Journey Italy 2026

Franciscan Christianity is a way of following Jesus inspired by the life and teachings of St. Francis of Assisi (1181–1226). Francis lived out the gospel with radical simplicity, deep love for creation, compassion for the poor, and a joyful trust in God. He believed that every moment of daily life—even the ordinary and humble—was a chance to encounter Christ.

For your own faith walk, Franciscan spirituality is deeply relevant because it offers practical rhythms you can live out today: slowing down, noticing God in nature and community, living generously, and cultivating joy in simple things. As you journey through Italy in the places where Francis prayed, served, and taught, you’ll discover how his legacy can inspire a richer, more grounded relationship with Jesus in your own life.

Each participant will be given a prayer guide with pre-written prayers and Scriptures relevant to the theme of the day. We will recite these prayers together at morning, midday, and evening to ground our experience in prayer and Scripture. Each prayer time will last about 5-15 minutes.

Our group will be taking trains from Rome to Assisi and then from Assisi to Florence. We will be booking first class tickets with very comfortable cabins.

Breakfasts and coffee/tea are included at all our hotels. We will purchase simple lunches for the groups to enjoy often as a picnic. Dinners will be together at restaurants. Our budget will have room for everyone to enjoy appetizers, entrees, desserts and alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverage each dinner.

You can expect a moderate amount of walking each day, especially since cities like Rome, Assisi, and Florence are best experienced on foot. In Rome, we’ll explore historic sites and basilicas, which often means walking on cobblestone streets and standing for portions of tours. In Assisi, much of the town is built on a hillside, so there will be some uphill walking to reach churches and key Franciscan sites. Florence is compact and very walkable, but we’ll cover several miles while enjoying museums, piazzas, and hidden corners of the city. Comfortable walking shoes are a must, and our pace will be designed for the group with plenty of breaks, meals, and time to rest.

There will be times when the group is encouraged to do silent reflection at a holy site.

Bigger cities(Rome and Florence) have opportunities for shopping & exploring. Smaller towns are more remote with less options. Free time will happen daily.

October is one of the best times to visit Italy! The weather is generally mild and comfortable, with daytime highs ranging from the 60s to low 70s°F (15–22°C) in central Italy (Rome, Assisi, Florence). Evenings can be cooler, dipping into the 50s°F (10–15°C), so layers and a light jacket are recommended. You may experience some rain, especially later in the month, but it usually comes as short showers rather than all-day storms. Overall, October offers pleasant walking weather, beautiful autumn colors in the countryside, and fewer crowds than the summer season.

The Journey will officially end on Saturday October 24th in Florence. Some may head back to Rome for return flights. You also have the option to fly directly out of Florence. Perhaps you want to keep going to see Milan or Venice. Clark Co. Travel will be offering a self guided extended package for those wishing to see more of Italy afterwards. Please alert Connor if you are interested in this add-on.