$4,350.00
Join the friends of the Discalced Carmelites of the California-Arizona Province of St. Joseph, to visit the holy shrines of Italy, the ancient biblical cities of Athens & Corinth (Greece), and Mother Mary’s House in Ephesus (Turkey); sites of outstanding Faith and Beauty.
Join the friends of the Discalced Carmelites of the California-Arizona Province of St. Joseph, to visit the holy shrines of Italy, the ancient biblical cities of Athens & Corinth (Greece), and Mother Mary’s House in Ephesus (Turkey); sites of outstanding Faith and Beauty.
July 9-18, 2026
Join the friends of the Discalced Carmelites of the California-Arizona Province of St. Joseph, to visit the holy shrines of Italy, the ancient biblical cities of Athens & Corinth (Greece), and Mother Mary’s House in Ephesus (Turkey); sites of outstanding Faith and Beauty.
July 9, 2026-Thursday – Day 1 Late this morning our group will meet at a designated point at Rome FCO Airport – Arrivals Hall- board our motorcoach and drive into the scenic Campania region of southern Italy. Our destination is the Shrine of St. Philomena in Mugnano del Cardinale. In 1802, the tomb of this 3rd Century virgin-martyr was discovered in the Roman catacombs and brought in procession to this village. So many physical healings hap-pened during the procession, and following, that to this day, Philomena is considered ‘Powerful with God’. Overnight in nearby Nola.
Day 2 – Our journey today will take us northeast across central Italy, to Loreto, on the Adriatic coast, with two stops -first at Montecasino Abbey, the birthplace of western monasticism (founded by St. Benedict in 529) -second, at the Sanctuary of the Holy Face in Mano-ppello, with the precious relic of the linen cloth of Christ. Evening arrival in Loreto overlooking the Adriatic coast. Two nights in Loreto.
Day 3 – A day in the pilgrimage town of Loreto, home to the glorious Sanctuary of the Holy House (Sant-uario della Santa Casa) built to pro-tect the original three walls of the house of the birthplace of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Nazareth. During the Ottoman Seige of the Holy Land in 1291, tradition holds that this sacred dwelling was carried across the Adriatic angelically to protect it from desecration. Time at leisure in the afternoon. The Pontifical Santa Casa Museum at the shrine has a world-class collection of religious art.
Day 4 – This morning, depart in a southeasterly direction for the Gargano Promontory (Italy’s boot spur), with a stop in Lanciano, site of the 8th-century Eucharistic miracle. Afternoon arrival in San Giovanni Rotondo, where the Capuchin stigmatist, St. Padre Pio, lived for 50 years until his death in 1968. Visit his friary where he offered Mass and heard confessions. See the new church (where his mortal remains rest). Overnight in San Giovanni Rotondo.
Day 5 – Today depart for the Mediterranean seaport of Bari with a stop at the cave of Monte Sant’Angelo; site of three 5th-century apparitions of St. Michael. Mid-afternoon arrival and visit to the Bari Basilica where the mortal remains of St. Nicholas, the 4th-century Bishop of Myra, aka Santa Claus, are preserved. Permission pending, visit the Carmelite Monastery of Bari wherein is the tomb of Bl. Elia of St. Clement.
Day 6 – Morning flight from Bari to Izmir, Turkey (via Istanbul). Late afternoon arrival in Izmir and transfer to our hotel in Ephesus.
Day 7 – A day in Ephesus and Mount Koressos. See the extensive and well- preserved ruins on the site where St. Paul and the Apostles first began spreading Christianity (53-57 AD), growing a vibrant community before relocating to Rome. See the Agora where he preached, narrowly escaping a riot that erupted over his words in 57AD. Travel to Mount Koressos. See the extensive and well- preserved ruins of the site where St. Paul and the Apostles began spreading Christ-ianity (53-57 AD). Travel to the home of the Blessed Mother during her last years on earth with St. John. Visit the ruins of St. John’s Basilica. Then fly from Izmir to Athens. Two nights in Athens.
