Glory of Europe

Day 1: Rome – City Tour :
Arrive Rome. After the Emigration, Customs formalities, meet by our representative. Transfer to Hotel. Evening Orientation tour in Rome. Overnight at hotel. (Dinner)

Day 2: Vatican Museum - Rome City Tour
Continental Breakfast. Proceed to Visit Vatican Museum and the world famous ‘Sistine Chapel’– a pure source of inspiration for art lovers. It is also famous for its architecture and the paintings of Michelangelo and Bernini. Lunch at Restaurant. Proceed on Rome city tour. Visit Trevi Fountain, Colosseum (outside view), monument of Victor Emanuel II, St. John Lateran, one of the major Basilicas, the ‘Scala Sancta’ (Holy Stairs) located across the street where you may climb the same steps on which Our Lord climbed on the way to see Pontius Pilate, and then walk down the park to ‘Santa Croce in Gerusalemme’(Holy Cross of Jerusalem) where incredible relics can be found (fragments of the Holy Cross, one Nail, part of the inscription INRI, two thorns from the Crown of Thorns, fragments of the pillar of the scourging and of the rock of the Holy Sepulcher). We bow these beautiful relics, including the Holy Stairs. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

Day 3: Papal Audience -San Giovanni – Padre Pio Continental breakfast in Hotel. Check out Proceed to St. Peter’s Square for Papal Audience (Subject to availability of “His Holiness”). Lunch at Restaurant Proceed to San Giovanni ( 380 km. ) in southern Italy to visit the Shrine of Padre Poi , the second-most visited Catholic shrine in the world. It centers on the tomb of Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, a Capuchin friar, priest and mystic known for his devotion to God, care for the sick, and supernatural gifts. He died in 1968 and was declared a saint in 2002. Padre Pio’s tomb inside the Church of Our Lady of Grace (Santa Maria delle Grazie). Here you can also see his cell, his confessional, the crucifix from which he received the stigmata, and nearly everything he owned or touched, carefully preserved and labeled. Santa Maria delle Grazie (Our Lady of Grace) is a new church built during Padre Pio's lifetime (1956-59) to accommodate the many pilgrims and worshippers attracted to San Giovanni Rotondo. The east wall bears a splendid mosaic. Behind Santa Maria delle Grazie is the Padre Pio Pilgrimage Church, completed in 2004 and considered a notable example of modern architecture. Designed by the Genoan architect Renzo Piano, it can accommodate 6,500 people seated at worship and 30,000 people standing outside. The shrine also includes a modern Way of the Cross (Via Crucis) on the forested hillside above Santa Maria delle Grazie. The Via Crucis monumentale pwas begun in 1968 (one day before Padre Pio's death) and completed in 1981. Made of granite with bronze and marble sculptures, it was designed by Sicilian sculptor Francesco Messina. Check in. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

Day 4: Lanciano – Cascia (Italy) Continental breakfast in Hotel. Check out, Proceed to Lanciano, a religious destination is related to Eucharistic Miracle that has taken place there. As a matter of fact in 700 A.D. a monk had doubt about the real presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist during the Celebration. When he was pronouncing the Words of Consecration, the bread became flesh and the wine blood. Those relics are saved into Saint Francesco’s Church. Their authenticity is granted by many examinations made by experts. Beside Saint Francesco’s church, Lanciano offers other important religious places to visit like Santa Maria del Ponte’s Cathedral or Santa Maria Maggiore. Lanciano lies in Abruzzo, a wonderful Italian region that offers great chances to enjoy its naturalistic treasures too like Gran Sasso Mountains or the National Park of Abruzzo, its pastoral traditions, its medieval villages. Lunch at Restaurant. Proceed to Cassia .Check in .overnight stay at hotel. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

