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

Upon landing at Amsterdam 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 tour guide and/or driver before transferring 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. The day will come to a close with returning to the hotel for dinner and an overnight in Amsterdam.

Following breakfast, we will celebrate Mass. After Mass, we 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, Opera House, 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 Schans, 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. Stroll past the bakery museum and enjoy the smell of fresh cookies. 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 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, 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 later celebrate Mass. After Mass we will continue to Bruges, The Zeebrugge port of Bruges is an important center for European trade. The day will come to a close with dinner and a restful overnight.

Today following breakfast, we will visit the Church of Our Lady for Mass. You will 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’s 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. 

Following breakfast, you will board the motor coach and head to Beaurin. We will make a stop in Dinant, a charming town located below steep limestone rocks and crowned by a mighty citadel to have lunch on your own. We will continue to visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Beauraing, also known as the Virgin of the Golden Heart. In 1932, the Blessed Mother appeared to a group of young children 33 times. She was described as being dressed in white with a golden crown on her head with hair of gold. Our Lady came to these children during the Great Depression and advised them to sacrifice themselves to Her. Next, we will continue to Banneux – Notre Dame, also known as, the Belgian Lourdes. Upon arrival, you will visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Banneux. In 1933, the Blessed Mother appeared to twelve-year-old Mariette Boco as the “Virgin of the Poor.” Our Lady appeared to little Mariette a few times and informed her that she (Our Lady) had come to relieve the suffering of the ill and the conflicts of all nations. At the end of the day we will continue to Aachen for dinner and an overnight stay.

After breakfast, will drive to Trier, the oldest city in Germany. It is situated in the Mosel wine region and was founded before the year 16 B.C. Trier is known for its well-preserved Roman and medieval buildings, all of which you will visit during your time in this ancient city. The Porta Nigra is the only one of four Roman gates that still stands and was formally the home to a hermit monk named Simeon. Additionally, the Roman amphitheater and baths were places of relaxation for the ancient monks. Lastly, the style and size of the Constantine Basilica (Aula Palatina) truly exemplifies the strength and power that the Roman Emperor had in ancient times. We will celebrate Mass at the Trier Cathedral, followed by free time for lunch. The day will continue with a visit to Trier Cathedral, which not only contains a remarkable collection of artwork but is also home to the Holy Robe that Our Lord Jesus Christ wore during the Crucifixion. Like the Shroud of Turin, it is very fragile and is only displayed every 10 – 15 years. Lastly, we will visit the Liebfrauenkirche, one of the first Gothic churches in Germany. It is located near the burial site of the Saint who replaced Judas Iscariot, St. Matthias. We will then proceed to Heidelberg for check-in followed by dinner and a restful overnight.

Following breakfast at the hotel, we will start your day with a tour of Heidelberg. Visit the Old Town dominated by the ruins of Heidelberg Castle. See the marketplace with the Town Hall, the Church of the Holy Spirit located nearby, and have a walk on the main street. Admire the panoramic view of the city passing by the Old Bridge to the other banks of the river. We will celebrate Mass at the local church, followed by free time for lunch. Proceed to Rothenburg ob der Tauber. In Rothenburg, we will see picturesque lanes, half-timbered houses, and an intact fortification wall that will give you a good idea of what a medieval town looked like nearly 1000 years ago. Walk around the city on top of the wall to enjoy the stunning views over the old town. At the end of this full day, we will return to Heidelberg for dinner and an overnight.

This morning after breakfast we will depart for Neuhausen am Rheinfall for a boat trip where you will see the great spectacle of the Rhine Falls. After free time for lunch, we will transfer to the Benedictine monastery of Muri, one of the most significant cultural monuments in the Canton of Aargau. It was founded in 1027 by Ita of Lorraine and her husband, Count Radbot of Habsburg. See the Romanesque crypt, the Gothic raised choir, and the central octagon in Baroque style bear witness to the continuation of architectural alteration, renewal, and addition throughout the ages. Next, we will celebrate Mass at Muri Monastery. We will end the day by continuing to Lucerne for dinner and a restful overnight.

Today will begin with a guided tour of Lucerne. This central Switzerland city is known for its miraculous views of Mt. Pilatus and Rigi in the Swiss Alps. While in this breathtaking city, you will view from the outside the wooden Chapel Bridge that was first erected in the 14th century. This afternoon you will enjoy a scenic ride along Lake Lucerne and Lake Zug to Einsiedeln. Upon arrival, celebrate Mass at Einsiedeln Abbey. Visit the Benedictine Monastery of Einsiedeln dedicated to Our Lady of the Hermits. The abbey received this dedication due to its first inhabitant of the region around the year 850 A.D., a monk named Meinrad (St. Meinrad). This evening, you will return to your hotel in Lucerne. Enjoy a Farewell dinner and overnight at the hotel in Lucerne.

After an early breakfast and heartfelt farewells, transfer to the Zurich 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.