Women of Influence 9/26-10/3
A Modern PILGRIMAGE to Rome – Vescine – Florence
Registration is now open! Enjoy a $700 Early Booking Discount!
Women of Influence is a four month discipleship program that culminates in a one week pilgrimage in Italy. For three months before travel our group will learn ancient pilgrimage practices including Lectio Divina (scripture reading), silence, prayer walks and more. We will gather for three pre-travel zoom calls for spiritual teaching and practical preparation.
In his letter to the church in Rome Paul commends, thanks, and gives greetings to nine women. Deacons and laborers, Jews and Gentiles, leaders, teachers, fellow prisoners, and a mother, all women of influence busy building the church in Rome.
While in Italy we will walk the roads of Rome exploring women from the first to the fourth century and how they used their influence to build the early Church. Building on Paul’s letter to the Romans, we will learn about women he commended as deacons and laborers, Jews and Gentiles, leaders, teachers, fellow prisoners, and mothers. We will visit the Roman Forum, the Coliseum, catacombs, and early house church sites with local expert guides. Be inspired by daily spiritual teachings from Wendy Schulz and Shari Braendel as we explore themes of giftings, calling, and influence.
Who is going?
Meet Wendy
Wendy Schulz, founder of Life on Pilgrimage, will lead this pilgrimage providing daily spiritual teaching and sharing ancient pilgrimage practices to renew your faith and draw you closer to the Lord in your faith walk. She will plan and lead each detail of our trip, giving you a worry-free, relaxing experience. Her guidance begins long before our trip. She will host a private FB group and three pre-travel calls leading up to our trip offering support for your practical and spiritual preparation.
Meet Shari
Shari Braendel, founder of Style by Color, inspires women to new levels of confidence through her digital products, style programs, and YouTube channel. She has spoken at over 500 churches and women’s conferences worldwide. Shari has traveled with Life on Pilgrimages as a pilgrim twice. She will be joining us next year as a trip co-leader helping lead daily logistics, spiritual teachings, and fashion fun in Florence and during our two day optional extention in Rome.
Your fellow travelers
Women of Influence has a maximum of 16 women. This intimate size group gives you the opportunity to form new or deeper friendships with the women you travel with. Some women come knowing other travelers, some do not, but on each of our trips, one of the greatest gifts all of our travelers leave with is a group of new faith sisters and lifelong friends.
Where are we going?
The journey begins in Rome
We’ll spend three days exploring the Eternal City through the lens of the Early Church. During our time in Rome, we will stay at the modern Times Rome Hotel in the Monti district. We will tour the Roman Forum, Coliseum, Mamertime Prison, catacombs, and multiple early house church sites. Our experiences will be paired with spiritual teachings and quiet time of reflection and journaling each day.
Borgo di Vescine
From Rome we will head north to the award winning Borgo di Vescine in Chianti. We will turn our reflection from women of the early Church to ourself, asking the question, “How is God calling me to be a woman of influence for His kingdom?”
During our time at the Borgo we will enjoy a cooking class, and unique nightly dinners featuring locally grown food, wine and olive oil from the Borgo’s own olive grove.
Florence
We will enjoy a day trip to the fabulous city of Florence. We will explore the world famous Central Market where we will also enjoy lunch.
In the afternoon there will be multiple activities to chose from including exploring local architecture, fashion, and shopping. That evening we will have dinner in the heart of Florence.
On day 7 we will head back to Rome for our last day and a celebration dinner to mark the end of a truly life-changing week together!
Optional 3 day extention!
2025 is a historic Jubilee year in Rome. In honor of this we are offering an optional three day extention for the first time. On day one we will enjoy a private tour of the Vatican Musuem and St. Peter’s Bascilica. On the second day Shari will be leading a fun fashion-focused day that will include a focus on Italian fashion and plenty of shopping opportunities!
This extention can be added at time of application.
What does the daily itinerary look like?
What is the cost?
