2026 Catholic Festival Choir ~ Vatican & Italy Pilgrimage
Trip Overview
Join a spiritually enriching 9-day pilgrimage through Italy designed for Catholic choirs. Experience the profound joy of singing in sacred spaces such as St. Peter’s Basilica, while exploring Italy’s most revered religious and cultural landmarks in Rome, Montecatini, Florence, and Venice. This trip blends performance, prayer, and cultural discovery into a once-in-a-lifetime musical journey.
Take a look at the brochure
Trip Price
Choir Performer – $4,995 per person
Return Flights included
Embark on this unforgettable journey for just $4,995 per person – Return Flights included – based on double occupancy.
Secure your place in this once-in-a-lifetime choir experience with an $800 deposit per member. Don’t miss your chance to sing for the Pope and explore Italy like never before!
Itinerary
Day 1: Overnight Flight
Depart from the USA today under own arrangement. Recommended gateways are Rome arrival and Venice departure.
Day 2-4: Rome
Your sacred journey begins in the heart of Rome, the Eternal City, where ancient ruins, spiritual wonders, and musical purpose come together. After arriving, you’ll be warmly welcomed by your Tour Managers and the Catholic Festival Choir staff, who will guide you through check-in and orientation. As the sun sets, enjoy your first Italian dinner with fellow travelers. The following days are filled with rich cultural immersion—step inside the colossal Colosseum, walk the historic Roman Forum, and witness a Papal Audience (subject to availability) in St. Peter’s Square. Experience your first choir rehearsal in Rome, preparing for a once-in-a-lifetime musical journey. Explore the Vatican Museums with a knowledgeable guide, stand in awe beneath Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, and admire the grandeur of St. Peter’s Basilica. Take time to wander Rome’s charming streets, sip espresso at a café, or shop for local treasures. Then, as evening approaches, raise your voice in song during a Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica—an unforgettable moment of faith and harmony. With a mix of guided exploration and free time to soak in the beauty, Days 2–4 in Rome set the tone for a deeply enriching pilgrimage.
Day 5-7: Montecatini/Florence
Embark on a breathtaking journey through the heart of Tuscany as you depart Rome and travel to Montecatini, a serene spa town nestled among rolling hills. En route, take in the charm of Orvieto, a hilltop gem known for its cobblestone streets and stunning cathedral, during a guided walking tour. Once in Montecatini, check into your hotel and unwind over a group dinner.
The next day, immerse yourself in Florence—the cradle of the Renaissance. Stand before Brunelleschi’s iconic Duomo, marvel at Ghiberti’s golden Baptistry Doors, stroll across the romantic Ponte Vecchio, and visit Santa Croce, the final resting place of Michelangelo and Galileo. Skip the lines with timed entry to the Accademia and see the awe-inspiring David. Rehearse with your choir in preparation for your second grand performance, then enjoy a free evening to explore Florence at your own pace.
On your final day in Montecatini, set out for the medieval beauty of Siena. Wander its fan-shaped piazza, learn its rich history, and soak in the vibrant Tuscan energy. Continue to San Gimignano, where ancient towers pierce the skyline and local shops line picturesque streets. Capture unforgettable views, savor Italian culture, and return to Montecatini for dinner, heart full and soul inspired.
Day 8-9: Venice Mainland
Begin your journey northward across the stunning plains of Veneto, with a captivating stop in the historic city of Padua. Renowned for its prestigious university where Galileo once taught, Padua enchants with its timeless architecture and academic spirit. Explore the awe-inspiring Basilica of St. Anthony, crowned by multiple cupolas that define the city’s spiritual skyline.
Continue to Monastier for a warm check-in and enjoy a delicious dinner at your hotel, surrounded by peaceful countryside charm.
The next day, step into the magical world of Venice—Italy’s floating city. Glide across 150 winding canals, cross charming bridges linking 118 unique islands, and take in the grandeur of St. Mark’s Basilica and its iconic square. Let yourself wander freely, soaking in the elegance, romance, and mystery of this one-of-a-kind destination.
Later, gather for your final rehearsal and prepare for the grand farewell concert. End this extraordinary week of music and unity with a festive dinner celebrating new friendships, unforgettable performances, and shared faith in one of the most enchanting cities on Earth.
