TOUR #ABF1002

Mon, Oct 2^nd: New York/Amsterdam - Depart JFK Airport on your overnight, Air France, flight to Amsterdam. Dinner served in flight.

Tue, Oct 3^rd: Amsterdam - Upon arrival in AMSTERDAM we are transferred to our hotel.  En route we visit the Chapel of Our Lady of All Nations. On March 25, 1945, the Feast of the Annunciation, Our Lady appeared to a simple woman, Ida Peerdeman who lived with her sisters in Amsterdam. This was the first of 56 apparitions. Remainder of the day is free.  (B,D)    Deluxe - Hotel Le Meriden Apollo  

Wed, Oct 4^th: Amsterdam - This morning we have a tour of Amsterdam including a visit to Anne Franks’ House and the Begijnhof. The Begijnhof is an enclosed courtyard dating from the early 14th century. Nothing survived of the earliest dwellings, but the Begijnhof, which is cut off from Amsterdam's traffic still retains a sanctified atmosphere. The Begijnhof was originally built as a sanctuary for the Begijntjes, a Catholic sisterhood who lived like nuns, although they took no monastic vows. The beautiful houses overlook the well-kept green gardens. After our tour we have free time to enjoy Amsterdam on our own. (B,D)

Thu, Oct 5^th: Amsterdam/Antwerp/Brussels - Morning departure to BRUSSELS. En route we stop at ANTWERP to visit the Cathedral of Our Lady. After our visit, we continue to Brussels where we will have a city orientation tour. (B,D) Superior First Class – Hilton Brussels City 

Fri, Oct 6^th: Brussels – After breakfast we depart to LOUVAIN to visit the St. Anotnius Chapel and the tomb of Father Damian. We return to Brussels for a free afternoon on our own. “Don’t forget the Belgium Chocolate.” (B,D)

Sat, Oct 7^th: Brussels/Banneux/Luxembourg – Today we travel to BANNEUX to visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Banneux where 8 apparitions took place in 1933.  The message of Our Lady at Banneux, while given through a single child, is a message for all her children. "I come to relieve suffering." As Our Lady drew Mariette to the water of a healing spring, she draws us all to the living water - Christ Jesus. By declaring herself the Virgin of the Poor, she reminds us of her love and concern for all of mankind. After Mass and our visit, we continue to Luxembourg to visit the American Cemetery.  Buried among the troops is George S.  Patton. Superior First Class – Hilton Luxembourg

Sun, Oct 8^th: Luxembourg/Beauraing/Tournai - In 1932 on November 29^th Albert Voisin, along with four other children, saw the Mother of God in BEAURAING. Our Blessed Mother’s messages included, "Always be good." On December 29^th just before leaving, Our Lady opened her arms, her hands had been folded before then she revealed her Immaculate Heart. The children saw a Heart of gold with rays emanating from it. On December 30^th Our Blessed Mother’s message was, "Pray. Pray very much." After our visit we continue to Torunai to visit one of the most beautiful Cathedrals in the western world – the Cathedral of Notre-Dame. The Catherdal is a UNESCO World Heritage.  First Class 3 Star – Hotel Cathedrale

Mon, Oct 9^th: Tournai/Bruges - Morning departure to BRUGES. Upon arrival we have a sightseeing tour including a isit to the Holy Blood Chapel and the Beguinage. (B,D) Superior First Class – Hotel Navarra 

Tue, Oct 10^th: Bruges/Lisieux - This morning we are transferred through the beautiful Normandy countryside en route to LISIEUX. Upon arrival in Lisieux, we visit Les Buissonnetts, childhood home of St. Therese, the Carmel Convent where St. Therese spent her, short, but holy life as a nun and St. Peter’s Cathedral where St. Therese received the Sacraments.  (B,D) First Class 3 Star  - Le Grande Hotel de L’Esperance  

Wed, Oct 11^th: Lisieux/Caen/Normandy Landing Beaches/Lisieux - Today we visit the Normandy Landing Beaches - Omaha, Gold, Juno etc. before visiting the American Cemetery at ST. LAURENT.  Many Americans gave their lives at Normandy and we will pass among their graves and pray for their souls. (B,D)

Thu, Oct 12^th: Lisieux/Mont St. Michel - Morning departure to MONT SAINT MICHEL. Known as the 'Wonder of the West', Mont St. Michel is a Gothic-style Benedictine Abbey dedicated to the archangel St Michael. The cult of St. Michel came into being one night in 708. Aubert, Bishop of Avaranches had a dream in which he saw the Archangel Michael who commanded him to build a church on the rock. (B,D)  First Class 3 Star – Auberge St. Pierre

Fri, Oct 13^th: Mont St. Michel/Pontmain/Paris – Morning departure to PARIS. En route we stop at PONTMAIN.  On the evening on January 17, 1871, two boys, Eugene and Joseph Barbedette, were helping their father pound stalks to feed to the horses. Some minutes before six o'clock in the evening, taking advantage of a break from work Eugene left the barn and saw in the sky a "Lady" dressed in a dark-blue robe sprinkled with stars. After some time the boys read a message in the sky:  "PRAY, MY CHILDREN.  GOD WILL ANSWER BEFORE LONG.” After our visit, we depart to Paris to visit the Convent of the Daughters of Charity on Rue du Bac in Paris. At this Convent the Blessed Virgin Mary revealed two of the greatest treasures of the world, the Miraculous Medal and the Green Scapular. The first treasure, the Miraculous Medal, was given to St. Catherine Laboure on July 18, 1830. The gift of the Green Scapular was revealed to the novice Justine Bisqueyburu on January 28, 1840. Also in this chapel we will see the incorrupt heart of St. Vincent de Paul. Next we go to Montmartre to visit the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Located on the top of Montmartre hill, the world-famous Byzantine structure offers a sweeping view of Paris. Dinner this evening is in Montmarte at “La Mere Catherine.” In 1814, La Mere Catherine was a favorite eating place of Russian Cossacks. When they wanted quick service, they would bang on the table and shout "Bistro" (Russian for "quick"). Thus it was here that the first bistro was born. (B,D)   Deluxe – Concorde Lafayette

Sat, Oct 14^th: Paris/Nevers/Paris - Morning departure to NEVERS to see the incorrupt body of St. Bernadette. On July 4, 1866, Bernadette joined the Sisters of Charity in Nevers. She never spoke of the events at the grotto in Lourdes unless ordered to by her superiors. Taking the religious name, Marie-Bernard, she suffered from recurring bouts of sickness and ill health. The little child of Lourdes accepted her life with perfect resignation and submission. She died on April 16, 1879 just after three o'clock. In agony she stretched out her arms like the crucified Jesus and whispered, "I am thirsty." Sister Marie-Bernard made the sign of the cross for the last time. With no strength left, her head bowed to the right and she gently gave her soul back to God. On our return to Paris, we will stop for lunch. Free time to enjoy your last evening in Paris. (B,L)

Sun, Oct 15^th: Paris/USA - Morning departure to Paris airport for our return flight to the USA. (B)

*Terms & Conditions: Cancellation made by passengers. Of the $500.00 deposit, $200.00 is non-refundable in case of cancellation. 70 days to 46 days a $500.00 penalty is imposed. 45 days to 16 days a $500.00 penalty PLUS any penalty imposed by the airlines and hotels. 15 days or less may result in loss of entire cost, depending on what we can recover. Once travel has commenced, no refunds for unused portions can be made.