Small groups from Rome: Padre Pio and Grotto of San Michele

Set off from Rome for a spiritual journey into the heart of Puglia. You will be picked up from your hotel or apartment and travel in a comfortable air-conditioned minivan, accompanied by a dedicated tour assistant. The first stop will be the Grotto of San Michele Arcangelo in Monte Sant’Angelo, one of the oldest shrines in Christianity, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A mystical place linked to the apparitions of the Archangel Michael, it has been a pilgrimage destination for over a thousand years. You will then continue to San Giovanni Rotondo to visit the Shrine of Padre Pio, one of the most important in the Catholic world. You will see the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, where Padre Pio lived and worked, with relics and his incorruptible body. You will also visit the new Church of San Pio, designed by Renzo Piano, which houses the crypt with his remains. You will have time to pray, reflect and have lunch before returning to Rome, bringing with you a unique spiritual and cultural experience.

1. 1

   Santuario Padre Pio

   4 hours

   The Sanctuary of San Giovanni Rotondo is an important place of worship located in the city of the same name in the province of Foggia, Puglia, mainly known for being the place of veneration of San Pio da Pietrelcina, the Capuchin friar who lived and died there in 1968. The sanctuary consists of a number of religious buildings, including the lower church, where the tomb of St. Pius is located, and the upper church, a modern structure designed by architect Renzo Piano, inaugurated in 2004. The shrine is a destination for pilgrimages from all over the world, attracted by the spirituality of St. Pius and the graces that many attribute to his intercession. Next to the church, there is also the Capuchin convent, where St. Pius lived and carried out his life of prayer and service.

2. 2

   Santuario di San Michele Arcangelo

   1 hour

   The Grotto of San Michele Arcangelo, located in Monte Sant’Angelo, is one of the oldest and most venerated places of worship in Christianity. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the cave is linked to a series of apparitions of the Archangel Michael, dating back to the fifth century, which made it one of the main pilgrimage destinations in Europe, especially during the Middle Ages. Inside, the cave retains a solemn and spiritual atmosphere, enriched by architectural elements that have stratified over the centuries: altars, statues, inscriptions and testimonies of deep faith. The shrine has been visited by popes, saints and millions of faithful over the centuries, and is still a symbol of devotion and mysticism today. The visit to the Grotto of San Michele offers not only an intense religious experience, but also a journey into history and art, immersed in a suggestive natural setting with a spectacular view of the Gargano.

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.