Embark on an unforgettable 11-night pilgrimage to Italy and Turkey from 05 October to 17 October 2025.
Join this spiritual pilgrimage to some of the most revered religious sites in Italy and Turkey. You will explore sacred places deepening your faith while surrounded by rich history and inspiring landscapes.
Highlights of this pilgrimage include:
- Rome – St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, Tomb of Pope St. John II, St. Mary Major Basilica, Basilica of St. John in Lateran, Holy Stairs, Basilica of St. Paul.
- Assisi – Basilica of St. Francis, Church of St. Damiano.
- Venice – St. Mark’s Basilica.
- Istanbul – City Tour, Hippodrome, Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, Basilica Cistern, City Walls, St. Stephen Bulgarian Church, Chora Church, French cultural Institute, Hagia Triada Eastern Orthodox Church, Ağa Camii Mosque, Çiçek Pasajı theater, Church of Saint Antoine, Crimea
Memorial Church, Pera Palace Hotel a historic museum,
Join fellow pilgrims for an experience that promises to deepen your faith and leave lasting memories.
R69 295.00 pp/s
Services Included
Services Included
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: JOHANNESBURG SUN, 05 OCT 2025
Meet at O.R Tambo International airport and check in to your flight to Rome.
Please ensure that you arrive at the airport at least 3 hours prior to departure.
Overnight on board your flight.
Day 2: ROME / ORVIETO MON, 06 OCT 2025
Arrive at Rome Airport collect your luggage and proceed through customs where you’ll be warmly welcomed by a local assistant. Depart for Orvieto. Orvieto is an old town located on a tufa outcrop 300 feet above the gorgeous Paglia valley below. The city is mostly known for its Duomo which hosts the frescoes by Luca Signorelli on the theme of the Last Judgment inside the Cappella di San Brizio and is considered one of the most architecturally important in Europe because of its Etruscan roots.
A funicular railway runs from the railway station to Piazza Cahen and is an easy and spectacular way of getting into town. The town itself is small and walking its entire length town is easy.
The town is full of artisan shops and wineries where it is possible to taste the typical Orvieto Classico wine.
Dinner and overnight in Rome.
Day 3: ASSISI TUE, 07 OCT 2025
After breakfast, immerse yourself in the charm of Assisi with a guided walking tour of the town. Enter the Basilica of St. Francis housing the tomb of St Francis (for Mass). We will visit the quaint Church of St Damiano built on the site where St. Francis heard the voice of Christ speaking through the crucifix ‘go rebuild my Church, which you see is falling down’.
Our tour culminates high up at the Hermitage (Eremo Delle Carceri), an oasis of peace and tranquility in the woods built on the site of a simple cave where St Francis often withdrew to spend many hours in prayer. The cave and the Chapel of Our Lady are preserved in the Hermitage.
Dinner and overnight in Assisi.
Day 4: ROME WED, 08 OCT 2025
After breakfast, depart for the Eternal City of Rome. Upon arrival, take part in an afternoon tour of Baroque Rome, where you’ll explore the city’s stunning squares, fountains, and architectural marvels, including the iconic Piazza Navona and the Trevi Fountain.
Dinner and overnight in Rome.
Day 5: ROME THU, 09 OCT 2025
After breakfast, start your pilgrimage with Mass at St Peter’s Basilica, followed by a visit to the nearby Vatican Museums. Wander through the stunning chambers leading to the Sistine Chapel to view Michelangelo’s masterpieces, including the magnificent fresco of the Last Judgment.
We then continue to the awe-inspiring St Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in the world, for an informative exploration. Our guided tour will highlight Michelangelo’s stunning Pietà, the tomb of Pope St John Paul II, the great Confessional, and the Crypt containing the tombs of several Popes.
Afternoon free to enjoy at leisure.
Dinner and overnight in Rome.
Day 6: ROME FRI, 10 OCT 2025
After breakfast, embark on a full-day tour to some of Rome’s most revered sites. Visit the impressive St Mary Major
Basilica, followed by the Basilica of St John in Lateran, the first papal residence, and the adjacent Holy Stairs, which were brought from Jerusalem to Rome in 326AD by St Helena. As a favorite of pilgrims, these steps may only be ascended on the knees.
Continue to the majestic Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls and Tre Fontane. Originally consecrated in 324, the saint’s tomb is visible now under the Papal Altar. We will celebrate Mass here as a special tribute to the Church’s greatest evangelist.
Dinner and overnight in Rome.
Day 7: ROME / VENICE SAT, 11 OCT 2025
After breakfast, depart from Rome and journey to the enchanting city of Venice. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and take some time to relax after the journey. In the evening, enjoy a delightful dinner and settle in for an overnight stay.
Dinner and overnight in Venice.
Day 8: VENICE SUN, 12 OCT 2025
After breakfast, immerse yourself in the magic of Venice with a guided walking tour. Visit the magnificent St. Mark’s Basilica, known for its stunning mosaics and historic significance. After the tour, enjoy a leisurely afternoon to explore the city at your own pace—perhaps stroll along the canals, visit local shops, or savor a coffee in St. Mark’s Square.
Dinner and overnight in Venice.
Day 9: ROME / ISTANBUL MON, 13 OCT 2025
After breakfast, check out of your accommodation and transfer from Rome airport and check for your flight to Istanbul. Arrive in Istanbul, collect your luggage and proceed through customs. Meet your driver for your transfer to your accommodation and check in upon arrival.
Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.
