PILGRIMAGE OF THE YEAR OF HOPE: ITALY – MEDJURISDICTION 

11 Days 10 Nights Program

Day 1: USA (SFO/IAH) – ROME

Passengers will gather at the airport to complete check-in procedures for their flight to Rome.

Passengers can rest on the plane.

Day 2: ROME CITY TOUR

(LUNCH + DINNER)

Upon arrival at Fiumicino Airport, please complete immigration procedures. The itinerary is as follows:

• Spanish Square – It always attracts the most visitors. Some come to express their feelings to their lovers, while others wander around playing solo instruments, lamenting a broken relationship. Near the Spanish Square is the Church of the Holy Trinity, with its majestic and imposing stone bell tower.
• Trevi Fountain – The Trevi Fountain, the most famous of Rome's more than 300 fountains. Designed by the great architect Nicola Salvi in 1732, the fountain is 26 meters high, completed in 1762, and its water is sourced from the Virgin Falls. The Trevi Fountain is not only a symbol of eternity but also a jewel of Roman architectural art: magnificent and magical. The Trevi Fountain includes a statue of the god Neptune, surrounded by mythical creatures and four statues representing the four seasons.

Guests will have lunch and then continue their visit.

• Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore – St. Mary Major's Basilica – one of Rome's four major basilicas, built in the 4th century. According to legend, the Virgin Mary appeared to John and Pope Liberius (352-366) and asked them to build a church in her honor and the place where the snow fell on the Esquilino Hill around the night of August 4th and the morning of August 5th, 358. Therefore, the people venerated her with the title "Our Lady of the Snow," later changed to "Our Lady of God" after the Council of Ephesus proclaimed the dogma of Our Lady of God in 431. This is the only basilica in Rome that still retains its original architectural features. It houses a wooden manger where Jesus lay at his birth in Bethlehem.

Guests will have dinner. The vehicle will then take guests back to the hotel for check-in and rest. Overnight stay in Rome.

Day 3: ROME – VATICAN – ROME

(EAT THREE MEALS A DAY)

After breakfast at the hotel, the vehicle and guide will take you to the following locations:

Attend the Annunciation Ceremony in St. Peter's Square.

• St. Peter's Basilica – One of the Four Great Basilicas in Rome. The first basilica was built by Emperor Constantine in 320. The current basilica was built over 120 years (1506-1606) during the reigns of 18 papacies under the direction of 12 famous architects such as Bramante, Michelangelo, Raffaello, and Maderno. It is the largest and most beautiful basilica in the world.
• Angel Castle – Also known as Castello St. Angelo, this is a truly captivating Italian tourist destination, with its long-standing historical value and unique architecture, leaving a strong impression on every visitor. It's not just an ordinary famous landmark, but a compelling story told through the ups and downs of history associated with it over time. Today, Castello St. Angelo is a place for tourists to visit, with its labyrinth of rooms and corridors, paintings, sculptures, archaeological artifacts, and historical weapons, and a part of the castle has become a Vatican Museum.

Have dinner. Return to the hotel to rest. Overnight stay in Rome.

Day 4: ROME – VATICAN – ROME

(EAT THREE MEALS A DAY)

After breakfast at the hotel, the vehicle and guide will take you to continue your journey:

• Calisto Catacombs - Pope Zeferino (199-217) entrusted the care of the catacombs to Deacon Callistus. Later, Deacon Callistus was elected Pope, succeeding Pope Zeferino and governing the Church (217-222) until Callistus's martyrdom and burial in this cemetery. In the 3rd century, nine Roman bishops were buried in the Catacombs of St. Callistus, also known as the Papal Chapel. In total, 46 popes and over 170,000 martyrs are buried here, including the tomb of St. Cecilia.
• Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls – With its magnificent structure, the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls is one of the four papal basilicas in Rome, and the second largest after St. Peter's. Traditionally, the church is located on the burial site of the Apostle Paul; here Christians built a tomb chapel, a memorial, which was later transformed into a basilica by Emperor Constantine and consecrated by Pope Sylvester in 394.
• Sistine Chapel– It shimmers like a labyrinth with Michelangelo's two frescoes, "The Creation" and "The Last Judgment," painted on the ceiling and walls. Since their creation, these two paintings have amazed and inspired not only the people of Vatican City but also tourists on European tours.

Have dinner and then return to the hotel to rest. Spend the night in Rome.

