Private Tour from Rome: Padre Pio and St. Michael's Cave
Description
Set off from Rome for a spiritual journey into the heart of Puglia. You will be picked up from your hotel or apartment and travel in a comfortable private air-conditioned minivan, accompanied by a dedicated tour assistant. The first stop will be the Grotto of San Michele Arcangelo in Monte Sant’Angelo, one of the oldest shrines in Christianity, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A mystical place linked to the apparitions of the Archangel Michael, it has been a pilgrimage destination for over a thousand years. You will then continue to San Giovanni Rotondo to visit the Shrine of Padre Pio, one of the most important in the Catholic world. You will see the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, where Padre Pio lived and worked, with relics and his incorruptible body. You will also visit the new Church of San Pio, designed by Renzo Piano, which houses the crypt with his remains. You will have time to pray, reflect and have lunch before returning to Rome, bringing with you a unique spiritual and cultural experience.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The Sanctuary of San Giovanni Rotondo is an important place of worship located in the city of the same name in the province of Foggia, Puglia, mainly known for being the place of veneration of San Pio da Pietrelcina, the Capuchin friar who lived and died there in 1968. The sanctuary consists of a number of religious buildings, including the lower church, where the tomb of St. Pius is located, and the upper church, a modern structure designed by architect Renzo Piano, inaugurated in 2004. The shrine is a destination for pilgrimages from all over the world, attracted by the spirituality of St. Pius and the graces that many attribute to his intercession. Next to the church, there is also the Capuchin convent, where St. Pius lived and carried out his life of prayer and service.
The Grotto of San Michele Arcangelo, located in Monte Sant’Angelo, in the province of Foggia, is one of the oldest and most venerated places of worship in Christianity. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the cave is linked to a series of apparitions of the Archangel Michael, dating back to the fifth century, which made it one of the main pilgrimage destinations in Europe, especially during the Middle Ages. Inside, the cave retains a solemn and spiritual atmosphere, enriched by architectural elements that have stratified over the centuries: altars, statues, inscriptions and testimonies of deep faith. The shrine has been visited by popes, saints and millions of faithful over the centuries, and is still a symbol of devotion and mysticism today. The visit to the Grotto of San Michele offers not only an intense religious experience, but also a journey into history and art, immersed in a suggestive natural setting with a spectacular view of the Gargano.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Wait in the lobby or outside your apartment/B&B 10 minutes before the agreed time.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(20)
We had an absolutely incredible experience on this tour! Time flew by so fast that it didn’t feel like a long journey at all. Our tour guide, Giuseppe, was fantastic his vast knowledge and deep insights added so much value to every stop along the way. A huge shoutout to our driver, Massimo, who did a fabulous job navigating the route and ensuring a smooth, safe journey to and from Rome. Visiting both the Sanctuary of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina in San Giovanni Rotondo and the Sanctuary of Saint Michael the Archangel on Mount Gargano was truly special and well organised. Highly recommended for anyone looking to make this meaningful trip!
Excellent walk. We did with a guide (Federica) speaking Portuguese and she was very friendly and attentive. I booked the tour directly with the agency. I paid in advance when I was still in Brazil and we were in touch via WhatsApp. The day before the combined date, the agency informed the time the vehicle would pick us up at the hotel where we were staying. They were punctual. They indicated a place for lunch. The car was comfortable.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We are very happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour and that Federica made your experience even more special with her kindness and professionalism. We are glad that everything was well organized, from the communication to the punctuality of the service. We hope to welcome you back soon for another beautiful experience in Italy!
We had an amazing full day tour to San Giovanni Rotondo and Monte Gargano from Rome. This was to visit the sites of St Padre Pio and the Sanctuary of St Michael. It's a very long distance from Rome but the team was so good at arranging everything and making sure we were comfortable the whole way. Ali was our tour guide and was extremely knowledgeable, not only about the sites but also all the towns and regions we saw along the way. Our driver Massimo was excellent, making sure we get to all our locations on time and safely. Both Ali and Massimo were also friendly and quite entertaining, which makes the whole trip just much more fun. Michela was handling our booking and was very proactive in making sure everything was taken care of before the tour. Communication was great. Overall one of the best private tour experiences I've had. Would highly recommend.