Day 8 – Excursion to Corinth, the ancient city that inspired many of St. Paul’s familiar letters. See the cultural site where he spent 18 months in 50 AD, building a thriving community, writing the 1st Thessalonians and more. The engineering skill of the people from that era is evident in the water systems that still flow from ancient to modern day.
Day 9 – Morning tour of Athens- the cradle of Western civilization and leading city of Greece since the first millennium BC. In 51 AD, St. Paul anchored here while waiting for Silas & Timothy to come from Macedonia. His message impressed the leaders of the day and he was invited to come before the Council on Mars Hill where he spoke of the Unknown God. Visit the 6th-Century BC Temple of Apollo, the Acropolis and the Parthenon. Mid-afternoon flight from Athens to Rome.Overnight at a Rome Airport hotel.
Day 10 – Morning airport transfer to the Rome Fiumicino Airport.
PAYMENT: A $500 deposit is required to hold a reservation. The cost is based on payment by personal check or direct bank transfer. Credit cards are accepted with a fee. CANCELLATION:If a written cancellation notice is received beyond 50 days before departure, a full refund less $500 applies. If received within 50 days of departure, $500 plus any funds kept by hotels, restaurants, bus companies & sights are non-refundable. ITINERARIES: Daily itineraries are prepared in advance. As they are subject to change, notice of daily timing is given the night before each new touring day. BAGGAGE: Baggage regulations for the tour are one carry-on size luggage (plus a personal item) and one larger luggage. DOCUMENTATION: All passengers must have a government-issued valid passport. Check with the US State Department for the latest requirements as they may change. SINGLE OCCUPANCY: Costs are based on double-room occupancy. Accommodation in a single room is available at a surcharge. TRAVELERS INSURANCE RECOMMENDED: St. Olav Enterprises, LLC (DBA Sacred Heart Tours) is not responsible for loss or damage to property due to handling and/or accidents. MEALS:The meals during the tour are pre-arranged. We will do what we can to assist special requests on a case-by-case basis. RESPONSIBILITY: Sacred Heart Tours acts only as an agent for the hotels, and bus companies or owners or contractors providing accommodations, transportation, or other services and all Coupons, Exchange Orders, Receipts, Tickets & Contracts issued by the company are issued subject to any and all tariffs and terms & conditions under which any accommodations, transportation, or any other services whatsoever are provided by such hotels, or bus companies or owners or contractors, and by the accep-tance of such coupons, exchange orders,
TERMS & CONDITIONS Receipts, Tickets & Contracts issued by the company are issued subject to any and all tariffs and terms & conditions under which any accom-modations, transportation, or any other services whatsoever are provided by such airlines, hotels or bus companies or owners or contractors, and by the acceptance of such coupons, exchange orders, receipts, contracts and tickets, the tour member agrees to the following and also agrees that neither Sacred Heart Tours nor any of its affiliates or subsidiary companies shall be or become liable or responsible for any loss, injury or damage to any property, person or otherwise in connection with any accommodations, transportation or other services resulting, directly or indirectly, from acts of God, dangers incident to the sea, fire, machinery or equipment failure, acts of governments, or other authorities, dejure or de facto, wars (declared or undeclared), hostilities, civil disturbances, riots, strikes, thefts, pilferage, epidemics, quarantines, medical or customs regulations, cancellations or delays, of or changes in itinerary or schedule, or from any causes beyond the control of Sacred Heart Tours, or for any loss or damage resulting from improper or insufficient documents, and that neither Sacred Heart Tours nor any of its affiliated companies shall be or become liable or responsible for any additional expense or liability sustained or incurred by the tour member as a result of any of the foregoing causes. If illness or other imperative reason compels a member to withdraw after a tour begins, there would be little or no refund as most all of the services are prepaid. There is no refund for the absence of sightseeing or meals. Sacred Heart Tours reserves the right to require any individual to withdraw from a tour if their conduct is deemed detrimental to or incompatible with the tours interest, harmony, comfort, and welfare. The airlines, bus companies, or any transportation company whose service is employed on the tour will not be held responsible for any act, omission, or event during which passengers are not on board their conveyance. When issued, the passage contract in use by these companies shall constitute the sole contract between the companies and the tour purchaser.
