* Optional Post Tour to Lourdes * May 17, 2016  -  $799 per person

[email protected] 800-206-TOUR (8687)   mon - fri 9am - 5pm EST   YOUR TRIP INCLUDES: † Round-trip Airfare from Cedar Rapids † All Airport Taxes and Fuel Surcharges † 7 (or 10) Nights at a Centrally located 1st Class Hotels: (or similar)       ~ 3 nights-May 10-13: Le Grand Hotel l’Esperance, Lisieux       ~ 4 nights-May 13-17: Hotel Marceau Bastille, Paris       ~ 3 nights-May 17-20: Hotel Moderne, Lourdes † Transfers per itinerary † Breakfast and Dinner daily † Glass of Wine with Dinners † Transportation by air-conditioned motor coach † Assistance of a professional local guide throughout † Sightseeing and admission fees as per itinerary † Catholic Priest available for Spiritual Direction † Arrangements for Mass Daily & Spiritual activities † Flight bag & portfolio of all travel documents       Not Included: Lunches. Beverages not mentioned. Tips to your guide & driver. Items of a personal nature. Optional: Travel Insurance optional (www.206tours.com/insurance), Extended Cancellation Protection at $299 (www.206tours.com/cancellationprotection)

Sample Day-by-Day Itinerary:

Day 1 - Monday - May 9: Depart Cedar Rapids
Depart Cedar Rapids for your overnight flight to Paris. Dinner and breakfast will be served on board.

Day 2 - Tuesday - May 10: Paris Airport – Lisieux
Upon arrival, you will find your luggage and exit the baggage claim into the arrivals hall where you will be greeted by a tour guide and/or driver. You will be escorted to the vehicle which will then take you on your scenic drive to Lisieux. Upon arrival you will check in to your hotel and have time to relax or explore before dinner.

Day 3 - Wednesday - May 11: Lisieux – Normandy Beaches - Caen – Lisieux
This morning, we will enjoy a tour of the town of St. Therese whom Pope Pius X called "the greatest saint of modern times." Her extraordinary love for God and service to humanity comes alive as you visit the Basilica of Saint Therese, one of the biggest and most magnificent religious structures built in the 20th-century. We will celebrate Mass and stop at Les Buissonets, St. Therese's family home. There on display are relics, clothing, and personal objects belonging to the "little flower." Before leaving, tour the ancient Cathedral of St. Peter and the Carmelite Convent. In the afternoon we’ll head to the Normandy beaches, best known for the "D Day landings". Visit the enormously impressive American cemetery at Omaha Beach. Continue to Caen, the burial city of William the Conqueror, and the site of the Battle for Caen; the scene of heavy fighting in the months after the WWII Normandy invasion in which Allies struggled to break out and continue in their campaign towards Berlin. Return to Lisieux for dinner and overnight.

Day 4 - Thursday - May 12: Lisieux - Le Mont Saint Michele—Lisieux
After breakfast, we will travel to the incredible Mont Saint Michel. It was founded by Aubert, Bishop of d'Avranches, after 3 successive appearances by the Archangel Michael. Consecrated in 709, the Church has attracted pilgrims and those who are curious from all over the world. Since the 9th century, the Abbey has been home to a monastic community, ensuring the continuation of a spiritual presence. Rightly called "The Wonder of the Western World", the Mont-Saint-Michel is surrounded by a magnificent bay, which is the theatre of the greatest tidal ranges in Europe, a wonderful view on its own. Return to Lisieux for dinner and overnight.

Day 5 - Friday - May 13: Lisieux – Chartres - Paris
Following breakfast, we will travel to Chartres and view the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres, which is located in this beautiful and medieval town of Chartres. Not only is Chartres Cathedral one of the greatest achievements in the history of architecture, it is almost perfectly preserved in its original design and details. Chartres' extensive cycle of portal sculpture remains fully intact and its glowing stained-glass windows are all originals. Chartres is thus the only Cathedral that conveys an almost perfect image of how would have looked when it was first built. In addition to its architectural splendor, Chartres Cathedral has been a major pilgrimage destination since the early Middle Ages. The stained glass windows of Chartres Cathedral are some of the most extensive and beautiful medieval windows to survive anywhere. Dating from as early as the 1140s AD, with most of them from 1200-50, there are about 170 Chartres windows (depending on how you count) in total covering 21,000 square feet. Their subjects including biblical stories, legends of the saints, the lives of heroes like Roland and Charlemagne, and scenes of everyday medieval life. Its venerable history, exquisitely preserved architecture, and centuries of fervent devotion make for an atmosphere of awe and holiness that impresses even the most nonreligious of visitors. We continue to Paris for lovely dinner & overnight.

