In the Footsteps of Pier Giorgio

A Pilgrimage with Frassati Catholic High School

March 7 - 15, 2025

About

Join Frassati Catholic High School and Verso Ministries on a pilgrimage to Italy to experience the fullness of life and the beauty of the Catholic Church. Intentionally handcrafted with time for prayer and reflection, this pilgrimage will offer inspiring encounters with sites central to our Catholic faith and especially Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati, incredible walks through history throughout the Italian Peninsula, and a taste of the best that Italian culture has to offer. This pilgrimage is happening during the 2025 Jubilee Year.

Trip Details

Group Type

Private - Frassati Catholic High School

Length

9 days, 8 nights

Accommodations

Simple

Cost

As low as

$5,050

Deposit:

$$350

What's Included

Professional, licensed tour guide(s)
Catholic Chaplain
Roundtrip airfare
Daily Mass
All tickets for included activities listed on itinerary
Private transportation on motor coach
Simple accommodations
Breakfast daily at hotel, 7 dinners
Audio headsets
Verso pilgrimage booklets & pilgrim kits

Itinerary

March 7
Depart U.S.
  • Depart from U.S. (flights included in the package)
March 8
Milan, Pollone, Biella (D)
  • Arrive Milan
  • Transfer to Pollone
  • Visit Villa Ametis (Blessed Frassati’s family home) with Mass
  • Welcome dinner
  • Overnight in Biella
  • Accommodations: Oropa Sanctuary or similar
  • Meals included: Dinner
March 9
Turin (B, D)
  • (Optional) AM hike at Oropa Sanctuary
  • Mass at Oropa Sanctuary
  • Transfer to Turin
  • Tour at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, with veneration of the tomb of Blessed Pier Giorgio
  • Walking tour in Turin
  • Dinner
  • Overnight in Turin
  • Accommodations: Euro Hotel, Sharing Hotel, or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
March 10
Turin, Bologna, Florence (B, D)
  • Early morning Mass at local Church
  • Transfer to Florence with enroute stop in Bologna
  • Tour of St. Dominic Basilica and Bologna
  • Overnight in Florence
  • Accommodations: Hotel Pitti Palace or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
March 11
Florence (B, D)
  • Mass at local Church
  • Visit the Uffizi Gallery
  • Breakout Site Tours: Santa Croce, Duomo, Santo Spirito, Bargello, Accademia, San Marco, Pitti Palace, San Lorenzo
  • Walk to San Miniato & Piazzale Michelangelo
  • Overnight in Florence
March 12
Florence, Orvieto, Rome (B, D)
  • Transfer to Rome with enroute stop in Orvieto
  • Arrive Rome
  • Walking tour of Ancient Rome – Capitoline Hill, overview of the Forum (exterior view only), Coliseum (exterior view only)
  • Evening Mass at Santa Maria Sopra Minerva (if possible given timing of schedule)
  • Overnight in Rome
  • Accommodations: Hotel Marc’Aurelio or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
March 13
Rome (B, D)
  • Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica followed by tour
  • Walking tour of Christian Rome
  • Service Opportunity (organized by the group)
  • Overnight in Rome
  • Accommodations: Hotel Marc’Aurelio or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
March 14
Rome (B, D)
  • Mass at Stations Church with the NAC (group leader led)
  • Morning Scavi tour or tour of Catacombs of St. Sebastian (pending availability)
  • Afternoon Breakout Site Tours: Borghese, Forum/Colosseo, Trastevere/Santa Maria in Trastevere, Great Synagogue, etc.
  • Farewell dinner
  • Overnight in Rome
  • Accommodations: Hotel Marc’Aurelio or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
March 15
Departure (B)
  • Transfer to Rome airport and depart for the U.S.
  • Meals included: Breakfast

Pricing

As low as

$5,050

Package Cost

$5,050

Optional Add-ons

Travel protection
Quote available upon request*

Pricing listed per person in double, triple, and quad rooms (for students) and double rooms (for adults) and includes airfare.
The number of available single-occupancy rooms is limited.

*Travel protection price is calculated based on a variety of factors and optional plans are provided by Travel Insured International.

Rates assume a minimum of 30 full-paying pilgrims.

  • Pricing for optional breakout site tours in Florence and/or Rome
  • Gratuities for pilgrimage director, guide(s), driver(s), hotel staff, and meals (optional add on)
  • Passport, visa, or luggage fees
  • Any personal purchases
  • Any meals not indicated on itinerary, as well as beverages at meals
  • Any required COVID tests or vaccinations
  • Recommended travel protection with Cancel for Any Reason coverage (optional add-on)
  • Anything else not explicitly mentioned as included

Group Flight Information

  • Arrival Flight – March 7, 2025
    • Lufthansa Airlines Flight #441
      • Departing Houston (IAH) at 4:30 p.m.
      • Arriving Frankfurt (FRA) at 9:30 a.m. (next day, March 8)
    • Lufthansa Airlines Flight #272
      • Departing Frankfurt (FRA) at 11:30 a.m.
      • Arriving Milan Linate (LIN) at 12:45 p.m.
  • Departure Flight – March 15, 2025
    • Lufthansa Flight #231:
      • Departing Rome (FCO) 8:25 a.m.
      • Arriving Munich (MUC) 10:00 a.m.
    • United Flight #47
      • Departing Munich (MUC) 11:40 a.m.
      • Arriving Houston (IAH) 5:40 p.m.