Day 05: ROME

(EAT THREE MEALS A DAY)

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be taken by car and guide to:

• Basilica of St. John Lateran – After issuing the Edict of Milan in 313 granting the Catholic Church religious freedom throughout the Roman Empire, Emperor Constantine commissioned the construction of the Basilica of Lateran between 313 and 318 to honor the Savior. This is the Mother and Head (Mater et Caput) of all churches in the world. During the pontificate of Pope Gregory I (590-604), the basilica was dedicated to both Saint John the Baptist and Saint John the Apostle. Pope Lucius II established its current name, the Basilica of St. John Lateran, in 1144. From the 4th to the 14th centuries, this basilica was the center of the Roman Church, the seat and symbol of the Pope.
• Holy Stairs – According to tradition, Jesus ascended the steps to be judged by Pilate in his palace, and the blood of Jesus was found on the steps. On the Holy Stairs is the Holy Chapel containing very precious relics.
• Holly Cross of Jerusalem – Basilica of the Holy Cross.

After dinner, guests will return to the hotel.

Spend the night in Rome.

• Colosseum Arena: The Colosseum, a large amphitheater in Rome, was built between 70 and 72 AD during the reign of Emperor Vespasian. Having weathered many historical upheavals, the Colosseum still stands as a timeless masterpiece. (Taking souvenir photos outside)
• Palatine HillLocated near the Titus Gate, visitors can admire newly unearthed relics such as the House of Augustus and the Domitian Stadium. From the Palatine, visitors can see the Maximus Theatre, where famous horse races took place.

Day 06: ROME – DUBRONIK – MEDUGORJE

(EAT THREE MEALS A DAY)

After breakfast and checking out, the vehicle will take you to the following locations:

• Pantheon – It is one of the best-preserved Roman buildings. In 126 AD, it was considered a temple dedicated to the Roman gods, and since the 7th century, it has been regarded as a Roman Catholic church. The Pantheon features large circular gateways supported by three rows of massive Corinthian (Greek) granite columns.
• Mouth of Truth – One of Rome's most famous tourist attractions is the Bocca della Verita (Mouth of Truth) stone relief. Legend says that tourists who lie and put their hands into the relief's mouth will have their fingers bitten off. The relief became even more famous when it appeared in the 1953 film Roman Holiday, in which the two main characters use it to test their honesty.

• Roman Forum Square – Located southwest of Italy's famous Colosseum, the Roman Forum is a popular tourist destination for those wishing to admire and learn about the ancient Roman culture of beautiful Italy. Within the grounds of the Roman Forum lie many ruins: massive stone columns from ancient temples such as the temples of Saturn, Castor, Pollux, Vesta, Venus and Roma, Antoninus and Faustina, Caesar, Vespasian and Titus… The decline of the Roman Empire in 476 AD also led to the decline of the Roman Forum.

At the appointed time, a vehicle will take you to the airport to fly to Dubronik (Croatia) and then depart for Medjugorje – a small village located more than 130km from the capital Sarajevo. This is a very famous pilgrimage site for Christians worldwide, after the pilgrimage sites of Our Lady of Lourdes and Fatima.

The group will have dinner and then have free time to pray at the church or attend Eucharistic Adoration and receive the grace of healing.

Spend the night in Medjugorje.

Day 07: MEDUGORJE

(EAT THREE MEALS A DAY)

After breakfast at the hotel, the schedule will continue as follows:

• Cenacolo Community – Praying the Rosary at the Cenacolo Community.
• Peaceful Oasis – Located southwest of the apparition hill, in an area of absolute tranquility except where conversation is permitted – the parish of Tihaljina – is situated on the outskirts of Medjugorje, about 45km from Medjugorje. It is home to the world's most beautiful statue of the Virgin Mary – and the Kravice Falls – considered a natural wonder of Bosnia and Herzegovina. A large waterfall on the Trebižat River, its clear blue waters are surrounded by lush forests. The falls offer unique beauty throughout the four seasons, with varying water flow.

Spend the night in Medjugorje.

Day 08: MEDUGORJE

(EAT THREE MEALS A DAY)

After breakfast, the group's itinerary will be as follows:

Early in the morning, guests depart The Stations of the Cross, conquering Mount Krizevac (also known as the Mount of the Holy Cross). – This is where the villagers built 30 giant crosses to commemorate the 2,000th anniversary of Jesus' crucifixion. Upon reaching the summit, the group visited the tomb of Father Slavko and prayed at the Cross of Jesus.

Return to the guesthouse for breakfast and attend the service at St. James's Church.

Then we continued our visit:

• Tihaljina Church – Located in the suburbs of Medjugorje, about 45km from Medjugorje. Home to the most beautiful statue of the Virgin Mary in the world.
• Kravice Waterfall – Considered a natural wonder in Bosnia and Herzegovina, this large waterfall is located on the Trebižat River, boasting clear blue water and surrounded by lush forest. The waterfall's beauty varies with the seasons, each season offering its own unique charm.

The group spent the night in Medugorje.

