The eighth Contemplative Prayer trip to Assisi will take place between March 22 and 29, 2017 and bookings are now invited.

Those taking part will depart Bristol Airport on March 22 at 12.50pm arriving Rome at 16.20pm local time, returning from Rome at 16.20pm to arrive Bristol at 18.05pm on March 29.

The first night will be spent in Rome with a free morning, then the group will travel by private coach to Assisi on the afternoon of March 23, and will stay, as before, at St Anthony’s Guest House, with the Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement for six nights then return to Rome for the flight home on March 29.

All rooms on the trip are ensuite, and are single with a few double or twin occupancy.  The guest house has a beautiful chapel, meeting room, library, and garden and is situated very close to the centre of Assisi near Santa Chiara, the Basilica of St Clare.  It has spectacular views over the countryside below Assisi.

Revd Daniel Munoz, author of ‘Transformed by the Beloved’ (2014), formerly a priest in the Diocese of Oxford and now running Los Olivos Retreat House in Andalucia, Spain, will be giving spiritual input this time.

The pilgrimage will be relaxed, with breakfast taken at the guest house and other meals together at local restaurants. The daily offices will take place in the chapel, and daily Eucharist, time for teaching and communal contemplative prayer will be part of the morning programme.  Afternoons will be for visits to various places of interest in and around Assisi including the Basilica where St Francis is interred: its Giotto paintings are famous, led by Revd Canon Olive Stevens. Also included is a trip to La Verna where St Francis received the stigmata.  Of course, nothing will be compulsory.

The cost will be £950 (+£30 for a single room in Rome) to include all flights and travel from Bristol and back, single or double/twin accommodation, and all food except for the first evening meal in Rome.  The price is formulated according to the exchange rate at the present time but could change if the exchange changes dramatically.   So please book quickly to get this price.

Not included is travel to and from Bristol Airport, hold luggage if required, the meal on the first night in Rome, travel insurance and alcoholic drinks. Please note that travel insurance is a prerequisite.  This price represents good value when compared with other trips to Assisi on offer.

If you are interested in this trip please contact Revd Hilary Spong on 01726 883315 in the first instance and send a deposit of £250 with the completed form as soon as possible to confirm your place. Two or three people would like to remain in Rome for a couple of nights after the main trip at cost, and if others are interested in doing this please indicate your intention on the form.

Prices may change if exchange rates or flight costs increase so early booking is essential to ensure the costings remain as stated.

Booking form