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. Embark on a scenic drive to Lourdes. Check in to your hotel, and then relax or explore before dinner. Following dinner, you will have free time to attend the candlelight procession and pray the Most Holy Rosary (April – October only). 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 in 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. Little Bernadette prayed the Rosary with Our Lady during the first two apparitions and left without exchanging words. During the following apparitions, Our Lady emphasized God’s love for us 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 the story of Lourdes in detail. Participate in the gesture of the miraculous spring. Wash your hands and face, and drink the water. Finish with a short prayer: “Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. St. Bernadette, pray for us. O 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 can attend the candlelight procession and pray 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, 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. See the beautiful mosaic of the Risen Christ, the remarkable Grand Organ, and the extraordinary artwork and architecture that forms the Basilica. Celebrate Mass at the Crypt, which contains the Tombs of many notable Cardinals. Time permitting, you may have the opportunity to ascend a staircase to the Dome, where you will take in a breathtaking panoramic view of Paris. Following this visit, you will enjoy lunch on your own and depart for Lisieux. 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 this great Saint’s footsteps. During your visit, you will see the beautiful Basilica of St. Therese and its magnificent mosaics and stained glass. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Lisieux.

Upon waking up in Lisieux and enjoying breakfast, we will celebrate Mass. After Mass and a visit to the Basilica, you can view relics, clothing, and personal objects that belonged to St. Therese when you visit her family home, Les Buissonnets. Additionally, you will tour the Carmelite Convent, where she entered in 1888 and is now buried with her parents. This afternoon, transfer to the Normandy Landing beaches. The Normandy landings were the landing operations on Tuesday, June 6, 1944 (D-Day) of the Allied invasion of Normandy during World War II. 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. Visit the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, a World War II 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 were buried here, and it is encouraged to say a prayer in thanksgiving for their courage. Return to Lisieux for dinner and overnight.

This morning, your day begins with an early breakfast before we depart for Chartres, known for its massive Cathedral Notre Dame. It is known worldwide for its incredible stained-glass windows from the 12th and 13th centuries. The Cathedral is a World Heritage site UNESCO calls the “high point of French Gothic art” and a “masterpiece”. You will have some free time for lunch in the quaint town of Chartres. After lunch, we will continue to Paris. Check into your hotel and enjoy free time before a delicious dinner and overnight.

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. According to the Blessed Virgin Mary, those who wear the Miraculous Medal will receive special protection and abundant graces. Following your prayerful experience at this elegant chapel, you will begin your sightseeing tour of Paris. After Mass, we will walk to Saint Vincent de Paul Church. Your day will continue with a visit to the Notre Dame Cathedral, a perfect example of Gothic art. Our panoramic sightseeing tour via motor coach continues onto one of the most recognizable symbols of Paris: the Eiffel Tower. Historically, the Tower’s original intent was to commemorate the centenary of the French Revolution, but it later assisted in meteorology, telegraphy of World War I, radio, and television. Pass by the L’Arch de Triomphe, a monument symbolizing 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. We will also visit the ever-famous Louvre Museum.* This Museum is one of the finest in the world and contains exquisite artwork highlighting European culture. Your fun-filled, busy day ends with a lovely meal and a comfortable overnight.

You will have an early morning transfer from Paris to board your flight(s) to Medjugorje. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by your tour guide and/or driver, who will take you on the 2.5-hour drive to the village of Medjugorje. Dinner and overnight.

The most beautiful features of Medjugorje are its simplicity and peace. While in Medjugorje, you will share in the faith journey of pilgrims from all over the world. A local guide will accompany your group throughout your stay in the village.

Some activities that will accompany you in your spiritual journey:

Attend Daily Mass: Each morning at 10:00 AM, your group will assemble at St. James Church for Mass (English-speaking). At the end of each Mass, regardless of language, there is a blessing of the religious articles that you have with you. On Feast Days and Sundays, English Mass is at noon.

Climb Apparition Hill: This mountainous hill is where the visionaries first encountered Our Lady. At the base of this hill is a Blue Cross, where it is said Our Lady appeared to the children while they hid from the communist police in the early days of the alleged apparitions. While climbing, your group is invited to recite the Rosary, pausing five times for each decade of the Rosary. At the top of the hill, you will witness the exact location of the first alleged apparition of Our Lady to the visionaries and enjoy private time for prayer.

Climb Mt. Krizevac (Cross Mountain): In 1933, the villagers built a 30-foot high cross atop a mountain to commemorate Jesus’ passion and death on the cross. Your group will have the opportunity to climb this mountain and venerate the cross. While climbing, your group is invited to pray the Stations of the Cross (to meditate on Jesus’ suffering Road to Calvary), pausing fifteen times for each Station.

Apparitions: Each evening at 5:00 PM (or 6:00 PM, depending on Daylight Savings Time), your group can join the villagers and fellow pilgrims of Medjugorje at either St James Church or Apparition Hill to commemorate the time Our Lady appeared to the Visionaries. You can pray the Rosary as you all await that time of the apparition, 5:40 PM (or 6:40 PM during Daylight Savings Time).

*Afterward, all may attend the Croatian Mass at St. James Church. It is broadcast simultaneously over the radio to translate the service into many languages. Following the Croatian Mass, there is a Blessing of the Sick.

**For details about the Visionaries, please visit: www.206tours.com/visionaries

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: Our Lady has always called us to be close to her Son. For this, you may adore the Blessed Sacrament at the altar outside of St. James Church. Adoration is held on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Veneration of the Cross is held on Fridays inside the church. Additionally, there is an Adoration Chapel on the grounds of St. James Church, where Adoration is held in the afternoon hours.

Visit the Community of Cenacolo:

Pilgrims will have the opportunity to visit the Community of Cenacolo, founded by Sr. Elvira Petrozzi, for young men and women who have taken the wrong path and are on the road to recovery. You can listen to their inspirational testimonies about their journeys back to Jesus Christ.

Prayer at the Statue of the Risen Christ: The bronze statue of the Risen Christ is located on the grounds of St. James Church. Many pilgrims sit and pray on the benches surrounding this peaceful statue, which miraculously seeps droplets of water out of Christ’s right knee.

*Please be advised that you will not have a Spiritual Director in Medjugorje. However, English Daily Mass and Confessions will be available at St. James Church.

After an early breakfast and heartfelt farewells, transfer to Dubrovnik, Split, or Sarajevo 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.