RELIGIOUS TOURISM IN SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO

1 day: Airport – St. Giovanni Rotondo
Meeting of the participants in the agreed place and departure by a reserved GT Bus reserved for St. Giovanni Rotondo. Arrival and visit to the places where St. Pio of Pietrelcina lived and worked: the Ancient Church and the new Church, both dedicated to St. Maria Delle Grazie, the Veranda, the Cell, the Surgery room, the hall of St. Francis and the Crucifix of the Stigmata. Visit to the New Church of St. Pio of Pietrelcina designed by Renzo Piano, in the upper part and in the lower part with the passage between the mosaics of the artist Father Rupnik; the Aletti center and then achievement of the new Chapel in gold containing the remains of St. Pio. Veneration and personal prayer. The Holy Mass follows in the New Church of St. Pio. Packed lunch is charged by the participants. Transfer to Alberobello / surroundings, hotel accommodation, dinner and overnight stay.

2 day: Castellana Caves – Alberobello
Breakfast at hotel and departure for a guided tour to the Castellana Caves, a complex of underground cavities of karst origin, of a notable tourist interest, among the most beautiful and spectacular in Italy. Lunch in a restaurant. In the afternoon transfer to Alberobello for a guided tour to the famous trulli’s city, characteristic dry-built peasant houses with whitewashed walls and typical gray stone roofs, a short walk in the alleys where look out houses, small shops, typical restaurants. All in a unique atmosphere. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

3 day: Lecce – Otranto
Breakfast at hotel and departure for Lecce. Meeting with the guide and visit of the city: the historic center of Baroque imprint, where you remain enchanted by the visual effect of the “Lecce stone”. Visit to the city : the Piazza St. Oronzo, dominated by the famous obelisk; the Church of St. Croce, considered one of the most important baroque representations; the 2nd century Roman amphitheater; the majestic Piazza of Duomo. Lunch in a restaurant. In the afternoon transfer to Otranto and visit to the city: the Cathedral with the Chapel of the Martyrs, the crypt and the mosaic. Time available for the purchase of souvenirs of local crafts. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

4 day: Monte Sant’Angelo – Airport
Breakfast at hotel and departure for the town of Monte Sant’Angelo to admire the cave sanctuary dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel, since the Middle Ages a privileged destination for pilgrims from all over Europe. At the end of the visit, lunch and departure for the airport.