Merry Christmas!

Thank you! It was an enjoyable pilgrimage with excellent pilgrims and staff.
It was a joy to have Milanka on the pilgrimage and her husband Charlie.

Francisco our tour escort was excellent, the bus driver Rosario was excellent, and Francesca was outstanding!

Thank you for an excellent pilgrimage that was prayerful, spiritual, educational, and fun!

God bless 206 Tours!

Fr. Jason Brilhante

I will always remember 206 tours. I met my future husband on a 206 tour in 2016 in Italy. We kept in touch and married in 2018. This is our daughter in 2021.
He was on tour with his mom. And I was on tour with my mom. So even our mothers met on the tour! It was amazing and we will go on tour again with you guys when this Corona situation has improved.

Merry Christmas to you all at 206 tours!

Katrina

Hello Milanka and Everyone at 206 Tours,

Merry Christmas to all. Hiking the Camino with Alesandro and Father Guido in May 2018 was a huge highlight of my life. I hope your company sustains this horrible virus inflicting the world – and that all your wonderful tours will continue once we return to normal. Please, God, let it be soon.

Wishing blessings to all there!

Love,

Elizabeth Beyko in Calgary

I want to thank 206 tours for this beautiful pilgrimage to Mexico
And celebrate the feast of our Lady of Guadalupe
I feel so blessed and honored to serve Mass with father Jason Brilhante
The whole pilgrimage touched me
Specially when I visited the museum of Miguel Pro
I felted so bless that I broke down
God bless you for this beautiful experience
And God bless father Jason Brilhante

Manny & Theresa Tavares

HI Alexandra,

I went on the pilgrimage back in September with Fr. Bob Franco to Portugal, Spain and France. It was a fantastic experience. I feel so much closer to the Blessed Mother now. It changed my life.

A big part of the reason was our guide, Quico Prado. He was amazing. His expertise and kindness during the entire time made the trip so much more enjoyable. He was always there to see to our needs.

One of the things I was looking for in Spain was a spice called saffron. It comes from Spain and you can buy it here but it is very expensive. I mentioned it to Quico and he helped me look but we never did find a place that sold it. He told me that he would continue to look and send it to me if he found it. You can imagine how surprised I was to receive a package in the mail the other day. It was the saffron from Quico!

I just wanted you to know how special Quico is. You are very blessed to have him as one of your guides.

Have a very Merry Christmas and I wish you all the best in 2022. Hopefully I’ll be able to travel with 206 Tours again in the future!

Sandy Pawlak

Rinda,

The Pilgrimage to Fatima, Portugal, Spain and Lourdes, France marked a powerful moment in our Christian life (October 31 – November 9, 2021). During this spiritual journey we experienced the presence of Our Lady through the witnesses of Saints Jacinta, Francisco, Lucia in Fatima, and Bernadette Soubirous in Lourdes. Celebration of the Eucharist in the Chapel of the Apparitions in Fatima and in the Grotto of Apparition in Lourdes were inscribed in our memory as unforgettable events. We also experienced the preeminent spirituality of Teresa of Avila and Ignatius of Loyola in Spain.

When everyone during the last two years expected the end of epidemic, we received many blessings during our journey and experienced the graces of healing for ourselves and relatives.

On pilgrimage either as an individual or group of people united with similar desire and motivation, we journey toward God, while on the way, exercising the different spiritual practices including prayers, sacrifices, and mutual assistance. Pilgrimage helps us to better understand our human life and condition and helps everyone to understand each other, and to be much more charitable in daily activities.

I remain grateful to Tour 206 for allowing me to be a spiritual director on this journey, to our tour guide Leo, and to all pilgrims traveling with me Jinelle, Lucy, Maureen, Craig, Angel, Jeff, Al, Anita, Denise whose testimony of faith is for me a great reward.

Fr. Piotr M. Paciorek, PhD
Naples, Florida

Dear Milanka,

I tried to send a quick thank you email after our arrival in Lisbon for the unexpected surprise of wine, pastries and fruit but it never showed as sent and disappeared from my outbox… sorry! Not sure why I have trouble only sending but want to make sure you know how much your thoughtfulness was appreciated and enjoyed.

