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 Paris airport, make your way to the baggage claim area and collect your luggage. Proceed to the Arrivals Hall where you will be greeted by your driver, who will transfer you to meet your Spiritual Director, tour guide, and fellow pilgrims. You will attend Mass at the magnificent Sacre Coeur Basilica that stands atop Montmartre Hill. The Basilica is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and was originally built in 1914 as an act of penance for infidelity that France was experiencing during that time. While on your visit, in addition to the extraordinary artwork and architecture that forms the Basilica, you will see the beautiful mosaic of the Risen Christ, the remarkable Grand Organ, and have the opportunity to celebrate Mass at the Crypt containing 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 will take in a breathtaking panoramic view of the city of Paris. Following this visit, you will enjoy lunch on your own and depart for Lisieux – known well for St. Therese “the Little Flower.” According to Pope Pius X, St. Therese of Lisieux was the “greatest saint of modern times.” Her extraordinary love for God and service to humanity will come alive as you walk in the great Saint’s footsteps. During your visit, you will see the beautiful Basilica of St. Therese and the magnificent mosaics and stained glass that are contained within. The day will come to a close with dinner and an overnight stay at your hotel in Lisieux.

Upon waking up in Lisieux and enjoying breakfast, you will pray and reflect upon the life of the beloved St. Therese as well as celebrate Mass. After Mass and following the visit to the Basilica, you will have the opportunity to view relics, clothing, and personal objects of St. Therese when you visit her family home, Les Buissonets. Additionally, you will tour the Carmelite Convent which she entered in 1888 and is currently entombed in with her parent. This afternoon transfer to the Normandy Landing beaches. The Normandy landings were the landing operations on Tuesday, 6 June 1944 (termed D-Day) of the Allied invasion of Normandy during World War II. Known as the largest seaborne invasion in history, the operation began the liberation of German-occupied northwestern Europe from Nazi control and contributed to the Allied victory on the Western Front. Continue to visit The Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial – a World War II cemetery and memorial in Colleville sur Mer, Normandy, France – that honors American troops who died in Europe during World War II. Many of the brave American soldiers of World War II are buried here, and it is encouraged to say a prayer in thanksgiving for their courage. Return to Lisieux for a delicious dinner and a restful overnight stay.

This morning, your day begins with an early breakfast before we depart for Chartres, known for its massive Cathedral Notre Dame containing incredible stained glass windows from the 12th and 13th centuries. It is known as a World Heritage site by UNESCO, which calls the Cathedral “the high point of French Gothic art” and “a masterpiece.” Afterward you will have some free time for lunch in the quaint town of Chartres. After lunch, you will continue to Paris. There you will be able to check-in at the hotel and enjoy some free time before a delicious dinner and a restful overnight stay.

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 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 Vicent de Paul Church. The day will then continue with a visit to the Notre Dame Cathedral, a perfect example of Gothic art. Our panoramic sightseeing tour via motor coach will travel on to the most recognizable symbol of the city of Paris, the Eiffel Tower. Historically, the Tower’s original intent was to commemorate the centenary of the French Revolution, and later assisted in meteorology, telegraphy of World War I, radio, and television. 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 stop on the sightseeing tour. We will also pass by the ever-famous Louvre Museum.* This Museum is one of the finest in the world and contains several pieces that truly emanate not only French art, but also European culture. Your fun-filled, busy day ends with a lovely meal and a very comfortable overnight.

*Regretfully we will not visit the Louvre Museum, due to time limitations. However, if you wish to extend your stay in Paris by arriving a day early, this Museum is worth it, as it is one of the finest in the world and contains pieces that emanate European art and culture.

This morning you will transfer to the airport for a short flight to Amsterdam. Upon landing at Amsterdam Airport, you will 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 before heading to your hotel. This afternoon we will visit the Chapel of Our Lady of All Nations, one of the Virgin Mary’s apparition sites. From 1945 until 1959, Our Lady appeared to Ida Peerdeman with the continuous message of love, repentance, and the prayer for Nations. Following Mass, we will visit the site of a Eucharistic Miracle. In 1345, as a result of a man’s illness, a Sacred Host was found preserved in his house after it was moved numerous times and after having experienced a fire that left the city in ruins. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight in Amsterdam.

Following breakfast we will have the celebration of the Mass. After Mass, you will enjoy a guided tour of Amsterdam, where you will experience its 17th century historical and picturesque atmosphere amidst its canals and squares. During your walking tour, you will view the Royal Place, Vrijheidsbeeld (National Monument), the Flower Markets, the Opera House, the City Hall, and Begijnenhof. Additionally, you will experience a glimpse from the outside of the many cultural highlights Amsterdam has to offer, such as the Van Gogh Museum, the Anne Frank House, the Rembrandt House, and the Rijksmuseum. After free time for lunch, we will proceed to the Zaanse Schanns, a unique piece of Dutch history on the river Zaan. It is a residential area in which the 18th and 19th centuries are brought to life. The Zaanse Schans is a unique part of the Netherlands, full of wooden houses, mills, barns, and workshops. You can stroll past the bakery museum, enjoy the smell of fresh cookies, and take a look at where clogs are made. Don’t miss the cheese factory, the various windmills, and much more. Return to Amsterdam for dinner and a restful overnight. 

After breakfast, we will depart for Utrecht, one of the principal political, economic, and cultural centers of the Netherlands. We will visit Katherine’s Convent Museum (Catharijne convent) located in the former hospice of the Order of St. John, telling the history of Christianity in the Netherlands. It also holds a large collection of medieval art treasures. You will have free time for lunch, before boarding the motor coach for your transfer to Ghent. Ghent, Belgium, is home to the famous painting, Adoration of the Mystic Lamb. The large and complex altarpiece was painted by Jan and Hubert Van Eyck in 1432 and is currently housed in Ghent’s St. Bavo Cathedral where we will celebrate Mass. After Mass we will continue to Bruges – its Zeebrugge port was once an important center for European trade. The day will come to a close with dinner and a restful overnight stay. 

Today following breakfast, we will visit the Church of Our Lady for Mass, you will inevitably notice the preserved culture of the Middle Ages that is still present. While at the Church, you will have the opportunity to view the magnificent marble statue, Madonna and her Child sculpted by Michelangelo. Next, we visit the Holy Savior Cathedral, Bruges Cathedral. Continue with a visit to the Basilica of the Holy Blood. Most interestingly, this Basilica also holds a venerated relic of Jesus Christ that was collected by Joseph of Arimathea and brought from Jerusalem. Modeled on the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, it has a replica of Christ’s tomb. This afternoon you will have free time to enjoy lunch and a stroll in this enchanting city. Return to your hotel on time to enjoy a delicious meal and a restful overnight.

After an early breakfast and heartfelt farewells, transfer to the Brussels airport for return flights home.

*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.