Embark on a transformative spiritual journey to the stunning Dalmatian coastline of Croatia, where you will spend five nights on the peaceful Adriatic island of Badija. The centuries-old Franciscan Monastery of the Assumption of Mary has long been a sanctuary of refuge, silence, and spiritual connection. This serene island, free from cars and distractions, provides the ideal setting for prayer, reflection, and spiritual renewal.

During our retreat, Bishop Athanasius Schneider will celebrate daily Mass in the Traditional Latin Rite, as well as offer Adoration, guided reflections, and times of prayer. Known throughout the Church for his deep reverence for the Eucharist and his faithful witness to Catholic teaching, Bishop Schneider will accompany us as a true shepherd and spiritual father during our time on the island of Badija.

The rhythm of each day on the beautiful island of Badija begins with Holy Mass, followed by breakfast at the monastery. Each morning will include retreat talks offered by Bishop Athanasius Schneider. After lunch, the afternoon offers free time — an opportunity to swim in the clear Adriatic waters, take a leisurely walk along the 3-mile path that circles the island, or simply enjoy a quiet, reflective walk to pray and ponder the morning’s talks. In the evening, we gather again for dinner and conclude the day in the presence of Our Lord with Adoration and Benediction before retiring for the night.

The last full day offers free time to explore the island or travel by private boat to the nearby island of Korčula.

On our final morning on the island, we will depart for Split in our private boat to the mainland. For those who choose to continue on to Medjugorie, a private motorcoach will take you to the hotel in Medjugorie, while those who are not participating in the add-on will be transported to our hotel in Split.

On the final afternoon and evening in Split, pilgrims will have free time to explore the historic city on their own before departing for home the following day.

This is a true retreat pilgrimage — peaceful, unhurried, and centered on Christ — inviting each pilgrim to listen, pray, and be renewed.

Bishop Athanasius Schneider is the Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Mary Most Holy in Astana, Kazakhstan, and a member of the Canons Regular of the Holy Cross of Coimbra. He was born Anton Schneider on April 7, 1961, in Tokmok, in what is now Kyrgyzstan, into a devout Catholic family of German heritage who suffered persecution for their faith under the Soviet regime. His family later emigrated to West Germany, where he entered religious life and was ordained a priest in 1990. He was appointed a bishop in 2006.

Bishop Schneider is known throughout the universal Church for his profound reverence for the Holy Eucharist and his clear, faithful teaching on Catholic doctrine. Through his writing, preaching, and pastoral ministry, he seeks to help the faithful grow in love for Christ and devotion to the Church’s tradition. His prayerful presence and fatherly guidance make him a deeply respected shepherd and spiritual leader.

Highlights of our Croatia: Retreat with Bishop Schneider, June 2026

• Five-day private island retreat with Bishop Schneider at an ancient, recently restored monastery

• Daily Mass celebrated in the Traditional Latin Rite

• Free time to pray, explore the island, swim in the blue Adriatic waters, walk with other pilgrims along the island path, and travel to nearby islands in a private boat

• One night in Split with time to explore the city on your own

Air Travel: This pilgrimage is offered as a Land Only Package. Participants are responsible for arranging and covering the cost of their own air travel for the Croatia: Retreat with Bishop Schneider pilgrimage. After you book, you will receive the name and contact information of our recommended travel agent.

Arrival Information:

• Airport: St. Jerome Airport (SPU), formerly the Split Airport

• Date: Monday, June 15, 2026 (Day 1 of the pilgrimage)

• Flight Arrival Time: Before 1:00 PM (Local Time) This arrival time allows approximately 1/2 hour to pass through passport control and retrieve baggage before the group transfer.

• Transfer: A group transfer will depart at 1:30 PM from the airport to the port at Orebić, followed by a private boat transport to the Island of Badija. Participants must arrive in time to join this scheduled group transfer.

  
  If a Participant misses the group transfer, they will be responsible for arranging and covering the cost of transportation to the island, either the same day or the following day. While ITVP can provide general guidance when possible, ITVP staff and the group will depart as scheduled, and the group transfer will not be delayed due to flight delays.

If you choose to arrive early, please contact our office for the recommended hotel for early arrival. On Day 1, the group transfer will pick up participants from this hotel, along with the group pick-up at the airport.  Please note that if you arrive one day early, the cost of the hotel and the transfer from the airport will be the participant's financial responsibility. If you require assistance with this transfer, please let us know, and we will be happy to help coordinate it. 

It is strongly recommended that participants from the United States consider arriving on Sunday, June 14, 2026, one day before the pilgrimage begins on Monday, June 15, 2026. Arriving early not only allows time to rest and provides greater flexibility when selecting flight options, but it also helps ensure that your flight arrival time aligns with the scheduled private boat transfer to the island of Badija.

Departure Information: 

• Airport: St. Jerome Airport (SPU), formerly the Split Airport

• Date: Sunday, June 21, 2026 (Day 7 of the pilgrimage)

• Flight Departure Time: After 7:00 AM (Local Time)

• Transfer: The group transfer from the hotel to St. Jerome Airport will depart at 5:00 a.m. This schedule accommodates flights departing at 7:00 a.m. or later. 