From the time we spotted Leo at the Lisbon airport this was an unforgettable journey! Not sure if it is because we have not been on a pilgrimage the last two years or knew we were visiting familiar sites with enormous love and sacrifice and were thirsty to travel with others who shared our faith again. A pilgrimage is not a trip or vacation but a journey from every day living to me. And after the past 18 months of the pandemic, we wanted to escape! Our friends Angel and Jeff were in total “awe” and their excitement was contagious!

We have had excellent guides with all our past 206 Tours who looked after details, provided special treats and surprises but Leo was more than a guide, he was like a pilgrim himself at times which I liked, but always a shepherd looking after his flock! His faith and love for others shine.

While in Salamanca, another surprise when Leo ran into Chico our guide in 2019. We were happy to hear he and wife had a baby girl during the pandemic and was a blessing, I thought for him to be home at that time. It was great to see two guides renew friendship.

Fr. Piotr, the best spiritual director we have had! He is a walking Christ like on earth. He opened each morning with a positive prayer of thanksgiving for blessings coming our way that day. He was always so calm and a glowing light of his love of God and Mary. He is a spiritual gift from God! We will seek him out on any future pilgrimage.

I could go on and on about our pilgrimage but want to send you a heartfelt thank you, for taking the risk of a tour company, especially a Catholic one, so we and many others can visit and experience the wonderful gift of sharing our faith and to experience it grow in love with Jesus, Mary and all the saints. God bless you and as my husband Al a retired Marine always says, I encourage you to keep charging!

Blessings
Anita Karle

Hi Milanka,

I wanted to write to you to let you know how great I am for your wonderful staff they are the best in particular Rinda who from the very start helped us with our extension tour to Dubai. She did an excellent job. She is always on top of everything and answers my email or questions immediately. I also want to commend on Patrick who helped me and my friends to logon to put on our initial deposit he stayed with me till the end so I can in turn teach my friends. He knows I was loosing patience and complaining why can’t we not just get a form I can copy them scan each one and send via email no going to the post office. I’m telling you he was so courteous in explaining it to me.

You are very fortunate to have such great staff I know you are equally a very nice boss to work with.

God bless you all and more power to 206 Tours such a great wonderful tour company Take care & God Bless,

Angie

Hi Rinda!

Yes we’re back and the trip was beyond what I anticipated!!! This was my 3rd Pilgrimage with 206 Tours and certainly not my last, if God allows! I never thought any other trip could come close to my experience in Jordan and the Holy Land, but my 13 days visiting the Shrines in Italy was truly unbelievable! I have only traveled with 206 Tours and Fr. Sean Connolly. Father was assigned to my Parish for 3 years and we became good friends. At his invitation, I signed up for the Holy Land and it was a life altering trip for me.
I absolutely love traveling with Fr. Connolly and 206 Tours! Everything is arranged for us and our guides are phenomenal! I have no complaints at all! I have told numerous friends about my experiences and many of them are going to join me on future trips.

Thank you for everything Rinda!!! Working with you through the trials of traveling during COVID and the flooding of my basement from hurricane IDA was a pleasure. You are terrific!!!!

Cheri Lian

Yes thank you!!! All the pilgrimages that we joined had been very satisfying, but this one gives extra spiritual lift, enjoyment, family feeling and plenty of walking exercise. Although the walking part was a lot, I know that my body needs it to excite the sleeping joints and muscles. I definitely enjoy the attention and help from our driver and guides, especially you Rinda and your company. The food and hotels were good, including the beautiful scenery through our hotel window. I am working on some pictures that I took along the way and share them with you later (picture transfer problem from camera to computer).

Esteban Achico

Slavenka,

I just wanted to send a little note to let you know how very much I appreciate you and all that you did to support our pilgrim group a few weeks back.

You are all knowledge, patience, insight, kindness, support and helpfulness! Thank you so very much for making the pilgrimage such a special experience for all of us, in particular for me and for my niece Madeline. And thank you for sharing your faith with us during the trip.

You’ve set the bar SO high Slevenka – I just cannot say thank you enough. I just hope that more and more pilgrims start to return to Medjugorje and you can see business, industry increase and beautiful expressions of faith continue.

