Small groups from Rome: Padre Pio and Grotto of San Michele
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 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, 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
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(41)
We had an absolutely wonderful experience on our day trip to San Giovanni Rotondo to visit St. Pio of Pietrelcina, followed by Monte Sant’Angelo in the Gargano to visit the Sanctuary of St. Michael the Archangel. From beginning to end, the entire day was exceptionally well organized, warm, welcoming, and truly memorable. Even before the tour, communication was excellent. Everything regarding our pickup, timing, itinerary, and what we needed to prepare was explained clearly, which made the whole experience completely stress-free. On the morning of the tour, Nicola and Antonella arrived right on time and immediately made us feel welcome and well taken care of. Nicola was an excellent driver. He was courteous, professional, punctual, and an incredibly smooth and careful driver. We always felt safe and comfortable, and he kept us on schedule throughout what was a fairly long day of travelling. His professionalism and kindness were greatly appreciated. And Antonella was simply wonderful! She has such a warm, bubbly, and engaging personality and brought so much life to the experience. From the moment we started, she gave us a clear overview of the day, explained where we were going and how long each journey would take, and kept us engaged with interesting information and conversation along the way. At San Giovanni Rotondo, Antonella went above and beyond. She personally walked us through the different sites associated with St. Pio, helped us understand what we were seeing, and made sure we had the opportunity to attend Mass and venerate the body of St. Pio. She also organized time for us to eat and continually checked that everyone was comfortable and taken care of. We never felt rushed, lost, or unsure of what was happening. The same care continued when we travelled into the beautiful Gargano to Monte Sant’Angelo and the Sanctuary of St. Michael the Archangel. Antonella made sure we knew where we were going, what we were seeing, and that we had enough time to truly experience such an extraordinary and sacred place. What impressed us most was how personal the entire day felt. Nicola and Antonella did not simply transport us from one attraction to another. They genuinely looked after us. Their warmth, professionalism, punctuality, and attention to detail allowed us to simply enjoy the experience without worrying about any of the logistics. For anyone wanting to visit San Giovanni Rotondo and Monte Sant’Angelo, especially those making the journey as a pilgrimage to St. Pio and St. Michael the Archangel, I could not recommend this tour highly enough. It was beautifully organized from the initial communication to our final drop-off, and Nicola and Antonella were absolutely outstanding. Thank you, Nicola and Antonella, for making an already very special pilgrimage even more memorable. We could not have asked for a better driver, guide, or experience. Highly, highly recommended!
Thank you so much for this wonderful review and for your kind words! ❤️ We’re truly happy that Nicola and Antonella made your pilgrimage even more meaningful and memorable. It was a real pleasure accompanying you on such an important day. Thank you for choosing Mamma Mia Tours and for your warm recommendation. We hope to welcome you back to Italy soon!
Thank you, Giuseppe and Massimo, for the fantastic visit to the Sanctuary of Padre Pio and the Grotto of Saint Michael - it was a day full of wonder!
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that Giuseppe and Massimo made your visit to the Sanctuary of Padre Pio and the Grotto of San Michele such a special and memorable day. It was a pleasure to accompany you in discovering these unique places. We hope to welcome you back soon for another wonderful experience in Italy!
We had an absolutely incredible day tour to San Giovanni Rotondo and the Sanctuary of St. Michael, and it was all thanks to our fantastic team, Antonella and Nicola. Our driver, Nicola, arrived at our location in Rome right on time for a prompt 6:30 AM pickup. The long journey across Italy was incredibly smooth and comfortable; we felt completely safe and at ease in his hands the entire day. Our guide, Antonella, was very helpful and friendly. Her knowledge is rich and engaging for both sacred sites. She navigated the locations perfectly, ensuring we didn't miss a thing while keeping the pace comfortable.Punctual, professional, and genuinely warm, Antonella and Nicola made this long day trip completely stress-free and deeply memorable. We strongly recommend them to everyone who wants to engage them.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We are truly happy to hear that your day trip to San Giovanni Rotondo and the Sanctuary of St. Michael was such a memorable experience. Your kind words about Antonella and Nicola mean a lot, and we will be sure to share them with them. We’re delighted that their professionalism, knowledge, and care helped make your journey comfortable and stress-free. Thank you for recommending us, and we hope to welcome you back for another special experience in Italy!