Day 10: Departure
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the US. (B)
What’s Included
- Return Flights included
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Daily breakfast and dinner
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Accommodation in 3- or 4-star hotels
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24/7 bilingual tour manager support
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Private local transportation and vaporetto pass in Venice
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Guided tours in Rome, Florence, and Venice
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Reserved entry to top landmarks: Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica, Colosseum, Accademia, and Doge’s Palace
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Glassblowing demonstration in Venice
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All choir concert arrangements: venue, permits, promotion, and on-site coordination
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Participation in liturgical services at a local cathedral
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Personal audio headsets for tours
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Global support network throughout your journey
Tour Inclusions
- Accommodations at conveniently located 3- or 4-star hotels
- Rooming in a combination of triple and twin room occupancy.
- All sightseeing and entrances as featured in the itinerary
- Private deluxe air-conditioned motor coach and driver
- Services of a bilingual professional Tour Manager throughout your program (One Tour Manager per motorcoach)
- Basic gratuities for the Tour Managers, Local Guides, and Bus Drivers
- Arrangements for the Festival Chorus to provide music for a daily Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica
- Concert Preparations for three performances in major Italian cities (Rome, Florence, and Venice). Catholic Festival Chorus participants benefit from professional performance services venue rental and location, on-site concert and rehearsal assistance, and concert management including all pre-concert publicity and promotion.
- Wednesday Papal Audience pending 2026 Vatican official scheduling
- Vox Headsets
What’s Not Included?
- Flights heading to Italy
- Baggage Fees imposed by the airlines
- Instrument stands
- Any meals not listed in your itinerary
- Programs for the concerts
- Allocations of specific seat assignments on flights
Sample Venues
Please note that venues are not confirmed until expressly stated by your Program Consultant.
Known as “the greatest of all churches of Christendom,” St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City stands as a monument nearly 400 years old. It boasts a rich tapestry of history, art, and spirituality. The basilica is adorned with masterpieces by renowned Renaissance artists, including Michelangelo. A pilgrimage site for Christians and a marvel for tourists and historians alike, its grandeur leaves a lasting impression. Encore groups have not only visited this sacred space but some have even had the incredible honor of performing for the Pope himself.
Sant’Andrea della Valle offers one of the most dramatic and opulent church interiors in Rome. Its stunning Baroque design and rich history inspired Puccini to set the opening act of his opera Tosca within its Barberini Chapel. This is where the opera’s suspense and intrigue begin. The church’s powerful atmosphere and artistic beauty make it a dream venue for performances. From architectural splendor to its operatic legacy, it stands as a perfect backdrop for unforgettable choir or orchestral concerts.
The largest piazza in Venice after Piazza San Marco, this wonderful square is a mixture of shops and churches in the heart of the city’s most prestigious neighborhood. Slightly off the tourist path but always busy with locals, it makes a great place for a memorable concert.
Located next door to the church of San Rocco is the Grand School of San Rocco. Completed in 1560, the design was similar to other scuola in Venice, characterized by two halls, one at ground floor level, the other at first floor level. The upper hall provides a magnificent performance space that can accommodate orchestras of up to 100 members as well as choral ensembles. In its heyday, the scuola was an important patron of music employing musicians such as Giovanni Gabrieli. In 1958, Stravinsky’s Threni was premiered at the scuola with the composer himself conducting.
Hotels
Hotel Marriott Central Park
Courtyard Rome Central Park is a modern 4-star hotel located in a quiet residential area of Rome, offering scenic views of St. Peter’s Basilica. It features spacious rooms, many with balconies, a Mediterranean restaurant, fitness center, and easy access to Vatican City via nearby train stations. The hotel blends comfort with convenience, making it ideal for both leisure and group travelers.
Hotel Settentrionale Esplanade
This serene 4-star hotel is perfectly positioned just a short walk from the town center, offering an oasis of tranquility. Guests can unwind by the crystal blue outdoor pool and garden or enjoy the shade on the summer terrace beneath blooming wisteria. With the option to dine at the onsite restaurant or explore the quaint town on a complimentary bike provided by the hotel, relaxation and rejuvenation are assured.
Hotel Villa Fiorita
Set in a historic 18th-century Venetian villa surrounded by centuries-old trees, this 4.5-star luxury property combines an elegant, heritage building with a modern annex connected by a covered passage. Guests enjoy beautifully landscaped grounds, a seasonal outdoor pool, spa services, and relaxing terraces. It houses 31 deluxe rooms and suites, and a celebrated on-site restaurant led by a renowned chef specializing in regional Veneto cuisine. Positioned just 12 km from Treviso and under 30 minutes from Venice, it makes an ideal tranquil retreat between performances.




