Make your way to your local airport, where you will board your overnight flight(s). Your meals will be served on board.

Upon arriving at Pau or Toulouse airport, make your way to the baggage claim area and collect your luggage. Proceed to the arrival hall, where you will be greeted by your tour guide and/or driver. You will embark on a scenic drive to Lourdes. Check in to your hotel, and relax or explore before dinner. Following dinner, you will have free time to pray the Rosary and attend the candlelight procession. These processions are lit by candlelight and guided by the Most Holy Rosary. Following this prayerful experience, you will return to your hotel for an overnight.

Over the next two days, you will stay in a small town, nestled within the Pyrenees Mountains. During your time in Lourdes, you will pray and meditate at the site of Our Lady’s apparitions. Our Lady first appeared to Bernadette in 1858 and announced herself as “The  Immaculate Conception”, near the Grotto of Massabielle. During the first two apparitions, little Bernadette prayed the Rosary with  Our Lady and left without any exchange of words. During the following apparitions, Our Lady emphasized God’s love for us, penance,  and the necessity of performing acts of penance for sinners. Throughout your time in Lourdes, you will have the opportunity to attend Mass at the Grotto, where Our Lady appeared to Bernadette; watch a video presentation that explains in detail, the story of  Lourdes; participate with the gesture of the miraculous spring; Wash your hands, wash your face and drink the water. Finish with a short prayer: Our Lady of Lourdes…Pray for us St. Bernadette…Pray for us Oh Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to experience Christ’s unconditional love, as you meditate upon the  “life-size” Stations of the Cross that overlook the Grotto of Massabielle. In Lourdes, you will walk in and meditate upon the footsteps of St. Bernadette. Your group will have the opportunity to see Boly Mill, the birthplace of St. Bernadette, and the “Cachot,” an abandoned prison where Bernadette’s impoverished family lived. Each evening following dinner, you will have an opportunity to attend the candlelight procession and the Rosary, before a restful overnight.

Today, you will enjoy breakfast before departing for Pau or Lourdes airport for your short flight to Paris. Upon arrival in Paris, visit and attend Mass at the magnificent, Sacre Coeur Basilica atop Montmartre Hill. The Basilica, dedicated to the Sacred  Heart of Jesus, was originally built in 1914 as an act of penance for the infidelity that France was experiencing during that time.  During your visit, in addition to the extraordinary artwork and architecture that forms the Basilica, you will see the beautiful mosaic of the Risen Christ and the remarkable Grand Organ. Celebrate Mass at the Crypt which contains the Tombs of many notable  Cardinals. Time permitting, you may have the opportunity during your free time to ascend a staircase to the Dome where you may take in a breathtaking panoramic view of the city of Paris. Dinner and overnight in Paris.

Today, you will enjoy a full sightseeing tour of Paris. After breakfast, you will visit and celebrate Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of the  Miraculous Medal, where you will view the incorrupt body of St. Catherine Laboure. The Saint’s Guardian Angel led her to the chapel where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to her. During the apparitions, Our Lady repeatedly instructed the making and purpose of the Miraculous Medal, as well as the green scapular. According to the Blessed Virgin Mary, those who wear the Miraculous Medal and scapular will receive special protection and abundant graces. Following your prayerful and reflective experience at this elegant chapel, you will begin your sightseeing tour of Paris. After Mass, we will walk to Saint Vincent de Paul Church. The day will continue with a visit to the Notre Dame Cathedral, a perfect example of Gothic art. Our panoramic sightseeing tour via motor coach will take us to the most recognizable symbol of Paris: the Eiffel Tower. Historically, the Tower’s original intent was to commemorate the centenary of the French Revolution but later assisted in meteorology, telegraphy of World War I, radio, and television. We will pass by the L’Arch de Triomphe, a monument that symbolizes gratitude for those who fought for France. This monument stands at the West end of the Champ-Elysees, one of the world’s most famous boulevards, and another one of our stops on the sightseeing tour.