God bless you and your family, and I look forward to traveling back to the area and seeing you in the future,

Therese

It was my husband’s first time going.. He was so moved he will be going back again.. Thank you so much for everything.

Lucy Simao

I just came back last night from doing El Camino in Spain. This is the second Pilgrimage we have done with 206 Tours and we are very grateful.

Quico, our Tour Escort, is fantastic. He is what you expect from a Tour Guide and more. First, he is a devout Catholic who know the Church and wants to be sure we get the maximum religious experience from the Pilgrimage. Second, he is a knowledgeable tour guide, he is always sure the hotels, the transportation, luggage, meals, local tours, transport, etc. are on time and are excellent. Coordinating a tour for so many people is amazing and he does a terrific job at it. Third, he is just a “good guy”, easy to talk to, shows no favoritism, and dominates the language. He is a guy I would not mind to have as a friend. Thank you for having him in your staff, It talks volumes about your commitment to people.

Father Peter Glabik was a great choice for this small group. He is funny, easy to talk to, a great preacher and an outstanding spiritual director for a Journey like this. He walked with us all the way, sharing experiences and laughs while providing for the spiritual needs of the group.

Finally our driver Pedro Marcos did an outstanding job being present at the check points and lunches, handling the luggage, and at all the accommodations. He is also very funny and easy going, he made a big difference for me and my wife Yvette.

Overall, great Pilgrimage. Thanks for what you do and God Bless!!

Dr. Miguel A. Acevedo

Good morning Rinda,

Once again you, your 206 staff, and all the people that assisted me in Lourdes did an excellent job. I really appreciate all of the hard work from each of you and hope that as the pandemic subsides your business will get back to normal and thrive.

Bless all of you and stay well and be safe,
Richard J. Terrill

This was the most enjoyable and spiritual trip ever. Tour guide and priest were the greatest.

Thank you always

Bernadette Fox

Hi Milanka,

Thank You for your kind gesture.

Tour 70 is our 4th pilgrimage with 206 Tours since we discovered 206 Tours in 2016. We just retired this year. God has blessed us with good health; so we are planning many pilgrimages with 206 Tours!

During this pilgrimage (Tour 70), we were celebrating our 40th Wedding anniversary on October 8th. The hotel arrangements for this pilgrimage were really great! It so happened that we were staying in Pazo Brandeso, a 400-year-old palace with a private chapel on our anniversary day. We renewed our wedding vows in this 400-year-old chapel thanks to our Spiritual Director, and also our tour guide Cristina. Cristina arranged a wonderful dinner and a surprise cake, and champagne in this hotel. We were really overjoyed with these arrangements; after all who gets to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary in a 400-year-old palace? It was a great celebration with fellow pilgrims after walking 12 miles on that day! (See the attached pictures.)

This is the second time we celebrated our wedding anniversary during the 206 pilgrimages! In October 2019 we were with 206 Tours (Tour 103) and we were pleasantly surprised during that pilgrimage also. So I guess we will be celebrating all our future anniversaries with 206 pilgrimages because we like the spiritual aspect of it. It’s a simple celebration, but we have the profound joy of celebrating in a pilgrimage setting.

We do pray for all 206 Tours staff who helped us make this pilgrimage a great spiritual experience.

God Bless,
Nancy + Venkata

Dear Rinda:

Thank you for your email. Tour 5 exceeded my expectations.

I would first of all like to let you know that our guide Javier was excellent. He took care of those who were elderly and slow in returning to our meeting place, and he showed us good films on St. Bernadette, St. Therese of Lisieux, and St. Joan of Arc on long drives. In Paris, when he saw that many pilgrimages were interested in going to the Sacre-Coeur Basilica, he took the whole group there even though it was not on our itinerary.

Our driver, Miguel, was a most skillful driver than I was glad we had him for the second time. He was very good at making difficult turns and keeping the motorcoach steady on speed bumps. He was also very courteous.

I like all the pilgrimage sites on the itinerary. I am especially glad that the itinerary include Rocamadour, which is not only beautiful but a site that I did not know until this tour.

