God Is Full Of Life

A Pilgrimage to Italy

October 15 - 24, 2023

About

Experiencing truth, beauty, and goodness is at the heart of understanding who God is. This one-of-a-kind pilgrimage of the arts through Rome, Assisi, and Florence will take you on a journey of discovering the beauty and richness of the Catholic faith through holy art, architecture, history, and culture. Contemplate the masterpieces of Caravaggio, the sculptures of Michaelangelo, and the frescoes of Giotto. Pray at the tombs of saints like St. Peter, St. Paul, St. John Paul II, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Monica, St. Ignatius, and many more. A pilgrimage for Notre Dame Alumni and Friends.

Trip Details

Group Type

Notre Dame Alumni and Friends, 20-45 pilgrims

Length

10 days, 9 nights

Accommodations

Premium

Cost

As low as

$5,744

Deposit:

$500

What's Included

Dedicated pilgrimage director, supplemented by local guides
Custom booklet for each pilgrim
Catholic Chaplain
Daily Mass
Private transportation on motor coach
All tickets and donations for included activities listed on itinerary
Premium accommodations
Breakfast daily, 3 lunches, and 3 dinners, including wine at dinners
Gratuities for pilgrim director, guide(s), driver(s), and meals
Audio headsets

Itinerary

October 15
Depart U.S.
  • Depart U.S. (flights not included in the package)
October 16
Rome
  • Arrive in Rome, transfer to hotel
  • Welcome Mass and dinner at local restaurant
  • Overnight in Rome
  • Accommodations: Hotel Mama Shelter or similar
  • Meals included: Dinner
October 17
St. Peter's Basilica, Sistine Chapel
  • Morning Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, followed by a tour and free time to explore and pray in the Basilica
  • Afternoon visit at the Rome Global Gateway for an architecture tour
  • Free evening to explore
  • Overnight in Rome
  • Accommodations: Hotel Mama Shelter or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
October 18
The Pope in St. Peter's Square, Rome Landmarks
  • Papal Audience in St. Peter’s Square, followed by lunch on your own
  • Afternoon Vatican Museum guided tour with VIP Sistine Chapel experience and Happy hour
  • Evening Mass and dinner on your own
  • Overnight in Rome
  • Accommodations: Hotel Mama Shelter or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast
October 19
Ancient Rome
  • Ancient Rome tour of the Coliseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill
  • Free time to explore the city
  • Overnight in Rome
  • Accommodations: Hotel Mama Shelter or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast
October 20
Rome
  • Artistic highlights of the Roman churches and major basilicas, including the masterpieces of Caravaggio, Mary Major, and John Lateran
  • Afternoon free time Overnight in Rome
  • Accommodations: Hotel Mama Shelter Rome or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
October 21
Assisi
  • Transfer to Assisi including Chiesa Nuova, St. Francis’ baptismal church, original San Damiano crucifix, Basilica of St. Mary and Angels, Porziuncola and place of St. Francis’ death, and the Basilica of St. Francis
  • Overnight in Assisi
  • Accommodations: Palace Hotel Fontebella Assisi or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
October 22
Florence
  • Sunday Mass and transfer to Florence
  • Visit Florence Cathedral (Duomo) and Baptistry
  • Afternoon visit to the Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo’s David statue
  • Overnight in Florence
  • Accommodations: Grand Hotel Mediterraneo or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
October 23
Florence
  • Free day to explore the artistic and cultural highlights of Florence
  • Evening Mass and closing reflections before a Farewell Dinner in a local restauran
  • Overnight in Florence
  • Accommodations: Grand Hotel Mediterraneo or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
October 24
Departure
  • Depart Florence (flights not included with the package)
  • Meals included: Breakfast
(extension)October 24
Florence, Padua, Venice
  • Transfer from Florence to Venice
  • Enroute stop in Padua to explore the Basilica of St. Anthony of Padua
  • Continue to Venice for hotel check-in, free time, and dinner on your own
  • Overnight in Venice
  • Accommodations: Hotel Principe Gardenia or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
(extension)October 25
Venice
  • Morning tour of St. Mark’s Basilica and Doges Palace
  • Lunch at a Venetian cafe, followed by a gondola ride
  • Free time for the rest of afternoon and evening to explore Venice
  • Overnight in Venice
  • Accommodations: Hotel Principe Gardenia or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
(extension)October 26
Departure
  • Depart Venice (flights not included in the package)
  • Meals included: Breakfast

Pricing

As low as

$5,744

Package Cost (without savings)

$6,044

Trip Savings

Early bird (first 20 pilgrims to register)
$200/person
Pay balance by check
$100/person

Optional Add-ons

Single room supplement (limited availability)
$1,329/person
Travel insurance
Quote provided after registration*
Venice Extension Package (min 4 pax)
$2,247/person
Venice Extension Single Supplement
$178/person

This is a pilgrimage designed for Notre Dame Alumni and Friends.

