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Itinerary 2012

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Day 1 Depart USA Evening departure. Meals and refreshments served on board. Day 2 Lourdes Upon arrival at Lourdes-Tarbes Airport, you are met and transferred to your hotel in Lourdes. Balance of the day at leisure to begin retracing the footsteps of Sainte Bernadette. In the evening you may join the candlelight procession. Dinner will be at the hotel. Day 3 Lourdes After breakfast continue your religious tour of Lourdes. Don't miss Massabielle Grotto where the Virgin Mary appeared to Bernadette Soubirou, the immense Saint Pius X Underground Basilica, the Basilique du Rosaire, the Basilique Superieure (dedicated to the Immaculate Conception), the inspiring afternoon procession of the blessed sacrament and the procession of the sick. Having time, visit the Castle, up above the town, with its museum of Pyrenean customs, folklore and crafts, or travel to Bartres, a nearby little village where Sainte Bernadette went to take care of her aunt's sheep. Dinner and overnight in Lourdes. Day 4 Lourdes/Lyon After breakfast and mass travel to Lyon, a city with two thousand years of history. On Fourviere Hill, there is a Roman archaeological site and at its foot lies Old Lyon, a protected Renaissance district. There is also the Lyon of the Croix-Rousse where silk workers established the town's fame throughout the world. Then you have the Place des Terreaux, the Fine Arts Museum, the new National Opera, the Celestins Theatre, the Hotel Dieu where Rabelais once practised, the Textile Museum, and the Romanesque Abbey of Ainay. Dinner and overnight in Lyon. Day 5 Lyon After breakfast, visit the Fourviere Basilica with the small chapel of the Black Virgin. In the afternoon, enjoy an excursion to the little village of Ars. The small church, almost entirely rebuilt by Father Vianney, leads to the Basilica, where the shrine containing the body of the Cure of Ars is kept. The small church was Father Vianney first stop when he arrived in February 1818. For more than 41 years, he welcomed the crowds who flocked to see him, to hear him, and to receive God's mercy. The presbytery of the Holy priest (kitchen and bedroom) is kept as it was during his life. Behind the presbytery lies a chapel which contains the relic of the Holy priest's heart and the famous kneeling statue by Capuche. On the way to the Monument de la Rencontre (showing the Saint meeting a young shepherd), is the Historial du Saint Cure d'Ars, a waxworks museum, where his life is illustrated in 17 beautiful scenes. Here you will visit the Basilica, the Presbytery and the museum. Return to Lyon for dinner and overnight. Day 6 Lyon After breakfast there will be an excursion to other famous pilgrimage sites such as the village of Paray le Monial, the village of Vezelay with the Basilica of Sainte Marguerite Madeleine and the site of Taize, where young people from all over the world come for religious activities and prayer. Back to Lyon for dinner and overnight. Day 7 Lyon/Nevers/Paris After breakfast, drive from Lyon to Paris. On the way, we stop at the town of Nevers and visit the St. Gildard Convent and Sainte Bernadette's Shrine. Dinner and overnight in Paris. Day 8 Paris Full day tour of Paris. In the morning, you will pass by all major monuments and sites of the French capital. See the Arch of Triumph, Champs-Elysees, Concorde Square, Eiffel Tower, Invalides and the Opera House. Visit Notre Dame Cathedral. In the afternoon, you may climb up to Montmartre Hill to visit Sacre Coeur Basilica or visit the Vincentian Motherhouse and the Chapel of the Miraculous Medal. In the evening, enjoy a Farewell dinner at a typical Parisian restaurant. Overnight in Paris. Day 9 Paris to USA (or extend your stay) Morning transfer to Paris Airport for your return flight home. Meals and refreshments are served aloft.

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Rates

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Package shown is based on group travel and can be customized to your group's needs. Our destination specialists can assist you in selecting other religious sites that are closest to your faith. Single and triple rooms are available. Take advantage of our special group and contracted airfares - call us for details.

Hotel Category Dates: City: Type: ★★ ★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★★

 

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Associated Hotels

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Hotel Class City ★★ ★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★★

Lyon Grand Hotel Des Terreaux Cour Des Loges

Radisson Blu

Lourdes Grotte Grand Hotel

Mercure Lourdes Imperial

Paris Americain Archives Hotel Aubusson (D) Hotel

Nemours Aviatic Edouard VII

Opera St Georges Belloy St Germain Fouquets Barriere

Victoria Central St Germain Hotel Du Louvre

Choiseul Opera L Empire

Show more hotels in PARIS? Yes No

Package shown is based on group travel and can be customized to your group's needs. Our destination specialists can assist you in selecting other religious sites that are closest to your faith. Single and triple rooms are available. Take advantage of our special group and contracted airfares - call us for details.

