11-Day / 10-Night Private Pilgrimage to Italy
Venice • Rome • Amalfi Coast

With Daily Mass Celebrated by Rev. Griffen Schlaepfer

This private pilgrimage with Deacon Griffen Schlaepfer—soon to be Rev. Griffen Schlaepfer—and his parents promises to be an unforgettable 11-day, 10-night private journey through Italy. This custom-designed pilgrimage blends the beauty, history, and culture of Italy with the profound grace of celebrating Holy Mass each day in sacred and inspiring places.

Trip Highlights

Venice – 2 Nights
Begin your pilgrimage in the enchanting city of Venice, a place of waterways, light, and extraordinary charm. Your stay at the historic Hotel Saturnia & International provides comfort and elegance in the heart of the city. Enjoy time exploring Venice’s winding streets and serene piazzas. Father Griffen’s first Masses in Italy will be celebrated in beautiful local churches, marking a prayerful start to the journey.

Rome – 4 Nights
Continue on to the Eternal City, the center of the Catholic world. Your accommodations at the modern NYX Hotel Rome offer an ideal base for discovering the city’s layers of ancient, artistic, and spiritual heritage. Experience Rome at a meaningful pace, with Mass each day in significant churches that highlight the richness of the Catholic tradition.

Amalfi Coast – 4 Nights
Conclude your pilgrimage along the breathtaking Amalfi Coast. The elegant Hotel Marina Riviera, set above the shimmering sea, provides a peaceful retreat. Enjoy the beauty and tranquility of Amalfi and its neighboring villages. Daily Mass in the region’s picturesque coastal churches will be a treasured part of this final leg of the journey.

A Spiritual Journey
This private trip offers a rare opportunity to accompany a newly ordained priest as he celebrates Mass daily in some of Italy’s most beautiful and faith-filled settings. With carefully selected 4-star accommodations, private touring, and abundant time for prayer, reflection, and family, this pilgrimage promises to deepen faith, strengthen bonds, and create lasting memories.

AIRPORT-HOTEL TRANSFER INCLUDED ONLY

 Arrive at Venice International Airport at 9:30 am.

 Meet with our Airport assistance and transfer by private boat to the Hotel Saturnia & International.

 Check in to your reserved triple room (earlier check in is subject to confirmation on the spot)

 Lunch on your own.

 Rest of the day at leisure

 Celebrate private Mass at a local church - subject to confirmation.

 Dinner on your own.

 Overnight at the hotel in Venice (-).

TRANSPORT NOT INCLUDED

 Breakfast at the hotel.

 Meet your local guide for a full-day walking tour of the City of the Doges. Visit St. Mark’s Basilica to admire the Golden Altarpiece (Pala d’Oro). (entrance fee included)

 Lunch on your own.

 Celebrate private Mass at a local church - subject to confirmation.

 Return to the hotel on your own.

 Dinner on your own

 Overnight at the hotel in Venice (B).

TRANSPORT NOT INCLUDED; FRECCIARIOSSA TRAIN TICKETS INCLUDED

 Breakfast at the hotel and check out.

 Morning at leisure on your own (hold luggage at hotel).

 Lunch on your own.

 Independent transfer to Venice Santa Lucia train station.

 Around 1:00 PM Departure by FRECCIAROSSA high-speed train to Rome Termini (approx. 4 hours, INCLUDED)

 Upon arrival, transfer independently to NYX Hotel Rome.

 Check into your reserved triple room.

 Celebrate private Mass at a local church - subject to confirmation.

 Dinner on your own.

 Overnight at the hotel in Rome (B).

TRANSPORT NOT INCLUDED

 Breakfast at the hotel

 Celebrate private Mass at a local church - subject to confirmation.

 Free day at leisure for your own disposal.

 Lunch on your own.

 Dinner on your own.

 Overnight at the hotel in Rome (B).

TRANSPORT NOT INCLUDED

 Breakfast at the hotel.

 Independent transfer to St. Peter’s Square for the Papal Audience.

 Afterward, meet your local guide to visit the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica (entrances included).

 Lunch on your own.

 Return to the hotel on your own.

 Celebrate Mass at a local church - subject to confirmation.

 Dinner on your own.

 Overnight at the hotel in Rome (B).

TRANSPORT NOT INCLUDED

 Breakfast at the hotel.

 Meet your local guide for a full day walking tour of Rome Centro to include: Trevi fountain, Piazza della Rotondo and Pantheon (entrance fee included), and also Piazza Navona with special emphasis on the significant churches.

 Lunch on your own.

 Celebrate Mass at a local church - subject to confirmation.

 Return to the hotel on your own.

 Dinner on your own

 Overnight at the hotel in Rome (B).

TRANSPORT NOT INCLUDED

 Breakfast at the hotel and check out.

 Independent transfer to the Amalfi Coast.

 Lunch on your own.

 Upon arrival accommodation in your reserved triple room at Marina Riviera (Amalfi).

 Afternoon at leisure.

 Celebrate Mass at a local church - subject to confirmation.

 Dinner on your own

 Overnight at the hotel in Amalfi (B).

TRANSPORT NOT INCLUDED

 Breakfast at the hotel.

 In the morning, visit a local Limoncello producer in Amalfi, including a short tasting session (included).

 Lunch on your own.

 Afternoon at leisure.

 Celebrate Mass at a local church - subject to confirmation.

 Dinner on your own

 Overnight at the hotel in Amalfi (B).

TRANSPORT NOT INCLUDED; HYDROFOIL FROM AMALFI INCLUDED

 Breakfast at the hotel.

