A cruise, something new, and answered prayers

Danube River Cruise

The other day I announced my very first river cruise pilgrimage. As always, paid subscribers got first access. Today I’m opening it up for everyone. The suites are already sold out. As of this writing, only 3 cabins remain on the upper deck and 2 on the lower deck. The middle deck still has some options available. Click here to see the details and sign up.

---

More Travel Opportunities

Two people needed to cancel on my A Proper Poland Pilgrimage, so if you want to join me, and what looks to be a really great group of people, sign up here. In addition to the usual pilgrimaging, we have excellent five star hotels, ten amazing meals — in restaurants with all your drinks included, of course, there’s river rafting, horse drawn carriage rides, cookouts, and salt mines.

In October I’m planning a Rome, Just Rome pilgrimage (October 2 – 8). I’ve been leading pilgrimages to Italy for nearly 20 years and never have I done a Rome-only trip. Crazy! This will be a small group of about 12 people. There will be a cooking class, a food tour, some rooftop drinks, and… private access to the Sistine Chapel. All this and you only have to unpack your suitcase once!

After the success of last year’s Thanksgiving in the Holy Land pilgrimage, this year I’m doing Thanksgiving in Italy (November 14 – 24). This one will start in Florence, have a few nights in Assisi, and end in Rome. Bring the family to Italy and leave all the cooking and cleaning to me – or at least the great restaurants where we’ll be dining each day.

Details for Rome, Just Rome and Thanksgiving in Italy will be available to Patrons and paid Substack subscribers next week.

If you want to look to 2024, I am already confirmed for Croatia and Medjugorje (April 9th – 19th) and the Holy Land and Jordan (April 23rd – May 6th). Details for those will be available soon, as well as some other new and classic itineraries.

---

Rome Travel Tip

Wow. Rome is packed right now, and we are just getting to the high season, which typically lasts until the end of October. The line for Saint Peter’s Basilica, which is usually not bad until around 9 AM, was already over two hours long by 8 AM on Tuesday. Just weeks ago that would have been miserable for those who simply wanted to pray, go to Mass, or go to confession.

But the Vatican has finally added a prayer entrance! This means those who are not there to tour, can skip the line, and walk right into the church. I’ve been asking for this for nine years. Prayers answered!

Here’s a video of me showing how to access it.

Here’s EWTN interviewing me about it.

---

Have a great weekend!

– Mountain