All the hotels were good, but I especially want to commend Novotel Tou Eiffel for its comfort and good cuisine, Grand Hotel de L’Esperance in Lisieux for its good cuisine, and Grand Hotel Moderne in Lourdes for the helpfulness of its staff.

Our spiritual director, Fr. Terry O’Connell, was very good in remembering to pray for the sick and our departed loved ones in his masses.

I would be happy to sign up for another tour with Javier, Miguel, and Fr. O’Connell.

Deacon Matthew Fung

We had a wonderful time . My 95 yr old mother enjoyed it, her dream came true when we went to the Lourdes. Thank you ❤️

Cecile Velasco

Dear Cara,
My friends from Hawaii, San Francisco, CA. & myself want to express our appreciation for the marvelous job you had demonstrated on our recent Pilgrimage to Santa Fe, New Mexico (Oct. 2-8, 2021). Thanks to your hard work & organizational skills that made the pilgrimage a success.

We hope to join another 206 tour in the future.

We are grateful for everything you’ve done in your role as our Account Manager.

May God Bless you abundantly.

Sincerely,
Catherine Argel

We just returned from our Italian pilgrimage and I am so grateful for 206 Tours. We were a determined group of pilgrims who all pushed through Covid testing requirements to get to Italy and so I think we were bound to have a good time.

First of all, Father Glenn Morris was a great spiritual leader. He set the tone for our prayerful pilgrimage from night one when we met for our first Mass and night time rosary in St. Peters Square with intentions for each and everyone of us along the way. His daily homilies also had just the right words to encourage us on our journey. He even lead on on the Stations of the Cross using his personally written prayers. Oh, and we had Masses in such amazing chapels.

Vanessa, our 206 tour guide was also the best. She was so knowledgeable about history and faith, but most of all, she watched out for all of us, making good recommendations for places to eat and explore on our free time. She was so patient because even ordering coffee and coffee bars took some guidance and she was so patient.

And, Amos, our bus driver made the trip seem flawless.

We were quite a diverse group of pilgrims but I would say that this experience quickly made us friends.

Thanks again to Father Morris, Vanessa, Amos, all the other pilgrims, and 206 for helping us to make this pilgrimage happen.

Randy and Shelly Chloupek

Dear Ivanka,

You are an inspiring guide because you live and breathe as a witness to what has occurred in Medjugorje. Your faith is evidenced in all that you give to us pilgrims, leading us in prayer, giving the history of the region, showing us and explaining the apparition sites, as well as caring for our individual needs, with the love of a believer in Jesus and Our Lady of Medjugorje.

May God continue to bless you as you guide and bring more people to the love of Our Lady who leads us always to Jesus, Our Savior. I thank you.

Sincerely,
Mary Ellen Virga

Dear Sandra,

This was my first pilgrimage but I have experienced tour guides many times. Ivanka was the most knowledgeable one I have ever experienced. In addition to her spiritual inspiration and knowledge of our Catholic faith. Her attention to detail and her pleasing way made my experience in Medjugorje even more special. I will always remember her and look forward to seeing her again on my next trip to Medjugorje. God bless her. —

Patricia A. Carrasco

Dear Sandra,

A few weeks ago I returned from a wonderful pilgrimage to Medjugorje staying at Ivan’s. I wanted to just share how much I appreciated Ivanka as our tour leader. She made a difference in how the week went so well . I know she went to extra trouble seeing to all the details and I am so grateful. I have been on a total of 21 pilgrimages so I know a great tour leader who thinks and acts on all that we pilgrims need to make our experience go so well. Ivanka was always on top of what we needed. I have already made my reservation for next June so looking forward to seeing Ivanka next year.

Sincerely,
Eileen Kerr
Fairfax, Virginia

Dear 206 Tours,

Ivanka, our 206 Tours tour-guide, is a saintly woman and we were so privileged and blessed to be with her during our amazing 8 day pilgrimage to Medjugorje from September 27th to October 5th, 2021.

Ivanka first greeted us at the airport in Dubrovnik with a genuine caring and concern for each one of us. She is a faith-filled woman who sincerely shared her faith with us throughout our pilgrimage in way that helped us to grow deeper in our own faith.

