† Round Trip Airfare from Los Angeles, LAX † All Airport Taxes and Fuel Surcharges † Accommodation at centrally located first class hotels as follows: (or similar)
~ 3 nights: Sep 26 – Sep 29: Hotel Chapelle et Park, Lourdes
~ 1 night: Sep 29 – Sep 30: Hotel Chateau de Rocamadour
~ 1 night: Sep 30 – Oct 1: Hotel 3 Pigeons, Paray Le Monial
~ 1 night: Oct 1 – Oct 2: Hotel Mercure Nevers, Nevers
~ 2 nights: Oct 2 – Oct 4: Grand Hotel De L’Esperance
~ 2 nights: Oct 4 – Oct 6: Hotel Pullman Paris Percy, Paris † Transfers as per itinerary † Breakfast and Dinner daily † Wine with dinners † Professional local Catholic Tour Escort † Assistance of a professional local Catholic guide(s) † Sightseeing and admissions fees as per itinerary † Mass daily & Spiritual activities † Luggage handling (1 piece per person) †Flight bag & portfolio of all travel documents
Day 1, Mon, Sep 25: Depart for Lourdes
Make your way to Los Angeles airport, where you will board your overnight flight(s). Your meals will be served on board.
Day 2, Tue, Sep 26: Arrive Lourdes
Upon arriving at into Pau or Toulouse airport, make your way to the baggage claim area and collect your luggage. Proceed to the arrival's hall, where you will be greeted by your tour guide and/or driver. Embark on scenic drive to Lourdes. Check-in to your hotel and relax or explore before dinner. Following dinner, you will have free time to pray the Rosary and to attend the candlelight procession. (April-October only). These processions are lit by candlelight and guided by the Most Holy Rosary. Following this prayerful experience, you will return to your hotel for an overnight.
Days 3 & 4, Wed & Thu, Sep 27 & Sep 28: Lourdes
Over the next two days, you will wake up in a small town that is nestled within the Pyrenees Mountains. During your time in Lourdes, you will pray and meditate in yet another site of Our Lady's apparitions. Our Lady first appeared to Bernadette in 1858, and announced herself as "The Immaculate Conception", near the Grotto of Massabielle. At the first two apparitions, little Bernadette prayed the Rosary with Our Lady and left without any exchange of words. During the following apparitions, Our Lady emphasized God's love for us, penance and the necessi-ty of performing acts of penance for sinners. Throughout your time in Lourdes, you will have the opportunity to attend Mass at the Grotto of where Our Lady appeared to Bernadette; watch a video presentation that explains, in detail, the story of Lourdes; drink water from the miraculous spring that has healed many; and submerge yourself in the healing baths. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to experience Christ's unconditional love as you meditate upon the "life size" Stations of the Cross that overlook the Grotto of Massabielle. Also, while in Lourdes, you will walk in and meditate upon the footsteps of St. Bernadette. Your group will have the opportunity to see Boly Mill, the birthplace of St. Bernadette; and the "Cachot," an abandoned prison where Bernadette's impoverish family lived. Each evening following dinner, you will have an opportunity to attend the candle light procession and the Rosary before a restful overnight.
Day 5, Fri, Sep 29: Lourdes – Toulouse – Rocamadour
This morning, you will awaken feeling well rested! Following breakfast, transfer to Toulouse. This southern French city was once a Roman colony and is home to numerous religious and historical treasures. While here, you will have the opportunity to view many of these rare artifacts such as twenty historical pipe organs, and the burial place of St. Thomas Aquinas at the St. Sernin Basilica. As one of the finest Romanesque churches in France, its exterior is constructed of red brick with decorative accents of white stone. Following your visit to this magnificent church, continue north to the town situated atop a rocky mountain, Rocamadour. Upon arrival in Rocamadour, you will enjoy a delicious meal and a restful over-night.
Day 6, Sat, Sep 30: Rocamadour – Paray Le Monial
This morning you will awaken in the town that overlooks the Alzou Valley and, was the home to early Christian hermit, Zaccheus of Jericho. Zaccheus conversed with Jesus himself and was the husband of St. Veronica, the woman who wiped the face of Jesus as He climbed to Calvary. During your time at this Sacred destination, you will visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Rocamadour, a place of miraculous conversion. It is comprised of numerous religious structures and chapels that are centered on a statue of the Virgin Mary and the tomb of Zaccheus. After your visit to this place of miraculous healing, your journey will continue to Paray Le Monial. Dinner and overnight
Day 7, Sun, Oct 1: Paray Le Monial – Nevers
You will begin your day with breakfast. Celebrate Mass with some free time for prayer and reflection. Following Mass visit the Chapel of the Visitation, of where Jesus exposed His Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in the seventeenth century. These apparitions allowed St. Margaret to rest herself upon Je-sus’ Sacred Heart and to experience the unconditional love for humanity. During your visit to this Holy place, you will have the opportunity to view relics of the beloved Saint that are located beneath a wax figure of her. Following free time for lunch in Paray Le Monial , we will drive to Nevers via the picturesque Loire Valle. Nevers is the site of where St. Bernadette lived for twelve years as a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of Nevers. The Saint suffered from a num-ber of illnesses such as asthma, tuberculosis of the lungs, and a tubercular tumor in her right knee. For this reason, St. Bernadette received “The Last Sacraments” three times and eventually passed away in 1879, at the age of thirty-five. Visit of the Convent of Saint Gildard, before enjoying a delicious meal and retiring for the evening in Nevers.
