Northern Italy
Explore the extraordinary Catholic shrines, beloved saints, and timeless treasures of Northern Italy on this inspiring pilgrimage. From the peaceful sanctuaries of Lucca and the vibrant Christian heritage of Bologna and Padua to the historic basilicas of Milan, Verona, and Venice, you will immerse yourself in the rich spiritual legacy that has shaped the Church for centuries. This journey offers the opportunity to venerate remarkable saints—such as St. Pier Giorgio Frassati, St. John Bosco, St. Gemma Galgani, St. Anthony, St. Dominic, St. Mark the Evangelist, and St. Gianna Beretta Molla—while admiring some of Italy’s most magnificent churches and sacred sites. Join us for an unforgettable experience celebrating the profound Catholic tradition that thrives in the heart of Northern Italy.
Visit: Chillon Castle, The Abbey of Saint-Maurice d’Agaune, Great St Bernard Hospice, The Collegiate Church of Sant’Orso, The Frassati Summer Residence, St. Pier Giorgio Frassati, St. John Bosco, St. Dominic Savio, St. Joseph Cafasso, St. Maria Domenica Mazzarello, St. Joseph Benedict Cottolengo, Sacra di San Michele, Sanctuary of the Nativity of Mary, Bl. Chiara Luce Badano, St. Catherine of Genoa, Sanctuary–Basilica of Our Lady of Montallegro, St. Gemma Galgani, St. Zita, St. Richard the Pilgrim, St. Regulus, St. Paolinus of Antioch, St. Catherine of Bologna, St. Dominic, St. Columban, St. Augustine, St. Boethius, St. Gianna Beretta Molla, Duomo di Milano, St. Ambrose, St. Charles Borromeo, St. Zeno, St. Josephine Bakita, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Luke, St. Justina, St. Lucy, and St. Mark the Evangelist.
Your trip includes
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Round-trip airfare from Dulles International Airport
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Non-stop flight to Geneva
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Coach transportation from your parish to Dulles (IAD) and back.
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All airport taxes and fuel surcharges
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Hotel accomodations:
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2 nights: Biella, Italy
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1 night: Mondovi, Italy
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1 night: Lucca, Italy
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1 night: Parma, Italy
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1 night: Milan, Italy
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1 night: Vicenza, Italy
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2 nights: Padua, Italy
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Single supplements, while available
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Transfers as per itinerary
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Breakfast and dinner daily
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Wine and mineral water with dinners
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Transportation by air-conditioned motor coach
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Tour escort throughout
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Assistance of professional local Catholic guide(s) as appropriate
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Sightseeing and admission fees as per Itinerary
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Mass daily and spiritual activities
Not included:
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Lunches and beverages not mentioned, Tips to your guide & driver.
Itinerary
Dulles International Airport
Day 1
After a pilgrimage Mass at your parish, transfer by coach bus to Dulles International Airport to catch an evening nonstop flight for an early arrival at Geneva Airport.
Day 2
After arriving at the Geneva Airport, you will meet your private motorcoach and begin one of the most breathtaking scenic drives in Europe—your journey through the majestic Aosta Valley and across the legendary Great St. Bernard Pass. This historic alpine route, framed by soaring peaks and sweeping valleys, has been traveled for centuries by saints, monks, and countless pilgrims making their way toward Rome. Along the way, you will pause at the iconic Chillon Castle on Lake Geneva before continuing to the Abbey of Saint-Maurice d’Agaune, a site of uninterrupted prayer since the 6th century, where our group will celebrate Mass. As the road climbs higher into the Alps, you will visit the famed Great St. Bernard Hospice, founded by Augustinian monks who welcomed travelers with warmth and protection in these rugged mountains.
Your pilgrimage continues through the alpine foothills to the medieval Collegiate Church of Sant’Orso in Aosta—one of the region’s most evocative sanctuaries, rich with centuries of Christian devotion. From here, you descend into the pastoral beauty of northern Piedmont and arrive in Pollone, a charming village at the foot of the mountains and the beloved summer home of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. Here you will settle in for a delightful dinner and overnight stay, surrounded by the peaceful landscapes that shaped the spiritual life of one of the Church’s great modern witnesses.
