Explore Chef Walter's Food + Faith Tour!

September 27 - October 4, 2027

Give  thanks for God's Grace in sacred sites across four Italian Regions, and  discover Holy Sites, often not visited buy tourist, that contain  spirituality and immense history.

Visit Abruzzo, Marche, Puglia, Lazio and  trace the paths of pilgrims to some of Italy's most important and  sacred religious centers - a spiritual journey to Saint Gabriel, the Holy Stairs, Loreto, Cascia, Pietralcina, and others, and finally, the Vatican with  an opportunity to attend the Sunday Mass in Saint Peter Square.  Holy Stairs History.

These  locations hold significant religious importance, each with its unique  spiritual history and traditions. Come to Italy and enjoy visiting Chef  Walter's native regions, where you can enjoy the fundamental Italian  authentic spiritual and culinary philosophy...where everything means  genuineness... genuineness of land, products, lifestyle, and religion. 

This  tour offers the unique opportunity to immerse yourself in sacred faith  and outstanding cuisine while visiting ancient Sanctuaries, Hermitages,  Churches, and the pinnacle of Christian traditions in different regions  of Italy. In this tour, you will savor and experience foods related to  Catholicism and the rituals that have made food a part of religion.  

Our  restaurants in Italy are carefully selected by Chef Walter and our  Travel Specialist and Consultant Sheila Filipponi, who lives and  operates in Abruzzi, Italy, and will be assisting us in our quest for  discovery!

So, don't wait...Join  us and discover this unknown folkloric land filled with religion and  traditions while rediscovering the spirituality in every one of us!

Home Base Giulianova, Abruzzo, Italy

Day 1 – Monday Abruzzo Region 

Guests  will be arriving at Rome Leonardo da Vinci Airport (Rome Italy, FCO)  with a departure toward the shores of Giulianova in Abruzzo, with an  approximate travel time of 3 hours. Check into our hotel in the early  afternoon—welcome cocktails and nibbles. Free time is allocated to  peruse the surroundings with a little walk (optional) near the beach,  followed by a welcoming dinner. Our journey begins tomorrow as we visit Saint Gabriel in the province of Teramo in Abruzzo.

▪ Inclusions / Welcome Cocktail / Welcome Dinner with wine. Overnight. 

Day 2 – Tuesday Abruzzo Region  

Morning: Continental breakfast at the Hotel lobby, followed by departure to San  Gabriele and Isola del Gran Sasso, visiting the Sanctuary of Saint Gabriel, the Saint of Smile, and young people. Lunch will  be at one of the local, traditional trattorias in the area, featuring  cuisine that reflects the mountainous terrain. A quick visit to Castelli nearby, famous for its hand-made ceramics, will conclude our early portion of the day. 

Afternoon: Departure for Campli with a visit to the Holy Stairs,  the Farnese Palace, and the Duomo, with a stop in Campovalano (weather  permitting) to visit the famous Necropolis, a small town originating  from the Bronze Age. Its rich findings are well preserved in the nearby  Museum of Campli. 

Under Roman dominion, the territory was known as Praetutium (later becoming  Abruzzi), and Teramo (Interamnia, situated between two rivers), as well  as Atri (Hatria), experienced a golden period under the Emperors  Augustus and Adrian. We'll return to our home base in Giulianova for a  late afternoon break, followed by a cooking class on homemade gnocchi and a mandatory tasting. Our journey continues tomorrow to the lovely town of Lanciano in central Abruzzo.

▪ Inclusions / Breakfast / Lunch with wine / Cooking Class on Gnocchi.

Day 3 – Wednesday Abruzzo Region

Morning: Continental breakfast at Hotel lobby, followed by departure to Lanciano, City of Art, Miracles and Fairs. The downtown still preserves a typical medieval aspect, with plenty of  monuments, such as the Main Cathedral, Diocleziano's bridge, Saint  Augustine's Church, the Catholic Museum, and Saint Francis's Church,  where you will admire the Eucharistic Miracle, considered the biggest  prodigy that the Catholic Church remembers: it consists in the  transformation of the Holy Host (big sacrificial victim) into Meat and  of the Wine in Blood. Lunch in Lanciano.