Day 10: ISTANBUL TUE, 14 OCT 2025
After breakfast, you’ll begin your Istanbul City Tour. Once the capital of the Byzantine, Roman, and Ottoman Empires, Istanbul is a mesmerizing city that spans two continents—Europe and Asia. This vibrant place is a cultural blend of museums, bazaars, minarets, mosques, churches, palaces, and restaurants, offering something for everyone.
Your first stop will be the Hippodrome. This ancient arena was once the center of Byzantine public life, with chariot races and significant monuments, including:
– The Obelisk of Theodosius
– The Bronze Serpentine Column
– The Column of Constantine
Next, you’ll visit the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, once known as the Church of Divine Wisdom. It’s one of the finest examples of Byzantine architecture and was, for 1,000 years, the largest church in the world, adorned with breath-taking 6th-century golden mosaics. Today, it stands as a mosque, symbolizing Istanbul’s layered history.
Lunch break at 1:00 PM.
In the afternoon, you’ll explore the Basilica Cistern. Commissioned by Emperor Justinian and completed in 532, this subterranean structure is the largest surviving Byzantine cistern in Istanbul. Its 336 columns, many salvaged from ancient temples, are beautifully carved. The cool, spacious interior is a perfect retreat, especially on warm summer days.
Next, you’ll head to the Grand Covered Bazaar. This labyrinth of streets and passages houses over 4,000 shops, each focused on a particular trade. From goldsmiths and carpet sellers to Turkish arts and crafts, you’ll discover treasures like hand-painted ceramics, hand-honed copperware, brassware, onyx items, and meerschaum pipes.
Evening: Dinner Cruise on the Bosphorus (7:30 PM – 11:30 PM)
End your day with a memorable dinner cruise on the Bosphorus, where Europe and Asia meet. Enjoy a delicious dinner with unlimited local beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), along with a belly dance show, a Turkish folklore performance, a DJ, and more entertainment. The cruise concludes around midnight, after which you’ll be transferred back to your hotel.
Please Note: Remember to carry a headscarf for visits to religious sites, like the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia Mosque.
Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 11: ISTANBUL GOLDEN HORN & BALAT AREA TOUR WED, 15 OCT 2025
After breakfast, you’ll proceed to visit the City Walls. These historic walls were first breached by the Fourth Crusade in 1204 and later by the cannons and troops of Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror in 1453.
Next, you’ll see the Golden Horn. As a natural and highly secure harbor, the Golden Horn has played a vital role in
Istanbul’s development as a center for trade and culture.
St. Stephen Bulgarian Church: This unique church was established in Istanbul in 1871, though it was originally built in Vienna from cast iron. The church was transported in 100 separate pieces down the Danube River before being bolted together on-site. Despite multiple restorations, St. Stephen’s still stands beautifully as a testament to 19th-century architecture. After your visit, you may want to head to Eminonu to try one of the fresh seafood restaurants located beneath the iconic Galata Bridge.
Afternoon: In the afternoon, you’ll continue to the Chora Church (Kariye Museum/Mosque), known as one of the most beautiful examples of Byzantine architecture, situated in Istanbul’s Edirnekapi district. Converted to a mosque in the 16th century, it was later secularized as a museum in 1948. Inside, you’ll find remarkable mosaics and frescoes that showcase the intricate beauty of Byzantine art.
Enjoy this day immersed in Istanbul’s rich history, stunning architecture, and unique cultural heritage!
Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 12: TAKSIM WALKING TOUR & CHURCH VISIT MON, 29 SEPT 2025
After breakfast, you’ll be picked up from your hotel and head toward the Pera district. Pera, the ancient name of the
Beyoğlu district, was used until the mid-20th century. In Greek, “Pera” means “across” or “other side,” referring to the other side of the Golden Horn during the Byzantine period.
You’ll begin your tour by walking down Istiklal Street, one of the most popular pedestrian streets in Istanbul and the Pera district. Spanning 1.6 km, it’s lined with cafes, patisseries, theaters, shopping centers, and a variety of restaurants. Your first stop is the French Cultural Institute, which brings French culture to Istiklal Street, formerly known as “Grande Rue de Pera” a century ago.
Next, you’ll visit the Hagia Triada Eastern Orthodox Church, meaning “Holy Trinity,” the largest Greek Orthodox church in Istanbul. Then, you’ll continue to Ağa Camii Mosque, built in 1868, followed by Galatasaray High School, the oldest high school of the Ottoman Empire, established in 1481 and originally named “Galata Sarayı Enderun-u Hümayunu,” meaning Galata Palace Imperial School.
You’ll then visit Çiçek Pasajı, one of the Ottoman Empire’s earliest theaters, which is now a charming passage.
As you continue, you’ll descend down French Street, a beautiful, French-style street filled with brasseries and cafes.
Next stop: Church of Saint Antoine, the largest Roman Catholic church in Istanbul. Following this, you’ll visit the Crimea Memorial Church, constructed between 1858-68 by Sultan Abdulmecit in honor of British soldiers who fought alongside the Ottoman and French forces in the Crimean War.
Finally, you’ll visit the Pera Palace Hotel, a historic museum hotel, and the oldest European-style hotel in Istanbul,
originally built to accommodate travelers from the famous Orient Express.
After completing the tour, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel.
Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 13: ISTANBUL / JOHANNESBURG THU, 16 OCT 2025
In the morning breakfast at hotel, 12:00 check out of your hotel. You will have some free time until it is time for your transfer to airport for your return flight back to Johannesburg.
Overnight on board Your flight to Johannesburg.
Day 14: JOHANNESBURG FRI, 17 OCT 2025
Arrive at the O.R Tambo International Airport.
