† Round-trip air from New York, JFK † Airport Taxes and Fuel Surcharges † Accommodations at centrally located hotels as follows (or similar):
~ 1 night: Oct 17 – 18: NH Amsterdam Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands
~ 2 nights: Oct 18 – 20: Bruges Hotel Navarra, Bruges, Belgium
~ 3 nights: Oct 20 – 23: Art Hotel or Innside by Melia, Aachen, Germany
~ 1 night: Oct 23 – 24: Hilton, Strasbourg, France
~ 2 nights: Oct 24 – 26: Lindner or Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel, Interlaken, Switzerland
~ 1 night: Oct 26 – 27: Hotel Royal Manotel, Geneva, Switzerland † Transfers as per itinerary † Breakfast and Dinner daily † Wine and mineral water with dinners † Transportation by air-conditioned motor coach † Whisper Headsets where needed † Assistance of a professional local Christian 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, Oct 16: Depart for the Netherlands Make your way to JFK airport where you will board your overnight flight(s). Your meals will be served on board.
Day 2, Tue, Oct 17: Amsterdam Upon landing into Amsterdam 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. Transfer to your hotel. This after-noon, begin your pilgrimage with a tour of Amsterdam, where you will experience its seventeenth century historical and picturesque atmosphere amidst its canals and squares. During your walking tour you will view the Royal Place, Vrijheidsbeeld (National Monument) , the Flower Markets, Opera House, City Hall and Begijnenhof. Additionally you will experience a glimpse from the outside of the many cultural highlights Amsterdam has to offer, such as: Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House, Rembrandt House and, the Rijksmuseum. Later, we will visit the site of a Eucharistic Miracle. In 1345, as a result of a man’s illness, a Sacred Host was found preserved in his house after it was moved numerous times and after having experienced a fire that left the city in ruins. Your day’s tour will culminate as you visit one of the Virgin Mary’s apparition sites, the Chapel of Our Lady of All Nations. In 1945 until 1959, Our Lady appeared to Ida Peerdeman with the continuous message of love and repentance and, the prayer for Nations. This evening, you will enjoy dinner and an overnight in Amsterdam.
Day 3, Wed, Oct 18: Amsterdam – Ghent – Bruges Following breakfast, you will return to the Chapel of Our Lady of All Nations to celebrate Mass. After Mass transfer Ghent, Belgium, home to the famous painting, “Adoration of the Mystic Lamb.” The large and complex altarpiece was painted by Jan and Hubert van Eyck in 1432 and, is currently housed in Ghent’s, St. Bavo Cathedral. Continue to Bruges for dinner and overnight.
Day 4, Thu, Oct 19: Bruges After breakfast you will visit the canal city of Bruges. The Zeebrugge port of Bruges is an important center for European trade. As you approach the Church of Our Lady for Mass, you will inevitably notice the preserved culture of the Middle Ages that is still present. While at the Church, you will have the opportunity to view the magnificent marble statue, Madonna and her Child sculpted by Michelangelo. Later, you will visit the Basilica of the Holy Blood. Most interestingly, this Basilica also holds a venerated relic of Jesus Christ that was collected by Joseph of Arimathea. This afternoon at leisure to enjoy this enchanting city. Return to your hotel on time to enjoy a delicious meal and a restful overnight.
Day 5, Fri, Oct 20: Bruges –Beauraing - Banneux – Aachen Following breakfast, you will board the bus and head Beauraing to visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Beauraing, also known as, the Virgin of the Golden Heart. In 1932, the Blessed Mother appeared to a group of young children thirty-three times. She was described as being dressed in white with a golden crown on her head with hair of gold. Our Lady came to these children during the Great Depression and advised them to sacrifice themselves to Her. Continue on to Banneux – Notre Dame, also known as, the Belgian Lourdes. Upon arrival, you will visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Banneux. In 1933, the Blessed Mother appeared to twelve-year-old Mariette Boco as the “Virgin of the Poor.” Our Lady appeared to little Mariette a few times and informed her that she (Our Lady) has come to relieve the suffering of the ill and the conflicts of all nations. Drive to Aachen for dinner and an overnight.
Day 6, Sat, Oct 21: Aachen Kevelear – Echt – Aachen Enjoy a nice breakfast before we take off to Kevalaer, another site of Our Lady’s apparitions. In 1641, Hendrick Busman (a merchant) was walking and heard a mysterious call that said, “Build a little Chapel for Me here.” He heard the call three consecutive nights. Simultaneously his wife, Mechel had a vision of Our Lady and recalled a previous event of an itinerate soldier attempting to sell her a photo of the Madonna that she had seen in her vision. Eventually, Mechel bought the photo and was enShrined in the Shrine of Kevelaer. Pilgrims who visited this Shrine have reported miraculous cures to the blind, paralyzed, deaf, and mute. Following this prayerful experience we will proceed to Echt. This is where Edith Stein entered the Carmelite Order as a Jewish nun. She spent time with the order for four short years until being arrested by the Gestapo during World War II. Edith was sent to Auschwitz where she died a martyr. She was canonized a Saint in 1998 as St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. Return to Aachen for a wonderful meal and overnight.
