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How to Prepare for Your Pilgrimage: Thank you for your desire and readiness to visit these places of grace and prayer. May the Almighty God, through the intercession of our Heavenly Mother, reward you for all the efforts you undertake to come! As we would like your trip to be as pleasant and helpful as possible, it is important to note that 206 Tours pilgrimages are packed full of spiritual activities and sightseeing. We do not include much free time for recreation, such as shopping. This is because our desire is to offer you the most comprehensive pilgrimage possible. However, all tours/activities are optional, and if you feel you are unable to keep up with the pace of the tour, manage the terrain, or would like free time for your own interests, you are welcome to refrain from participating in any aspects of the program you desire (of course, no refund can be issued for any aspects of the tour which you choose not to participate in).
It is also important to note that the amount of walking is significant, and the terrain varies greatly through out our tours. You will encounter hills, mountains, unpaved streets, cobblestone streets, etc. Especially in Medjugorje, many streets are not paved, and walking is necessary to visit most of the sites included in the pilgrimage. Cross Mountain and Apparition Hill are very steep and rocky. Please prayerfully consider whether or not you are up to such physical activities prior to registering. For this reason, we would like to offer you some recommendations, and we ask you sincerely to read them carefully.
discomfort.
ideas, their words laid on your heart, etc.
General Info About Your Documents, Flights, Arrival & Travel:
Final Documents: 206 Tours will ship your final documents to the address provided on your reservation application approximately 2-3 weeks prior to your scheduled departure date. The package will be delivered by FedEx (can not be delivered to a PO Box). Your final documents will include your airline tickets, hotel confirmations, emergency contacts, general trip information, luggage tags, portfolio of travel documents, flight bag, and more. Carefully review your tickets to ensure that your name on the tickets are an exact match to that of your passport. Please note that the name field on your tickets is Only * 19 characters long, therefore names exceeding this length will be cut off (this is not a problem, as your actual reservation contains your full name). Please also carefully review the itinerary provided to ensure that all departure and destination cities, as well as dates, are correct. Please contact 206 Tours immediately should any discrepancies be found. * Please note that late payment/bookings can cause delay in the shipment of your final documents.
International Flights: We recommend that you check in for your international flight three hours prior to the scheduled departure time. Passengers must personally check their luggage at the airline counter. Please advise the airline representative of your final destination upon check in so that you will not need to claim your baggage and recheck it during flight connections. Please note that our pilgrims travel from across the USA. You will be traveling independently for all flights until your arrival at your final destination. You will not have a tour escort with you during your flights. Please be advised that 206 Tours attempts to centralize as many pilgrims as possible on the same flights, so you may arrive/depart on the same flights as many of your co-pilgrims (for additional information see "Arrival Procedure" below).
Airline Tickets: Most airlines now require that we provide e-tickets in place of paper tickets. At check-in, you should be ready to provide your flight itinerary and passport to the agent. In a few cases where e-tickets cannot be issued, you will receive your tickets in a paper form. Please note that paper tickets, and boarding passes, must be present in order to check in, and or board the plane. .
Code-share Flights:
Airline Connections: 206 Tours must book your airline reservations based on the routings provided to us by the airlines, including connection time, cities for connections, and partner carriers. Airlines determine the standard for the required minimum connecting time to transfer from one gate to another for each specific airport. At times, the connection times provided by the airlines are quite tight (i.e. 55 minutes) and require passengers to make haste during their connections. At times the airline connection times are quite long, due to the flight availability at the time of booking. While we wish we could determine the connection times for each of our clients, we are subject to the rules, regulations, and availability of the carriers we work with. We also must ensure that all reservations correspond so that each participant is able to meet the group transfer to/from the airport to hotel and hotel to airport. We promise to do all in our power to provide you with the most convenient flight schedule available to us at the time of your booking, however, we must still follow all appropriate airline rules and regulations. Please contact the airline directly to open a mileage account and to obtain credit for the miles flown on this trip. Passports and Visas: All U.S. citizens must have a valid passport to enter. Your passport MUST be valid for 3 months after your return date. For information on obtaining a US passport please visit: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html.
