Month: August 2025
Since the time of the early Church, Pilgrimages have played an important role in the life of the faithful. Over the centuries, lay people and religious have taken time out of their busy lives to step out in faith and encounter God in a new way. Pilgrimages create opportunities for prayer, penance, grace, and an environment where the Lord can speak to one’s heart.
Historically, Christian pilgrims primarily traveled to the Holy Land to walk in the footsteps of Christ. As the Catholic faith spread throughout the world, so have the number of pilgrimage destinations. (206 Tours travels to 39 countries!) God continues to reveal His love for humanity through apparitions of Our Lady, the lives of His Saints, and magnificent places of worship built to honor Him.
Rather than becoming less important, Pilgrimages are becoming even more essential to our life of faith. Our world is becoming increasingly busy, noise-filled, and demanding of one’s time and attention.
What is the remedy? Pilgrimages and time spent with the Lord.
In recent years, many Popes have emphasized the importance of Pilgrimages in the life of a Christian. Our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, recently said:
“A pilgrimage has a vital part to play in our life of faith, for it removes us from our homes and our daily routines, and gives us time and space to encounter God more deeply. Such moments always help us to grow, for through them the Holy Spirit gently fashions us to be ever more closely conformed to the mind and the heart of Jesus Christ.”
Pilgrimages are not about taking a vacation. Pilgrimages are about transformation! They give us the grace and spiritual refreshment necessary to love God more deeply and to become a Saint. While they are enjoyable and you will create wonderful memories, they are primarily about expressing our faith in God and growing in holiness.
As Pope Francis stated, “Making a Pilgrimage to shrines is one of the most eloquent expressions of the faith of God’s people…Each person carries within his or her heart a special wish and a particular prayer.”
You may be thinking, why should I travel on a Pilgrimage? If God is everywhere, and Jesus is truly present in the tabernacle at my local parish Church, why should I travel across the world?
This is a good question and one that Pope Benedict XVI answers beautifully in the following reflection:
“The places of Pilgrimage have marked a kind of geography of faith in our country, that is, they make visible, almost tangible, how our forefathers encountered the living God, how He did not withdraw after creation or after the time of Jesus Christ, but is always present and works in them so that they were able to experience Him, follow in his footsteps, and see him in the works He performed. Yes, He is there, and He is still there today. It is from this inner encounter with the Lord that there originated the places and images of Pilgrimage in which we, so to speak, can participate in what they saw, in what their faith provided for them.”
Pilgrimages invite us to encounter the places where God is at work in a particular way. There are many points in Scripture where we are encouraged to remember the works God has done such as:
- “I will call to mind the deeds of the Lord; yea, I will remember thy wonders of old.” (Psalm 77:11)
- “Remember the wonderful works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered…” (Psalm 105:5)
Pilgrimages give us this opportunity to remember. To see where God transformed ordinary men and women into phenomenal Saints. To witness miracles of the Most Holy Eucharist. To walk in the footsteps of the Apostles and understand the great sacrifices they made to spread the Gospel.
These experiences inspire us and make the faith even more real. See where Scripture took place so you can picture it in your mind when you hear the Sunday’s Gospel. Befriend the Saints and invite them to intercede for you.
St. John Paul II said, “To go in a spirit of prayer from one place to another, from one city to another, in the area marked especially by God’s intervention, helps us not only to live our life as a journey, but also gives us a vivid sense of a God who has gone before us and leads us on, who himself set out on man’s path, a God who does not look down on us from on high, but who became our travelling companion.”
If you are seeking to deepen your faith in a powerful way, we invite you to travel on a Pilgrimage just as Popes and Saints have done for centuries. You will have the opportunity to remember God’s miracles, reflect on His goodness, and become inspired to live out the unique mission He has entrusted to you.
“The Church cannot forget her roots. Indeed, she must return to them again and again if she is to remain completely faithful to God’s plan.” – St. John Paul II
View Our Pilgrimage Directory: www.206tours.com/pilgrimages
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Do you love traveling on Pilgrimages? Are you passionate about helping others grow in their faith? Then you may be the perfect fit to be 206 Tours’ next group leader and begin traveling on Pilgrimages for FREE!
