You are Invited to Join Fr s. Thuong Nguyen & Bich Nguyen FR. Vinh The Trinh on a 15-day Pilgrimage to Italy & Medjugorje Including: Rome, the Vatican, Florence, Turin, Milan, Padua, Trieste, Medjugorje & more! June 15-29, 2015 $4,495 All-inclusive from Los Angeles & San Francisco, CA DAILY MASS AT THE HOLY SITES 1
A 15-day Pilgrimage Tour to Italy & Medjugorje Under the spiritual direction of Fr. Thuong Nguyen & Fr. Bich Nguyen Fr. Vinh Trinh June 15, 2015 - Monday USA / Today we depart the United States on our flight to Rome, Italy, arriving the next day. Meals are served on board. June 16, 2015 - Tuesday This morning we arrive at Rome s Fiumicino Airport and meet our Pilgrimage Tours tour director. We visit the first of Rome's four major basilicas, St. Paul s Outside the Walls, where the Apostle is buried. Here we pause for our own celebration of Mass at this wonderful basilica, followed by some free time for prayer and exploration of St. Paul s beautiful grounds. Dinner and overnight in Rome. June 17, 2015 - Wednesday - Papal Audience This morning we go to the Vatican for an Audience with the Holy Father. Following our time with Pope Francis, we enjoy a guided visit to one of the great art collections in the world, the Vatican Museums. We see the Tapestries Gallery, the Belvedere with its marvelous classical statues, the rooms wonderfully frescoed by Raphael, and Michelangelo s masterpiece the Sistine Chapel, which was recently restored to its original splendor. Next we tour St. Peter s Basilica, where we will see a young Michelangelo s masterpiece, the deeply moving, Pieta. After taking time for further sightseeing in the Basilica, or shopping at religious gift stores, we reconvene together for the late afternoon celebration of Mass at the Altar of the Chair of St. Peter located beneath the Holy Spirit window. Dinner and overnight in Rome. June 18, 2015 - Thursday Following breakfast, we visit another of Rome s four major basilicas, Saint Mary Major, the most important church in the world devoted to Our Lady. We celebrate Mass here where Mass has been celebrated every day since the 5th century. Following Mass, we visit the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps in Piazza di Spagna, the Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola followed by a visit to the Church of the Gesu, mother church of the Jesuit Order, which contains the remains of its founder St. Ignatius of Loyola. We visit one of the ornate basilicas designed by Michelangelo, Santa Maria degli Angeli. Dinner and overnight in Rome. June 19, 2015 Friday This morning we visit and celebrate Mass at Saint John Lateran, the Pope s cathedral church where relics of both Peter and Paul remain under the main altar. Next we cross the street from St. John Lateran and visit the church of the Scala Santa. Here we see the Holy Staircase of 28 marble steps (now covered in wood) which is believed to be a staircase from Pilate s palace in Jerusalem and brought to Rome by St. Helen in the 4th century. We also visit the churches of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, which house pieces of the True Cross, as well as the Church of San Clemente. Dinner and overnight in Rome. June 20, 2015 Saturday / FLORENCE Following breakfast, we drive north to Florence, where upon our arrival we drive to Piazzalle Michelangelo to enjoy a wonderful panoramic view of this great Renaissance city. Next we enjoy a guided tour of the main sights of Florence, which include the Cathedral with its magnificent Dome by Brunelleschi, Giotto's elegant belfry and the Baptistery with Ghiberti's Gate to Paradise. We celebrate afternoon Mass in this most inspirational of settings. Following Mass we visit the Basilica of Santa Croce, where we find the tombs of many historic figures, including Michelangelo. The remainder of our day is free to explore the streets of Florence. Dinner and overnight in nearby Montecatini Terme. 2