A visa is not required for US, Canada, and Western European. If you do not hold a US, Canadian, or Western European passport please consult all the consulates of the countries you will be traveling through to obtain rules and regulations pertaining to visas.
NON US, Canada or Europe Passport Holders may be required to obtain a visa for Croatia as well as Bosnia- Herzegovina, as some of the flights/ routings will take our groups through Croatia (Dubrovnik or Split) to Medjugorje, which is located in Bosnia. Please note that your flights are in/out of Dubrovnik, which is in Croatia, however, Medjugorje is located in Bosnia, therefore you will actually be "visiting" 2 countries. US or Canadian citizens do not need to obtain visas for Croatia or Bosnia. When and if visa is required it is passenger’s responsibility to obtain one. Please note that obtaining a visa (especially for Bosnia) can be very difficult and usually takes a minimum of 6 weeks to complete. Please be certain to take this into consideration PRIOR to registering. Cancellations due to lack of appropriate travel documents will incur usual penalties. click here for information on obtaining a visa for Bosnia.
Health Precautions: No inoculations are necessary. Although water is safe, avoid the tap water, including ice cubes. Your stomach may still become upset due to the change in diet. Bring anti-diarrhea medicine just in case. For the latest overseas travel health information, call the Center for Disease Control's travelers' hotline at 404-332-4559. Or visit their web site at www.cdc.gov.
Travel Warnings: US State Department Travel Advisories: To get to the current travel warnings in the world visit : http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html
Arrival Procedure: After disembarkation from the plane you will clear immigration, and proceed to claim your luggage. You will exit the baggage claim into the arrival lounge where you will be greeted by driver and/or your Tour Escort displaying a board or sign with your name and/or "206 Tours” If your miss your flight or if you are re-routed there is a chance you will miss the group transfer which is included in your package. In such circumstances you will need to pay for your separate private transfer, which you may submit a claim to your travel insurance or to the airlines for reimbursement upon your return to the USA. 206 Tours will do all possible to arrange for a private transfer to meet you upon your arrival (if we are aware of your misconnection/arrival flight), however, you will be responsible to remit payment to your driver upon drop off at your destination. If you arrive in one of the previously mentioned destinations, and we have not been able to arrange for a driver to meet you, please call your local emergency contact (listed in your Final Instruction Booklet) so that they may dispatch a transfer for you. If you opt to take a taxi please remember to save your receipts. We strongly recommend the purchase of Traveler's Insurance (www.206tours.com/insurance).
Luggage: It is suggested that you attempt to travel with Only * one piece of luggage. Please be advised that the airlines charge significant fees for oversized/overweight baggage. One carry on bag is also allowed. An average sized woman's purse does not count as a carry on. Make sure to use your luggage tags and clearly write your contact information on all luggage and carry-on bags. ALL baggage will be searched prior to loading the plane as per new airline and government regulations so luggage locks are not advisable (as they will be broken if security does not posses a master key from the manufacturer).
Starting September 1, 2006, on routes where the piece concept applies for checked baggage, the flat fee for each baggage piece exceeding 50lbs. (23kg) has been changed from US$/EUR 25 to US$ 50/EUR 40. International air carriers are becoming stricter about the size and weight of baggage and carry-on luggage. Please contact your air carrier or travel agent for specific information prior to departure as size and weight limitations vary from airline to airline and even according to destination. For your own comfort and that of fellow passengers, please limit the size of your hand luggage to 17x14x8 in. (43x36x20 cm) for easy storage on the motorcoach. For safety reasons, no wheeled hand luggage of any size should be kept inside the motorcoach. Porterage for one suitcase on tour is included in the tour price. Due to limited coach capacity, this single bag should have dimensions not exceeding 45 in overall dimensions (length+width+height) and weight not exceeding 50 lbs (23 kg). A charge of USD 3 per traveling day will be collected by the Tour Director if a second piece of baggage is carried, or if the suitcase exceeds the established weight and/or dimensions. For health reasons, porters may refuse to carry very heavy suitcases.