A group leader acts as the primary organizer for a Pilgrimage. You will work closely with the 206 Tours team to create a Pilgrimage that you believe will resonate with your circle. There are many reasons to travel on a group Pilgrimage. Many of our pilgrims choose to travel with their parish, prayer group, university, religious order, etc. Having the opportunity to travel and experience these historic sites together creates a lifelong bond. For 40 years, we have witnessed how the graces and memories a group makes while on a Pilgrimage continue to bear fruit decades later. As a group leader, you can be the catalyst that brings people together and helps them grow in their faith.
Whether you are brand new to traveling on Pilgrimages or you have been going for years, anyone is able to become a group leader. All that is needed is determination, a passion for Pilgrimages, and a desire to help others answer God’s call. From creating an itinerary to the moment that you return home, the 206 Tours team will be there with you every step of the way.
When you sign up to become a group leader, you will be paired with an Account Manager who will be available to work with you every step of the way. Our professional team will walk you through every stage of creating a successful Pilgrimage.
You will begin by creating an itinerary. You can choose from over 300 pre-made itineraries as shown on our Pilgrimage Directory or our team can work with you to create a custom tour. You can choose from 39 countries and create an itinerary that resonates with your audience. As a proudly Catholic company, all our Pilgrimages include a dedicated Spiritual Director who will offer daily Mass, confession, and lead spiritual activities. You may invite a Priest you know to join your group, or we can pair you with a Priest who we have worked with previously.
Priests always travel for free with 206 Tours! If you are a Priest and are interested in being a Group Leader or Spiritual Director, you can learn more here: www.206tours.com/priests
Once the details of the tour are finalized such as inclusions, dates, flights, etc., it will be time to promote. 206 Tours will provide you with a custom website, flyers, and SM graphics that you can use to spread the word. We make the booking process as simple as possible. Pilgrims can quickly and easily book their tour directly on the webpage created for you. All the payment information is securely handled by our payment processor, and 206 Tours will never store this information. Your pilgrims will be able to easily access all details regarding their upcoming Pilgrimage on their personal account created when they register including payments, travel questions, and more.
When your pilgrims are all booked and the tour is ready to depart, you can trust that 206 Tours will handle every detail. Your group will be paired with a professional, local tour guide who will be with you every step of the way. They will be fluent in the local language and can help answer any questions you or your pilgrims may have throughout your tour. Their professional assistance will allow you to focus on the needs of your pilgrims and enjoy your time away from home.
At 206 Tours, we pride ourselves on building trust and lasting relationships with our group leaders. We offer fair, competitive pricing and will work alongside you every step of the way. From the time you first reach out to us until the end of your Pilgrimage, a 206 Tours professional will respond to all your needs in a capable and timely manner. Although we serve thousands of pilgrims, our goal is for you to feel as if you are our only client.
Our proposals include confidential fundraising, rebates, and free trips for group leaders by request. The more pilgrims you bring, the more incentives you will receive! We have worked with thousands of group leaders who continue to return year after year with 206 Tours, the most trusted name in faith-based tours. Not only are they traveling for free, but they also have the satisfaction of knowing that they are changing lives in the process.
Ready to lead a group? Click here to get started!
Read thousands of client and group leader testimonials by visiting: www.206tours.com/letters
Curious as to how 206 Tours compares to our competitors? Learn more here: www.206tours.com/why
View Our Pilgrimage Directory: www.206tours.com/pilgrimages
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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
You Just Booked a Pilgrimage! What Happens Next?