Afternoon: Departure toward the sea town of Ortona with a visit to the Miracle of the Crucifix and Saint Thomas Church.  After our visit, we'll depart for a free and personal evening in  Giulianova, heading back home.

Our journey will take us to Loreto tomorrow. 

▪ Inclusions / Breakfast / Lunch with wine / Overnight

Day 4 – Thursday Marche Region 

Morning: Continental breakfast at the Hotel lobby, followed by departure to Loreto (Marche Region) to visit the Holy House.  It is the city of the famous Shrine of our Lady of Loreto. According to  tradition, the House of Jesus in Nazareth was taken by the Crusaders  and settled on the soil of these hills. The walled city of Loreto was  erected to protect against Turkish invasions. As many as 50 Popes have  made a pilgrimage here. Katherine di Giorgio Martini made the towers,  and the basilica expands around the Holy House—lunch based on local  cuisine in one of the exquisite trattories surrounding the basilica.

Afternoon: Departure toward Osimo with a visit to the Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of Campocavallo. We'll return to our home base of Giulianova for a late afternoon break, followed by Dinner based on the unique Metro Style Pizza at L'Antico Portone in the quaint borgo of Tortoreto. Our journey will continue tomorrow to Puglia to visit Padre Pio.

▪ Inclusions / Breakfast / Lunch with wine / Dinner on specialty pizza with wine / Lodging

Day 5 – Friday Puglia Region (Extended Day)

Morning: Continental breakfast at the Hotel lobby, followed by departure to San Giovanni Rotondo in the Puglia Region, home of Saint Pio of Pietralcina and Monte Sant'Angelo with the Sanctuary of Saint Micheal. Take in the breathtaking view of  the Gargano Peninsula. This site will surely inspire awe and explore one  of the most celebrated Shrines of early Christianity. We will be  spending the entire day here visiting the sanctuary, including the old  church and the crucifix from which he received the stigmata in 1918.  Then, visit the new church as well as Padre Pio's tomb. We will take a  break for lunch, featuring local cuisine, between our visits to Pietralcina. Return to our home base of the hotel for a late afternoon break. Dinner will be on your own in Giulianova. Our journey continues to Umbria tomorrow to visit Santa Rita da Cascia.

▪ Inclusions / Breakfast / Lunch with wine / Lodging

Day 6 - Saturday Umbria Region 

Morning: Continental breakfast at the Hotel lobby, followed by departure to Santa Rita from Cascia and Roccaporena, Santa Rita's place of birth in the Umbria Region.  Santa Rita was known as The Precious Pearl. In her early life, Rita was a  wife, mother, nun, and a servant of God, preparing for sainthood. Lunch based on local Umbrian cuisine in one of the typical restaurants in the  area, followed by the return to our home base of Giulianova for a late  afternoon break. Your evening is free to enjoy the many small eateries  in our hometown. Pack your bags; we are going to Rome tomorrow!

▪ Inclusions / Breakfast / Lunch with wine / Lodging

Day 7 – Sunday Lazio Region 

Morning: Check-out. Continental breakfast followed by departure to Rome,  the Eternal City, with a visit to the Vatican City and, of course, to  admire St. Peter Basilica, built on the site where Saint Peter was  martyred. We will attend Sunday Mass, followed by a guided tour of the  area's most symbolic and historic venues. Enjoy a free afternoon for  final shopping opportunities and some time for yourself after a long  week. The farewell Dinner will take place in Rome, in the Testaccio area, at one of the famous local Roman trattorias, where we will sample  the finest of Roman cuisine.  Overnight accommodation will be in Rome.

▪ Inclusions / Breakfast / Dinner with wine / Lodging

Day 8 – Monday

Morning: Continental breakfast followed by transfer to Leonardo da Vinci airport for return flights to final destinations.