Thank you so much for your wonderful and detailed review! We’re truly delighted to hear that your journey to San Giovanni Rotondo and Monte Gargano was such a special experience. We’re happy that Ali, Massimo, and Michela helped make your day comfortable, well organized, and memorable. Their knowledge, professionalism, and care are exactly what we aim to provide to our guests, especially on such a meaningful journey. Thank you for your kind recommendation. We hope to welcome you again soon for another unforgettable experience in Italy!
My sister and I splurged for a private tour and it was great. Our guide in Pompeii, Angelo B. was a real volcanologist and a Napoli native. He knew everything about the ancient city and of course, lots about volcanoes and the land we were viewing. Top notch! Max was our guide from Mamma Mia and made us feel safe everywhere we went. He answered our questions and took us to some great views along the route. Walter was amazing behind the wheel and with his sweet charm. We were especially grateful for his skilled driving on the winding, narrow roads along the coast. Book the tour! Absolutely worth it. Grazie Mille MM Tours !!!
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that your private tour was such a memorable experience. We’re happy that you enjoyed the visit to Pompeii and appreciated the knowledge, professionalism, and care provided throughout the day. Your kind words about the team and the journey along the coast mean a lot to us. Thank you for your recommendation, and we hope to welcome you again soon for another unforgettable experience in Italy!
Wonderful experience, informative and knowledgeable tour guide. Simone & Max were great and very helpful.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted that you enjoyed the experience and appreciated the professionalism of our team. Your kind words mean a lot to us, and we hope to welcome you again soon for another unforgettable experience in Italy!
Our private tour with tour guide, Dinia was the highlight of our trip to Italy! She was incredibly knowledgeable about Padre Pio's life, taking us through the old church, his cell, and the new sanctuary, sharing details we never would have found on our own. What made her truly special was her respect for the spiritual nature of the visit; she ensured we had quiet, private moments for prayer and mass in the crypt without ever making us feel rushed. She was thoughtful, accommodating, and very patient with our questions. Our driver Walter was also an excellent driver. Highly recommended for anyone wanting a meaningful, personal experience in San Giovanni Rotondo! and St Michael the Archangel! Beth Tionloc and Abe Angelws
Thank you so much for your heartfelt review! We are truly honored to have been part of such a meaningful and spiritual experience for you. We’re delighted to hear that you appreciated the knowledge, care, and attention provided throughout the tour, as well as the comfortable journey with our driver. Your kind words mean a lot to us, and we hope to welcome you again for another unforgettable experience in Italy.
Simone, our tour guide is excellent, knowledgeable & very helpful. We learned a lot from him regarding history of the place we visited. Max, a very efficient driver kept us safe on the road. Simone & Max are the best. We plan on touring with them again soon. Until our next adventure!!!
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your experience and that Simone and Max made your tour so special with their knowledge, professionalism, and care. We truly appreciate your kind words and look forward to welcoming you again soon for your next adventure in Italy!
We’ve been very well looked after by our hosts. It’s been a pleasure having Ali take us around , making our last very day memorable. He is very knowledgeable and passionate in what he does. The Lazio region is long away from Rome and Maximo did an amazing job driving the whole day!
Thank you so much for your kind review! We’re delighted to hear that Ali and Massimo made your last day in Italy so memorable. It’s wonderful to know that you appreciated Ali’s knowledge and passion, as well as Massimo’s excellent driving throughout the journey. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable experience in Italy
We’re so happy we booked this trip with Mamma Mia Italia The professionalism of the company is off the chart. Communication is so easy and fast We’re so fortunate to have Simone as our guide, he was very knowledgeable and so helpful during the entire trip. Plus our driver Massimo was fantastic, it was raining a lot, but we felt really safe all the trip. We’ll recommend this company to our family and friends who are traveling this year
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your experience with Mamma Mia Italia and appreciated our professionalism, communication, and attention to detail. We’re happy that Simone and Massimo made your journey comfortable, safe, and memorable. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we hope to welcome you again for another amazing experience in Italy!
Absolutely incredible 5 star tour! Paula and Max made the experience so special! They accommodated our every need and truly made this the highlight of our Italy vacation. It's worth the price to get to see both Padre Pio and the grotto of St. Michael the Archangel from Rome. It's the only tour offering this unique and spiritual itinerary. Highly recommend!
Thank you so much for your wonderful 5-star review! We’re truly delighted that Paola and Max made your experience so memorable and that this tour was the highlight of your trip to Italy. It means a lot to know you appreciated our unique spiritual itinerary. We hope to welcome you again on another unforgettable journey. Thank you for your recommendation!
