SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO FROM ROME

You will start the tour at the agreed meeting point, Roma Termini train station, and board the train to the city of Foggia.

Upon your arrival, we will transfer you in a private car to your hotel in San Giovanni Rotondo, a large town in the Gargano peninsula, in the Puglia region of south-east Italy. It is said to be built over a ruined temple of Jupiter and derives its name from an ancient circular (rotundus) baptistery.

It is especially well known for its important religious monuments and attracts millions of pilgrims each year because of the tomb of Saint Padre Pio. His reputation as a miracle worker and his devotion to helping the sick, and his resulting great fame throughout Italy, eventually changed the town.

You will also have the opportunity to visit Monte Sant'Angelo on the southern slopes of Monte Cargano and its Sanctuary of Monte Sant'Angelo, built in the 13th century by Charles I of Anjou, by paying an additional supplement. Later, you will check in at your hotel, rest, and enjoy its comforts, or venture out to explore San Giovanni Rotondo.

Greca Tip: You may try the typical dish of San Giovanni Rotondo, the "Miscisca", mutton or beef, dried and then flavored with herbs, and enjoy it with a glass of local good wine.

You will start the day enjoying a delicious breakfast at the hotel. Then you will have the rest of the day free to visit the town and its artistic and cultural heritage. Padre Pio lived in San Giovanni Rotondo from 1916 until the day of his death on September 23, 1968.

Here, on August 5, 1918, Padre Pio received the “transverberation” of Jesus. On the following September 20th, he would again receive the stigmata of the Passion and crucifixion of Jesus. Padre Pio received from God mystical attributes, such as bilocation or the mysterious perfume that his body emanates.

On the other hand, it is said that he still performs miracles and helps people who believe and pray to him. On May 2, 1999, Pope John Paul II proclaimed him a Saint.

While around Padre Pio a great spiritual culture was born, the international center of "Prayer Groups" constantly keeps in touch with both Italian and foreign Prayer Groups, assists them in organizing initiatives, supports their activities, and provides them with all necessary data and informative material.

Close to the monastery, there is the Padre Pio Wax Museum which contains historical information about the region as well as mosaics that depict the life of Padre Pio.

In this town, you will also find the great project of the “Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza” (House of Relief from Suffering), a majestic and modern hospital built near the convent of San Giovanni Rotondo, one of the largest hospitals in Europe.

In Giovanni Rotondo, you can visit the cave of Santa Maria delle Grazie, where the body of Padre Pio was displayed to the public until 2009.

In the evening you will reflect on your day's visit and have a restful night at your hotel.

Greca Tip: You may choose to buy your religious mementos from one of the shops that abound in the town.

In the morning you will enjoy a delicious breakfast and, at the time indicated, our representative will pick you up in one of our private vehicles and transfer you comfortably to the Foggia train station. Here you will board the train back to Roma Termini.

Following your spiritual trip to this corner of Italy, we hope to see you again to create more precious and personally fulfilling moments that you will cherish for a long time to come!

Have a nice trip! Or, as you may also say: "Buon Viaggio!".

Greca Tip: You can extend your stay in Rome at Step 1 of your reservation!