“As low as” price includes savings for early bird and pay balance by check.
Pricing listed per person in double-occupancy rooms and does not include airfare.
The number of available single-occupancy rooms is limited.

*Purchasing travel insurance is highly recommended to protect you, your belongings, and your travel investment. The University of Notre Dame will send you information regarding travel insurance.

Rates assume a minimum of 20 full-paying pilgrims.

  • Roundtrip airfare (optional add-on during registration)
  • Passport, visa, or luggage fees
  • Any required COVID tests or vaccination
  • Any personal purchases
  • Meals while traveling, as well as 4 lunches and 4 dinners
  • Drinks at meals, other than wine at dinners
  • Recommended travel insurance (optional add-on)
  • Anything else not explicitly mentioned as included

Designated Arrival and Departures Times

  • Arrival information
    • Arrive by: October 16, 2023
    • Arrival time: Between 7:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
    • Arrival airport: Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (FCO)
    • Arrival transfer: Pilgrims will be transferred in groups according to arrival time from Leonardo da Vinci International Airport to the Rome hotel.
  • Departure information
    • Depart on: October 24, 2023
    • Departure time: Anytime on October 24
    • Departure airport: Florence Airport, Peretola (FLR)
    • Departure transfer: Pilgrims departing on October 24 will be transferred to the airport in groups according to departure time.
  • Extension departure information
    • If you have elected to add on the Extension package, please arrange your departing flight plan according to the following information.
      • Depart on: October 26, 2023
      • Departure time: Anytime on October 26
      • Departure airport: Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE)
      • Departure transfer: Pilgrims departing on October 26 will be transferred will be transferred to the airport in groups according to departure time.

Want to arrive or depart outside of the designated times?

  • Please note: If you arrive/depart outside of the designated times, private transfers (fee applies) can be arranged on your behalf. Airport transfers outside of the designated arrival/departure times are not included in the package pricing.
  • Private transfer information and pricing can be found in the Additional Information section below.
  • Need to book a private transfer? Contact us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at (574) 383-9396.

 

Want help arranging your flights?

Premium Accommodations

  • Rome: Hotel Mama Shelter or similar
  • Assisi: Hotel Fontebella or similar
  • Florence: Grand Hotel Mediterraneo or similar

 

Need to get around? Private transfers

  • Private transfer between Rome airport (FCO) to Rome hotel/city center– $205 per transfer (up to 7 pax)
    Private transfer between Florence hotel/city center and Florence airport (FLR) – $175 per transfer (up to 7 pax)
  • Please note: If you arrive/depart outside of the designating times at the Rome/Florence airport, private transfers (fee applies) can be arranged on your behalf. Airport transfers outside of the designated arrival/departure times are not included in the package pricing.
  • Need to book? Contact us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at (574) 383-9396.

 

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

 

Additional services

  • Half-day tour of Rome
    • Without transportation – $390/group (up to 7 pax)
    • With transportation – $949/group (up to 7 pax)
  • Full-day tour of Rome
    • Without transportation – $624/group (up to 7 pax)
    • With transportation – $1,607/group (up to 7 pax)
  • Please note: Tips, meals, and entrance fees are not included in price.

Venice Extension
October 24-26, 2023 (3 days / 2 nights)

Price: $2,247/person in double occupancy room
Rates assume a minimum of 4 full-paying pilgrims; pricing listed per person in double-occupancy rooms.

Single room supplement: $178/person
The number of available single-occupancy rooms is limited. 

Premium Accommodations:
Venice: Hotel Principe Gardenia or similar

Extension includes:

  • 2 night premium accommodations in double-occupancy rooms, including taxes
  • Private transportation with guide
  • Breakfast and lunch daily

Extension does not include:

  • Gratuities for guide(s), driver(s), or meals
  • Dinners
  • Anything else not explicitly mentioned as included

 

Deposit due upon registration – $500/person
Final balance due 120 days prior to departure – Final balance

Please note: Payment plans can be arranged if needed. Please contact us if you would like to pay in several installments.

Final package price is estimated. Prices are based on the exchange rate as of August 2022. 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.

FAQ

The sooner you register for the pilgrimage, the better! Not only does registering guarantee you a spot on the pilgrimage before the departure fills up, but if you are one of the first 20 pilgrims to register you will receive the early bird discount. 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 180 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.

Purchasing travel insurance is highly recommended to protect you, your belongings, and your travel investment. Travel insurance 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 insurance can help. Upon registration, The University of Notre Dame will send you information regarding travel insurance. If you have any questions regarding your quotation, please call the issuing company.

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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