Spiritual Director: Fr. Simon Labrooy Tour Director: Stephen Thomas DEPARTURE DATE: 22 nd JUL 2018 Itinerary: DAY 01/22 JUL (SUN): KUL DUBAI Assemble at KLIA for flight to Dublin. Transit in Dubai DAY 02/23 JUL (MON): DUBAI DUBLIN (D) Arrive Dublin and start sightseeing tour to view St. Mary s Pro Cathedral, Dublin Castle and Christ Church Cathedral.
St Mary's Church, known also as St Mary's Pro-Cathedral the Chapel in Marlborough Street or the Pro, is a pro-cathedral and is the episcopal seat of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Dublin and Primate of Ireland. St Mary's serves as the Cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin. Dublin Castle was built in the 13th century on a site previously settled by the Vikings it functioned as a military fortress, a prison, treasury, courts of law and the seat of English Administration in Ireland for 700 years. Dublin Castle is now used for important State receptions and Presidential Inaugurations. The State Apartments, Undercroft, Chapel Royal, Craft Shop, and Heritage Centre. Christ Church Cathedral, also known as The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity is the spiritual heart of the city, and one of the top visitor attractions in Dublin. And is the elder of the capital city's two medieval cathedrals, the other being St Patrick's Cathedral. Christ Church Cathedral was once a major pilgrimage site, and would have housed an important collection of relics ranging from a miraculous speaking cross to a piece from the crib of Jesus. Visit to the Matt Talbot Shrine in Our Lady of Lourdes Church Matt Talbot Shrine in Our Lady of Lourdes Church was built in 1954 according to design by architects O Connor and Aylward. It replaced the Chapel of Ease of Our Lady of Lourdes, better known as The Old Tin Church, which had stood on Sean McDermott Street Lower for over thirty years. Talbot's remains were removed from Glasnevin Cemetery to Our Lady of Lourdes church on Seán McDermott Street, Dublin, in 1972. The tomb has a glass panel through which the coffin may be seen. Dinner & Overnight in Dublin. DAY 03/24 JUL (TUE): DUBLIN CLONMACNOISE / KNOCK Breakfast in hotel. Check out and transfer to Athlone (2hrs 125km). Arrive Athlone and proceed to visit Clonmacnoise.
Clonmacnoise is an ancient monastic site near Shannon bridge, County Offaly, and a top visitor attraction in Ireland. A walk amongst the peaceful stone ruins of this famous place will conjure images of the saints and scholars of Ireland s renowned Golden Age of learning. After lunch, transfer to Knock (1hr 30min 88km). History has it that around 7.00 p.m. one of the villagers went to the church to lock up for the night and, upon leaving, saw an unusually bright light nearby. When another villager joined her, they gazed in amazement at what appeared to be statues on the side of the church. Soon, 15 people stood in silence in the remote village gazing spellbound at the strange apparition that had appeared at the gable wall of their small parish church. The images lasted, clearly definable, for two hours. The apparition, seen clearly against the old church wall, consisted of three figures: The Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, and Saint John the Evangelist. Dinner & Overnight in Knock. DAY 04/25 JUL (WED): KNOCK CROAGH PATRICK KNOCK Breakfast in hotel. Proceed for half day sightseeing tour. Visit to Knock Shrine. Knock Shrine or known as Mary s Hill is a Roman Catholic pilgrimage site and National Shrine in the village of Knock, County Mayo, Ireland, where observers stated that there was an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, Saint John the Evangelist, angels, and Jesus Christ (the Lamb of God) in 1879. Entrance to Knock Museum and shopping at Religious Book Centre. After lunch, proceed to Croagh Patrick. The Irish pay homage to their patron saint more fervently than at this mountain they call Croagh Patrick, or "the Reek", which stands 2,510 feet over the southern shore of Clew Bay. Tradition has it that it was on this mountain that St. Patrick spent the entire Lent of the year 441 in prayer and fasting. Note: this is a tough, steep climb and not recommended for those who are not in top physical shape. However, you can choose to climb to the base, which is fairly easy, and wait for any others traveling with you who are making the climb. Back to Knocks for overnight. Dinner & Overnight in Knock.
