Make your way to your local airport, where you will board your overnight flight(s). 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 be greeted by your tour guide and/-or driver. Embark on the scenic drive to Lourdes. Check-in to your hotel, and then relax or explore before dinner. Following dinner, you will have free time to pray the Rosary and to attend the candlelight procession. (April-October only). These processions are lit by candlelight and guided by the Most Holy Rosary. Following this prayerful experience, you will return to your hotel.

Over the next two days, you will stay in a small town, nestled within the Pyrenees Mountains. During your time in Lourdes, you will pray and meditate in a 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. During the first two apparitions, little Bernadette prayed the Rosary with Our Lady and left without any exchange of words. During the following apparitions, Our Lady emphasized God’s love for us, penance, 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 in detail, the story of Lourdes;  participate with the gesture of the miraculous spring ; Wash your hands, wash your face and drink the water. Finish with a short prayer:  Our Lady of Lourdes…Pray for us St. Bernadette…Pray for us Oh 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 will have an opportunity to attend the candlelight procession and 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, visit and attend Mass at the magnificent Sacre Coeur Basilica that stands atop Montmartre Hill. The Basilica, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, was originally built in 1914 as an act of penance for infidelity that France experienced during that time. While on your visit, 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. Celebrate Mass at the Crypt that contains the Tombs of many notable Cardinals. Time permitting, you may have the opportunity during your free time to ascend a staircase to the Dome, where you will 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 windows contained within. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Lisieux.

Upon waking up in Lisieux, enjoying breakfast, you will pray and reflect upon the life of the beloved Saint 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, where she entered in 1888, currently entombed with her parents. This afternoon, you will transfer to Normandy Landing beaches. The Normandy landings were the landing operations, which took place on Tuesday, June 6th, 1944 (termed D-Day) by the Allies, of Normandy, during World War II. As the largest seaborne invasion in history, the operation began the liberation of German-occupied northwestern Europe from Nazi control and contributed to the Allies’ victory on the Western Front. Continue to visit The Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, a World War II cemetery and memorial in Colleville-Sur-Mer, Normandy, France, honoring the American troops that died in Europe during World War II. Many of the brave American soldiers of World War II got 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 worldwide for its massive Cathedral Notre Dame and its incredible stained-glass windows from the 12th and 13th centuries. The World Heritage site, UNESCO, 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 to check-in at your hotel, followed by some free time before a delicious dinner and an overnight.

Today, you will see the sights of Paris and visit two of the city’s holiest sites. We will start with the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, where we will celebrate Mass, after which we will have the opportunity to view the incorrupt body of St. Catherine Laboure. The Saint’s guardian angel led her to the chape, where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to her. During the apparitions, Our Lady repeatedly instructed the making and purpose of the Miraculous Medal, as well as the green scapular. According to the Apparition, those who wear the Miraculous Medal and scapular will receive special protection and abundant graces. Continue on a panoramic tour, passing by iconic Parisian landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Les Invalides, the Arc de Triomphe, and the world-renowned Champs-Élysées boulevard. After lunch, we will visit one of the most famous churches in the world, the spectacular Cathedral Notre-Dame de Paris. Construction began on the cathedral in 1163, and it was completed in 1345 and awarded minor basilica status in 1805. It is famous for its relics of the Crown of Thorns and True Cross, its tradition of Lent Sermons, its Rose Windows and as the setting of Victor Hugo’s famous novel The Hunchback of Notre-Dame. After being severely damaged in a fire in 2019, the Cathedral was restored and reopened in 2024. Your busy day ends with a lovely meal and a comfortable overnight.

After an early breakfast, your group will leave by motor-coach and transfer to the Paris airport for your flight to Dubrovnik. Arrive at the Dubrovnik airport where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Spend the afternoon in this city overlooking the Adriatic, at your leisure. Feel free to walk to the Old Town, also known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic”. This evening, you will have dinner at a typical Dalmatian restaurant that serves local delicacies and wines.