 

Designated arrival and departures times

  • Arrival information
    • Arrive by: March 8, 2024
    • Arrival time: Arrive by 1:00 p.m.
    • Arrival airport: Milan Linate Airport (LIN)
    • Arrival transfer: Pilgrims will be transferred to the hotel in one group.
  • Departure information
    • Depart on: March 15, 2024
    • Departure time: Depart at or after 11:00 a.m.
    • Departure airport: Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (FCO)
    • Departure transfer: Pilgrims will be transferred from the hotel

Want to arrive or depart outside of the designated times?

  • Please note: If you arrive/depart outside of the designated times, you may miss out on some of the planned activities.
  • Need to book a private transfer? Contact us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at (574) 383-9396.

 

Want help arranging your flights?

Simple Accommodations

  • Oropa: Oropa Sanctuary or similar
  • Turin: Euro Hotel, Sharing Hotel, or similar
  • Florence: Hotel Pitti Palace or similar
  • Rome: Hotel Marc’Aurelio or similar

 

Need to get around? Private transfers

Arriving early or staying late? Pre-stay and post-stay options

Group will administer registration and submit payments to Verso Ministries on behalf of pilgrims.

Payment Schedule

  • Payment #1 – Due upon registering – $350
  • Payment #2 – Due September 2, 2024 – $1,000
  • Payment #3 – Due November 4, 2024 – $3,700 (expected final balance)

Monthly payments can be arranged, but the total must be paid by November 4, 2024.

Final package price is estimated. Pricing is based on currency exchange rates as of March 2024. Any drastic fluctuations in currency exchange rates could affect the final pilgrimage pricing. If you have any questions about pricing and when final pricing decisions will be communicated, please do not hesitate to contact us at any time.

Cancellation Policy

All cancellations must be submitted to Verso Ministries in written form and received via email or mail. Any refunds, as applicable, will be processed based on the date stamp of email or mail received. Cancellation fees are for individual pilgrims and fees will be charged per person per booking.

Cancellations are possible at any time, but refunds are subject to cancellation fees at the rates listed here.

  • Within 2 weeks of deposit: Free Cancellation*
  • 91 days or more from departure: Deposit is retained
  • 90-61 days prior to departure: 25% of trip cost is non-refundable
  • 60-31 days prior to departure: 50% of trip cost is non-refundable
  • 30 days or less prior to departure: 100% of trip cost is non-refundable

*Free cancellation (if deposit is made more than 180 days prior to departure)

Any cancellation charges incurred from other suppliers or vendors (flight, lodging, ground transportation, tickets, etc.) may come in addition to the administrative fees listed here. All group flight airline tickets, optional excursions, trip options, pre/post extensions, private transfers, and additional hotel nights are non-refundable 100 days or less prior to departure unless otherwise noted.

Name Changes

Group size adjustments or name changes must be submitted in writing, and availability and pricing are pending until confirmed by all third-party travel vendors (airlines, hotels, etc.). If the group wishes to change the name on a booking, the following timeline and fees* apply:

  • Before 120 days prior to departure: $100 per transfer/change
  • 120 days until 2 weeks prior to departure: $250 per transfer/change
  • Within 2 weeks prior to departure: $500 per transfer/change

*Note: These fees come in addition to any third-party vendor fees incurred by transfer/change.

FAQ

The sooner you register for the pilgrimage, the better! Not only does registering early guarantee you a spot on the pilgrimage before the departure fills up, but you don’t want to miss out on available discounts, including the early bird savings (see “Trip Savings” in the Pricing section above more details). Also, there is no risk for 14-days after you register should you then have to cancel (must register 180 days or more prior to departure). So let’s say you register for a pilgrimage, but then realize you can no longer attend, as long as you cancel your pilgrimage within 14-days of registering and registered more than 180s days prior to the departure, then we will fully refund your deposit no questions asked. Just send us a written confirmation of your cancellation and we will take care of the rest. Plus, the sooner you register the sooner your journey begins. Register today!

There is no risk! Your deposit will be fully refunded as long as you cancel within 14-days of registering and you have registered more than 180 days or more prior to departure. With no risk, why wait? Get registered today!