You finally booked the Pilgrimage you’ve been dreaming of for years. After discerning the locations you want to visit and choosing an itinerary, you now have a date on the calendar and the countdown has begun. So, what happens next? What can you expect from the 206 Tours team? How can you begin to prepare? Here are a few ways you can get ready:
- Read our Know Before You Go Pages
We understand that pilgrims have many questions before they depart on their Pilgrimage. It is good to be prepared, and we want to help you feel as equipped as possible prior to your departure so that you know exactly what to expect. That is why we have put together detailed information pages on our website addressing FAQ’s that we call our “Know Before You Go” pages. The pages are broken down by country so that you can read information that is geared specifically to your Pilgrimage. We encourage you to thoroughly read the pages relating to the countries you will be visiting. They address a variety of topics including local customs, what to pack, flight information, and much more.
This screenshot shows a sample of the topics addressed on our Know Before You Go pages:
- Prepare Physically
We recommend that all pilgrims be able to walk 3 – 4 miles without discomfort prior to traveling on a Pilgrimage. This is not as intimidating as it sounds! Start small and work your way up. The important thing is to stay consistent and begin walking every day. Please note that your Pilgrimage destinations may also include hilly or uneven terrains. Be sure to invest in good shoes and break them in prior to your departure. For more information as to how to prepare physically for your Pilgrimage, read our previous Blog Post by clicking HERE.
- Prepare Spiritually
The ultimate goal of every Pilgrimage is to grow closer to God. It’s important to take time to prepare your heart to receive the graces the Lord wants to grant you during this spiritual journey. There are a number of practices you can integrate into your day prior to your departure such as attending daily Mass, praying the Rosary, journaling about what you feel God is speaking to you, and fostering a pilgrim mentality by caring for the needs of those around you and offering up small inconveniences. Vacations are primarily focused on comfort and self-indulgence. A Pilgrimage is about growing in holiness and accepting everything God chooses to send as part of His Divine Providence, both the joys and sufferings.
- Review Your Final Instructions and Travel Package
Approximately three weeks prior to your departure, 206 Tours will send you what we call your “Travel Package”. It will be delivered via either FedEx, UPS, or USPS. Please be aware that the Delivery Dates vary depending on pick-up date, address, routing, weather etc. When your package is on its way, you will receive an email from Grayland Distribution (notifications@secure-wms.com) with the tracking info for your package.
Within this package you will find the following:
-An exclusive 206 Tours Backpack
-Your Nametag & Lanyard (this should be worn daily while on your Pilgrimage)
-Luggage tag
-Envelopes for tips
-Magnificat Booklet
Three weeks before your Pilgrimage departs, 206 Tours will also upload the following into your 206 Tours Account and Email you the following:
- E-Ticket(s) / Flight Itinerary
- This PDF contains your Flight Routing, Flight Numbers, and E-Ticket Number (this is not your Boarding Pass)
- Check-In 24 Hours prior to Departure via the Airline Website or App – OR – using the Kiosk at the Airport.
- If a “Seat” or “Flight Segment” is missing from your E-Ticket, rest assured an updated E-Ticket will be sent to you within 7-10 Days reflecting that Seat or Flight Segment.
*Please note that seats can only be selected when the Airline has assigned an Aircraft – which will vary from airline to airline.
- Final Confirmations
- Contact Information for your Guide/Escort, Emergency Team, and Hotels.
- Links to the Tour Website (Itinerary and Inclusions), Travel Insurance (Full List of Coverage), and Know Before You Go pages (Answering every question about – Packing, Currency, TSA Regulations, Weather, FAQ etc.)
- Questions? Your Account Manager is Here to Help!
If at any point you have additional questions prior to your Pilgrimage, our dedicated team of travel professionals are happy to assist you. At 206 Tours, we prioritize customer service and that is why you will always be connected with a live representative rather than a computer. Whether you are sending an email (sales@206tours.com), sending an online chat message (www.206tours.com), or calling our office (800-206-8687) , one of our professional team members will assist you as soon as possible.
The most important thing prior to any Pilgrimage is to open your heart to Christ. 206 Tours will handle all of the logistics so that you can focus on growing in faith and getting the most out of your Pilgrimage experience. We look forward to traveling with you!
View Our Pilgrimage Directory: www.206tours.com/pilgrimages