Day 6 - Saturday - May 14: Paris
Following breakfast, we will start our day with a journey to the historic part of Paris, the Rue du Bac. Here, in the convent Chapel, we will view the incorrupt body of St. Catherine of Laboure, whose guardian angel in 1830 led her to the Chapel where the Blessed Virgin displayed a vision of the Miraculous Medal and the Green Scapular. On the right hand side of the Sanctuary is the little blue chair where Our Lady sat during her apparition to St. Catherine. We’ll celebrate Mass and then walk a few steps to visit the Church St. Vincent De Paul where the Saint’s body in visible through a glass coffin. We continue our day with a tour of Paris including a stop at Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, L'Arc de Triomphe, Sacre Coeur Basilica overlooking the entire city. We will have free time for lunch and then we will continue to The Sainte Chapelle, fascinating Gothic Church with impressive stained-glass windows. The Church was built by Saint Louis King of France to place the Holy Relics of the Passion of Christ (Crown of Thorns, Lignum Crucis, the sponge, etc.). Continue to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 7 - Sunday - May 15: Paris – Versailles - Paris
Experience the grandeur of Versailles Palace and Gardens. Your tour begins with a fully-guided tour of Versailles including the Royal Apartments, Hall of Mirrors, Queen's Bedroom and the Gallery of Battles. Explore the palace gardens and visit the Queen's Hamlet, where Marie-Antoinette played at being a shepherdess in the 1780s. Return to your hotel in Paris for dinner and overnight.

Day 8 - Monday - May 16: Paris – Louvre - Paris
This morning after breakfast, we’ll enjoy half day guided tour of Louvre; possibly the world's greatest art museum. The former fortress began its career as a public museum in 1793 with 2,500 paintings; now some 30,000 are on display. The most famous works from antiquity include the Seated Scribe, the Jewels of Rameses II, and the armless duo the Winged Victory of Samothrace and the Venus de Milo. From the Renaissance, don't miss Michelangelo's Slaves, Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa and works by Raphael, Botticelli, and Titian. French masterpieces of the 19th century include Ingres' La Grande Odalisque, Géricault's The Raft of the Medusa, and the work of David and Delacroix. (You may choose to extend your stay at the Museum after the visit with guide, or go shopping on your own.) Return to your hotel in Paris for dinner and overnight.

Day 9 - Tuesday - May 17: Paris – Paris Airport - Cedar Rapids
After breakfast, we transfer to Paris Airport for your return flights home with memories to last a lifetime.

Or continue on to the Optional Post Tour to Lourdes

- Private Room Options:   Single Supplement / Solo Traveler $749 Optional Post Tour to Lourdes $799 Optional Post Tour to Lourdes - Private Room $249 Business Class Trans-Atlantic Upgrade (one-way) - pending availability $1,750 Business Class Trans-Atlantic Upgrade (round trip) - pending availability $3,500 First Class available upon request Children's discounts for children under 12 upon request              *All Upgrades & Options will be available to you after you press the Book Now button above*

Additional Information & Travel Tips:  What to Know Before You Go

Any Questions?  To register or for information, contact Natasha OR Liz:  800-206-TOUR (8687) or [email protected] OR [email protected]

For more Information, please contact Mary Johnston - Tel: 319-560-5138 - E-mail: [email protected]

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Optional Post Tour to Lourdes:

Day 9 - Tuesday - May 17: Paris Airport - Lourdes
After an early breakfast we make our way to Paris Airport for our short flight to Lourdes. Upon arrival you will find your luggage and exit the baggage claim into the arrivals hall where you will be greeted by a tour guide and/or driver. You will be escorted to the vehicle which will then take you on your scenic drive to Lourdes. Check in to your hotel and relax or explore before dinner. Following dinner you may choose to participate in the candlelight procession before retiring for the evening.

Days 10 & 11, May 18 & 19: Lourdes
During the next two days in Lourdes you will have time to pray with your fellow pilgrims from around the world. During your trip you will have an opportunity to: Attend Mass at the Grotto, watch a video presentation telling the story of Lourdes, and walk in the footsteps of St. Bernadette. See Boly Mill where St. Bernadette was born, and the "Cachot," an abandoned prison where Bernadette's impoverished family lived. Join your prayers with those of pilgrims from around the world as you pray for the sick, drink water from the miraculous spring or submerge yourself in the healing baths. Experience Christ's love as you walk the life sized Stations of the Cross overlooking the holy Grotto. Kneel in the Chapel built on the very rock of the Grotto, in obedience to the request of the "Immaculate Conception." Evenings are free for optional Blessed Sacrament Procession before dinner. Your role in the universal Church will have new meaning as you join the candlelight procession and group rosary.

Day 12, May 20: Depart from Lourdes
After breakfast, we transfer to Pau Airport for your flights back home

ABOUT LOURDES:
She came for you and for every one of us! Six 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, attend Mass at the Grotto, and watch 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 NEVERS, LISIEUX & PARIS:
Take a visit to the town of Nevers where in order to fulfill her desire for a religious life, St. Bernadette arrived at St. Gildard, the house of the Sister of Charity at Nevers on July 7th, 1866. Her simple and ordinary life was entirely consecrated to God in a Chapel in the Garden. It was rediscovered intact in 1909 and since 1925, it has reted in a Shrine in the Chapel of Gildard. “I will not live one moment, unless I can spend it loving” - St. Bernadette. She also never ceases to tell us “God is our father, he has an infinite tendernress for each of us.” Visit the town of Lisieux, 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.

Versailles Gardens, Versailles, France

Chartres Cathedral, Chartres, France

Le Mont Saint Michel, France

American Cemetery, Omaha Beach, France

206 Tours Since 1985, Connecting Pilgrims with God, one Pilgrim at a time. The Leader in Catholic Pilgrimages!