Registration closes when the pilgrimage reaches the maximum number of pilgrims. If the pilgrimage is filled when you register, you will be added to our waiting list, and contacted in the event that space on the pilgrimage becomes available. Don’t miss your chance, register now and begin your journey.

We highly recommend that all pilgrims buy travel protection. Travel protection is not only for peace of mind, but helps protect you and those you are traveling with from unforeseen emergencies, which always seem to happen at the worst possible time. In the event of emergencies, both before and during your travels, as well other circumstances, like travel delay, lost baggage, missed connection(s), and much more, travel protection can help. Upon registration you will receive a travel protection quotation. If you have any questions regarding your quotation, please call the issuing company. If you need an updated or new quotation, please contact us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at 574-383-9396. We are happy to help!

Including optional add-ons with your pilgrimage can really add to your experience whether it is one of the optional extension or arranging an extra night stay beforehand so you are rested when the pilgrimage begins. If you would to add on any optional arrangements, as listed above, please email us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at 574-383-9396.

A pilgrimage, at its simplest, is a trip of faith. Which means a pilgrimage can be anything from a walk around your city to an encounter of Jesus in the Holy Land. For Catholics, it’s a trip of faith that people have been taking for hundreds or even thousands of years, many times in the same exact places you can visit today. It’s an opportunity to experience the spots God has made his presence known most in time and space, whether that’s where Jesus walked, where Mary appeared, or where the saints have lived and worked.

At Verso, we believe in crafting pilgrimages that offer you a view of God’s world and his work in it that you can’t get anywhere else. We believe everything from the holy sites, to the meals, to daily Mass, to your fellow pilgrims are ways God can speak to you, which means we’re intentional about it all. We also believe a pilgrimage isn’t just the days you travel, it’s how you prepare from the moment you sign up, to the days and weeks after you arrive home. Which means it’s our intention to shepherd you through the entire process — before, during, and after — so you can have the best, most transformative experience possible. We’re not just travel experts, we’re experts in Catholic pilgrimage.

We know from experience that preparing for a journey is just as important as the journey itself. Our goal is to make sure you’re physically, logistically, and spiritually ready for your pilgrimage. You’ll receive essential emails that will walk you through the process and give you ways to prepare your mind and heart for what you’ll encounter. A pre-trip webinar will make sure you are in touch with the Verso leader of the trip, can get trip-specific info, and can ask questions. We’ll send you a pilgrim kit that contains a comprehensive booklet for your trip along with some Verso swag (such as a bag, pen, and sticker) that you can bring along with you on your pilgrimage. And of course, we’re always available by phone or email if you have any questions or special needs.

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Activity Level

Easy
This trip’s activity level is easy. It’s recommended that travelers be in good health to enjoy this itinerary and be able to walk and climb stairs on their own. Trips at this activity level may include half or full-day itineraries with 1-3 hours of leisurely walking per day on smooth or slightly inclined terrain. The pace is more relaxed, with opportunities to rest throughout the day.

Moderate
This trip’s activity level is moderate. Travelers must be in good health and be in good physical condition to enjoy this itinerary. Travelers must be able to walk and climb stairs on their own. Trips at this activity level may include full-day itineraries of 3-5 hours of walking at a normal to brisk pace per day on varied terrain including uneven surfaces, stairs, and hills. The pace is faster and more demanding, with some breaks throughout the day.

Difficult
This trip’s activity level is difficult. Travelers must be in good health and physically fit to enjoy this itinerary. Trips at this activity level may include full-day itineraries with up to 5-7 hours of walking at normal to brisk pace per day on varied terrain including uneven surfaces, stairs, and steep hills. The pace is vigorous and demanding, with little down time each day.

Accommodation Level

Simple
For the duration of your trip, enjoy a range of lodging accommodations — from quaint guesthouses to simple-styled hotels. Discover a newfound appreciation for each of these locations which often have a unique character of their own. With your private bathroom and sleeping quarters, these locations will provide you with a clean, comfortable, and cozy place to settle into during your journey.

Standard
Venues at this level will provide you with the best accommodations at a reasonable cost. Not only will you have access to modern amenities and services, but special care is taken to ensure hotels are located in close proximity to the area’s local attractions. Expect your stay at this level to provide you with an added feeling of comfortability and convenience as you experience your pilgrimage.

Premium
Your stay at the premium level will ensure that your travel involves the opportunity to experience some of the most unique and luxurious stays that a destination has to offer. You’ll find that traveling at this level will afford you the opportunity to optimize your experience at each spot. From fine dining to scenic views, anticipate that your pilgrimage will provide you with breathtaking experiences no other location could provide.

How will I know what my stay will be like?
Each of our pilgrimage locations come with their own unique accommodations. From simple to luxurious, you can know that the care and satisfaction of each pilgrim is our greatest priority. While specific amenities will vary, we are sure that each of these handpicked locations will leave you rested, rejuvenated, and ready for each day.

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