Day 5: Cassia -Assisi – Loretto -Ancona – Overnight Ferry
Continental breakfast in Hotel, Check out, Proceed to Visit St Reith’s Church, after visit proceed to Assisi. Lunch at restaurant. After noon Visit Assisi .The land of St. Francis and St. Clare. Visit the ‘Porziuncula’ (the first Franciscan house), the place of his death and the thorn-less rose garden. Visit the Basilica of St. Francis, including the tombs of St. Francis and his disciples. The Lower and Upper Basilicas are filled with world famous frescoes that depict the lives of Jesus and St. Francis, as well as other saints. Take a relaxed rosary walk with the Tour Director, visiting other important sights such as the remains of St. Clare and the famous Cross of San Damiano, Later Visit Loretto, Visit the Basilica with the House of Holy Family. Drive to Ancona Check in to the Ferry to Split (Croatia) .Overnight on Ferry. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

Day 6: Split – Proceed To Medjugorje
After breakfast from Ship .Arrive Split port. Meet by our representative / Driver, proceed to Medjugorje. Medjugorje is a town located in the Herzegovina region of Bosnia and Herzegovina, around 25 km (16 miles ) southwest of Mostar and close to the border of Croatia. The town is part of the municipality of Citluk. Since 1981, it has become a popular site of religious pilgrimage due to reports of apparitions of the Virgin Mary to six local Catholics. Check in Hotel. Lunch at Restaurant. Proceed to visit the church. The name Medjugorje literally means "between mountains". At an altitude of 200 m (660 ft) above sea level it has a mild Mediterranean climate. The town consists of an ethnically homogeneous Croat population of over 4,000. The Catholic parish (local administrative and religious area) consists of five neighboring villages: Medjugorje, Bijakovici, Vionica, Miletina and Surmanci. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

Day 07: Medjugorje – Crikvenica (Croatia)
Continental breakfast in Hotel. Free time to visit church. Lunch at Restaurant. Check out Proceed to Crikvenica. Check in .Overnight at Hotel. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

Day 8: Crikvenica – Venice
After breakfast. Check out, Drive to Venice. Lunch at restaurant .Proceed to the pier and board a private boat to the heart of the traditional city of Venice – The St. Mark’s Square. Visit St. Mark’s Basilica. Also visit Murano glass showroom. After visit back to Pier, Drive to our hotel Check in & Overnight stay at hotel. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

Day 9: Padua - Montechiari - Engel Berg (Switzerland)
After breakfast .Check out, proceed to Padua. Visit the Basilica of St. Antony of Padua. Visit the Relics, then Proceed to Monti Chiari, It was in the spring of 1947 that the Blessed Mother started appearing to nurse Pierina Gilli. She introduced herself as the "Mystical Rose" and requested that an hour of grace should be kept at noon on December 8th in all the Catholic Churches in the world. Pierina noticed that the Blessed Mother's heart was pierced by three swords: the first sword meaning the unworthy celebration of Holy Mass and Communion unworthily received; the second sword meaning being unfaithful to, and giving up, the vocation as a priest or a religious; and the third sword meaning betrayal of the faith. She appeared a total of eleven times and asked for prayer, sacrifice and penance, and that the 13th day of each month be celebrated as a Marian Day, and that July 13th be celebrated each year in honor of the "Rosa Mystica". Proceed to the country Switzerland. There is no substitute to Switzerland in the entire world neither in its beauty nor in its charm can be compared with any place on the earth. Shimmering glaciers, snow capped mountains, gorgeous blue lakes, amazing views of the rolling hills, picturesque landscapes, lush meadows, beautiful villages and the glamorous cities are very enticing which leave you spell bound on your visit to this hill country Transfer to Lucerne. Arrive Lucerne / Engelberg. Check in. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast /Lunch /Dinner)

Day 10: Engelberg – Mt.Titlis - Ars Sur Formance
After breakfast Checkout, visit Mt. Titlis with Ice Flyer. At 10,000 feet, Mount Titlis, is Central Switzerland’s loftiest peak exuding a snow and ice spectacular aerial cable car that delivers awesome 360-degree panoramic views of the snow-covered valleys, glaciers, lakes, forests, and mountains in Switzerland. Lunch at Mt. Titlis. Proceed to Ars. Arrive Ars and transfer to Hotel. Check in, overnight at hotel. (Breakfast /Lunch /Dinner)

