Small Groups From Rome: Padre Pio And Grotto Of San Michele

Bravo!! Antonella and Max were truly wonderful!! Max is a wonderful driver and picked us up exactly on time, right in front of our hotel. He delivered us safely to both of our destinations and returned us right to our hotel. Some of the roads were very winding and steep and he handled them with great skill. He taught us to say hello and wave to the sheep for good luck! Antonella shared a great amount of information about the culture, history, agriculture, and much more about Italy as we drove. When we were at our destinations, she carefully and beautifully guided us to all of the important locations and explained in great detail what we were witnessing. She brought us in to celebrate Mass in the St Michael Grotto which sacred and beautiful even though it was not in our language. When she showed us the churches of St Padre Pio, she made it extremely special and memorable. She shared in our joy with being there. If you want a truly memorable tour, I highly recommend Max and Antonella!!! October 23, 2026 review by Mark A.

This tour uses a very nice mini van(-seats 6 + driver and guide) to pick you up. There are multiple stops at gas stations along the way and the stations used on our trip were very nice and had clean bathrooms. We were surprised that our poor guide had to Balance three different languages for our group tour, so it is possible you may experience a similar situation. Our guide, Frederica, was extraordinarily helpful in translating between us and event staff and restaurant staff when necessary. Massimo, our driver, helped everyone out of the vehicle at every stop and it’s a long day of driving as it’s 4.5 hours each way and many sharp curves. You get picked up in the dark and you get dropped off in the dark so expect that. One other thing that we weren’t particularly clear about based on the listing was that you go to the Rotondo churches first, then lunch, and then Saint Michael’s. Our guide also asked if we’d like to join a group reservation at a local restaurant that she was organizing, but you are not required to do that.

Nikola and Antonella were both so nice and professionals. I was so glad I booked this trip. All worth it. In fact I booked three trips with them, this one, to Assisi and Cascia and next week to Sienna.

We had an absolutely wonderful experience on our day trip to San Giovanni Rotondo to visit St. Pio of Pietrelcina, followed by Monte Sant’Angelo in the Gargano to visit the Sanctuary of St. Michael the Archangel. From beginning to end, the entire day was exceptionally well organized, warm, welcoming, and truly memorable. Even before the tour, communication was excellent. Everything regarding our pickup, timing, itinerary, and what we needed to prepare was explained clearly, which made the whole experience completely stress-free. On the morning of the tour, Nicola and Antonella arrived right on time and immediately made us feel welcome and well taken care of. Nicola was an excellent driver. He was courteous, professional, punctual, and an incredibly smooth and careful driver. We always felt safe and comfortable, and he kept us on schedule throughout what was a fairly long day of travelling. His professionalism and kindness were greatly appreciated. And Antonella was simply wonderful! She has such a warm, bubbly, and engaging personality and brought so much life to the experience. From the moment we started, she gave us a clear overview of the day, explained where we were going and how long each journey would take, and kept us engaged with interesting information and conversation along the way. At San Giovanni Rotondo, Antonella went above and beyond. She personally walked us through the different sites associated with St. Pio, helped us understand what we were seeing, and made sure we had the opportunity to attend Mass and venerate the body of St. Pio. She also organized time for us to eat and continually checked that everyone was comfortable and taken care of. We never felt rushed, lost, or unsure of what was happening. The same care continued when we travelled into the beautiful Gargano to Monte Sant’Angelo and the Sanctuary of St. Michael the Archangel. Antonella made sure we knew where we were going, what we were seeing, and that we had enough time to truly experience such an extraordinary and sacred place. What impressed us most was how personal the entire day felt. Nicola and Antonella did not simply transport us from one attraction to another. They genuinely looked after us. Their warmth, professionalism, punctuality, and attention to detail allowed us to simply enjoy the experience without worrying about any of the logistics. For anyone wanting to visit San Giovanni Rotondo and Monte Sant’Angelo, especially those making the journey as a pilgrimage to St. Pio and St. Michael the Archangel, I could not recommend this tour highly enough. It was beautifully organized from the initial communication to our final drop-off, and Nicola and Antonella were absolutely outstanding. Thank you, Nicola and Antonella, for making an already very special pilgrimage even more memorable. We could not have asked for a better driver, guide, or experience. Highly, highly recommended!

