PLEASE TAKE ENOUGH MEDICATION WITH YOU. ALSO, THERE IS ALWAYS A SLIGHT CHANCE THAT YOUR LUGGAGE MAY GET TEMPORARILY DELAYED, SO TAKE ENOUGH MEDICATION WITH YOU ON YOUR PERSON WHEN YOU BOARD THE PLANES.  MEDICAL CARE IN ITALY IS VERY SOPHISTICATED.

Do you recommend use of traveler’s cheques, credit cards or ATMs as a Source of cash while traveling?  

ATMS ARE GOOD BUT MAKE SURE YOUR PIN WILL WORK IN FOREIGN ATM MACHINES.  TRAVELER CHECKS ARE OKAY.  WE WILL PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES TO EXCHANGE DOLLARS AND TRAVELER CHECKS INTO EUROS.  MAKE SURE TO BRING ENOUGH MONEY FOR GIFTS, ETC.  CREDIT CARDS MAY NOT ALWAYS BE ACCEPTED ESPECIALLY IN PLACES WHERE YOU ARE LOOKING FOR SMALL GIFTS OR GELATO.