We don’t have enough words to express the gratitude we feel for this experience. Antonella and Roberto were extremely supportive and kind throughout the entire journey. We are seniors and with our limited mobility capacity, a trip like this would have been impossible if it wasn’t for your expertise. The service, the trip, the guide and the visit to the Padre Pio Sanctuary and San Michele Grotto, all of it was excellent. This tour was a dream come true. Thank you very much! From Mabel and Benito.
Dear Mabel and Benito, thank you so much for your heartfelt review. We are truly grateful for your kind words and so happy to hear that this special journey was a dream come true for you. We’re delighted that Antonella and Roberto were able to provide the care, support, and comfort needed to make your visit to the Padre Pio Sanctuary and San Michele Grotto a memorable experience. Creating meaningful and accessible journeys for our guests is very important to us. Thank you for choosing Mamma Mia. We hope to welcome you again in Italy for another beautiful experience!
Ali and Robert are invaluable assets to Mama Mia Italia Tours. They are knowledgeable, excellent professional communicators, and friendly. They were kind, attentive and very helpful to the senior in our group of five. Their smiles never left throughout the 14 hour tour. Our family of three traveled to six cities and two countries for three weeks. Ali and Robert were the best tour guides we encountered who helped us make meaningful family memories. Thank you Ali and Robert!
Thank you so much for your heartfelt review! We are truly grateful for your kind words about Ali and Roberto. We’re delighted to hear that their knowledge, professionalism, and care helped make your long journey comfortable and memorable, especially for the senior member of your group. Creating meaningful experiences and lasting memories for our guests is what we value most. Thank you for choosing Mamma Mia Italia, and we hope to welcome you and your family again in the future for another wonderful adventure in Italy!
Antonella (the guide) and Roberto were very kind, respectful, and responsible during the trip. The schedules were met, and the stops along the way were ideal for stretching our legs and resting. The places are wonderful, with enough time to pray and buy some souvenirs.
¡Muchas gracias por su maravillosa reseña! Nos alegra mucho saber que disfrutaron del viaje y que Antonella y Roberto hicieron que la experiencia fuera cómoda, segura y especial. Estamos felices de que hayan podido disfrutar de los lugares visitados con el tiempo necesario para la oración y para vivir cada momento con tranquilidad. Sus palabras significan mucho para nosotros y esperamos recibirles nuevamente para otra inolvidable experiencia en Italia.
Amazing experience, highly recommend this trip. Ali did a fantastic job explaining the sites. Very friendly and knowledgeable. Definitely worth it.
Thank you so much for your kind review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the experience and appreciated Ali’s knowledge and professionalism. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we hope to welcome you again soon for another unforgettable tour in Italy!
We enjoyed our trip to San Giovannni Rotondo - country side was beautiful. Roberto was an excellent driver. Ali did a good job facilitating.
Thank you so much for your kind review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed your visit to San Giovanni Rotondo and the beautiful countryside along the way. We’re happy that Roberto and Ali helped make your experience comfortable and enjoyable. Your words mean a lot to us, and we hope to welcome you again soon for another memorable journey in Italy!
Absolutely amazing , Ali and massimo were the best , five star , they Had superb knowledge , on time , very kind , respectful, I will return again with this group for my next trip , my family felt like they have been cared for by a a family of mamma Mia Love you guys
Thank you so much for your amazing review! We are truly happy to hear that Ali and Massimo made you and your family feel welcomed, cared for, and part of the Mamma Mia family. Your kind words about their professionalism, knowledge, and kindness mean a lot to us. We can’t wait to welcome you back for your next trip to Italy!
Ali and massimo were absolutely amazing , professional and very knowledgeable, I recommend everyone to book with mamma Mia , they were kind , very respectful and everything was right on time
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you had such a great experience and appreciated the professionalism, kindness, and punctuality of our team. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we hope to welcome you again soon for another unforgettable experience in Italy!