Chillon Castle, Great St. Bernard Pass
Basilica di San Sebastiano, Biella
Day 3
After an early breakfast at the hotel, we begin a deeply meaningful day retreat at the cherished summer residence of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati in Pollone. Surrounded by the peaceful vistas of the Piedmont mountains that shaped his joy, humor, and radical charity, pilgrims will have time for prayer, reflection, and a deeper encounter with the spirit of this beloved modern saint. Walking the grounds where Pier Giorgio prayed, hiked, and welcomed friends, you’ll gain a moving glimpse into the simple but heroic faith that continues to inspire Catholics around the world.
In the afternoon, we travel to Biella for the celebration of Mass at either the Basilica di San Sebastiano or the Chiesa della Santissima Trinità—two beautiful and historic churches that stand as enduring witnesses to centuries of devotion. Following this grace-filled time of worship, we conclude the day with a relaxing dinner at a nearby restaurant or hotel, enjoying regional cuisine and fellowship before returning for a peaceful night’s rest.
Day 4
After breakfast, we depart for Turin and travel to the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, home of the world-renowned Chapel of the Holy Shroud. Here, pilgrims will celebrate Mass and visit the resting place of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, whose witness of joyful holiness continues to inspire Catholics worldwide. Inside the chapel, a full-sized replica of the Holy Shroud allows time for prayer and contemplation before this powerful icon of Christ’s Passion. We then continue to the Basilica of Our Lady of Consolation, one of Turin’s oldest and most beloved churches, where pilgrims venerate St. Joseph Cafasso, the spiritual director of St. John Bosco and a model of priestly zeal and compassion.
Our journey then leads to the heart of Salesian spirituality at the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, where we honor St. John Bosco, St. Dominic Savio, and St. Maria Domenica Mazzarello, founders and saints who transformed the lives of countless young people through education, mercy, and love. Depending on timing, we may also visit the nearby Cottolengo House, founded by St. Joseph Benedict Cottolengo, a remarkable village-hospital complex dedicated to serving the poor, disabled, and abandoned. After lunch at a local restaurant, we travel outside the city to the breathtaking Sacra di San Michele, a dramatic cliff-side abbey dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel and one of the most iconic spiritual landmarks in northern Italy. After our visit, we continue south to our hotel for dinner and a restful evening.
Sacra di San Michele
Sanctuary of the Nativity of Mary
Day 5
After breakfast, we begin our journey with a visit to the Sanctuary of the Nativity of Mary, a peaceful Marian shrine that invites quiet reflection and prayer at the start of the day. We then continue to the cemetery of Sassello, the hometown of Blessed Chiara Luce Badano, a radiant modern witness who embraced suffering with profound joy and trust in God. Pilgrims will have time to pray at her resting place, reflecting on her message of holiness lived with simplicity, courage, and love. From Sassello, we travel to the beautiful port city of Genoa for lunch before celebrating Mass at the Church of St. Catherine of Genoa, where devotion to this remarkable mystic and reformer remains strong.
In the afternoon, we make a short but scenic drive to the Sanctuary–Basilica of Our Lady of Montallegro, a cherished hilltop shrine overlooking the Ligurian coastline. Tradition holds that the Blessed Mother appeared here in 1557, leaving behind a miraculous icon that continues to draw pilgrims seeking consolation and grace. After time for prayer and exploration at this serene sanctuary, we continue on to Lucca, a charming Tuscan city known for its medieval walls and rich spiritual heritage, where we arrive for dinner and a restful overnight stay.
Day 6
After breakfast, we begin the morning within the beautifully preserved walls of Lucca, walking in the footsteps of St. Gemma Galgani, one of Italy’s most beloved mystics. Pilgrims will visit the Santuario di Santa Gemma Galgani for Mass and quiet prayer before exploring her childhood home and the churches where she worshipped and received the sacraments. Surrounded by the gentle charm of Lucca’s winding streets and Romanesque sanctuaries, this portion of the pilgrimage offers a moving encounter with the spiritual world of a young saint whose humility, love of the Eucharist, and profound union with Christ continue to inspire the faithful around the world. We will also venerate several other saints whose relics rest in Lucca, including St. Zita, St. Richard the Pilgrim, St. Regulus, and St. Paolinus of Antioch.
In the early afternoon, we depart Lucca for Bologna, a city rich in both intellectual and spiritual heritage. Here we visit the shrines of St. Catherine of Bologna, the Poor Clare mystic whose incorrupt body continues to draw pilgrims, and St. Dominic, the great founder of the Order of Preachers, whose artistic and deeply revered tomb remains one of the city’s treasures. After venerating these remarkable saints, we continue on to Parma, where a warm dinner and peaceful overnight await as we prepare for the next steps of our journey through northern Italy.