Following breakfast, we will visit the ever-famous Louvre Museum. The Louvre is one of the finest museums in the world and contains several pieces that truly emanate not only French art but also European culture. Following the Louvre visit enjoy some free time in  Paris for last-minute shopping, pictures at the base of the Eiffel Tower, or a walk or maybe an evening cruise on the River Seine. Your fun-filled, busy day will end with a lovely meal and a very comfortable overnight.

Following breakfast at your hotel, your group will transfer to the Charles de Gaulle Airport and board your short flight to Rome.  Upon arrival at Rome airport, collect your luggage in the baggage claim area, and continue to the arrival hall, where you will be greeted by a tour escort and/or driver. You will make your way to the bus and transfer to your hotel. Following check-in, you will have free time to unpack and relax or explore Rome at your discretion. Your tour escort may suggest places to visit. Later in the afternoon, your group will meet in the hotel lobby for a “Meet and Greet” with your fellow pilgrims and depart for Mass. Following  Mass, you will attend a welcome dinner. After dinner, you will have the opportunity to walk to St. Peter’s Square as a group, for the  Rosary (optional), before retiring for the evening.

This morning you will enjoy an early breakfast before going to the largest Christendom Church, St. Peter’s Basilica. This  Basilica was built on the site where St. Peter, the first Pope and Bishop of Rome, was martyred. Here you will view  Michelangelo’s Pieta. This stunning marble sculpture depicts the Virgin Mary holding Christ after His crucifixion, death, and removal of the cross before being placed in the tomb. Continue to proceed to the Vatican Museums. At the world-renowned museum, you will see the most impressive of edifices, galleries, and awe-inspiring relics. Also, you will observe the Tapestry Gallery,  Raphael Rooms, the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo’s Masterpiece, and the restored mural of the Last Judgment. The final stop on your  Vatican tour is at the tomb of Saint John Paul II. Afterward, you will be transferred to the Fontana di Trevi (Trevi Fountain), where you may enjoy some free time on your own for lunch. Continue on your short journey down the Appian Way, the earliest road of  Ancient Rome. This road leads to the Domino Quo Vadis Chapel, the Baths of Caracalla, the Arch of Drusus, the Tomb of Cecilia Metella, and the catacombs of St. Callixtus. The day concludes with a visit to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. Originally founded by Emperor Constantine in the 4th Century, this Basilica is the burial place of Saint Paul the Apostle. We will make our way to a local restaurant for dinner. Following dinner, feel free to explore the streets of Rome, or return to the hotel for overnight.

After a nice breakfast at your hotel, your first sightseeing day in Rome starts! The tour begins with attending the Papal Audience in  St. Peter’s Square! The Audience is celebrated each Wednesday by His Holiness (pending the papal schedule). After the audience, there will be free time for lunch, to shop, or to send a postcard from the Vatican Post Office. This afternoon you will visit the oldest of the four major Basilicas in Rome, and the home to the relics of Peter and Paul, the Basilica of St. John the Lateran. This  Basilica is where the Pope is installed as Bishop of Rome, and where he officiates as the Bishop of Rome. Next, we will visit the Holy Staircase. Tradition states that this staircase is from Pontius Pilate’s palace of Jerusalem during the time of Jesus. It is also said that this Staircase was brought to Rome by St. Helen in the 4th century. If time permits, you may climb the steps on your knees, in the memory of Christ’s agonizing Passion. To conclude your day, we will proceed to the Basilica of St. Mary Major. This  Basilica contains a relic from the Manger of the Infant Jesus. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

After an early breakfast and heartfelt farewells, your group will leave by motorcoach and transfer to Rome Fiumicino airport for return flights home.

Or for pilgrims taking Post-Tour to Medjugorje: 

*206 Tours Disclaimer:
Occasionally local religious and national holidays, weather, traffic conditions and other events may necessitate changes in the sequence of events or the missing of certain events/places. Though every effort will be made to follow the itinerary, it should be considered as an indication, rather than a contract of events and places to be visited.