Program Overview
Organized by Travel For Teens and Canisius High School, this Italian pilgrimage is a unique journey that combines the profound spiritual history of Assisi with the magnificent art, history, and cuisine of Rome. You’ll discover the peaceful beauty of Umbrian towns, immerse yourself in Roman history, explore sacred sites, and indulge in the regional flavors of Italy.
Our first stop is Assisi, the serene medieval hilltop town and birthplace of St. Francis. Here, we’ll spend several days immersed in spirituality, visiting the great Basilicas of St. Francis and St. Clare and exploring other important sites like the San Damiano Monastery. We’ll also dive into the local culture with a multi-course cooking lesson and a tour of two traditional Umbrian vineyards that includes wine tasting and lunch.
We’ll then travel south to the Eternal City, Rome. Stepping back in time, we’ll explore both ancient history and the Ignatian Heritage tour – the life and history of St. Ignatius Loyola and the Jesuits. Our time here will include guided visits to the Colosseum and Roman Forum, and a deep dive into faith with visits to Jesuit landmarks like the Chiesa del Gesu. A dedicated day to the Vatican City will feature an optional mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, a tour of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, and a sought-after visit to the underground Scavi Tour (pending availability).
This program is designed for adult travelers aged 24 and older associated with the Canisius High School network. This program is a perfect fit for those looking for a rich cultural experience with a balance of faith, culture, and culinary excellence in Italy. Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Registration Instructions
- Begin by clicking the ‘Register Now’ button on your school’s webpage
- You will be taken to the MyTFT portal. Choose the option to ‘Create an Account’ and enter your email address and a password.
- Once your account is created, you will be directed to a screen where you will be asked to fill out information about you as the guardian. Then, click the blue ‘Update’ button at the bottom of the screen.
- Next, put in your trip’s unique identifier code (CHI26).
- Search the code in the box with the magnifying glass icon and select your school’s trip.
- After selecting your trip, you’ll be prompted to begin the registration process! Please follow the instructions to complete your registration.
Trip Itinerary
DAY 1: DEPART FROM THE USA
Flight departs from your airport of choice for Rome (FCO)!
DAY 2: BENVENUTI IN ITALIA!
Upon your arrival in Rome, you’ll be greeted at the airport by your TFT guides, who will accompany you for the duration of your journey.
A private coach will then transfer you to your 4-star hotel in Assisi, including a stop for lunch en route. After dropping your bags and freshening up, the late afternoon includes your first official meet-up, followed by an optional evening mass for those who wish to attend, and a special Welcome Dinner.
DAY 3: ASSISI’S SPIRITUAL HERITAGE
A day dedicated to Assisi’s deep spiritual history begins with a guided tour of the Old City. Highlights include the Basilica of St. Francis and the Basilica of St. Clare, where the San Damiano Crucifix and the tomb of St. Clare are held (sites can be tailored to your interests). After a group lunch at a local restaurant, the afternoon is free for you to explore the peaceful medieval town, with options to visit sites such as the tomb of Saint Carlo Acutis or the San Damiano Monastery. The day concludes with an afternoon mass, likely in one of the sacred sites, and an optional à la carte dinner.
DAY 4: UMBRIAN VINEYARDS & WINE TASTING
This day is dedicated to the renowned local cuisine and wine of the Umbria region. You will take a private coach transfer to visit two different vineyards, walking the vines at the first to learn what makes the terroir unique. You will then visit the second winery for a beautiful lunch, followed by a tour of the vineyards and the caves. You will return to Assisi in the late afternoon for relaxation, with an optional mass offered, followed by an optional group dinner.
DAY 5: COOKING CLASS & FREE DAY IN ASSISI
Your final full day in Assisi offers you a free day to relax, explore the town further, or take suggested day trips, with an optional morning Mass. The highlight of the mid-afternoon is a private, multi-course cooking lesson, where you will get to eat the delicious meal you prepare, offering a final taste of Umbrian culture.
DAY 6: TRANSFER TO ROME & JESUIT HISTORY
You will depart Assisi for Rome via private coach transfer, stopping along the way at St. Paul Outside the Walls, where St. Ignatius Loyola took his final vows. After arriving and checking into your 4-star hotel, you will have your first taste of Roman cuisine for lunch. The afternoon includes a walking tour of Rome with a special focus on Jesuit history and faith, including the Chiesa del Gesu and St. Ignatius/Sant’Ignazio di Loyola. Enjoy a free evening in Rome, with an optional Mass at the Rooms of St. Ignatius before dinner.
