Written by Milanka Lachman – May 19, 2021

1981 – Our Lady Appeared to Six Children in Medjugorje

At that time, I was working for Yugoslav Airlines and heard about miraculous events. In the following few years, I even helped some get there.  Each time I spoke to someone about Medjugorje, something was nudging me to go, but I held off, thinking it’s not for me.  I decided to go after the Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, which took place in 1984.

1984: Life-changing Event | My First Pilgrimage to Medjugorje & Discovery of My Calling

Making my first Pilgrimage ever and visiting this small village of Medjugorje was more than I have ever expected. There were no hotels, no shops, restaurants, no tourism, only holy villagers who opened up their homes to Pilgrims like myself. One could say that I was hooked and that my first pilgrimage changed my life completely.

1885: Starting 206 Tours

I was 27 years old– I felt called to help others to have the faith-affirming experience that I had in Medjugorje. I was a single mother of two, with no money, no business experience, no knowledge of theology, and no connections to clergy. I had never heard of anyone else building a company for the sole purpose to operate pilgrimages. But, I knew then, what I know now – there is a great need to go on a pilgrimage.

To say Medjugorje left its mark on my heart is an understatement. As I started building what would become 206 Tours, I first needed a name that would be significant to Marian Pilgrimage. But I wanted that name to have a true meaning. The space I rented was 400 SF and the suite number was 206. As I looked for some significance to that number, like a bible verse or date, I learned that we all have 206 bones in our bodies. But when I recalled that twenty minutes to 6 o’clock (“20 to 6”) was the apparition time of Our Lady in Medjugorje, I looked no more.

206 Tours was born in 1985 and has since become the most trusted Catholic Tour Operator in the world.

Thanks be to God, to Our Blessed Mother, to the incredible people of Medjugorje, group leaders, priests, my staff, and hundreds of thousands of pilgrims to date, for all their trust in me. I surely could not have done it without any of them.

 

Please feel free to send me your prayer intentions and I will personally bring them to Medjugorje on your behalf! Please email intentions to prayers@206tours.com by June 15th.

Our story began in Medjugorje then, and now, we enter a new chapter!   

 

 

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After carefully surveying the situation in Medjugorje, we decided to begin resuming Pilgrimages to Medjugorje this June, but with a few adjustments, as per the details below:

Lunches will be Included
We will include light lunches in your program, free of charge to you, in addition to Breakfast and Dinners
To limit exposure and keep pilgrims safe, 206 Tours and Prayer Experience will include all meals during your stay.

Face Masks Are to be Worn:

• In all common interior areas including within the accommodations as well as in the Chapel.
• When unable to maintain at least 3 feet of distance from others. Examples include walking on a busy street, shopping in stores, dining at a restaurant (when not eating or drinking), during Mass and Adoration, etc.
• For the full duration of any transportation (busses, taxis, and car services).

COVID-19 Testing & Entry Requirements:
U.S. citizens wishing to enter BiH must have a negative COVID-19 test (PCR) not older than 48 hours from the moment of entry. Details on the requirements of Bosnia can be found here: https://ba.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/ All Pilgrims are responsible to arrange their own PCR test prior to departure.

Your Guide
206 Tours guides are local professional and experienced guides who are trained to handle unexpected situations and are available to assist pilgrims with anything. Please advise them immediately with any needs.

Group Touring
Pilgrims may be rotated in smaller sub-groups when necessary.

Travel Protection
We encourage all who have not purchased travel protection that they purchase it now. Anyone who did purchase Travel Protection through Travel Insured International will have access to health services if needed. Protection coverage extends to emergency assistance, baggage loss, trip interruption, medical expenses, and much more. Learn more here.

Your Health
We ask that you monitor your health throughout the tour and disclose any symptoms that may affect the group to their Guide.

COVID-19 Testing Before You Return Home & Exit Requirements:
Your Guide will arrange a test for each client within 2 days prior to your return. As of May 25, 2021 tests will be administered behind St. James Church. Each person is responsible to pay for the test and is responsible to keep and present their results to an airline representative when required. Each test costs approximately 70 EURO. A rapid diagnostic test, aka antigen (approximate cost $19.00) is acceptable as long as they are a viral test.

Entering the United States: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requires all international passengers entering the United States (including U.S. citizens and Legal Permanent Residents) to present a negative COVID-19 test, taken within three (3) calendar days of departure or proof of recovery from the virus within the last 90 days. Airlines must confirm the negative test result or proof of recovery for all passengers two years of age and over prior to boarding. Airlines must deny boarding of passengers who do not provide documentation of a negative test or recovery. Please see CDC’s FAQ for answers to questions about the new requirement for proof of negative COVID-19 test or recovery from COVID-19 for all air passengers arriving in the United States.

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If you registered for a 206 Tours Pilgrimage prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, please know that we have updated our Terms and Conditions to reflect the new conditions required for travel. You will be asked to acknowledge and accept all terms prior to receiving your final documents.

Please know these new procedures are in direct response to the rules that governments, municipalities, suppliers, and establishments have put in place in order to resume travel and were not initiated by 206 Tours. These new procedures and guidelines are also subject to change at any time and we will inform pilgrims and pivot accordingly. In order to resume pilgrimages, and enjoy the services and hospitality in Medjugorje, we must proceed according to all government regulations. 206 Tours priority remains the safety of all our pilgrims.

We look forward to serving you and making this pilgrimage a safe, successful, and prayerful experience!

 

 

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