DAY 05/26 JUL (THU): KNOCK BUSHMILLS - BELFAST Breakfast in hotel. Checkout and transfer to Bushmills (4hrs 272km). Upon arrival, proceed for lunch at local restaurant. Entrance to Giant s Causeway Visitor Centre. Giants Causeway. At the heart of one of Europe's most magnificent coastlines its unique rock formations have, for millions of years, stood as a natural rampart against the unbridled ferocity of Atlantic storms. The rugged symmetry of the columns never fails to intrigue and inspire them. Transfer to Belfast (1hr 30min 94km). Once arrive Belfast, proceed for City tour to Queen s University, the Giant H&W Cranes, Titanic s Birthplace, Cathedral Quarter and Queen s Quarter. Queen's University Belfast (informally Queen's or QUB) is a public research university in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The university was chartered in 1845, and opened in 1849 as "Queen's College, Belfast", but has roots going back to 1810 and the Royal Belfast Academical Institution. Giant H&W cranes are situated in the shipyard of Harland & Wolff and were constructed by the German engineering firm. Samson and Goliath are the twin shipbuilding gantry cranes situated at Queen's Island, Belfast, Northern Ireland. The cranes, which were named after the Biblical figures Samson and Goliath, dominate the Belfast skyline and are landmark structures of the city. Titanic Belfast is a visitor s attraction and a monument to Belfast's maritime heritage on the site of the former Harland & Wolff shipyard in the city's Titanic Quarter where it was built. It tells the stories of the ill-fated Titanic, which hit an iceberg and sank during her maiden voyage in 1912. The building contains more than 12,000 square meters of floor space, most of which is occupied by a series of galleries, plus private function rooms and community facilities. Cathedral Quarter, taking its name from St. Anne s Cathedral, is packed full of fascinating architecture, ranging from distinguished banks and public buildings, to cosy pubs and trendy warehouse restaurants. In recent years, the Cathedral Quarter has taken on a pivotal role as the focus for Belfast s burgeoning arts and crafts scene. The Quarter is home to many visual and performing artists, as well as community groups. Dinner & Overnight in Belfast.
DAY 06/27 JUL (FRI): BELFAST - ARMAGH CAIRNRYAN GLASGOW Breakfast in hotel. After breakfast, check out and transfer to Armagh (1hr 65km). Visit Saint Patrick Catholic Cathedral. St. Patrick's Cathedral Ireland is the seat of the Catholic Archbishop of Armagh, Primate of All Ireland. It was built in between 1840 and 1904 to serve as the Roman Catholic Cathedral of the Archdiocese of Armagh, the original Medieval Cathedral of St. Patrick having been transferred to the Protestant Church of Ireland at the time of the Irish Reformation. The Cathedral stands on a hill, as does its Anglican counterpart. After lunch, transfer to Belfast (1hr - 65km). Upon arrival, depart for Cairnryan by ferry, and transfer to Glasgow (2hrs 130km). Dinner & Overnight in Glasgow. DAY 07/28 JUL (SAT): GLASGOW EDINBURGH Breakfast in hotel. Proceed for City tour to Glasgow Cathedral and St. Andrew s Cathedral, Glasgow Cathedral (High Kirk of Glasgow or St Kentigern's or St Mungo's Cathedral), is today a gathering of the Church of Scotland in Glasgow. The title cathedral is honorific and historic, dating from the period before the Scottish Reformation and its former status as the Roman Catholic mother church of the Archdiocese of Glasgow. The Cathedral built in the late 12 th century where the body of St Mungo is kept in crypt. The establishment of the city is due to this saint. He was well known because of his four miracles: - Here is the bird that never flew; Here is the bell that never rang; Here is the fish that never swam; The metropolitan cathedral church of St Andrew in Glasgow will never be regarded as the most ornate piece of episcopal architecture the world has ever seen. Built in 1816 on the north bank of the River Clyde at a time when the Catholic faith in Scotland was in the process of re-establishing itself after more than two centuries of persecution Mass in Church. After lunch, continue with City tour Burrell Collection, Tolbooth Steeple, Clyde Arc, Cineworld and University of Glasgow.
After City tour, transfer to Edinburgh (1hr 15min 75km). Dinner & Overnight in Edinburgh. DAY 08/29 JUL (SUN): EDINBURGH NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE Breakfast in the hotel. Proceed for walking tour to view Royal Mile, St. Giles Cathedral, Parliament Square, John Knox House, and Edinburgh Castle. The Royal Mile is the name given to a succession of streets forming the main thoroughfare of the Old Town of the city of Edinburgh in Scotland. The name was first used in W M Gilbert's Edinburgh in the Nineteenth Century (1901) St Giles Cathedral is the historic City Church of Edinburgh. Also known as the High Kirk of Edinburgh, it is the Mother Church of Presbyterianism and contains the Chapel of the Order of the Thistle (Scotland s chivalric company of knights chosen by The Queen.) John Knox House, popularly known as "John Knox's House", is a historic house in Edinburgh, Scotland, reputed to have been owned and lived in by Protestant reformer John Knox during the 16th century.