Day 09: MEDUGORJE

(EAT THREE MEALS A DAY)

Rome

After breakfast, the delegation will visit and speak with the visionaries or Father Jozo, if they are scheduled to receive them.
• Mother's Village – It is a place to care for orphans, built by Father Slavko Barbaric.
• Saint James Church – The village's only church in Medjugorje is run by the Franciscan Fathers. Attend Mass or participate in activities around the St. James Church square. Participate in the Rosary prayer at the church, attend Mass and Eucharistic Adoration, and finally, receive the blessing of healing.
• Podbrdo Hill – The place where Our Lady first appeared to the visionaries. Here, the group prays, recites the Rosary, and asks for blessings from Our Lady, reflecting on the apparitions. Prayer at the foot of the Hill of Apparitions.
You will spend the night in Medugorje.

Day 10: MEDUGORJE

(EAT THREE MEALS A DAY)

After breakfast, the group may participate in a procession and possibly attend the celebration of the Day of the Virgin Mary's Apparition.

• St. James Church: where crowds line up hoping to meet the visionaries, who are living teenagers and who still have daily apparitions to the Virgin Mary.

We had lunch and then continued on to Sarajevo airport to check in for our flight back to the USA.

Day 11SAN FRANCESISO (SFO/IAH)

Upon arrival at San Francisco airport, guests will complete immigration procedures, retrieve their luggage, and the tour guide will bid farewell, hoping to see them again on future Carnival tours.

TOUR PRICE:

Group size 30 guests: $3,850 USD/guest

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Tour Price Includes:

• Round-trip economy class airfare for the group.
• Domestic flight tickets. Checked baggage allowance: 20 kg + 1 small carry-on bag (40 x 20 x 25 cm) – subject to airline regulations. If you require additional checked baggage, please pay the fee as per airline regulations.
• Airport security fees, fuel surcharges, airport taxes.
• 3-4 star hotel (double or triple room)
• Meals, visits, and transportation as per the program.
• The tour guide speaks English and Vietnamese.
• A separate Mass is celebrated for the group each day.
• The spiritual director accompanied the group throughout the entire trip.
• Carnival gifts.

Tour Price Excludes:

• Passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of return to the United States. The passport must meet the following requirements: the photograph must not be damaged or blurry, and all information must be complete. Even if the passport is still valid, a blurry photograph will not be accepted for entry or exit.
• Travel insurance.
• Tips for local guides and drivers.
• Single room supplement applies.
• Surcharge for business class airfare (if applicable).
• Extra baggage fees for checked baggage beyond the standard allowance of European domestic airlines.
• Visits outside the scheduled program, personal expenses, excess baggage fees, telephone calls, laundry, etc.
• Any additional fuel surcharge may apply at the time of ticket issuance (if applicable).
• Visa fees for green card holders: Please contact our office for guidance on the procedure.

PAYMENT METHODS:

• Phase 1: $1,000.00 upon registration.
• Second installment: $2,500.00 10 days before departure.
• Phase 3: Full payment must be made 60 days before the departure date.

TOUR CANCELLATION:

• Cancellation 100 days before departure: a fee of 25%/person will be charged on top of the tour price. 
• Cancellation 90 days before departure: a fee of 50%/person will be charged on top of the tour price. 
• Cancellation 60 days before departure: a fee of 75%/person will be charged on top of the tour price.
• Cancellation 30 days before departure: a 100% fee will be charged for the tour price.
• If a customer is not present at the departure time, the tour will be considered cancelled and no refunds will be given.
• Carnival reserves the right to cancel tours 30 days before departure and issue refunds for any reason. The company will refund the cost of any non-visits included in the tour program, as well as airfare.

NOTE:

• Tour prices do not apply to personal or commercial visits.
• Tour prices are calculated based on a minimum group of 30 adults or more. Therefore, a surcharge will apply if the number of participants is lower.
• The company will not be responsible for lost destinations/visits in the following cases: destinations/visits being closed without prior notice, traffic congestion, or because you stay at a location for longer than the allotted time.
• The company is not responsible for flight delays caused by the customer's failure to be present at the airport as required by the airline or for personal reasons of the customer.
• Because fuel costs may increase at the time of ticket issuance without prior notice, we will present the airline's official document regarding any surcharge increase (if applicable) and request that customers agree to the corresponding price increase.
• Depending on the actual situation, the order of destinations in the itinerary may change, but all the original sightseeing points will still be included.
• In objective circumstances such as terrorism, natural disasters, visa processing delays by the Consulate, or changes in the schedules of public transportation such as airplanes and trains, the travel company reserves the right to change the itinerary for the convenience and safety of customers and will be exempt from liability for compensation for any resulting damages.
• Passengers aged 75 and above are required to provide a health certificate for international travel issued by a doctor and a health commitment form to the company. A healthy family member under 60 years of age must accompany them.
• Please read the inclusions and exclusions carefully before booking the tour. This will help avoid any confusion or misunderstandings about the services offered.

Carnival Group sends best wishes.

Wishing you a blessed pilgrimage!