Day 8, Mon, Oct 2: Nevers – Chartres – Lisieux
Upon waking up in Nevers and enjoying breakfast. Mass. Following Mass depart for Chartres. Upon arrival, you will have free time for lunch in the quaint town followed by the visit of Chartres, known for its massive Cathedral Notre Dame. Worldwide for the incredible stained-glass windows from the 12th and 13th century. A World Heritage site by UNESCO, which calls the Cathedral "the high point of French Gothic art" and a "masterpiece". After lunch we will continue will continue to Lisieux. Dinner and overnight in Lisieux.
Day 9, Tue, Oct 3: Lisieux - Normandy Beaches - Mont Saint Michel – Lisieux
This morning you will head west and take a day-trip to the site that marks the turning point of World War II, Normandy Beach. This beach is known for the “D-Day landings” of where Allied troops, led by American General Dwight Eisenhow-er, stormed and began to defeat the Nazi army. While at Normandy, you will have the opportunity to visit the American cemetery of Omaha Beach. Many of the brave American soldiers of World War II are buried here and, it is encouraged to say a prayer in thanksgiving for their courage. Continue on to Mont St. Michel , where the Monastery of Le Mont St. Michele is located, also known as, “The Wonder of the Western World.” It is given this name because the Monastery is surrounded by a magnificent bay that is one of the greatest tidal ranges in Eu-rope, resulting in a breathtaking view. In 709, this Monastery was built and con-secrated by Aubert, Bishop of Avranches at the request of Michael the Archangel. Since the ninth century, the Abbey has been home to a monastic community in order to ensure the continuation of a spiritual presence. For centuries it has been a place of pilgrimage for those who seek Eternal Life with God. Return to Lisieux for dinner and an overnight.
Day 10, Wed, Oct 4: Lisieux – Paris
Today, after breakfast you will explore the life of St. Therese. According to Pope Pius X, St. Therese of Lisieux was the “greatest saint of modern times.” Her ex-traordinary love for God and service to humanity will come alive as you walk in the Great Saint’s footsteps. During your visit, you will see the beautiful Basilica of St. Therese, and the magnificent mosaics and stained glass that are contained within. Following your visit to the Basilica, you will have the opportunity to view relics, clothing and personal objects of St. Therese when you visit her family home, Les Buissonets. Additionally, you will tour the parish of St. Therese, the Cathedral of St. Peter; and the Carmelite Convent of where she entered in 1888, and is currently entombed in with her parents. Your tour of the “Little Flower’s” life culminates as you board bus to transfer to the “City of Lights,” Paris. Upon arrival enjoy dinner and overnight.
Day 11, Thu, Oct 5: Paris
Today, you will enjoy a full sightseeing tour of Paris. After breakfast, you will visit and celebrate Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, where you will view the incorrupt body of St. Catherine Laboure. The Saint's guardian angel led her to the chapel where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to her. During apparitions, Our Lady repeatedly instructed the making and purpose of the Miraculous Medal as well as, the green scapular. According to the Blessed Virgin Mary, those who wear the Miraculous Medal and scapular will receive special protection and abundant graces. Following your prayerful and reflective experi-ence at this elegant chapel, you will begin your sightseeing tour of Paris. After Mass we will walk to Saint Vicent de Paul Church. Continuing our day with a visit of the Notre Dame Cathedral, a perfect example of Gothic art. Our panoramic sightseeing tour via motor coach continues on to the most recognizable symbol of the city of Paris, the Eiffel Tower. Historically, the Tower's original intent was to commemorate the centenary of the French Revolution but, later assisted in meteorology, telegraphy of World War I, radio, and television. Pass by the L'Arch de Triomphe, a monument that symbolizes gratitude for those who fought for France. This monument stands at the West end of the Champ-Elysees, one of the world's most famous boulevards and another one of our stops on the sightseeing tour. You will see the ever famous, Louvre Museum. This Museum is one of the finest in the world and contains a number of pieces that truly emanate not only French art but also, European culture. Your fun-filled, busy day ends with a lovely meal and a very comfortable overnight
Day 12, Fri, Oct 6: Return Home
After an early breakfast and wholehearted farewells, transfer to the Paris airport for return flight(s) home.
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Options: †Single Supplement / Private Room: $899 † Upgrade to Business Class: One-way: $1,750, Round-trip: $3,500 † First Class: available upon request † Children Discount (under 12): available upon request
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About Lourdes:
She came for you and for everyone of us! 6 million pilgrims come to Lourdes each year and 10,000 visit this site daily. At the foot of the Pyrenees mountains in southwestern France, nestled between the spectacular mountain river, Gave de Pau, is Lourdes, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the World. Lourdes is the birthplace of St Bernadette to whom Our Lady appeared in 1858 near the Grotto of Massabielle. Our pilgrimage and tour of Lourdes includes visits to the sanctuary and the Basilica of St Pius X, the world's largest underground church. Drink from the spring that the Virgin directed Bernadette to locate at the base of the grotto, which has flowed uninterrupted since 1858. Wash yourself in the baths where hundreds of miraculous cures have taken place. Contemplate Christ's Passion as you pray the unique three-dimensional Stations of the Cross. Attend the blessing of the sick, and participate in nightly candlelight processions requested by Our Lady. Daily Mass, and Mass at the Grotto on Sunday will be followed by a video presentation telling the miraculous story of Lourdes. Visit Lourdes and experience a spiritual journey from which many have claimed healing and conversion.
About Lisieux & Paris:
Visit town of Lisieux, the home of St Therese whom Pope Pius X called "the greatest saint of modern times" Visit Paris and all its wonderful sights like Notre Dame Cathedral and Sacre Coeur, see the sights as the Eiffel Tower, L'Arc de Triomphe, and drive through the Champs Elysees. Mass at Shrine of the Miraculous Medal.