Ivanka has many natural gifts. She is a true leader with a motherly heart. She is patient and kind and went heroically out of her way many times to help us in so many ways. She is extremely knowledgeable in her faith and in the history of Medjugorje. She is very approachable and humble, and she truly enriched us with her many wonderful sharings.

She is privileged to have been present at the very beginning of Our Lady’s appearances in Medjugorje.
Ivanka competently and prayerfully led us up Apparition Hill and Cross Mountain and shared with us many of her own experiences as a seasoned tour-guide.

Ivanka was also the interpreter for Ivan when he shared Our Lady’s daily apparition visits and messages with us. She translated Ivan’s messages from Our Lady with so much dignity and respect.

Ivanka is very organized, responsible and dependable. She arranged for us to have our pre-travel COVID-19 testing right at Ivan’s home where we were staying which was so convenient for us and another example of her genuine concern for us.

Ivanka was up early in the morning with us on the day of our departure. She rode 3 hours with us to Sarajevo International Airport. Then she stayed with us in the airport to make sure we were all successfully checked in. We felt so loved and cared for and found it so hard to say goodbye to our dear new friend in Medjugorje.

Sincerely,

Tom and Jean Marie Lanzilotti
Wantage, New Jersey

Dear Rinda,

The pilgrimage/tour went off very well. The group was very cooperative. I was concerned for two of the pilgrims, one was 87 years old and the other has been suffering from chemotherapy. But they held up very well and all the climbing uphill and down valley did not deter them. The guides in the different places were very good and the bus driver very careful.

The tour escort, Vanessa, was excellent. All of us found in her a person who is calm and ever willing to help. She was able to anticipate possible complications. What I liked about her, was that though she is Portuguese, she had a very good knowledge of Italy and all the shrines we visited. Evidently she has been on those trips before but it was amazing how knowledgeable she is. Personally, I would like her to be the tour escort for my next pilgrimage in June, since it is on the Classic Shrines of Italy. So almost all the same places to visit and she would be wonderful to have to work with. I don’t know if we can make such requests. But, if it is possible, it would be great to have her on my next pilgrimage in June, if there is nothing that comes up before that?

With all good wishes. I am happy that 206 is back on the road and I hope that things will only improve day by day for you all.
God bless

Fr. Glenn, OP

Hi Rinda,

I have to admit I was a bit apprehensive prior to going to Spain due to COVID. I am very glad I decided to reschedule and go on this pilgrimage. The pilgrimage gave me the opportunity to refocus on what is important. I feel renewed and invigorated. I loved that it was a small group. My fellow pilgrims and Fr. Carlos were wonderful. Leo, our guide, is fantastic who went above and beyond. Leo is a blessing, and I am thankful and grateful for his kindness and understanding. The local guides were great. Time went by too fast.

The travel was longer than usual (too many transfers). It is understandable with our current situation. Any hiccup that occurred worked themselves out.

Thank you 206 Tours for providing these opportunities. I plan to continue to participate in future pilgrimages as long as I can.

God bless,

Maricel Bernardo

It was wonderful. ! Thank you for all your help !

Kathleen

The pilgrimage was beyond what I could’ve imagined. All the beautiful cathedrals, the relics and the people I met were fabulous. Father John’s homilies were exceptional and I really enjoyed talking to him and how he was such a wealth of information. The hotel in Lisieux, France catered to our every need. The breakfast there was outstanding and personnel very friendly. It was a pleasure to be there. The room at the Pullman in Paris was awesome.

Gloria Chavez

Theresa and I had a wonderful experience on this pilgrimage. We had a tour director and a bus driver that did a extraordinary job of leading us throughout our itinerary. The hotels , meals , and places visited were exceptional. 206 Tours is tops in delivering a rewarding experience. Thank you and hopefully looking to book a future pilgrimage with 206 Tours.