Effective Tuesday, September 26, TSA Is Adjusting The Ban On Liquids, Aerosols And GelsThere are two major changes:
At the checkpoint travelers will be asked to remove the zip-top bag of liquids and place it in a bin or on the conveyor belt. X-raying separately will allow TSA security officers to more easily examine the declared items. In addition, larger amounts of prescription liquid medications, baby formula and diabetic glucose treatments must be declared at the checkpoint for additional screening. It is unlikely that additional changes in the liquid, aerosol and gel policy will be made in the near future. This security regimen applies to all domestic and international flights departing U.S. airports. Travelers should, however, check with transportation security authorities in their country-of-origin for flights originating at non-U.S. airports.For more details on how these measures affect you read our questions and answers on the new measures. Security Measure Questions and Answers or / and http://www.tsa.gov/press/happenings/9-25_updated_passenger_guidance.shtm
Carry all documents and money on your person but not all in the same place to limit the inconvenience in case of loss; do not keep money, important documents, medicines or jewelry in your suitcase; please leave valuable jewelry at home. We recommend a money belt worn inside your clothes, while touring. On departure from your hotel, remember to double check that you have your money belt with you, and that you have collected any items left in the hotel safe. Please, at all times, be as vigilant as you would be in any major city, especially in crowded places such as subways, squares or churches/cathedrals. Never leave your hand luggage unattended or out of sight in public areas, including airports, hotel lobbies or dining rooms.
Be sure to keep ALL medications in your carry on bag during your trip in case your suit case should be lost.
Keep a separate list of important numbers, i.e. passport, traveler’s checks, and credit cards, in your luggage, together with photocopies of airline tickets and the relevant pages of your passport/visas.
The same common-sense rules of safety and security apply here as to anywhere else:
Make 2 copies of passport. Leave 1 at home (US) and 1 in a separate bag Make certain that you always have the name, location and telephone of place where staying Make certain that any valuables are insured against theft Avoid exploration on your own of unfamiliar streets or areas
How to Overcome Jet Lag: Rapid travel through multiple time zones can take its toll on your physical and mental well-being. "Jet Lag" is the phrase used to describe the condition when an individual's internal body clock is out of sync with the actual time in the region to which you have traveled. It is important to try to adjust your internal body clock to receive the most out of your tour. Here are some tips on how to adjust your body to local time. On the day of the flight/arrival:
Insurance: Please note that traveler's insurance is STRONGLY recommended for all 206 Tours pilgrims. Be advised that traveler's insurance can not be purchased after you have paid in full for your trip. For those who have purchased Tripmate Travelers Insurance through 206 Tours a pamphlet will be included in your final documents. Please refer to this brochure for specific stipulations or questions. For more information you can also visit www.206tours.com/insurance.
Value Added Tax (VAT): There is 17% value added tax on most goods and services in Portugal and France. At retail stores, this tax is always already included in the price. Upon making a purchase of $ 50.00 or more at a gift store that has an agreement wit the VAT authorities, you should fill out a form at the store and have it s tamped there. You will be eligible, upon presenting the form and the item, for a 17% refund at the airport prior to departure. Do not pack these gift items in your luggage. They should be kept in your hand luggage. By the way, tourist services, such as hotel accommodations and meals taken in hotels, paid with foreign currency are exempt from VAT tax.
$ $ Money Rate of Exchange: $1.00 USD is worth approximately $1.65 Bosnian Marks BAM. For up to date currency exchange rates please visit www.oanda.com. Please note that the currency flocculation has been particularly volatile in the last year, so we strongly urge you to check the current exchange rates prior to departure.
In Medjugorje you now will need to exchange US dollars to Euro. Some shops and restaurants will still except dollars however many do not and prefer Euro. Unfortunately they do not take credit cards! However, make sure to bring along a credit card for convenience and security, and for "just in case". There is a bank where you can get your money in case needed at a very reasonable exchange rate and can be cancelled should it be lost. If traveling through other European destinations in conjunction with Medjugorje do bring and use your Visa or MasterCard. Discover Card is not accepted. You may also choose to bring traveler's checks, however, mostly to do business with bank as most shops/restaurants do not accept them. It is recommended that you contact your local bank and credit card companies before departing on your trip to advise them that you will be traveling. We are frequently asked, "How much money should I bring with me?" This is an impossible question to answer as each person is different. The type of lunches you prefer can make a big difference (restaurant vs cafe). Are you planning on purchasing mementos for yourself or loved ones? We recommend that you bring at least $300. US to cover your water, lunches, taxi, smaller gifts or other smaller personal expenses and approximately $50. for tips (separate envelopes provided). Remember, you can always spend less, or bring money home!