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Sightseeing Tours

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Lourdes, Full-day $163 This Tour is Available from:Lourdes

Lourdes
Time: 9:30am
Schedule: Daily
Duration: Approx. 8 hours

Highlights: Includes a guided walking tour of Lourdes, plus a scenic excursion to the Pyrenees National Park and The Cirque of Gavarnie, a UNESCO World Heritage site. A magnificent natural sight, the Cirque of Gavarnie is an awe-inspiring glacial amphitheatre rising 1,400 meters from its base and stretching in a near perfect semicircle 890 meters in diameter. (Departs from Lourdes only)

Paris, One Hour Seine River Cruise Call for Price This Tour is Available from:Paris

One hour Seine River Cruise
Departure time: Every 30 minutes
Schedule: Daily
Duration: Approx. 1 hour

Highlights: Enjoy a leisurely cruise on the River Seine through the heart of the City of Lights. Pass by the Louvre, Notre Dame, Orsay Museum, the Eiffel Tower.

Discovery of Champagne, Full-day $303 This Tour is Available from:Paris

A day in Champagne from Paris
Time: 8:00am
Schedule: Daily
Duration: Approx. 12 hours

Highlights: Visit Champagne vineyards around Reims, followed by wine tasting. Lunch in a local restaurant is included. In the afternoon visit the Gothich Reims Cathedral, where the kings of France were once crowned, and tour one of the most famous champagne houses in Reims

Half-day afternoon Versailles Call for Price This Tour is Available from:Paris
Afternoon Versailles
Departure time: 1:15pm
Schedule: Daily, except Mondays
Duration: Approx. 4 hours

Highlights: The magnificent park, the Grand Trianon (view from the outside). Guided visit with audio guide of the State Apartments (Hall of Mirrors, King and Queen Apartments). Entrance tickets included (palace and gardens).

Champagne Tasting at Galeries Lafayette Call for Price This Tour is Available from:Paris
Champagne Tasting at Galeries Lafayette
Start time: Fashion Show at 3:00pm - Wine Tasting at 5:30pm
Schedule: Thursdays only
Duration: Approx. 45 minutes

Highlights: Three champagne tastings, with foie gras, macaroons and chocolates. Presented by an expert sommelier

Full-day Chateaux de la Loire Call for Price This Tour is Available from:Paris
Chateaux de la Loire
Departure time: 6:30am
Schedule: Daily
Duration: Approx. 14 hours

Highlights: Discover the Loire Valley, cradle of the French Renaissance and visit its jewels: the charms of the Chateau of Chenonceau with its enchanting gardens, the private and entirely furnished castle of Cheverny. The last stop is at Chambord, former royal residence. Lunch is included.

Paris, Cruise with illuminations $123 This Tour is Available from:Paris

CRUISE WITH ILLUMINATIONS OF PARIS
Departure time: 8:00pm (April/October) - 7:00pm (November/March)
Schedule: Daily

Highlights: After a cruise on the Seine River, see the illuminated monuments in the districts of Concorde Square, Champs-Elysees, Trocadero, Eiffel Tower, Pyramid of the Louvre, Notre-Dame.

Paris Dinner Cruise $236 This Tour is Available from:Paris

Dinner Cruise
Departure time: 8:30pm
Schedule: Daily, except Christmas Day, New Year Eve, February 14th, July 14th
Duration: Approx. 2 1/2 hours

Highlights: A memorable and festive cruise on a panoramic boat. Enjoy a traditional French Dinner freshly prepared on board.

Fashion Show & Wine Tasting at Galeries Lafayette Call for Price This Tour is Available from:Paris
Fashion Show and Wine Tasting at Galeries Lafayette
Start time: Fashion Show at 3:00pm - Wine Tasting at 5:30pm
Schedule: Fridays only
Duration: Approx. 45 minutes

Highlights: Weekly Fashion Show at famous Galeries Lafayette. Introduction to French wines with an expert sommelier

Giverny & Versailles, Full-day $227 This Tour is Available from:Paris

Giverny and Versailles
Departure time: 8:30am
Schedule: Daily, except Mondays
Duration: Approx. 9 hours

Highlights: In Giverny, visit the house of Claude Monet, his studio and the wonderful gardens. Entrance ticket to the Museum of American Art is included. Lunch is included. In the afternoon, enjoy a pleasant drive through the countryside of the Seine Valley. At Versailles, visit on your own the State Apartments of the Palace (entrance ticket is included)

Giverny, Half-day $161 This Tour is Available from:Paris

Giverny
Departure time: 1:30PM
Schedule: Daily, except Mondays
Duration: Approx. 5 hours

Highlights: In Giverny, visit the house of Claude Monet, his studio and the wonderful gardens. Entrance ticket to the Museum of American Art is included.