June 21, 2015 - Sunday FLORENCE / TURIN This morning we celebrate Mass at the Church of St. Ambrose where in the "Chapel of the Miracle" a monstrance holds a vial of miraculous blood. According to tradition, in 1230 a priest did not properly dry the chalice following the celebration of the Mass and afterwards found blood instead of the consecrated wine he carelessly left behind. Next we depart on a scenic drive to Turin. Upon our arrival, we ascend a steep hill to visit the Basilica of the Superga, with its panoramic view of Turin. Dinner and overnight in Turin. June 22, 2015 - Monday TURIN This morning we visit the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist and venerate the Holy Shroud of Turin on display this spring. Next we enjoy a guided city tour of the historic center of "Torino", where we see the splendid Palazzo Reale and Turin s ancient Roman ruins such as the remains of the Roman walls, the Palatina Portal and the Roman Theatre. We also see the Mole Antonelliana, one of Turin s most loved symbols. Following our city tour we visit and celebrate Mass at the Basilica of St. Mary Help of Christians. The basilica was built in obedience to the great educator St. John Bosco, founder of the Salesian Sisters. This year marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of St. John Bosco. Dinner and overnight in Turin. June 23, 2015 - Tuesday TURIN / MILAN / PADUA / TRIESTE Following breakfast we depart for Milan to celebrate Mass and tour the classic "Duomo" Cathedral. Next we depart for Padua, visiting the Basilica of St. Anthony, Patron Saint of Lost Things. In the afternoon we arrive at the sea-side city of Trieste. Dinner and overnight in Trieste. June 24, 2015 - Wednesday TRIESTE / MEDJUGORJE Following breakfast and celebration of Mass at the Trieste Cathedral, we depart for Medjugorje, arriving at St. James Church, the center of spiritual life in Medjugorje, for afternoon Mass. Dinner and overnight in Medjugorje. June 25, 2015 - Thursday MEDJUGORJE / SIROKI BRIJEG Following Mass, we visit the Franciscan Monastery at Siroki Brijeg to attend a talk and healing service with one of the local residents. Mary Status in Tihaljina where we celebrate afternoon Mass. Dinner and overnight in Medjugorje. June 26, 2015 - Friday MEDJUGORJE This morning we visit the Apparitions Hill (Podbrdo) where Our Lady Queen of Peace first appeared to the children. Those who wish to, may climb to the top of Cross Mountain (Krizevak) where the children say that Mary prays at the cross every day. In the afternoon we enjoy free time for exploration, personal prayer, confessions and reciting the Rosary. Dinner and overnight in Medjugorje. June 27, 2015 - Saturday MEDJUGORJE Following breakfast we continue with a meditative walk on dirt paths that weave through fields and vineyards between St. James Church and Apparition Mountain. In the afternoon we walk through the village, visiting the Caritas Mission House, the Chapel of the Two Hearts and recounting stories of the visionaries and apparitions, understanding more deeply the events of Medjugorje. We stop for prayer and reflection in the depth of our holy pilgrimage. Dinner and overnight in Medjugorje. June 28, 2015 - Sunday MEDJUGORJE / This morning we drive to the airport for our short flight to Rome. In the afternoon, we drive to one of the highest hills in Rome, where the splendid church of Saint Mary in Aracoeli towers over the landscape. We ascend the 124 steps to the basilica, known for housing famous relics, belonging to Saint Helena, Emperor Constantine, and various minor relics from the Holy Sepulchre and the Santo Bambino of Aracoeli. We see the unique interior with three naves, divided by twenty-two Roman columns, each a bit different from one another and taken from several Roman buildings. Here we celebrate Mass. Next we enjoy some final free time in Rome before arriving at our hotel for dinner and overnight. June 29, 2015 - Monday / USA Following breakfast we depart for the airport and our return flight for home. Though our pilgrimage draws to a 3