You can not exchange dollars to Euros in Medjugorje. You will need to do this prior to your arrival at your local home bank or at the airport.
Some may have an overnight in Dubrovnik or Split and if so, the currency in Croatia is Kuna.
Personal Expenses That May Occur Taxis, usually 5 EURO wherever you go whether 1 person in the car or 4; lunches, personal expenses. P hones There are no telephones in your roomYour cell phone will probably work in Medjugorje and rest of Europe, make sure to advise your provider that international service is needed. If you do not have cell phone and one is needed telephone booths are located across from the Information Center (to the left of St. James church)---- pay phone cards may be purchased from the information room; 5 minutes is about $12 to phone the U.S.-- Telephone connections from Medjugorje I nternational telephone calls can be made from the Post Office, or from the booths recently installed beside the Parish house in the church grounds. There are also kiosks at the round-about at the centre of Medjugorje.The automatic telephones are worked by telephone cards which can be purchased in the main post-office or at the "information centre", on the Church grounds. The cards range in value depending on the number of impulses. Phone/Calling Cards They will also give instructions in the Information Center:
1- Pick up receiver Weights and Measures: The metric system is used exclusively through out Europe and the Middle East. A kilometer is a bit over 1/2 mile (.62 miles). A kilogram equals 2.2 pounds. Time: Medjugorje operate on a 24 hour clock. This means that 6:00 pm is 18:00, etc. Medjugorje is 6 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (When in New York 2PM in Medjugorje 8PM).
Tipping: Tips are an important part of earnings for your escorts, guides and bus drivers. Tip envelopes are enclosed for your convenience.
per day (or depending on the level of the satisfaction) therefore for 7 nights prepare total $35.
therefore $6. total.
$7.00 total)
Donation to your priest / pilgrimage spiritual leader may also be considered
Restaurants include tax and a 15%service charge (service compris) in their prices. If a meal or service has been particularly good, leaving another EUR1 (or 2) is customary, as is leaving the waiter the small change from your bill if you pay in cash. If service is not included a 15% tip is appropriate.
Hotels / Accommodations "Houses": Rooms are basic. There is a twin bed, night stand and a small cabinet for your clothes. Several towels can be found on your bed. For the most part rooms are not air conditioned. Rooms are smaller than you are used to. Every room does have a modest bathroom. In the bathroom you will find sink, toilet and shower stall. Some showers you may need to hold the shower head while taking a shower. Fixtures in bathrooms and bedrooms are not standardized. Most hotels do NOT offer a hair dryer in the bathroom, we recommend bring one if it is essential to you. Most hotels do NOT offer toiletries (shampoo, lotion), we strongly recommend that you bring an adequate supply with you. Please note that while we can request non-smoking room there is no such policy of separating smoking v. non smoking.
Remember to check with guide for up to date schedule as there is no modern system of sharing up to date schedule. A basic bulletin notes are written by your guide for important information, suggestions, or changes from your tour escort.
Electricity: The voltage used is 220 volts AC, single phase 50 cycles (the U.S. uses 110/120 volts). Unless you use a good quality electric current converter, the heavier voltage will instantly burn out any electrical equipment you wish to use abroad. Before leaving home, you will need to purchase an international adapter so your two-prong plug will connect to the various local electrical supply outlets (check that it is sufficiently powerful for your appliance), and a converter to convert the 220 volts to 110 volts. Adapter/converter kits that include the entire range of plugs can be purchased at better electrical supply stores. Stores such as Radio Shack, Walmart, K-Mart, Target sell adaptor/converter kits readily. Buying electrical devices in foreign place may be an alternative, especially if you intend to travel to Europe in the future. Note you will not be able to use the electrical device purchased in Europe back in the US. Public Toilets: Known as WC. Be prepared with tissues in your pocket.