DAY 7: COLOSSEUM, FORUM, & ROMAN MONUMENTS
This day focuses on the “Best of Rome,” starting with a guided tour of the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. A late lunch follows, and the afternoon includes free time and an optional mass at the Jesuit Curia. The walking tour continues in the afternoon, and you will visit historical and spiritual sights, including the Spanish Steps, the Pantheon, and Piazza Navona, followed by an optional à la carte dinner in the lively Piazza Navona area.
DAY 8: VATICAN CITY & ST. PETER’S BASILICA
You will spend this day immersed in the history of the Vatican, starting with an optional mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. Afterward, you will take a tour highlighting the tomb of Pope St. John Paul II and the iconic Michelangelo’s Pieta. Your itinerary includes a visit to the highly sought-after Scavi Tour (pending availability), which explores the underground tomb of St. Peter. Lunch is followed by a visit to the Vatican Museums, including the magnificent Sistine Chapel. You will then have a late afternoon of free time, a visit to the Basilica di Santa Maria, and an optional group dinner in the charming neighborhood of Trastevere.
DAY 9: PAPAL AUDIENCE & FAREWELL DINNER
Your final full day includes the unique opportunity to attend a Papal Audience (depending on the Holy Father’s schedule), followed by a free day for final souvenir shopping or optional day trips from Rome. Your trip culminates with a fancy final dinner at one of our favorite restaurants in Italy, celebrating the end of this trip of a lifetime!
DAY 10: DEPARTURE
After breakfast at the hotel, you will board a private coach for the transfer to the Rome airport for your flight home.
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Frequently Asked Question
Who is Travel For Teens?
We are in our 21st year in the teen travel business and have emerged as the industry leader for teen travel in the United States, Canada, Europe, Latin America, Asia, Oceania, and Africa. We operate over 100 programs in 47 countries on 6 continents.
Our philosophy: We offer genuine and authentic trips for travelers, not tourists.
Our goal is to engender a passion for learning about other cultures and places through living like a local in that place.
How much is tuition & what does tuition include?
Tuition for the trip is $5,985 which INCLUDES All breakfasts and lunch or dinner daily, all accommodations at 4-star hotels – twin/triple occupancy, all admissions per the itinerary, all ground transportation per the itinerary between cities/airports
Tuition does NOT INCLUDE Mandatory Trip Cancellation insurance, transportation within Assisi and Rome (public transportation is available as well as ubers/taxis), meals not referenced in the itinerary, itinerary items not referenced in the itinerary, airfare and/or baggage fees, laundry, internet, phone calls home, deviations from the itinerary, drinks at meals except for the drinks offered at the winery, admissions and activities not included on the itinerary, additional transportation costs due to maintaining the safety of the group, sickness, injury, transportation delays related to circumstances beyond our control (acts of nature) or transportation strikes (trains, metro, or planes), unplanned and unexpected costs associated with events beyond the control of TFT.
Gratuity for the Trip Director is optional but appreciated at the end of the trip.
Tuition for the trip is $5,985 which INCLUDES All breakfasts and lunch or dinner daily, all accommodations at 4-star hotels – twin/triple occupancy, all admissions per the itinerary, all ground transportation per the itinerary between cities/airports
Tuition does NOT INCLUDE Mandatory Trip Cancellation insurance, transportation within Assisi and Rome (public transportation is available as well as ubers/taxis), meals not referenced in the itinerary, itinerary items not referenced in the itinerary, airfare and/or baggage fees, laundry, internet, phone calls home, deviations from the itinerary, drinks at meals except for the drinks offered at the winery, admissions and activities not included on the itinerary, additional transportation costs due to maintaining the safety of the group, sickness, injury, transportation delays related to circumstances beyond our control (acts of nature) or transportation strikes (trains, metro, or planes), unplanned and unexpected costs associated with events beyond the control of TFT.
Gratuity for the Trip Director is optional but appreciated at the end of the trip.
What is the payment timeline?