 Departure for Capri (hydrofoil from Amalfi included).

 Enjoy a full day Capri visit, including Grotta Azzurra (tickets not included).

NOTE: Please note that tickets for Grotta Azzurra are purchasable at boarding.

 Lunch on your own.

 Return to the hotel.

 Celebrate Mass at a local church - subject to confirmation.

 Dinner on your own

 Overnight at the hotel in Amalfi (B).

TRANSPORT NOT INCLUDED

 Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.

 Independent transfer to the Naples airport for return flight back home (B)

Attention: Schedule on this day is subject to change depending on flight.

This is an active itinerary that requires about 15,000 steps walking each day, sometimes on uneven surfaces, including stairs. Begin to prepare through a daily walking program. 

As a pilgrimage, we will commit ourselves to working together to cooperate and support one another, realizing that different foods, cultures, and experiences are why we are traveling! The unexpected is God's way of sharing with us something (or someone) we otherwise would not have encountered.  Be ready to travel in patience and trust. 

Quoted prices are based on payment by check. An additional 1% + 30¢ online processing fee is charged for all online transactions, with an additional 2.9% (Visa, Mastercard) to 3.9% (American Express) service charge for credit/debit card payments. There is no online processing fee nor service charge for registrations (or subsequent payments) mailed directly to Cloverdale Travel with payment by check.

Please note that payments by check are typically processed once a week on Saturdays. 

You do hereby authorize all charges as outlined in the payment plan and Terms and Condition/Terms of Service, including the line item for Gratuities for Tour Manager, Local Guides, Driver, Waitstaff for Group Meals, Porters ($250/person added to final invoice). 

Group flights are not offered for this trip and are the sole responsibility of the participants. We are not responsible for missed or delayed flights, or mistakes in booking of flights.

Unless specified, transfers between sites and to/from airports, stations, and docks are not included with this trip.

Tour escort services are not provided for this trip.

Individual deposits are refundable except for a $500/person handling fee for cancellations made 90 days or more prior to departure. 

For cancellations 90 to 60 days prior to departure, you will be refunded everything except your initial deposit ($1000). 

If you cancel the trip within 60 days of departure, all payments are non-refundable. 

Unused portions of the trip are non-refundable. 

Cloverdale Travel cannot refund credit card/bank fees, nor refund money paid for travel protection/insurance.

Trip cancellation/protection plan is optional, but highly encouraged. Travel protections plans are available through Travelex, or through your own carrier. A link to Travelex will be included in your confirmation/registration email.  If you decline to purchase travel protection/insurance, you assume all financial liability for losses that might have been covered by appropriate travel insurance/protection. A form indicating acceptance or waiver of travel insurance/protection must be completed and submitted for each registration; those purchasing travel insurance/protection will be asked to provide carrier and policy/confirmation number. 

Please upload a copy of your passport picture page with online registration, or email to info@cloverdaletravel.org. Passports must be valid for 6 months after our return date. 

Beginning in 2026, the European Union is requiring travel authorization (ETIAS) to enter most European countries. This permission is different from a residence permit or visa, is obtained online, and is good for three (3) years (or until your passport expires). Obtaining the ETIAS permission is the responsibility of the traveler. See www.https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en for more information.

Please note that pricing is based on 40 pilgrims and based on an exchange rate of $1= € 1.05. Prices may be adjusted based on fewer than 40 pilgrims, a higher exchange rate, or increases in taxes and fuel surcharges. 

Errors and omissions are possible in this itinerary, pricing, and communication; we are not responsible for such errors and may make corrections, including in billing, as needed to correct mistakes. 

Key Clauses

• Cloverdale Travel acts solely as a tour operator and travel arranger. All transportation, accommodations, and other services are provided by independent suppliers. Cloverdale Travel LLC does not own, operate, or control these suppliers and is not responsible for their acts or omissions.
  

• Cloverdale Travel shall not be liable for any injury, loss, accident, delay, or irregularity resulting from acts or omissions of any company or person providing services included in the tour.

• Participant understands that international travel involves risks including illness, injury, transportation delays, and unforeseen circumstances. By participating in the pilgrimage, the traveler voluntarily assumes these risks.

• Cloverdale Travel shall not be liable for failure to perform its obligations when such failure is due to events beyond its control including acts of God, government actions, labor disputes, pandemics, natural disasters, or transportation disruptions.
  

• Cloverdale Travel shall not be liable for failure to perform its obligations when such failure is due to events beyond its control including acts of God, government actions, labor disputes, pandemics, natural disasters, or transportation disruptions.
  

• Travelers are responsible for ensuring they are physically able to participate in the pilgrimage and must carry adequate health insurance. Cloverdale Travel assumes no responsibility for medical care or expenses incurred during the trip.

By registering for this trip (and checking YES to Terms and Conditions), you agree that Cloverdale Group LLC, Cloverdale Travel, staff, employees, independent contractors, and vendors, Reverend Zachary Navit, and the Group Leaders, have no responsibility for any acts or occurrences beyond our control. There are inherent risks in travel and you willingly and fully accept all risks and complete responsibility, and you and your heirs agree to indemnify and hold Cloverdale Group LLC, Cloverdale Travel, and our travel partners harmless with respect to any claim that is or could be made. 

It is our intention to provide you with the very best traveling experience based on the circumstances and situation at the time of travel.

By clicking "YES" you accept these conditions and the Terms & Conditions as specified on the Cloverdale Travel website (www.cloverdalegroup.org).