Day 11: Ars – Paris
Continental breakfast in Hotel Check out, Proceed to visit the Sanctuary of St. John Vianney contains several sites of interest to pilgrims and tourists alike. It has two churches: the old 12th-century church where St. John Vianney preached, and a new basilica that displays his preserved body in a glass case. The saint's heart is enshrined in a smaller separate building, the Shrine of the Cure's Heart. Pilgrims can also visit the home of the Curé of Ars, which was preserved the way he left it. It contains the very bed set on fire by the devil as well as the saint's rosary, breviary, library and other personal items. Other sights include the Underground Church designed for large groups of pilgrims, a film on the life and work of the saint, a wax museum, and the orphanage founded by the Curé (La Providence). St. John Vianney died on August 4, 1859. In 1874, Pope Pius IX declared him Venerable, and he was canonized a saint by Pius XI in 1925. The feast day of St. John Vianney, the patron saint of parish priests, is celebrated each year on August 4. Lunch at Restaurant. Proceed to Paris. Arrive Paris, Visit Eiffel tower (2nd level). The Eiffel Tower was built for the World Exhibition in 1889, held in celebration of the French Revolution in 1789. The structure took more than two years to complete. Each one of the about 12,000 iron pieces was designed separately to give them exactly the shape needed. All pieces were prefabricated and fit together using approx. 7 million nails transfer to hotel. Check in. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

Day 12: Paris - Bordeaux
After breakfast check out from hotel, proceed on a city tour. Drive past Champs Elysees, Arc de Triumph, the Opera, Petit Palais and Grand Palais, Les Invalides and Notre Dame Cathedral. Shrine of the Miraculous Medal. Tomb of Vincent de Paul, Afternoon proceed to Bordeaux, Check in. Overnight stay at hotel. (Breakfast /Lunch/Dinner)

Day 13: Bordeaux – Lourdes
Breakfast at hotel. Check out, Proceed to Lourdes, the famous Catholic pilgrimage center, located in the South West of France at the foot of the Pyrenees Mountains, where The Virgin Mary appeared to a 14 year old girl, Bernadette. Lourdes today welcomes more than 5 million visitors annually from 150 countries. Visit the three main Basilicas, pray at the Grotto and drink water from the miraculous spring. Visit Sacre Coeur to see the Baptismal font where St. Bernadette was baptized. Visit the healing waters. These are 7 pools with water coming from the Miracle Source Join the Candle Light Procession at night. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast /Lunch /Dinner)

Day 14: Lourdes – San Sebastian (Spain) - Salamanca
Breakfast at hotel Check out, Proceed to San Sebastian. Visit The Basilica of Saint Mary of the Chorus, is a baroque Roman Catholic parish church and minor basilica completed in 1774. It is located in the "Parte Vieja" of the city of San Sebastian, Gipuzkoa, Basque Country, Spain . Lunch at Restaurant. Proceed to Salamanca. Check in. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast /Lunch /Dinner)

Day 15: Salamanca – Fatima (Portugal)
After breakfast check out from hotel, proceed to Fatima. Visit Our Lady of Fatima church. The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared six times to three shepherd children near the town of Fatima between 13 May and 13 October 1917. The Blessed Virgin Mary is also referred as Our Lady of the Rosary / Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima. Check-in. overnight at hotel. (Breakfast /Lunch /Dinner)

Day 16: Fatima – Avila (Spain)
Breakfast at hotel, Check out, free time to visit Church on your own. Proceed to Avila, Spain, the best-preserved walled city in the world and home of St. Teresa of Avila who, with her spiritual director St. John of the Cross, reformed the Carmelite Order. We visit the Carmelite Monastery and the cell where St. Teresa lived and see relics of Teresa and St. John of the Cross. Lunch Enroute. We’ll also tour the ancient city of Avila whose architecture and culture remain the same from centuries ago. Proceed to Madrid. Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain, located in the centre of the Iberian Peninsula plain 646 mtrs above sea level and spans a total of 698 km2. Arrive Madrid and have an orientation tour of Madrid if time permits. Check in, overnight at hotel. (Breakfast /Lunch /Dinner)

Day 17: Madrid – Departure
After breakfast proceed to Madrid airport. Depart

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DAY 18: Arrive Cochin
Arrive Cochin