We had an absolutely incredible day tour to San Giovanni Rotondo and the Sanctuary of St. Michael, and it was all thanks to our fantastic team, Antonella and Nicola. Our driver, Nicola, arrived at our location in Rome right on time for a prompt 6:30 AM pickup. The long journey across Italy was incredibly smooth and comfortable; we felt completely safe and at ease in his hands the entire day. Our guide, Antonella, was very helpful and friendly. Her knowledge is rich and engaging for both sacred sites. She navigated the locations perfectly, ensuring we didn't miss a thing while keeping the pace comfortable.Punctual, professional, and genuinely warm, Antonella and Nicola made this long day trip completely stress-free and deeply memorable. We strongly recommend them to everyone who wants to engage them.

We don’t have enough words to express the gratitude we feel for this experience. Antonella and Roberto were extremely supportive and kind throughout the entire journey. We are seniors and with our limited mobility capacity, a trip like this would have been impossible if it wasn’t for your expertise. The service, the trip, the guide and the visit to the Padre Pio Sanctuary and San Michele Grotto, all of it was excellent. This tour was a dream come true. Thank you very much! From Mabel and Benito.

Ali and Robert are invaluable assets to Mama Mia Italia Tours. They are knowledgeable, excellent professional communicators, and friendly. They were kind, attentive and very helpful to the senior in our group of five. Their smiles never left throughout the 14 hour tour. Our family of three traveled to six cities and two countries for three weeks. Ali and Robert were the best tour guides we encountered who helped us make meaningful family memories. Thank you Ali and Robert!

Amazing experience, highly recommend this trip. Ali did a fantastic job explaining the sites. Very friendly and knowledgeable. Definitely worth it.

We enjoyed our trip to San Giovannni Rotondo - country side was beautiful. Roberto was an excellent driver. Ali did a good job facilitating.

Absolutely amazing , Ali and massimo were the best , five star , they Had superb knowledge , on time , very kind , respectful, I will return again with this group for my next trip , my family felt like they have been cared for by a a family of mamma Mia Love you guys

Ali and massimo were absolutely amazing , professional and very knowledgeable, I recommend everyone to book with mamma Mia , they were kind , very respectful and everything was right on time

This was an amazing trip. Max was professional and very friendly. He got us there safely. Simone was attentive and very knowledgeable. My mother was not feeling well during our trip and he continuously checked on her. He was sweet and kind. I highly recommend.

I really enjoyed this trip and loved visiting several different places in one tour. The guide was very knowledgeable and shared interesting insights that made the experience even better. Everything was well organized, and I would definitely recommend it.

An amazing experience for my family and I! Max and Frederica made this an absolutely wonderful tour. Max was an excellent driver who consistently helped myself and my elderly parents in and out of his pristine vehicle. Frederica was very patient, kind and informative; she consistently took a million pictures of our family when requested. She made sure to give us information and tips on where to look-all details we would have missed without her. Both the Padre Pio and Grotto of San Michele were absolutely beautiful. To be in such a historic and spiritual place gave me the chills. This was worth every penny to have a driver and tour guide since it would have been very difficult to travel that distance by train and then bus. I highly recommend you request Max and Frederica as your guides as well for a truly wonderful experience!

Enrica and our driver(sorry I can't remember his name) are very accomodating of our needs and demands. Enrica is knowledgeable of the places and entertain all our question. All in all we had a very memorable and fun day. Highly recommend them on your tours. You will not regret it.

Great experience. Our driver and tour guide Fabio were very helpful and funny and knowledgeable. Their english was great and the trip went smoothly.

Such wonderful experience. Thanks to our tour guide Carla and our drivers. Exceptional professional service. We would highly recommend Mamma Mia tours. Very dependable, excellent driver and tour guide

Exceptional professional service. We would highly recommend Mamma Mia tours. Wonderful day! Very dependable, excellent driver and tour guide

It was a fantastic experience! Our tour guide Carola was very kind and she made us feel as in family. Our driver Max was very good and we were comfortable and safe all along the trip. Excellent service! I do recommend!

