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 Paris 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 driver, who will transfer you to meet your spiritual director, tour guide, and fellow pilgrims. Next, you will attend Mass at the magnificent Sacre Coeur Basilica that stands atop Montmartre Hill. The Basilica is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and was originally built in 1914 as an act of penance for infidelity that France was experiencing during that time. In addition to the extraordinary artwork and architecture that forms the Basilica, you will see the beautiful mosaic of the Risen Christ, and the remarkable Grand Organ, and have the opportunity to celebrate Mass at the Crypt containing the Tombs of many notable Cardinals. Time permitting you may have free time to ascend a staircase to the Dome where you can take in a breathtaking panoramic view of the city 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 the great Saint’s footsteps. During your visit, you will see the beautiful Basilica of St. Therese and the magnificent mosaics and stained glass that are contained within. The day will come to a close with dinner and an overnight stay at your hotel in Lisieux.

Upon waking up in Lisieux and enjoying breakfast, you will pray and reflect upon the life of the beloved St. Therese and celebrate Mass. After Mass and following the visit to the Basilica, you will have the opportunity to view relics, clothing, and personal objects of St. Therese when you visit her family home, Les Buissonets. Additionally, you will tour the Carmelite Convent which she entered in 1888 and is currently entombed in with her parents. This afternoon you will transfer to the Normandy Landing beaches. The Normandy landings were the landing operations on Tuesday, 6 June 1944 (termed D-Day) of the Allied invasion of Normandy during World War II. Known as 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. We will then continue to visit The Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial – a World War II cemetery and 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 are buried here, and it is encouraged to say a prayer in thanksgiving for their courage. The day will come to a close as we return to Lisieux for dinner and a restful overnight.

This morning, your day will begin with an early breakfast before we depart for Chartres. Chartres is known for its massive Cathedral Notre Dame, known for its incredible stained-glass windows from the 12th and 13th centuries. It is a World Heritage site by UNESCO, which calls the Cathedral “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 where we will check-in at the hotel and enjoy some free time before a delicious dinner and an overnight stay.

Today, you will enjoy a full sightseeing tour of Paris. 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 as well as the green scapular. According to the Blessed Virgin Mary, those who wear the Miraculous Medal and scapular will receive special protection and abundant graces. Following your prayerful and reflective experience at this elegant chapel, you will begin your sightseeing tour of Paris. After Mass, we will walk to Saint Vicent de Paul Church. Continuing our day with a visit to the Notre Dame Cathedral, a perfect example of Gothic art. Our panoramic sightseeing tour via motor coach continues to the most recognizable symbol of the city of Paris, the Eiffel Tower. Historically, the Tower’s original intent was to commemorate the centenary of the French Revolution but, later assisted in meteorology, telegraphy of World War I, radio, and television. Pass by the L’Arch de Triomphe, a monument that symbolizes 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 pass by the ever famous Louvre Museum.* The Louvre is one of the finest in the world and contains several pieces that truly emanate not only French art but also, European culture. Your fun-filled, busy day ends with a lovely meal and a very comfortable overnight.

*Regretfully we will not visit the Louvre Museum, due to time limitations. However, if you wish to extend your stay in Paris by arriving a day early, this Museum is worth it, as it is one of the finest in the world and contains pieces that emanate European art and culture.

Transfer to the airport for a short flight to Amsterdam. Upon landing at Amsterdam 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 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 and 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. we will then return to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay 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, the Opera House, the 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 Schanns, 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, enjoy the smell of fresh cookies, and take a look at where clogs are made. Don’t miss the cheese factory, the various windmills, and much more. We will end the day by returning to Amsterdam for a delicious dinner and a restful overnight.

After breakfast, we will depart for Utrecht – one of the Netherlands’ principal political, economic, and cultural centers. We will visit Katherine’s Convent Museum (Catharijne convent) which is located in the former hospice of the Order of St. John and tells 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. Interestingly, the Zeebrugge port of Bruges was an important center for European trade. We will end the day with dinner and a restful overnight.

Today following breakfast, we will visit the Church of Our Lady for Mass where 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 Cathedral, Bruges Cathedral, and then 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 contains a replica of Christ’s tomb. This afternoon you will have free time to enjoy lunch and a stroll in this enchanting city. The day will come to a close as you return to your hotel to enjoy a delicious meal and a restful overnight.

Following breakfast, you will board the motor coach to head to Beaurin. We will stop in Dinant, a charming town located below steep limestone rocks, 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 thirty-three 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. Continue on 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) has come to relieve the suffering of the ill and the conflicts of all nations. We will then continue to Aachen for dinner and an overnight stay.

Today, you will enjoy a short sightseeing tour of the village of Aachen! We will attend Mass at the Aachen Cathedral, a Gothic Marian Shrine. The Church is the oldest in Germany and contains numerous treasures such as Jesus’ swaddling clothes, the Lord’s loincloth, the Blessed Virgin’s Cloak, and the cloth used for St. John the Baptist’s head. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to venerate the miraculous 14th century statue of the Blessed Virgin. Later, you will depart for Cologne where you will enjoy another beautiful sightseeing tour. Cologne was originally founded and established by the Romans in 50 A.D. When this city received relics of the Three Magi in 1194, it gained importance as a pilgrimage center. While in this city, you will have the opportunity to visit the magnificent Gothic Cathedral, “the Kolner Dom” that houses the relics. Following this visit, you will learn about the two thousand years of history to which this Rhineland city is accompanied. In the Middle Ages, the city of Cologne served and flourished as one of the major trade routes between Eastern and Western Europe. The day will come to a close as we return to Aachen for a wonderful meal and an overnight stay.

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