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How to Choose a Faith-Based Tour Operator

How to Choose a Faith-Based Tour Operator

If you have been feeling the call to travel on a Pilgrimage, but are unsure of where to begin, it can be an overwhelming process. Here are a few important things to consider when you begin planning a Pilgrimage so that you can have a positive and faith-filled experience.

A Catholic Pilgrimage differs from a tour or a vacation in many significant ways. It is a personal invitation from God to encounter Him more deeply by visiting holy sites connected to scripture, the lives of the saints, and sacred tradition. A Pilgrimage is an invitation from God to embark on a spiritual journey in order to draw closer to Him.

Rather than focusing on just having fun or relaxing, a Pilgrimage is about spiritual renewal. By embarking on this faith-based journey, you will be able to grow closer to God, gain a new perspective on His love for you and what He has planned for your life.

One of the most important aspects of your Pilgrimage is the company you choose to travel with. There are many large tour companies that offer faith-based travel, but it is not their primary market. There are significant benefits to traveling with a company like 206 Tours that only offers faith-based tours. Pilgrimages are our world. We have gathered a wealth of resources, personnel, and knowledge that help make every Pilgrimage as spiritually impactful and enriching as possible. Our Founder and President, Milanka Lachman, started 206 Tours because she saw the significant impact that Pilgrimages had on her own life. That is why every part of our tours is structured to give you the most authentically Catholic experience possible.

There are several things to keep in mind when selecting a tour operator. Here are some of the most important ones:

• Dedication to an Authentically Catholic Experience

The primary goal of traveling on any Pilgrimage is to grow in your faith. When choosing a tour operator, it is important to make sure that the company you are traveling with is authentically Catholic. This will greatly shape your Pilgrimage experience. One key difference that sets 206 Tours apart is that we have a Catholic priest traveling with every tour group. He is available for Mass, confession, and will lead the group in spiritual activities. Having the ability to attend Holy Mass every day of your Pilgrimage will transform your travel experience. We also structure all our itineraries around sacred sites, and our tour guides are focused on sharing the spiritual and historical significance of each place. By keeping Christ at the center, everything else is put into perspective.

• Professional Experience & Expertise

A Pilgrimage is a significant investment of your time and money. It is important to work with a team that has the knowledge and expertise to provide you with an exceptional travel experience. 206 Tours has been operating faith-based tours since 1985. With 40 years of experience, we can assure you we have seen it all! Whether it is dealings with flight delays, unexpected changes in global affairs, or even just knowing which hotel to book, our team can capably handle every detail so that you can travel safely and comfortably.

• High-Quality & Professional Tour Guides

For many pilgrims, their tour guide is one of the most important and memorable people on their Pilgrimage. Oftentimes, your tour guide is the only person you will physically meet from the tour company you are working with. There are many qualities we look for in our tour guides, but a few include a joyful and servant spirit, a deep knowledge of the spiritual and historical significance of local sites, fluency in local languages, and an ability to anticipate needs. For many of our pilgrims, their tour guide becomes like family. We consistently hear that our guides are the best in the business when reading feedback letters from our clients.

• Tour Inclusions

When booking a Pilgrimage, make sure to check the list of the company’s tour inclusions. At 206 Tours we include everything in the price of your tour. Seat assignments, luggage costs, taxes…it is all in that total cost, so you know exactly what you are paying. Unfortunately, many tour operators will have hidden costs and fees that are not apparent until after you book. 206 Tours is committed to transparency so that you know exactly what to expect.

• Variety of Destinations & Itineraries

A Pilgrimage is a very intimate and personal calling from God. There are so many different Saints, devotions, and sacred sites that pilgrims are hoping to visit. That is why we have created a Pilgrimage Directory that offers over 300 unique itineraries, so that you can find the Pilgrimage that perfectly meets your spiritual needs. Our faith-based tours travel to 39 countries, so there is something for everyone. Interested in creating your own custom Pilgrimage? Our team can work with you to help you create your own private tour group and itinerary. Email us: groups@206tours.com

Want to learn more as to why 206 Tours is the leading tour operator for faith-based travel? Click here: www.206tours.com/why

Read thousands of letters from our satisfied clients and group leaders: www.206tours.com/letters

View Our Pilgrimage Directory: www.206tours.com/pilgrimages