As a solo traveller this small group trip to see Padre Pio and the Archangel Michael grotto was a dream come true! I would not have been able to navigate this day on my own and am very grateful that you offer small group tours such as this one. Another lovely couple joined myself and the tour guides Carla and Julia ( in training) and of course Roberto our excellent and professional driver. They were so attentive to our needs re: breaks etc, and organizing our lunch all the while providing some very relevant history as we walked around this very sacred ground . Highly recommend this tour and having done some research , their price is very reasonable for the excellent service from pick up to drop off .

Great experience! Very long day but so worth it! Carola and Roberto were amazing! Carola was very informative, did not rush us and made us feel comfortable the whole day. Roberto made us feel safe with his driving. Highly recommend!

Our tour guide was excelent.spoke both english and spanish. We enjoyed Padre Pio visit we were able to attend mass and went to Saint Michael Grotto.

We are in Italy celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary. Our small group tour with Mamma Mia Italia from Rome to San Giovanni Rotondo and San Michele Cave was beyond our expectations. Our driver, Maximus was punctual in picking us up and provided a safe and enjoyable 14 hour round trip excursion. Dina, our experienced tour guide, was great as she led us through the church and museum to witness the incorruptible body of Padre Pio and his vestaments displaying the stigmata on the wound in his side and palms of his hands. Dina explained the life of Padre Pio and his relationship to the thousands of people he touched with the letters that were in the bookcases along the walls and he had answered every one. Dina led us through the museum, carefully pointing out Padre Pio’s private room “cell”. An additional highlight is this tour was a visit to the underground cave of San Michele where he defeated Satan. I would highly recommend Mamma Mia Italia and we will be sure to book with them for future tours.

A pilgrimage to Padre Pio September 2025 Max and Michela made our trip to Padre PIO and Monte Sant' Angelo a great experience. Max is an excellent and skillful driver rounding all the bends up and down the mountains, very gentlemanly too, helping us old ladies up and down the van. Michela was a very knowledgeable and patient guide taking us through all the significant places with interesting bits of information on the sites.

We had an incredible experience on this tour! 🌟 Yes, it was a long day with about 4.5 hours of driving each way, but it was absolutely worth it. We were able to visit the new Sanctuary of Padre Pio in San Giovanni Rotondo, the original church and his quarters, as well as the Sanctuary of St. Michael the Archangel in Monte Sant’Angelo—all in one day. Carola, our guide, was outstanding: very knowledgeable, caring, and engaging. She explained the history and spirituality of each place beautifully. Max, our driver, was also excellent—safe, friendly, and very professional, which made the long ride comfortable. Although the tour is on the expensive side, it’s truly worth it. The convenience of being able to see these sacred and historic sites in one day, without the hassle of trains and overnight stays, makes it an excellent option for those with limited time. Highly recommend this tour, especially if you are blessed to have Carola and Max! 🙏

Amazing experience led by Carlota and Massimo as driver. Carlota was incredibly caring, mindful and patient leading us kindly to stay on schedule but also allowing us time to explore. She was prepared with information to share during the car drive and I thought that was very professional and thoughtful. Her restaurant recommendations in San Giovanni Rotondo was incredible and I still think of the ear-shaped paste. Massimo is a wonderful driver and such a gentleman! Never had to open my own door, that was very sweet. I would undeniably recommend them for a private tour experience, and now that I am reading the wine tour options might even do one in the near future!

Excellent experience!! Professional,,Friendly and accommodating Staff ,they made you feel like family!! Macimo is an Awesome skillful driver ; Carola is a knowledgeable tour guide, funny, caring and overall an Awesome person!! Kudos to both of You!! Grazie Mille!!! Till next time!!

It was an unforgettable and one of a kind experience, the driver Gianluca was a gentleman, he offered his hand to help me on and off the car, he was very kind and had a wonderful sense of humor, he was a very responsible driver, always focused on the road ahead during the 4 hours it took to get to St Giovanni Rotondo, he would frequently ask if I was comfortable, if the air conditioner was at the right temperature or if he should change anything, he was always well dressed, the car always clean, with a great smell and very comfortable, the tour guide Carola was a very kind person, she paid very close attention to every detail, she accompanied me during my entire walk with a lot of love and patience, she would take pictures, and tell me every detail of Father Pio’s life without rushing, she would allow me to pray without rushing me, during the entirety of the trip, alongside they would share stories about the towns, and the traditions, in conclusion I felt at home while I was with them, I would do this again without a doubt in the world, they are the best in the world, I would give them a 10 out of 10, they are a great team work. Thanks so much.