Photography: Most take photos with digital cameras, however, if needed, film is expensive, so bring plenty of it. 200 or 400 speed is recommended for out door and indoor-flash photography. Photography is allowed throughout Medjugorje.
Transfers are included from airport to Medjugorje (round trip), as well as for excursion to Fr. Jozo in Siroki Brijeg. Transfers are not included within Medjugorje. Visits within Medjugorje, getting to and from St. James Church, be prepared to walk (anywhere from 5 - 20 minutes). Of course climbing the Pordbrdo (Apparition Hill) and Krizevac Mountain (Cross Mountain) the Only * form of getting there is by foot.
Be prepared to walk. Terrain:Medjugorje terrain is very rocky! Expect uneven surfaces everywhere; muddy and slippery surfaces when raining - please watch your step! Due to the new structures going up every day of old buildings, access to some establishments may not be convenient for wheelchair use, and facilities for the disabled in general may be limited. Many areas are pedestrian Only * and have rocky terrain, muddy surface or cobblestones. High-heeled shoes are not suitable for Medjugorje; rubber-soled walking shoes are recommended. Many streets are narrow, and due to strict traffic regulations, the buses are not always permitted to drop groups off directly in front for their houses/ destination.
Taxis: Please be prepared to walk. Unlike in other destinations, transfers are not included for all your daily activities.
In order to get to Church, Visionary's House, Podbrdo, Krizevac you will have a choice: to walk approximately 15 minutes, or to take a taxi at a cost of $6. per ride (regardless of destination within Medjugorje). Of course, it's advisable that you join others, and that $6. taxi ride be split up within the party/ number of people traveling (maximum 4 people per each ride).
Just like in any other destination, be wary of any person approaching you offering unofficial taxi services. If you do not have an airport transfer included and you need transportation, make your way to the taxi line area, or to the regular taxi line outside the terminal (if at the airport); choose Only * those vehicles with a meter and a taxi sign. We recommend you pre-negotiate the fare, as taxi drivers in some countries may attempt to overcharge unwary travelers.
Local Customs: A different way of life may take you by surprise, but if you travel with an open mind and respect local customs and culture, you should find it easier to adapt to and enjoy your new surroundings. Standards of living may not be quite what you are used to, but there are compensations – a closer sense of reality and a more authentic feeling of locale. Due to cultural differences you may not be greeted quite as cheerfully as back home; smiling is generally reserved for intimate friends! So be especially wary of people presenting themselves as “instant friends” and do not accept offer of food or drink from strangers.
Shopping: Smaller shops are open late into the evening, wish we could say that all are closed on Sunday, but it's Only * some stores and businesses are closed on Sundays. Enjoy some stress-free Christmas shopping during your travels; small, light items that you can easily carry home make splendid and festive gifts. Don’t forget to buy something nice for yourself too, to take home to evoke pleasant memories of your pilgrimage. If you purchase a video or DVD, please check very carefully that it is compatible with your home viewing system (for USA and Canada – VHS NTSC and DVD region 1; for Australia, New Zealand and Pacific – VHS PAL and DVD region 4).
Whenever traveling abroad, be aware of your personal belongings when shopping in crowded areas.
Meals / Food: Please check with guide upon arrival for meal times. Most breakfasts are basic cold continental buffet style. Unlike in the USA, it is frowned upon to take food out of the breakfast room. Most dinners will be served "sit down" with a pre-determined 3 course meal. Your meals include tap water and coffee or tea. All other beverages, including bottled water, is at additional cost. While some may be able to provide for a special diet, such as vegetarian or salt-free, there is no way for us to guarantee this. Also, please note, vegetarian meals tend to lack variety and imagination. Check with your tour guide for a list of alternative restaurants. Food is generally safe to eat.
Tap Water: While most local tap water will not hurt you, due to differences in mineral and micro-biotic levels it may upset your stomach.