What your Life on Pilgrimage Experience Includes: (We are so much more than a one week trip!)
- Four month discipleship program. Three months before travel, one month after
- Private FB group for three months before travel includes practical and spiritual preparation
- Four group zoom calls including spiritual teaching and practical preparation
- Pre and Post travel devotion books
- 7 nights accommodations
- All tours, admissions, and gratuities
- 16 meals: All breakfasts, all dinners including wine, and two lunches
- Daily teaching sessions while in Italy
- All ground transportation
- Private airport transfers
- Fun, exclusive gifts
- Memories of a lifetime
Optional Trip Extention Includes:
- Two nights accomadations
- All tours, admissions, and gratuities
- 4 meals: All breakfasts, and one dinner
- Daily teaching
Total Cost:
Regular Price $6,488.00
Early Booking Price: $5,788.00
An Early Booking Discount of $700 off will be offered through Nov 28th
Single room supplement: $1,159.00
OPTIONAL 3 DAY EXTENTION Oct 3-5
Double Occupancy: $1,145
Single Occupancy:$1,545
Booking Instructions:
Are you ready to apply to be part of Women of Influence? All guests are asked to fill out our trip application below. Our application will open in Mid October.
Each application will be prayerfully considered. We want to ensure that this trip is a good fit for each of our guests. After your application has been considered you will be contacted by Wendy Schulz with your next steps.
If accepted for the trip, you must pay the $1,500 non-refundable deposit to secure your spot.
Spiritual Content
The heart of pilgrimage is to grow closer to God. Christians have gone on pilgrimage as a spiritual practice since the 4th century. Our spiritual content begins well before you arrive in Rome, with a pre-travel series of devotions designed to prepare your heart for the journey. During our week together Wendy and Shari will provide daily spiritual teaching tying together our daily explorations, scripture, and personal application.
Throughout the week we will have quiet time dedicated to personal reflection and journaling. We will explore ancient spiritual practices of pilgrimage through forms of prayer and worship. Our small group size will create an intimate environment for sharing and processing your journey.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How many people will be in the group?
16. A maximum of 14 guests and two trip leaders.
What are our accommodations?
We will be staying in 4-5 star hotels in double occupancy rooms with twin beds in each room and private bathrooms. A limited number of single occupancy spots are available. There is a supplemental fee for a single room.
What meals are included?
Daily buffet breakfast with hot and cold food choices. Daily pre-fix dinners of 3 -4 courses served with one glass of wine, bottled water, and coffee. Two lunches.
What about transportation?
Airfare is not included, but Wendy is available to help you find the best deal. All group land transportation is included. We will travel on private coach btw Rome, Florence and Vescine. For those arriving on Sept 26 and departing on Oct 3 or 5 private airport transfers will be provided. If you are extending your stay before or after for personal exploration, Wendy is available to help you arrange transfers on your desired days.
How much walking is involved? Is this trip handicap accessible?
Unfortunately, this trip is not handicap accessible. We will walk an average of 3-5 miles per day. Guests should be comfortable with stairs, paverstone paths, and uneven surfaces.
I’m not an experienced international traveler. Are you going to tell me what I need to pack and bring?
Absolutely! We are going to walk you through every step of preparation including packing lists, passport information, navigating currency exchange and credit card as well as what to do about your cell phone. Through a series pre-travel Zooms, our private Facebook group and emails, you will feel confident when you head for Rome. We’re here for you every step of the way!
What additional money will I need?
The vast majority of your expense are covered. You will be responsible for your lunch daily. We suggest budgeting $20 per day. Dinners include one glass of wine. You will be responsible for additional drinks. You will also be responsible for any souvenirs and snacks you may want.
How do I sign up and pay?
Email Wendy Schulz at wendyandersonschulz@gmail.com for a trip application. A $1500 non-refundable deposit is required. Full payment is due 6 months prior to departure. Check and Credit Cards are accepted.