After lunch, transfer to Newcastle upon Tyne (3hrs 193km). Upon arrival, proceed to visit St. Mary s Cathedral. St Mary's is the Cathedral Church of the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh, the largest Cathedral in Scotland, and the only one to maintain the tradition of daily Choral worship. With its three spires dominating Edinburgh s western skyline, St Mary s is a renowned masterpiece of Victorian Gothic architecture. Dinner & Overnight in Newcastle upon Tyne. DAY 09/30 JUL (MON): NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE DURHAM YORK Breakfast in the hotel. Check out and transfer to Durham (45min 34km). Once arrive, proceed for City tour to Durham Cathedral. The Cathedral Church of Christ, Blessed Mary the Virgin and St Cuthbert of Durham usually known as Durham Cathedral and home of the Shrine of St Cuthbert, is a cathedral in the city of Durham, England, the seat of the Anglican Bishop of Durham. Transfer to York from Durham (2hrs 123km). Visit St Margaret Clitherow House A small medieval house on The Shambles is the location of St Margaret Clitherow's House. Clitherow was executed at the height of anti-catholicism in Elizabethan England for harbouring a priest and refusing to abjure her faith. The house thought to have been hers is now a shrine. Dinner & Overnight in York.
DAY 10/31 JUL (TUE): YORK WALSINGHAM LONDON Breakfast in the hotel. Check out and transfer to Walsingham (4 hrs. - 262km). Roman Catholic National Shrine of Our Lady or Slipper Chapel was the most important of the wayside chapels that pilgrims would stop at on the numerous pilgrim routes to the pre-reformation shrine in Walsingham. Pilgrims stopped here to go to Mass and confess their sins, before slipping off their shoes and walking the final Holy Mile to the Holy House in Walsingham. The chapel is dedicated to St Catherine, the patron saint of pilgrims We embark to Our Lady of Walsingham, which is the National Shrine of England established in 1061. You could say this is not one shrine but two--one Roman Catholic and one Protestant (Anglican). The history dates back to the early 1600's when, according to tradition, a noble woman, Lady Richeldis, was spiritually transported by the Our Lady to ancient Nazareth to see the home where the Archangel Gabriel had greeted Mary with the greeting "Hail, full of grace". Lady Richeldis was directed to take measurements of the house so that she could build one like it in Walsingham and thereby give honor to the Annunciation. Transfer to London (3hrs 201km) Dinner & Overnight in London. DAY 11/01 AUG (WED): LONDON - CANTERBURY AYLESFORD LONDON Breakfast in the hotel. After breakfast, we visit Canterbury. It has a Catholic history dating back to the time of Saint Augustine in the late 6th Century. Saint Augustine was the first Bishop of Canterbury and began building the Cathedral there shortly thereafter. He worked tirelessly to help spread the faith in the area; however, that is not what most people think about when they hear of Canterbury. Most of you probably know it from "Canterbury Tales" or as the site of the martyrdom of Sir Thomas Becket. Although Thomas Becket was originally loyal to King Henry II, after he was named Archbishop in 1162 he began to be constantly found himself in conflict with the King, who had expected him to be more amenable to his demands. As Becket went to France, the King in 1170 had his son crowned as his heir by the Archbishop of York and the Bishops of London and Salisbury, who obviously sided with the King. As a result, Becket ex-communicated them. At this news the King made his famous comment Who will rid me of this meddlesome priest?
Whether the King meant this literally is open to debate, but the result was that on December 29, 1170 four knights entered the Cathedral during Vespers and confronted him. When he refused to absolve them, they killed him with three blows, the last of which reportedly broke off the tip of a sword. The Cathedral is now Anglican rather than Roman Catholic, but still draws many Catholic pilgrims each year. After lunch we depart for Aylesford where the Priory here dates from the 13th Century when a Crusader returning from the Holy Land gave land to a group of Carmelite Friars. The Friars themselves came from Mount Carmel in the Holy Land and encountered many obstacles upon arriving at their new home. It was during these early days of struggle that tradition holds that Our Lady appeared to Saint Simon Stock in 1251 and handed him the brown woolen scapular as a sign of protection for all her children, stating that whoever wore it devoutly would be assured of eternal salvation. Continue to London for overnight. Visit St. Augustine s Abbey (UNESCO listed). St Augustine s Abbey in Canterbury has long been celebrated for its contribution to English Christianity. But the latest research suggests that it may also have been the birthplace of one of the most famous artefacts in history. After visit, transfer to London (1hr 62km). Dinner & Overnight in London. DAY 12/02 AUG (THU): LONDON Breakfast in the hotel. Mass at Sacred Heart Convent. Visit to Tyburn Convent. In the center of England's capital there is a convent of nuns who (B/L) never step outside the walls. But they are not untouched by London's life, or its deadly bombings. But behind the locked doors of a city-center convent, a dozen Benedictine nuns are already chanting prayers in the first of a series of daily services. Proceed for sightseeing tour to view Mayfair, Piccadilly, Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. Mayfair is an affluent area in the West End of London towards the east edge of Hyde Park, in the City of Westminster, between Oxford Street, Regent Street, Piccadilly and Park Lane. It is one of the most expensive districts in London and the world.