It was a perfect trip, our guide Carola was the best—professional, attentive, and very knowledgeable guide. Our driver, Luca , was an excellent gentleman. The whole trip was a wonderful experience.

Luca, Dina, and Max were all very professional and understanding and comfortable. I learned a lot during this experience.

Our guide Irene was amazing! She is full of knowledge and so friendly.. our driver Gian Luca was fantastic and made our ride enjoyable! I highly recommend using them !

We were meet at the hotel lobby by Dina 10 mins prior to our tour departure and introduced us to Max the driver, who drove us with caution back and forth to San Giovanni Rotondo 4 hrs each way, we were not bored during our trip since Dina gave us important highlights and history of Padre Pio, she is so knowledgeable with the whole region. Thank you Dina and Max for an awesome day to San Giovanni Rotondo, truly inspiring.

The whole day trip to the Shrine was worth the time. We had an amazing direct experience of witnessing first-hand what is written about the saint Padre Pio and the museum and church showed them all. The place is a holy place and provided a deepening of our Christian faith. Driver Max and tour guide Federica were very professional, kind and provided flexibility. We felt safe and looked after outstandingly. They are a great team. We were able to attend the timely mass. There was enough time for a relaxed lunch - food was nice at reasonable cost. Would highly recommend.

Our trip to Padre Pio to San Giovanni was wonderful. Our experience was memorable. It was spiritually fulfilling. Our driver, Max, was outstanding and very respectful and courteous. Our tour guide, Stefano, was very knowledgeable and helpful to our needs. He showed us the places that was essential to our visit and we even got our holy item bless by the Franciscan friar. He even arrange a reservation for our lunch. I highly recommend this private service to any family of couples that want to see Padre Pio in San Giovanni.

Wonderful, friendly staff. Guide really knows how to treat elderly people and address their needs with kindness and respect. Always open to help and to answer any questions. Also the driver is very professional and often gives interesting conversations and comments

Carola and Max were great tour guides. We enjoyed the tour to Padre Pio Shrine. Carola was so knowledgeable and Max provided safe efficient travel to and from the Shrine. The day went great and attending mass was so special for my husband and I. I would encourage anyone who is planning to visit to take the private tour, the pace was so relaxing and extremely informative. Thanks for a wonderful experience.

Driver was very punctual at picking me up at hotel. Both my driver and guide were very friendly and helpful. The itinerary was done efficiently which made my experience enjoyable. Guide spoke great English and was very accommodating; he made sure to find a priest to bless my items that purchased. Totally recommend visiting Padre Pio's Shrine; a spiritual experience that I will always carry in my heart.

Thank you, Giuseppe and Massimo, for the fantastic visit to the Sanctuary of Padre Pio and the Grotto of Saint Michael - it was a day full of wonder!

Antonella (the guide) and Roberto were very kind, respectful, and responsible during the trip. The schedules were met, and the stops along the way were ideal for stretching our legs and resting. The places are wonderful, with enough time to pray and buy some souvenirs.

Carola, Max and Gian Luca are excellent! They made us feel confident, they are very nice, the tour very well planned and explained.

We are very satisfied with the Service provided to us really the professionalism of Carola and Maximo was phenomenal the mastery of the information of the places visited was so good and we were surprised by some information that we did not know. Super comfortable transport we were very spoilt. We highly recommend Mamma mia Tour. Congratulations and successes 👌❤️

The tour to the Sanctuary of Padre Pio and the Cave of St. Michael was wonderful!!! The guide Karol and the driver Max were excellent!! All perfect!!!

It has been an unforgettable experience. Thank you infinitely for the attention, support and support I have received. I've traveled alone but I haven't felt alone at any time. The love and attention has been 10. I'll never forget you