close, its blessings will last a lifetime and its graces are certain to draw us closer to the Lord. TERMS AND CONDITIONS AIR TRANSPORTATION: Round-trip coach class on Delta, United, U.S. Airways or other IATA member. Meals served in flight. LAND TRANSPORTATION & SERVICES: By deluxe air-conditioned motor coach with professional driver, services of an English-speaking Tour Director, local guides, all admission & entrance fees and transfers to and from international airports. Mass scheduled daily. Daily schedule as per your itinerary, however we reserve the right to modify or adjust any itinerary if circumstances deem necessary. LODGING: Superior Tourist-Class accommodations, based upon double occupancy with limited single accommodations available at an additional charge of $695. MEALS: Breakfast buffet and Dinner DAILY. ALSO INCLUDED IN PRICE: All taxes, including airport taxes. Gratuities for tour directors, local guides, bus drivers, porters, wait staff, housekeeping and front desk personnel. Tipping will be conducted by a tour leader during the course of your tour. NOT INCLUDED IN PRICE: The cost of obtaining your passport and visa fees to some countries, meals not included in the itinerary, wines, liquors, personal items, laundry services, room service charges, long-distance phone calls, excess baggage, airport service charges and any sightseeing not included in the itinerary. GROUP REQUIREMENT: The minimum number of passengers needed to assure a group s departure is 15. We reserve the right to cancel up to 30 days from departure should the total number of registered passengers be fewer than 15. If there are fewer than 15 passengers, Pilgrimage Tours will do all that is possible to assure your group s departure without having to resort to charging a supplemental fee for the group. If Pilgrimage Tours cancels, you will receive a full refund. DEPOSIT AND FULL PAYMENT: A deposit/payment of $500 towards the price of the tour, per person is required to book your reservation. This payment must be in the form of a check, money order or cash. The balance is to be paid in full 60 days prior to departure; April 15, 2015. Balances not paid by this date may be subject to a $100 late payment fee. Balances should be paid by either check, money order or cash. Alternate forms of final payment will be subject to a $100 fee. Reservations made within 30 days of departure may be subject to a $100 late reservation fee. Upon receipt of your completed registration form and deposit, a confirmation invoice along with a travel insurance brochure will be mailed to you. INSURANCE: Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is highly recommended. Cancellation fees are covered by CSA Travel Protection s plan, as long as your premium has been paid, your policy is in effect and the reason for your canceling is insurable. Waivers for pre-existing medical conditions are available at no additional cost, but your policy must be purchased before your final payment for the tour. CANCELLATION FEES: Passengers not taking the CSA travel insurance need to be aware of the following cancellation fees. From day of registration to 90 days prior to departure, there is a non-refundable administration fee of $50. The remaining cancellation fee schedule is as follows: 89-60 days = $300; 59-45 days = 50% of tour price; 44-31 days = 75% of tour price; 30-15 days = 80% of tour price; 14 days or less = 100% of tour price..... RESPONSIBILITY AND LIABILITY: Pilgrimage Tours acts only as an agent for hotels, transportation companies, sightseeing tours or any service in connection with the itineraries of tour members who by acceptance thereof, acknowledge that neither Pilgrimage Tours and/or its agents and suppliers shall not be liable for accident, injury, damage, loss, liability or expense to person or property due to any acts by hotel, carrier or other company providing services included in the tour. Further, Pilgrimage Tours and its agents accept no responsibility for any sickness, pilferage, labor disputes, machinery breakdown, government restraints, acts of war and terrorism or by acts of God, weather conditions, defect in any vehicle of transportation or for any misadventure or casualty or any other causes beyond their control. Any ARC or IATA carrier, including airlines, are not responsible for any act, omission or event during the time passengers are not on board their planes or conveyances. Prices are based on exchange rates and fuel charges effective January 5, 2015. Pilgrimage Tours reserves the right to charge additional fees for any significant changes in either exchange rates or fuel surcharges. Pilgrimage Tours 1766 Scherersville Road Allentown, PA 18104 E-mail: PilgrimageTours@aol.com 1-800-278-1351 Deposit due date: February 28, 2015 Final payment due: April 15, 2015 Register Online: 4
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