One (1) group transfer from the hotel to St. Jerome Airport is included. To participate in this group transfer, the Participant’s flight must depart at or after 7:30 AM. If you prefer a later departure, a private transfer may be requested and, if available, can be arranged at the Participant’s expense.

Recommended Travel Agency:

For booking flights, we recommend using an experienced travel agency. They will handle your airline reservations and forward the details to our office, ensuring a seamless process. You will receive the contact information for Inside the Vatican Pilgrimages' recommended seasoned travel agent in your Welcome Letter, which is sent immediately after you register.

To get an idea of the cost and availability of flights, we recommend using Google Flights as a helpful and simple tool for initial research.

With more than 33 years of publishing Inside the Vatican magazine, we have colleagues and friends all over the world — and many of them have become part of our Pilgrimage family.

Designing an Inside the Vatican pilgrimage begins with a theme or a particular country; then we weave in encounters with real people who live and work there, as well as those with expert knowledge in its historical and spiritual perspectives. Each day includes the opportunity to attend Mass.

Our itineraries encompass both world-renowned and lesser-known destinations, and every detail is meticulously arranged to create a truly unique experience; we do not offer cookie-cutter pilgrimages. Our pilgrims appreciate that our groups average around 20 pilgrims, allowing for a more personal and prayerful experience. For custom pilgrimages, we may exceed this number.

On our Badija pilgrimages, this number may be slightly higher due to the unique nature of the retreat setting, as well as our commitment to supporting the Franciscan monastery by filling the available guest rooms.

Crafting an Inside the Vatican pilgrimage is about knowing firsthand what makes a place extraordinary and knowing personally the people of the land—relationships formed through more than 33 years of publishing Inside the Vatican magazine and covering the universal Church. It is about understanding how best to experience each place and then refining the countless details, moments, and encounters—both planned and spontaneous. This thoughtful approach creates the kind of boutique pilgrimage experience that cannot be mass produced—an experience shaped with care, a flexible pace, and strong local connections. These are just a few of the reasons why many pilgrims return to join us again and again.

Contact Information:

Phone: +1.202.536.4555  Monday-Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm ET.

Email: Pilgrimages@InsideTheVatican.com. 

WhatsApp: +1.540.631.4392

Before you book your trip with us, please read carefully our Terms and Conditions.

Use EARLY when you register on or before Sunday, February 15, 2026, to receive a $150.00 discount. Contact us to inquire about any applicable discounts.

Today, we depart from Split for the island of Badija, where we will attend Mass and a welcome dinner.

Our days on the Island of Badija will be filled with Mass, Adoration, prayer time, and retreat talks led by Bishop Athanasius Schneider.

Bishop Schneider is the Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Mary Most Holy in Astana, Kazakhstan, and a member of the Canons Regular of the Holy Cross of Coimbra. He is known throughout the Church for his profound reverence for the Holy Eucharist and his clear, faithful witness to Catholic teaching. His presence and reflections will help deepen our prayer and strengthen our understanding of the beauty of our Catholic faith.

There will also be opportunities for swimming, leisurely walks around the Island of Badija (a 3-mile easy walk), a visit to the nearby island of Korčula, and time for personal prayer and reflection.

Dinner Included.

Today, our time on the Island of Badija will again be centered around the Traditional Latin Mass celebrated by Bishop Athanasius Schneider, along with Adoration, prayer, and retreat talks led by Bishop Schneider. His guidance and reflections will continue to deepen our prayer and strengthen our understanding of the beauty of our Catholic faith.

There will also be opportunities for swimming, leisurely walks around the Island of Badija (a 3-mile easy walk), and time for personal prayer and reflection.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.

Today, our time on the Island of Badija will again be centered around the Traditional Latin Mass celebrated by Bishop Athanasius Schneider, along with Adoration, prayer, and retreat talks led by Bishop Schneider. His guidance and reflections will continue to deepen our prayer and strengthen our understanding of the beauty of our Catholic faith.

There will also be opportunities for swimming, leisurely walks around the Island of Badija (a 3-mile easy walk), and time for personal prayer and reflection.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.

Today, our time on the Island of Badija will again be centered around the Traditional Latin Mass celebrated by Bishop Athanasius Schneider, along with Adoration, prayer, and retreat talks led by Bishop Schneider. His guidance and reflections will continue to deepen our prayer and strengthen our understanding of the beauty of our Catholic faith.

There will also be opportunities for swimming, leisurely walks around the Island of Badija (a 3-mile easy walk), and time for personal prayer and reflection.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.

Today we will have Mass, breakfast, and our final retreat talk by Bishop Schneider; our afternoon is free to visit the island of Korcula -- photo above is the old town of Korcula -- a 10-minute boat ride from Badija.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

After breakfast, we will depart by private boat to the mainland, where we will meet our private coach and continue to our hotel in Split. The evening will be free, and dinner will be on your own in Split.

(For those joining the optional add-on to Medjugorje, a private bus will take you to our hotel in Medjugorje upon reaching the mainland.)

Breakfast included

Early morning transfers will take you to the airport for your departure home. Arrivederci, fellow pilgrims—until we meet again!

Breakfast Included