Illuminations of Paris with show at Lido Call for Price This Tour is Available from:Paris
Illuminations of Paris with Show at the Lido
Departure time: 7:00pm (November/March from Sunday to Thursday) - 9:00pm (November/March on Fridays and Saturdays) - 9:00pm (April/May and September/October) - 9:30pm (June/August)
Schedule: Daily

Highlights: All the excitement and beauty of Paris by night followed by the fantastic show: BONHEUR at the world famous Lido.
N.B. 1/2 bottle of Champagne per person. Formal dress required.

D-Day tour, Normandy and Landing Beachesm Full-day $380 This Tour is Available from:Paris

Landing beaches of Normandy
Departure time: 6:30am
Schedule: From November to March: on Wednesdays and Saturdays only. From April to October: on Mondays, Wednedays, Fridays and Saturdays only
Duration: Approx. 15 hours

Highlights: Visit some of the areas where the Allies fought to recover freedom in 1944.

Normandy motorway. Stop at Caen: visit to the Memorial-Peace Museum, Pointe du Hoc (stop), Omaha Beach: Saint-Laurent (visit), the American Cemetery), Stop at Arromanches and continue on to the Landing beaches of Gold and Juno at the Canadian Memorial. Stop on the way back to Paris. Lunch is included.

Mont Saint-Michel, Full-day $336 This Tour is Available from:Paris

Mont Saint Michel
Departure time: 6:30am
Schedule:From November to March: on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays only. From April to October: Daily, except Sundays
Duration: Approx. 15 hours

Highlights: Rocky island located in the biggest bay in Europe, the Mont Saint-Michel Abbey was rightly named The Marvel of the Western World and is still one of the most famous pilgrimage centers since the Middle Ages. Drive through the green landscapes of the Normandy region. Guided visit to the Mont Saint-Michel Abbey. Lunch is included.

Paris Half-day morning city tour $121 This Tour is Available from:Paris

Morning city tour
Departure time: 8:15am
Schedule: Daily
Duration: Approx. 4 hours
Highlights: Concorde Square -Louvre Museum - Seine River and its bridges - French Academy - Cite Island with the Palace of Justice and Notre-Dame Cathedral (stop) - Hotel de Ville (CityHall) - the Latin Quarter with the Sorbonne and the Pantheon - Arch of Triumph- Champs-Elysees Avenue - Eiffel Tower (photo-stop) - Invalides with the dome of Napoleon Tomb - Opera House - Free time in Montmartre, (stop near Sacre-Coeur Basilica and the artists' square, Place du Tertre).

Versailles guided tour, Half-day $161 This Tour is Available from:Paris

Morning Versailles
Departure time: 8:15am
Schedule: Daily, except Mondays
Duration: Approx. 4 hours

Highlights: Guided visit of the State Apartments (Hall of Mirrors, King and Queen Apartments). Entrance tickets included (palace and gardens).

Paris Musical Luncheon Cruise, Service Select $107 This Tour is Available from:Paris

Musical Luncheon Cruise
Departure time: 12:45pm
Schedule: Daily, except Christmas Day, New Year Eve, February 14th, July 14th
Duration: Approx. 2 hours

Highlights: A memorable and festive cruise on a panoramic boat. Enjoy a traditional French lunch freshly prepared on board.

Full-day Reims Champagne Call for Price This Tour is Available from:Paris
Reims Champagne
Departure time: 7:30am
Schedule: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays only
Duration: Approx. 11 hours

Highlights: The sacred town of Reims is the capital of the Champagne region. Reims is also the city where most of the French Kings were crowned. Orientation tour of Reims includes a guided visit of the Gothic cathedral. At the superb Piper-Heidsieck champagne caves, embark a small carriage for a magical tour with recorded commentery. A champagne tasting completes the visit. In the afternoon, visit the prestigious wine cellars of Moet Chandon.
N.B.: The temperature is rather low in the wine-cellars.

Show at the Moulin Rouge Call for Price This Tour is Available from:Paris
Show at the Moulin Rouge
Departure time: 10:00pm
Schedule: Daily

Highlights: An unforgettable evening at the Moulin Rouge with the FEERIE (Fairy) show.
N.B. 1/2 bottle of Champagne per person. Formal dress required.

The hidden secrets of the Eiffel Tower & River Cruise Call for Price This Tour is Available from:Paris
The hidden secrets of the Eiffel Tower plus River Cruise
Departure time: 10:00am
Schedule: Wednesdays and Saturdays only - Every 30 minutes
Duration: Approx. 2 1/2 hours

Highlights: you are invited to discover the hidden secrets of one of the most visited sites in the world. Enter the surprising machinery room, where the elevators are operated. Visit the old military bunker located under the Champs the Mars and the technical gallery located under the first floor of the Eiffel Tower. Continue the tour with a one-hour Seine cruise on the famous Bateaux Parisiens.