Piccadilly is a road in the City of Westminster, London. It is part of the A4 road that connects central London to Hammersmith, Earl's Court, Heathrow Airport and the M4 motorway westward. At just under 1 mile (1.6 km) in length, Piccadilly is one of the widest and straightest streets in central London. Trafalgar Square is a public square in the City of Westminster, Central London, built around the area formerly known as Charing Cross. Its name commemorates the Battle of Trafalgar, a British naval victory in the Napoleonic Wars with France and Spain. Buckingham Palace is the London residence and administrative headquarters of the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is often at the center of state occasions and royal hospitality. It has been a focal point for the British people at times of national rejoicing and mourning. Then proceed to visit Westminster Abbey (UNESCo listed) and Westminster Cathedral. Westminster Abbey, formally titled the Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, is a large, mainly Gothic abbey church in the City of Westminster, London, just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is one of the United Kingdom's most notable religious buildings and the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English and, later, British monarchs. Westminster Cathedral, or the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ, in London is the mother church of the Catholic Church in England and Wales. Westminster Cathedral is the largest Catholic church in England and Wales and the seat of the Archbishop of Westminster. Shopping. Overnight in London.
DAY 13/03 AUG (FRI): LONDON KUALA LUMPUR (B) Breakfast in hotel. Check out and proceed for sightseeing tour. Visit to Milk Street, a prosperous residential area, where Thomas More was born on February 7, 1478. We will see the plaque commemorating his birthplace (exact location unknown). St. Lawrence Jewry was the family parish church and where Thomas More lectured as a young lawyer on Augustine s City of God. Guildhall (a beautiful structure, where the crypt has a fine stained-glass window of More). More served as under-sheriff at the Guildhall, advising the sheriff and the mayor on legal issues arising from their dealings with Londoners from all trades and walks of life. He was also a member of the Mercer s Guild which met regularly at the Guildhall. After lunch free till departure to airport. Flight to Dubai. Transfer to London Airport flight departure back to Malaysia DAY 14/04 AUG (SAT): KUALA LUMPUR Arrive Kuala Lumpur with beautiful memories of your pilgrimage. ~~~~~~~ End of Pilgrimage ~~~~~~~
AIRLINE & SCHEDULE: EMIRATES DATE FLIGHT NO SECTOR DEPART ARRIVE 22 JUL 18 MH/OD Borneo/KUL TBA TBA 23 JUL 18 EK 343 KUL-DXB 02:10 04:55 23 JUL 18 EK 161 DXB-DUB 07:15 12:05 03 AUG 18 EK 004 LON-DXB 20:40 06:35 (next day) 04 AUG 18 EK 342 DXB-KUL 10:25 21:50 05 AUG 18 MH/OD KUL/Borneo TBA TBA BOOKING with non-refundable Deposit RM 1,000 PACKAGE COST: Twin/Triple Single EX KUL RM13,500.00 pp RM16,500.00 pp EX BORNEO RM14,000.00 pp RM17,000.00 pp *For child computation 2-12 years sharing with 02 adults in same room with extra bed 80% of adult fare. Maximum 3 persons in a room Note, in Europe child sharing with parents must have extra bed. PRICE INCLUDES: 1) Return international economy class air ticket + ALL airport taxes based on current rate. 2) Domestic economy class air ticket + ALL airport taxes based on current (For EX Borneo) 3) Hotel Accommodation with breakfast 4) ALL meals (11 x Breakfast / 10 x Lunches / 10 x Dinners) as mentioned in itinerary 5) All transfers in air-conditioned car/van/coach 6) ALL sightseeing as mentioned in itinerary including Entrance fees 7) All Tips & Gratuities. 8) Experienced Professional Tour Leader from Topaz 9) Complimentary Travel Gift pack & Personalizes bag tag 10) Travel Insurance (Malaysian Nationality / Aged up to 79 years) PRICE EXCLUDES: 1) Personal expense such as drinks, telephone, souvenirs and laundry etc. 2) Others not mentioned nor specified above not to be included in the tour prices Average Temperatures in JULY Area Min Max Dublin 10ºC 19ºC Knock 12ºC 19ºC Belfast 11ºC 18ºC Glasgow 12ºC 20ºC London 14ºC 22ºC ************************************************************************************* ***