"To have a pilgrimage director who knows the language of the country and the background and history of the sites visited is phenomenal. The information you imparted to us each day made the visits so much more meaningful. Your rapport with the various sites really personalized the trip and made it so much more meaningful. I truly appreciate all the work you put into the trip to make the connections and give us a look at a little slice of life in Italy. Thank you for a wonderful two weeks in Italy. It was amazing!" -Judy P, Portland, Oregon

Terms & Conditions

Accommodations

Accommodations are hand-picked based on quality, service, location, and availability. They are rated at superior tourist class (or better). They are non-smoking and offer private bath. Italian accommodations sometimes offer fewer services and amenities (such as TV or hair dryers in rooms). A limited number of single rooms may be available at an additional price, however we cannot guarantee one. Because air conditioning is not widely used in Italy (and is restricted by Italian law) we cannot guarantee it. Given the religious nature of the pilgrimage, and that we often overnight in religious institutes operated by religious Orders, pilgrims are asked to adhere to the moral expectations within those institutes.

Spiritual Nature of a Pilgrimage

St. Francis Pilgrimages, LLC operates spiritual pilgrimages in the Roman Catholic tradition, and not secular tours. Participants must be willing to participate in spiritual nature of the trip, such as time set aside for prayer and spiritual teaching. The pilgrimage is open to anyone of any denomination or faith; however, Catholic Mass (and other sacraments) are frequently celebrated during the pilgrimage.

Payment

Payments are in US dollars, unless otherwise specified. A non-refundable (but transferable) deposit of $300 is due to reserve your place on the pilgrimage. $1,200 is due 120 days before departure and the balance is due 90 days before departure. Please contact us if you need to work out a payment plan. The entire cost of the trip may be made in one payment. Once airline tickets are printed, additional taxes and surcharge may be assessed. Once we receive the trip payment in full, you will be issued your ticket and pilgrimage guide. The published price per person includes airfare (including taxes/surcharges), ground bus transportation by private coach, room based on double-occupancy, and continental breakfast plus one meal per day. It does not include one meal per day (est. $8-$20 per meal), tips (est. $5-10/day), travel insurance (highly recommended), or passport/visa fees. A land-only package is available for anyone wishing to make their own airfare arrangements.

Cancellations

Should you cancel once registered, deposits are non-refundable, but transferrable to a future pilgrimage. If the cancellation is made more than 90 days before departure, all payments will be refunded (except the deposit). If the cancellation is made between 90 days and 60 days of departure, all payments will be refunded minus $300 (and the deposit). If you cancel within 60 days of departure, we will attempt to recover what has been paid to our suppliers, but we cannot guarantee any reimbursements. Airline tickets, once issued, are usually non-refundable, depending on specific airline policy. If a pilgrimage is cancelled by St. Francis Pilgrimages, LLC, everyone who has registered will be refunded all payments including deposits. However, if an individual cancels before St. Francis Pilgrimages officially cancels, refunds will be based on the above criteria. St. Francis Pilgrimages will only cancel a pilgrimage if there is an insufficient number of registrations, or possibly if a Travel Warning is issued by the US State Department in the destination country.

Travel Insurance

We recommend purchasing travel insurance before departure which will insure things like lost baggage, health insurance, ticket re-booking fees, cancellations, etc. The cost of our pilgrimage does not include travel insurance. If you would like travel insurance, please contact Trip Insurance independently at 1-800-423-3632. Mention you are traveling with St. Francis Pilgrimages and the agency code is: STFP 3605 GA. Or Click Here to Purchase Online. Make sure to note the specific details of the policy.

Price Guarantee

All trip prices and costs are published in dollars and are calculated based on the Euro/dollar exchange rate at the time of booking. St. Francis Pilgrimages, LLC reserves the right to adjust the price prior to departure based on currency rate fluctuations of more than 10%.

Passports and Visas

A valid passport is required to enter Italy. If you do not have one, please apply well in advance. Passports must be valid 3 months after the return date on your ticket. A travel visa is not necessary for US, Canadian, and most European citizens to enter Italy. If you are a citizen of a different country, please check with the Italian consulate to see if you will need a visa, in which case you would have to apply well in advance of arrival.

Medical and Health Conditions

If you have any health conditions, we require that you check with your doctor to see if they recommend you attend this pilgrimage. Pilgrims frequently note that our trips involve a lot of walking and stair climbing. Should medical conditions or difficulty walking and carrying your suitcase prevent you from following the scheduled itinerary and keeping up with a group of relatively healthy middle-aged adults at a medium pace, St. Francis Pilgrimages cannot be held responsible. St. Francis Pilgrimages can offer some assistance (like calling additional taxi service), but cannot create alternate itineraries. Should you require the assistance of a wheelchair or walker, you must have someone accompany you to assist you throughout the pilgrimage.

Disclaimer

The responsibility of St. Francis Pilgrimages, LLC is strictly limited. St. Francis Pilgrimages, LLC organizes tours and pilgrimages utilizing various independent contractors (not employees) and cannot be held responsible for those suppliers that provide transportation, air services, or hotel accommodations for St. Francis Pilgrimages, LLC. By utilizing the service of the suppliers you agree that St. Francis Pilgrimages, LLC will not be liable for any change in schedule, strikes, delay, acts of governments, acts of war, acts of terrorism, fires, riots, theft, epidemics, quarantine, medical or customs regulations, accident, loss, injury, damage, or death to you or to those traveling with you in connection with any accommodations, transportation or any other services or resulting directly or indirectly from any occurrence or conditions beyond its control, including defects in vehicles, breakdown in equipment, thefts, delay or cancellation of or changes in itinerary for any act, omission or event during the time you are on board the aircraft. Neither St. Francis Pilgrimages, LLC and/or agents of the airlines concerned are to be held responsible for the late arrival of passengers at airports or hotels due to inclement weather. St. Francis Pilgrimages, LLC cannot be held responsible for any medical expenses incurred by any member or for any additional costs incurred by participants who cannot complete the program for whatever reason.