Day 7, Sun, Oct 22: Aachen - Cologne – Aachen Today, you will enjoy a short sightseeing tour of the village of Aachen! During this tour, you will attend Mass at the Aachen Cathedral, a Gothic Marian Shrine. The Church is the oldest of Germany and contains numerous treasures such as Jesus’ swaddling clothes, the Lord’s loin cloth, the Blessed Virgin’s Cloak and, the cloth used for St. John the Baptist’s head. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to venerate the miraculous fourteenth century statue of the Blessed Virgin. Later, you will depart for Cologne where you will enjoy another sightseeing tour! Cologne was originally founded and established by the Romans in 50 A.D. When this city received relics of the Three Magi in 1194, it gained importance as a pilgrimage center. While in this city, you will have the opportunity to visit the magnificent Gothic Cathedral, “the Kölner Dom” that houses the relics. Following this visit, you will take a tour and, learn about the two thousand years of history to which this Rhineland city is accompanied by. In the Middle Ages, the city of Cologne served and flourished as one of the major trade routes between Eastern and Western Europe. Later this evening, you will return to Aachen for a wonderful meal and an overnight.
Day 8, Mon, Oct 23: Aachen - Trier – Strasbourg After breakfast, will drive to Trier, the oldest city in Germany. It is situated in the Mosel wine region, and was founded before the year 16 B.C. Trier is known for its well-preserved Roman and medieval buildings, all of which you will visit during your time in this ancient city. The Porta Nigra is the only one of four Roman gates that still stands and was formally the home to a hermit monk named Simeon. Additionally, the Roman amphitheater and baths were places of relaxation for the ancient monks. Lastly, the style and size of the Constantine Basilica (Aula Palatina) truly exemplifies the strength and power that the Roman Emperor had in ancient times. Your last visit in Trier will be to the Roman Catholic, Trier Cathedral and the Church of Our Dear Lady (Liebfrauenkirche). The Cathedral not only contains a remarkable collection of artwork, but is also home to the Holy Robe that Our Lord Jesus Christ wore during the Crucifixion (Like the Shroud of Turin – it is very fragile, and is only displayed every 10 – 15 years) Lastly, Liebfrauenkirche is one of the first Gothic Churches in Germany and is located near the burial site of the Saint who replaced Judas Iscariot, St. Matthias. Proceed to Strasbourg for an enjoyable dinner and overnight.
Day 9, Tue, Oct 24: Strasbourg – Interlaken Enjoy a nice breakfast and begin your day with a visit to the Strasbourg Cathedral de Notre-Dame. This magnificent Gothic structure was built in 1439 and soars above the city of Strasbourg. The large single tower of which the Cathedral is known was almost destroyed by anti-religious beliefs during the French Revolution. However, a local blacksmith created a metal cover that shielded the tower for seventy years. Additionally, near this beautiful Cathedral stands a famous astronomical clock that strikes each day at 12:30. The sculptures on this clock humanize the stages of life as well as, the Pillar of Angels that represent the Last Judgment. Following this visit, board the bus and transfer to Interlaken, Switzerland, that is overshadowed by the Jungfrau Mountain. This evening you will eat dinner and enjoy a restful overnight in this resort town on the Aare River.
Day 10, Wed, Oct 25: Interlaken – Einsiedeln – Lucerne – Interlaken This morning, board the bus and enjoy a scenic ride along Lake Lucerne and Lake Zug to Einsiedeln. Upon arrival, visit the Benedictine Monastery of Einsiedeln, dedicated to Our Lady of the Hermits. The abbey received this dedication due to its first inhabitant of the region around the year 850 A.D, a monk named Meinrad (St. Meinrad). Continue to Lucerne. This central Switzerland city is known for its miraculous views of Mt. Pilatus and Rigi in the Swiss Alps. While in this breathtaking city, you will visit the wooden Chapel Bridge that was first erected in the fourteenth century. Return to Interlaken for a marvelous meal and an overnight.
Day 11, Thu, Oct 26: Interlaken - Berne – Geneva Following breakfast and check-out, transfer to Berne. Upon arrival in Berne, you will have the opportunity to explore Berne at leisure. This capital city of Switzerland became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and is ranked among the world’s top ten cities for the “Quality of Life.” Later in the day, continue onto Geneva. Geneva is ranked number nine of “Most Important Financial Centers for Competitiveness” and contains the highest number of international organizations in the world. While in this Swiss city, you will have the opportunity to visit St. Maurice’s Abbey. The Abbey is famous for commencing the evangelization in Switzerland and Europe. This evening, you will return to your hotel in Geneva and enjoy a “Farewell Dinner” followed by a restful overnight.
Day 12, Fri, Oct 27: Return Home After an early breakfast and heartfelt farewells, transfer to the Geneva airport for return flights home.
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