Following breakfast, enjoy a walking tour of the Old City. It will begin at St. Blasius Church, which is dedicated to the Patron Saint of Dubrovnik. This Baroque styled church was constructed by Venetian architect, Marino Gropelli in 1715; it was styled after the Venetian Church, St. Mauritius. The masterpiece of this Church is its large staircase leading to the ornamented main portal and the large dome that decorates the roof. Continue to the Gothic and Renaissance styled Rector’s Palace, home to the History Department of the Museum of Dubrovnik. Next, stroll by the iconic Bell Tower Clock and Orlando’s Column. To the left of this column, is the Sponza Palace. In the sixteenth century, members of the Academia dei Concordi met on the palace’s first floor hall to discuss literature. As a result, the palace is the most important cultural institution of Dubrovnik. Lastly, you will visit the Dominican and Franciscan Monasteries. The location of the Dominican Monastery is strategically placed at the most sensitive point of Dubrovnik’s defense barriers. While at the Franciscan Monastery, you will have the opportunity to visit the Pharmacy. The founding of this Pharmacy was collaborative, as it served as the public pharmacy and for the needs of the monks. This afternoon, you will enjoy lunch on your own at one of the many small, family-owned restaurants along the narrow streets. The remainder of the day is to be enjoyed at leisure. This evening enjoy dinner and an overnight in Dubrovnik.

After breakfast, depart for the Republic of Montenegro a Balkan country boasting a dynamic landscape of extremely high peaks juxtaposed beside very deep canyons, caves, and bays. Begin your excursion by heading towards the mouth of the beautiful Bay of Kotor, the longest and deepest fjord in Southern Europe. Enjoy a boat ride to Our Lady of the Rocks, one of two islets off the coast of Perast. The Roman Catholic Church is the largest building on the artificial island made of rocks and old ships. The island was created by local fisherman who found an icon of the Blessed Mother and Jesus on a rock here. Now it is a tradition to throw rocks at the island to increase its size on July 22 each year. Upon return to the coast, we will stop in Perast, an old charming coastal town with just one main street, yet sixteen Churches! Spend time in the city of Kotor famous for its winding streets and medieval charm before returning to Dubrovnik for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, depart Dubrovnik and travel north along the spectacular Adriatic coast. Pass old fishing villages and new resorts, before arriving in Croatia’s second largest city, Split. The historic inner city of Split was built around the Roman Emperor Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. While exploring, you will have the opportunity to see remnants of Split’s Roman heritage such as, Jupiter’s Temple, the Peristyle of Diocletian’s Palace and the Cathedral of St. Domnius. The Temple of Jupiter was built around the third century and is dedicated to the highest Roman god, the god of the sky, and the god of thunder. The Diocletian’s Palace had two purposes; half was used for the Diocletian’s personal use, and the other half was used as a military garrison. Lastly, you will visit the Cathedral of St. Dominus that is encircled by twenty-four columns. The oldest monuments in this Holy place are those depicting the life of Christ, which can be found on the entrance doors of the Church. This evening, you will enjoy dinner at a local Konoba (restaurant in the coastal area of Croatia). Following dinner, you will continue to your hotel where you will have a restful overnight.

After breakfast, we head north along the coast to Trogir, the center of artistic activities where scholars from around the world gather to study and paint. Trogir is a small island connected to the mainland of Croatia by bridges. Some remnants of Medieval walls remain here while much of the island boasts Gothic and Renaissance influences. Our journey continues towards the beautiful Plitvice Lakes where we will enjoy dinner and overnight after a full day of touring.

Today we enjoy Plitvice National Park listed in UNESCO’s World Heritage list, and the breathtaking scenery of this natural wonder. Founded in 1949 the park spans 295 square kilometers and preserves an incredible landscape that includes 16 terraced lakes, countless waterfalls, mountains, and limestone canyons. The mountainous region of the park borders Bosnia and Herzegovina. Wildlife like the European brown bears, wolves, eagles, owls, lynx, and wild cats roam this scene. After a full day of exploring, enjoy dinner and overnight in Plitvice.

Return to the coast to the beautiful bay of Kvarner and its popular tourism town, Opatia. An orientation tour of Opatia will present the highlights of this former Imperial resort city. After your visit here, drive across the border into Slovenia to Postojna Caves, home to one of the largest caves in Europe. Tour the fantastic subterranean world by miniature electric train. Over 38 million people have visited these caves in the past 200 years. In 1872 the first cave rails were laid, and overhead electric lighting was installed in 1884 – before electric lighting was added to the city of Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. Afterward, continue to Bled for dinner and overnight.

Bled is a stunning Alpine lake surrounded by high peaks in northwestern Slovenia at the southern foot of the Karawanks mountain, just about 30 miles from Ljubljana. A sightseeing tour features the charming town and lakeshore, and visits Bled Castle, a medieval castle perched on a cliff high above the lake. Bled Castle is the oldest Slovenian Castle, first mentioned in a 1011 deed. This afternoon enjoy an excursion to Ljubjana, the capital of Slovenia. Here, view the Central open-air Market, Baroque Town Hall, Robba’s Fountain, the Three Bridges and the Parliament. Farewell dinner and overnight in Ljubljana.

After breakfast transfer to Ljubljana airport for your flight 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.