Contact: Diana George, Corporate Travel Service, 800-727-1999, dgeorge@ctscentral.net

MEDIA ADVISORY, Sept. 11, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- Fr. Leo Patalinghug, popular chef, television host, and founder of Grace Before Meals invites married couples to Italy for a Roman Holiday marriage retreat. He is joining EWTN Radio and TV host, and author, Teresa Tomeo and her husband Deacon Dominick Pastore to lead a Ten Day Retreat for Couples to Italy.

Fr. Leo began his apostolate to strengthen families around the dinner table. He will provide daily Mass, spiritual direction, uplifting talks, and a wonderful cooking class with Catholic flavor, and will also lead couples in the renewal of their vows. Teresa Tomeo and Deacon Pastore will share their dramatic testimony and explain how the Catholic Church brought them through very difficult times that threatened to end their marriage.

The retreat takes place May 18-27, 2014, arranged through Corporate Travel Service. Couples will visit such cities as Rome, Vatican City, the Sistine Chapel, and will also receive a Papal Blessing in St. Peter's Square by Pope Francis.

"One of the best ways to stand up for marriage is by living out that sacrament to the best of your ability," says Tomeo. "Our culture needs husbands and wives to have a deep faith in God and strong marriages." She said the retreat is designed to allow couples quality time together while mixing in fun social activities like wine tastings, cooking demonstrations, and visits to incredible Catholic sights.

Fr. Leo contends, "Successful, or rather, faithful marriages take intentional effort on the part of husband and wife." He is the author of Spicing up Married Life, host of Savoring our Faith a weekly show on EWTN, and he defeated celebrity Food Network Iron Chef, Bobby Flay in a Steak Fajita Challenge on Food Network's popular television series, Throwdown! with Bobby Flay. "I invite married couples to join our pilgrimage as we embark to strengthen relationships in God's love and have a lot of food, faith, friendship and fun in the process," he says.

"We went not knowing what to expect and came home not wanting it to end," says Laura Parker, who attended the trip with her husband as a newlyweds in 2012. "We can think of no better way to reconnect with your spouse and meet new friends than sharing a glass of wine and a delicious meal in the ambience of Europe."

There is a $100 per person discount for early registrations.