Deadline to register: October 15, 2025
$750 trip deposit due within three business days of registration
Balance in 6 monthly installments between November 2025 and April 2026
All payments may be paid via ACH (no fee) or by Credit Card (4% convenience fee added to all credit card payments other than the $750 deposit)
Deadline to register: October 15, 2025
$750 trip deposit due within three business days of registration
Balance in 6 monthly installments between November 2025 and April 2026
All payments may be paid via ACH (no fee) or by Credit Card (4% convenience fee added to all credit card payments other than the $750 deposit)
If I cannot afford the payment schedule listed above, does Travel For Teens provide flexible payment plans?
Yes, Travel For Teens is willing to customize a payment plan for any participant who needs a little flexibility in the payment schedule. Please email help@travelforteens.com for details on payment plans.
How much is trip cancellation insurance?
A standard trip protection plan $380, and a standard plan with cancel for any reason coverage is $613.
For more information on insurance, please see this page.
A standard trip protection plan $380, and a standard plan with cancel for any reason coverage is $613.
For more information on insurance, please see this page.
Who can go on this trip?
The trip is open to the Canisius Adult Network for adults 24 years old and older. Space is limited and is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
The trip is open to the Canisius Adult Network for adults 24 years old and older. Space is limited and is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
After I register, what happens next?
Once you have completed your registration and paid your deposit, you will receive an email that contains your USERNAME and PASSWORD to MyTFT. All forms to be completed by parents and physician as well as packing lists, travel tips, travel insurance information, and other important information can be found on the MyTFT portal (hard copies of the essential legal/medical forms can be mailed to participants upon request). Our contract and release must be signed by all custodial parents (or guardians) and the participant.
How much is airfare? How do the flights work?
Price does not include airfare.
Once the trip is confirmed, Travel For Teens will be available to coordinate flights/travel for a $200 per traveler booking fee.
Price does not include airfare.
Once the trip is confirmed, Travel For Teens will be available to coordinate flights/travel for a $200 per traveler booking fee.
Where do we stay?
We will be staying in four-star hotels throughout the program. The names of the accommodations are available closer to program departure.
Single rooms can be requested and will cost an additional $1600 single supplement fee per person per single.
Note: singles must be requested at the time of registration to be guaranteed.
We will be staying in four-star hotels throughout the program. The names of the accommodations are available closer to program departure.
Single rooms can be requested and will cost an additional $1600 single supplement fee per person per single.
Note: singles must be requested at the time of registration to be guaranteed.
Trip Emails & Photographs
PHOTOGRAPHS
We will take dozens, if not hundreds, of photos each day. The best photos will be posted as regularly as possible (ideally every day) to a private photo-sharing platform (Waldo Photos) where you can follow along with the trip. We will send you an email to alert you when we post new photos. Low-resolution photos can be viewed for free during and after the trip. All of your High-Resolution matched photos can be purchased and downloaded in real-time during the trip or after the trip for $50.
EMAILS
The Trip Director will be in regular email contact every 24-48 hours, internet willing, with our families. Emails will include fun detailed updates about the day’s activities and are a great way for families to follow along with the journey. Email will be the best way to communicate messages to the Trip Director.
Safety, Sickness & Communication
SAFETY AND SICKNESS
The safety of our participants is our #1 concern, which is why we have only experienced trip leaders running the show. We offer 24/7 communication throughout our programs and have detailed risk management and safety policies in place. Please review our policies here.
For information regarding our specific policies with Covid-19 please review our Covid-19 protocols page here.
What are the safety qualifications for our staff?
Our staff members undergo a rigorous hiring process. They receive the same background check as school educators, an extensive training process to go over all safety precautions and protocols, and are required to be certified in CPR and First Aid. We exclusively hire responsible, multi-talented individuals who are safety-minded and are as passionate about teen travel as we are.
What is the food like on a TFT program? Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?
In a word – delicious! At TFT, we believe food should be an integral part of the travel experience and always make an effort to eat at authentic establishments when we can. What better way to immerse yourself in the culture of a place than by sampling the local delicacies, and we encourage students to do so whenever possible! Just as we stay away from Americanized hotel chains, we try to avoid restaurants with menus that cater only to tourists because every good traveler knows the best food is found wherever the locals are eating!
We also love to have picnics al fresco and do this whenever possible, which is a great way to taste some local food while sitting out in the fresh air taking in the sights and sounds of our surroundings.
As always, we are willing and able to accommodate vegetarians, vegans, gluten allergies, and other dietary restrictions.
Do I need to speak the language?
No, our skilled staff members will help you get around and even teach you a few fun phrases!