Pilgrimages are Back!
Dear Pilgrims,
Today, I share with you my joy and excitement because, this weekend I will embark on a Pilgrimage to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Our Lady of Medjugorje, the renewal of my life’s work and 206 Tours mission. Together, with almost 300 pilgrims, we will rejoice with gratitude for the opportunity to pray in such a Holy place after these hard 16 months. All Glory to God, no matter how hard or uncertain it was, one thing we always knew – He was, and always will be, in control!
For the past several weeks, we have been collecting prayer intentions via mail and email (prayers@206tours.com). I will carry these intentions to Medjugorje, up Apparition Hill and Cross Mountain, to the Risen Christ Statue, to Masses at St. James Church, and to Ivan’s Chapel during his apparition. I will also carry all of you, who did not send any intentions, in my heart and prayers. We are hopeful that travel restrictions will continue to ease in the coming months as we continue to monitor updates and post relevant news on our Travel Updates. At this time, Fall pilgrimages are scheduled to operate, and it seems as though we are approaching the end of the worst pandemic in our lifetime. Next year looks to be very busy, and while many departures already sold out, it is not too early to plan for 2023.
Medjugorje was the catalyst and inspiration to start 206 Tours in 1985. It is so fitting that we restart here, with Our Lady’s protection, in the community we’ve grown to call family over the last 35 + years.
Please keep me, my staff, and all the pilgrims traveling this weekend in your prayers. We are prepared to encounter some bumps in the road with all the new protocols revolving around travel, but in patience and prayer, we are called to Medjugorje regardless of these possible inconveniences and will rejoice triumphantly in our return!
Milanka Lachman
President and Founder
206 Tours
New Offerings:
- 2021 & 2022 Series Tours
- 2021 & 2022 Special Tours
- Private Pilgrimages & Family Tours
- Single-Stay Pilgrimages
- Oberammergau Passion Play
- USA Pilgrimages
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How 206 Tours is Preparing for Post-Pandemic Pilgrimages
We are prepared to cultivate an enjoyable spiritual experience that is safe and comfortable. Here are a few pillars of our business that support the safety of our clients:
Book with Confidence
Cancel for Any Reason Policy:
Pilgrims can book with confidence with our new Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) policy. In addition to purchasing travel insurance, our clients have the option to add CFAR for $299 at the time of booking, or at a later date any time until 60 days prior to departure for $349. Learn more about our Cancel for Any Reason offering, here.
Travel Insurance:
All pilgrims are offered Travel Insurance upon booking and encouraged to add it to their orders. 206 Tours offers Travel Insurance through Travel Insured International. All details on coverage can be found, here.
Health & Safety
Travel Restrictions:
We expect to see changing governmental procedures around health and travel in the months and years to come. While it is too soon to know what these measures may be, we are actively investigating and prepared to react in accordance with any changes. Please continue to check our website for updates.
Health Services:
Health services are always available to our Pilgrims, regardless of if they have purchased insurance. Our guides and drivers are fully trained for emergency situations, and procedures are in place to help pilgrims get medical care if necessary.
Travel Safety:
Our itineraries are strategically cultivated and all locations visited carefully considered. We would never lead pilgrims to or through a known dangerous or unsafe area. We do not visit high risk locations. In the event a location becomes unsafe, changes to avoid the area would be immediately made to the itinerary to preserve our Pilgrim’s safety.
Healthy Staff:
Our suppliers will need to meet our health and safety standards. We plan to arrange for our guides and our Priests to be test ahead of travel, only those with a clean bill of health will be allowed to participate.
Emergencies and Evacuations
We provide a 24/7 emergency phone line to all clients within their travel documents. Should a client ever encounter an emergency, miss a flight, or need to be extracted from a location, we are prepared to do everything in our power to provide immediate assistance. Our online “Know Before You Go” guides detail all one needs to know ahead of travel, including what to do in case of an emergency. Read more, here.
Changes to Group Travel
In the wake of the Coronavirus Pandemic, we are considering adjusting our average group size to allow for more space on buses and at meals, as well as less exposure to each individual Pilgrim. This will enable proper spacing (ex. Assigned every-other-row seating on the bus) we are working with restaurants to ensure seats are spaced out too. Larger groups (ex. 200 people) can still be accommodated, but will also be spaced more evenly on busses, and at masses and restaurants. There will always be a Catholic priest and Mass daily, if more than one bus, the Priest may share his time between buses.
Private Travel
206 Tours has always offered custom and private pilgrimage services. Travel individually, with your family, or with a small group of friends. Learn all about our Private Pilgrimage Services, here.
Cleanliness & Sanitation
Protection:
Masks may be required to be worn in certain places. We have made these available to all our guides, drivers, and staff. If needed, masks will always be available for Pilgrims to use on the bus. Hand sanitizer will also be available to all pilgrims.
Cleanings Increased:
We have instructed all our supplier to increase their daily cleaning to provide safe and sanitary environments.