Basilica of St. Dominic, Bologna
Basilica of San Pietro in Ciel d’Oro
Day 7
After breakfast, we travel into the serene hills of Emilia-Romagna to the historic town of Bobbio, founded around the famous monastery of St. Columban, the great Irish missionary who helped re-evangelize Europe in the early Middle Ages. Pilgrims will have the chance to venerate his relics, explore the ancient abbey he established, and reflect on his fearless zeal for spreading the Gospel. Continuing our journey, we head to the beautiful Lombard city of Pavia, where we visit the resting place of St. Augustine, one of the Church’s most influential theologians and St. Boethius. Here, in the Basilica of San Pietro in Ciel d’Oro, pilgrims celebrate Mass and pray near the tomb of the author of Confessions and The City of God, a profound moment of connection with one of Christianity’s greatest minds.
After lunch in Pavia, our pilgrimage continues as we visit the sanctuary dedicated to St. Gianna Beretta Molla, the modern wife, mother, and physician celebrated for her heroic witness to the dignity of human life. Standing where she lived, prayed, and loved her family, pilgrims encounter a saint whose holiness speaks powerfully to our own time. Following this final visit, we transfer to our hotel for dinner and a restful overnight stay, carrying with us the richness of a day filled with saints whose lives shaped the heart of the Church across centuries.
Day 8
Begin your morning in Milan with visits to two of Italy’s most treasured sacred sites. First, admire the soaring grandeur of the Duomo di Milano, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and home to the relics of St. Charles Borromeo, the great Counter-Reformation saint and former Archbishop of Milan, whose crystal coffin rests in the cathedral’s crypt. Continue to the Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio, one of the city’s oldest churches and a place deeply connected with its revered patron, St. Ambrose. After time to explore and pray in these historic sanctuaries, enjoy lunch in Milan before departing for Verona.
In the afternoon, you visit the Basilica of San Zeno, a splendid Romanesque church honoring Verona’s patron saint, before continuing on to Vicenza. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel for dinner and overnight rest. Mass will be held at one of the Churches we visit during the day.
Duomo di Milan
Basilica of St. Anthony, Padua
Day 9
Begin the day with a visit to St. Josephine Bakhita’s shrine in Schio, a place closely connected to the life of the Sudanese-born Canossian sister whose radiant holiness and profound forgiveness have touched hearts across the world. After time for prayer and reflection in this peaceful sanctuary, the journey continues to Padua, one of Italy’s most important centers of Christian devotion.
In Padua you will visit the Basilica of St. Anthony, where the beloved Franciscan saint is buried, followed by a stop at the Basilica of Santa Giustina, the resting place of St. Luke the Evangelist and St. Justina, an early Christian martyr and patroness of the city. These holy sites offer a rich encounter with the saints who shaped the early Church and continue to inspire countless pilgrims. Mass will be celebrated in one of the churches visited today, providing a beautiful opportunity to unite your prayers with the legacy of these extraordinary witnesses of the faith.
Day 10
After breakfast, journey to the enchanting city of Venice, where faith and beauty intertwine among its shimmering canals. Your pilgrimage begins with a visit to the tomb of St. Lucy, the virgin martyr whose steadfast faith continues to inspire Christians around the world. From there, you proceed to the magnificent Basilica of St. Mark, home to the relics of St. Mark the Evangelist, whose Gospel proclaims the Good News with clarity and power. These two revered saints offer pilgrims a profound encounter with the earliest roots of Christian witness.
Following these visits, enjoy free time to explore Venice at your own pace—wander its narrow streets, discover hidden churches, or simply take in the city’s timeless beauty. In the evening, return to your hotel for a festive final dinner, celebrating the blessings and friendships formed along your journey. Mass will be held at one of the churches visited today, uniting your prayers with centuries of devotion in this unforgettable city.
Day 11
Depart Venice on a mid-morning nonstop flight to Washington Dulles. After landing, a coach bus will meet the group and return you to the parish from which you set out, completing your pilgrimage together.
AMDG Travel Disclaimer
From time to time, local religious or national holidays, weather, traffic conditions, or other unforeseen circumstances may require adjustments to the sequence of activities or result in the omission of certain sites or events. While every effort will be made to operate the itinerary as planned, it should be understood that the itinerary serves as an indication of the planned schedule rather than a binding guarantee of specific stops or events.
