2027 Choir Pilgrimage for the Jubilee Year of Saint Francis of Assisi
Trip Overview
Featuring World-Renowned Italian Composer Mariano Garau
Experience a once-in-a-lifetime sacred journey through Italy, specially curated for choirs to celebrate the Jubilee Year of Saint Francis of Assisi. This extraordinary pilgrimage blends faith, music, and culture—offering unforgettable opportunities to perform in some of the most revered churches in the world.
Featured Performance Venues
- Assisi – Mass at the Lower Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi (Self-led by choir musicians)
- Rome – Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica (Conducted by Mariano Garau)
About Mariano Garau
Mariano Garau is an acclaimed Italian composer of sacred choral music, celebrated for his profound contributions to liturgical and vocal compositions.
He began his musical journey as a boy soprano in the Cecilian Choir under Maestro Pietro Allori and later advanced his studies in harmony and counterpoint in Florence. Over the years, he has composed numerous Masses, motets, and vocal works, published by leading Italian and international publishers.
Garau’s major works include cantatas inspired by Hildegard von Bingen and other sacred themes, performed across Europe and the United States. His compositions are sung by choirs worldwide, and in 2023, he was honored with a prestigious award recognizing his lifetime contribution to choral music.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in Venice | Monastier
Arrive in Venice and meet your dedicated Tour Manager. Transfer to Monastier for hotel check-in. Enjoy a welcome dinner and relax for the evening.
Day 2 – Venice
Discover the magic of Venice with visits to iconic landmarks including St. Mark’s Square and the Bridge of Sighs. Enjoy free time to explore the charming canals, local shops, and historic streets.
Day 3 – Venice – Padua – Montecatini
Travel toward Montecatini with a stop in Padua. Visit the Basilica of St. Anthony and explore this historic city before continuing your journey. Dinner and overnight stay in Montecatini.
Day 4 – Montecatini – Florence
Head to Florence for a guided walking tour of this Renaissance gem. Visit Santa Croce, the Duomo, and admire the renowned Baptistry Doors.
Day 5 – Florence – Assisi
Visit the Accademia Gallery to witness Michelangelo’s David. Continue to Assisi, followed by dinner and an evening choir rehearsal.
Day 6 – Assisi – Rome
Celebrate a deeply moving morning Mass at the Lower Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi. Spend time exploring Assisi before departing for Rome.
Day 7 – Vatican City
Participate in a morning rehearsal with Maestro Mariano Garau. Enjoy a guided tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica. Perform during Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, followed by a festive farewell dinner with music and celebration.
Day 8 – Departure
Transfer to the airport for your return journey, carrying unforgettable memories of faith, music, and fellowship.
What’s Included
- Accommodations at conveniently located 3- or 4-star hotels
- Rooming in a combination of twin room occupancy
- Daily buffet breakfast
- 3 Dinners, at hotels or local restaurants
- Farewell Festive dinner including beverages
- Walking guided tour of Florence
- Guided tour of Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica
- Guided tour of Colosseum
- Reserved admission to Accademia Gallery, Santa Croce Church, Vatican Museums, Colosseum&Roman Forum
- Return private motor-launch transfer in Venice
- Return funicolar ride in Orvieto
- Personal headsets included throughout the tour
- Wednesday Papal Audience pending 2026 Vatican official scheduling
- Three concert arrangements including venue rental, concert permits, advertisement and on-site Effetto Assistance
- Ropes transportation to the venues for concerts
- Singing participation in liturgical service at St. Peter’s Basilica
- 24-Hour Effetto Italy professional English-speaking Tour Manager, with salary, board, and lodging expenses included.
- Transportation by deluxe air-conditioned private motor coach for all detailed services as per the attached itinerary, all driver’s
expenses for board&lodging - Pertinent motor coach permits and hotel city taxes
- 24/7 Emergency number in Italy during the trip
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 to or from Italy
- Individual airport transfers in Italy
- Beverages during meal, with the exception of Farewell meal
- Porterage
- Tips to driver/guides/tour escort
- Any meals not listed in your itinerary
- Instrument stands
- Programs for the concerts
- Performance rights & associated fees
- Travel insurance
- Incidental personal expenses
- Anything not listed under “Included Features”
Sample Venues
Please note that venues are not confirmed until expressly stated by your Program Consultant.
Experience a deeply spiritual moment as your choir leads a sacred Mass in the Lower Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi. This historic and revered site offers a profound setting to share your music in the heart of Saint Francis’s legacy.
Perform in one of the world’s most iconic churches during Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, under the direction of renowned composer Mariano Garau. This extraordinary opportunity places your choir at the spiritual center of the Catholic Church.
Hotels
Courtyard Rome Central Park
This modern 4-star hotel in Rome’s Monte Mario district, offers
comfortable, air-conditioned rooms with free Wi-Fi. The hotel features an on-site restaurant and bistro with outdoor terraces, a fitness center, and a relaxing spa area. It’s conveniently located near public transport, making attractions like the Vatican and Olympic Stadium easily accessible. Many rooms offer scenic views, including vistas of St. Peter’s Basilica.
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.
Park Hotel Villa Fiorita
Villa Fiorita, an 18th-century mansion located in the area of Venetian villas between Treviso and Venice, with its 170 rooms divided between a splendid villa that still retains all its original charm and a modern building; the spaces are spacious and restful, the architecture gentle and harmonious, and the romantic atmospheres are permeated with nature and history.