Dave Zarrelli

Hi Rinda & team,

Our first Marian Pilgrimage with 206 tours have been an answered prayer during this unthinkable times! It certainly brought us fruits of great blessings! Our visits to the world’s holy places have been so awe inspiring and extraordinarily soul filling!. Our tour guide Javier had been exceptional – the best for his job!.The local guides and tour bus drivers were excellent! Fr. John G. had been anointed for the service and our spiritual journey! It is indeed an unforgettable lifetime experience for us! Thank you for all you do @ 206 tours!

God bless!

Be well,

Martin & Allie Villacastin

Hi Rinda,

The pilgrimage to Lourdes, Lisieux and Paris was wonderful! We were all very fortunate and blessed to be able to go during these times, and to be able to have the experiences we encountered. For a small group, we were able to visit every place already pre-determined for the pilgrimage, and we had extra time such that we were able to stay in the various churches and sites for longer periods of time, and even having time to visit other nearby locations as well. The blessings and graces we received during this pilgrimage were felt by all!

Our tour guide, Javier, was amazing! Very kind, thoughtful, knowledgeable and patient! It’s clear that he greatly enjoys guiding these pilgrimages and cares about us pilgrims. Javier ensured we all had what we needed, and was very attentive – easily identifying areas that greatly interested each pilgrim, and would provide additional tips/information on those aspects.

Our bus driver, Pierrick, was masterful behind the wheel, maneuvering our bus through tight and windy streets with ease (and a smile!).
I will recommend this pilgrimage and 206tours to everyone! This was my very first pilgrimage and I am very thankful to all at 206tours who made this possible! I will plan travel with 206tours again in the future!

Thank you and God bless!
Jennifer Alderfer

I note thank you. I had an awesome time in Spain your arrangements were unbelievable. The tour guide driver and priest were wonderful to whole experience you provided was perfect thank you again for your help and your whole pilgrimage was 5 star. I cannot thank you enough.

Carl Inzerillo

Hi Rinda,

I would like to thank you and all staff for the recent opportunity afforded to me as I led the tour from Lisbon, Portugal to Spain and then through France to Paris.

On my way to the airport on the day of departure I paid close attention to my iPhone expecting the tour to be cancelled at the very last moment due to the confusion regarding passports requirements for vaccines from country to country in the EU. I am certain these technical demands and various forms caused endless stress to your staff and all pilgrims. As I boarded the plane I surrendered all to the Immaculate Heart of our Blessed Mother and her Son.

Appropriately we began from the church of St Anthony missing five of our small group who were caught in the paradox of time limits for COVID tests….perhaps they need something like A world standard time to satisfy all these various time requirements that lack application on long international flights, regardless God is good and St Anthony found our lost returning them to us in Fatima.

From this time I became aware of the intense desire of each of these pilgrims who had overcome so many obstacles to have a real encounter with our Lord and experience the love and care Our Blessed Mother wanted to bestow upon them. The compassionate care of our 206 guide Javier assured each one of their safety and excellent organization allowing for ease of check in and departure at each location. He always took care that meals were provided on time for late arrivals and early departures, Javier’s warmth was evident as he was greeted by the many staff whom he had not seen for two years.

From Lourdes to Paris we have been able to celebrate the Holy Mass in the principal locations with usually only our small group present. Everywhere we went we were given time for extra prayer and devotions, indeed we were graciously received.

Finally I would comment on the great desire that these pilgrims had to experience God the Father’s love and mercy and the healing Grace that came to them through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, there was not one pilgrim who stood out over the others, nor one place where grace was more present. We were under an open Heaven for the entire pilgrimage with God our Father showing His immense love and blessing through all those we encountered and weather that contradicted all forecasts of rain and foul weather.

Again my thanks to all the pilgrims, staff of 206 Tours and Our Blessed Mother for Her constant presence during this time. I have been greatly blessed.

Fr. John Gillis

Hi Rinda,

I had wanted to send this to you last week, so before it gets any later…I had a wonderful time on the pilgrimage. Medjugorje is such a peaceful place, and the local people were so happy to have pilgrims in their midst again after nearly a year and a half. The members of our pilgrimage group got along with one another very well and looked out for each other, which is one of the moving aspects of a pilgrimage–strangers instantly becoming friends. The weather was very hot during the day, but our schedule had most of the activities in the morning. I am ready to go back at any time.

Fr. Allen