Medjugorje Climate:
Mid-summer advice: Wear a sunhat and loose-fitting clothing, drink at least one liter (one quart) of mineral water a day if you can (carry a small bottle in your hand luggage); avoid eating too much ice-cream and reduce the amount of ice in drinks. A small battery-operated fan may be useful in warm weather. Language: The official language of the Bosnia is Bosnian, but Croatian is widely spoken in Medjugorje (it's really similar/same). English is widely spoken in Medjugorje, and most signs appear in English too.
Population: The population of Medjugorje currently numbers about 4300 inhabitants. All are of Croatian nationality, speak the Croatian language, write with the Latin alphabet and are Catholic. Politically, the new state under which Medjugorje emerges is a parliamentary democracy. Throughout history, this area was noted for continuous migration. Before the First World War, great poverty drove them out into the world. During the period between the two World Wars, Serbian hegemony and persecution under the new multi-ethnic Yugoslavian state drove many to leave their homeland for the far-off lands of North and South America. The real large scale emigration, however, began after the Second World War, when the Communist dictators forced many to run away beyond the borders of their own native Croatia, suffocated by the communist creation called Yugoslavia. In the early nineteen sixties a real exodus of Croatian people occurred: they left on so called "temporary work" for Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, the USA, Canada, Australia and even as far away as South Africa and New Zealand. The communists said that they had left Only * temporarily, in reality they had sold them throughout the world as slaves. They used them as a cheap way of gaining foreign currency. The irony of the political communist system declared most of them, who were forced to work just for survival itself, to be "enemies of the state," which also condemned their families in the homeland. This is how their return became completely impossible. The population of the parish of Medjugorje started to return bit by bit, fostered by supernatural events - Our Lady's apparitions (which began back in 1981).
About the Apparitions in Medjugorje: Until June 24, 1981, Medjugorje lived like all other villages of this region: people worked on their land, planted tobacco and vineyards, produced wine and vegetables to acquire just enough for a modest life for their families. Because of social circumstances, many went out into the world: over the ocean and to Western European countries, as well as into towns in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia. What to see in Medjugorje...
The Pilgrims’ Gatherings in Medjugorje: 1. Prayer Areas: There are three main areas where the pilgrims gather in Medjugorje... Apparition Hill This is how the area of Podbrdo, above the village of Bijakovici is now referred to. This is where the visionaries claim to have first seen Our Lady. This happened at the end of June back in 1981. Since then pilgrims gather there to pray the rosary. By day and by night, groups can be seen making their way to the place of the first apparition. Up until 1989, there was nothing to be seen there except boulders and rustic crosses which some of the many visitors had left. Today, on the ascent, images in cast bronze, (work of the well-known Florentine artist Carmelo Puzzolo) recall the joyful sorrowful and glorious mysteries of the rosary. Krizevac is the hill above Medjugorje. Here, in 1934, the people of the village of Medjugorje erected an eight-meter high concrete cross in commemoration of the 1900th anniversary of Jesus' death. In this place, both groups and individuals of the faithful pay homage in the way of the Cross, praying as they go from station to station. In the first years the stations were marked by wooden crosses. Since 1988, however, bronze images depicting the various stations have been placed at each cross, again the work of the Italian sculptor Carmelo Puzzolo. Cross Mountain (Krizevac) has become the "Calvary" of the shrine where pilgrims remember the passion of Christ. The Parish Church and surrounding area is the area where the Mass and sacramental life in general is celebrated. The old Parish Church, built at the end of the last century, was destroyed during an earth tremor. The new Church was completed in 1969. The church as well as the Parish is consecrated to St. James, (the older) apostle and patron of pilgrims. In 1991, twenty new confessionals were added and an outdoor altar was erected for larger gatherings (when weather permits). Within the Church grounds, there is also a building which houses "the adoration chapel" and seminar rooms for church purposes. There are also two large marquees (which can be joined together to make a larger one) at the disposal of the Parish for various purposes. Overall, the need for "sacral-premises" is ever on the increase. 2. The Schedule of Events:
Basically, we can categorize the events as follows a) daily, b) weekly, and c) annual events.
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