Lourdes and the Shrines of France

Included Features PARIS: Welcome and farewell dinners; guided sightseeing, visit Notre Dame Cathedral, the Basilica of Sacre Coeur, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Shrine, and the St. Vincent de Paul Shrine LISIEUX: Visit Les Buissonnets, family home of St. Therese; the basilica; St. Peters Cathedral; and the Carmelite Convent PARIS–LOURDES: By high-speed TGV train LOURDES: Visit the grotto; guided sightseeing, visit the Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine and St. Bernadettes birthplace and family home CARCASSONNE: Orientation AVIGNON: Orientation LA SALETTE: Visit the Our Lady of La Salette Shrine, the church, the Apparition site, and spring ARS-SUR-FORMANS: Visit the St. John Vianney Shrine, his home, and church PARAY-LE-MONIAL: Visit the Chapel of the Apparitions and the Basilica of the Sacred Heart NEVERS: Visit St. Gildard CHARTRES: Visit the cathedral

Day 1 Board your overnight transatlantic flight

Day 2 Arrival in Paris, France Transfer to hotel upon arrival Balance of day at leisure until 6pm when you will meet with your tour director and companion for a welcome dinner

Day 3 Paris Day 3- Paris With a local guide visit Arc de Triomphe, Louvre, Champs-Elyées and Eiffel Tower

Day 3 Paris Then onto Notre Dame Cathedral and Basilica of Sacre Coeur on Montmarte

Day 3 Paris Visit Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Shrine and St. Vincent de Paul Shrine

Day 4 Paris. Lisieux Excursion. In Lisieux, see Les Buissonnets, family home of St. Therese, and Basilica of St. Therese Next, St. Peters Cathedral and the Carmelite Convent

Day 5 Paris-Lourdes Board the TGV Train to Lourdes to visit the Grotto Join the candle procession this evening in Lourdes

Lourdes candle procession

Day 6 Lourdes Walking tour of Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine, St. Bernadettes birthplace and family home

Day 6 Lourdes Balance of day at leisure Bathe in the healing waters or attend the Blessing of the Sick Join this evenings candlelight procession

Day 7 Lourdes-Carcassonne- Avignon Stop in Carcassonne, UNESCO world heritage site Onto Avignon and the Palace of the Popes

Day 8 Avignon-La Salette- Lyon Journey to Lady of la Salette Shrine, and visit the Church, Apparition Site and Spring

Day 9 Lyon- Ars-sur-Formans-Paray-le-Monial- Nevers Visit the St. John Vianney Shrine, see the incorrupt body, and explore the Church In Paray-le-Monial, see the Chapel of Apparitions and Basilica of the Sacred Heart

Basilica of the Sacred Heart

Day 10 Nevers-Chartres-Paris Visit St. Gildard and see the incorrupt body of St. Bernadette In Chartes, see the Cathedral Enjoy your farewell dinner this evening

Day 11 Your homebound flight arrives the same day

Meals Daily buffet breakfasts 5 three-course dinners

Quality Hotels PARIS Novotel Paris Tour Eiffel LOURDES Grand Hotel Moderne AVIGNON Mercure Pont dAvignon LYON Mercure Grand Saxe Lafayette NEVERS Mercure Pont de Loire PARIS Pulman Porte de Sévres subject to change

Paris Novotel Paris Tour Eiffel Overlooks the Seine, moments away from the Eifel tower 764 guestrooms, all with air-conditioning, safe, radio, satellite TV, hairdryer 2 full restaurants, 1 bar

Paris Novotel Paris Tour Eiffel

Lourdes Grand Hotel Moderne Location offers easy access to the Sanctuaries, the Grotto and tourist sites of the city Guestrooms complete with air-conditioning, satellite TV, hairdryer, safe 1 full restaurant, 1 bar

Lourdes Grand Hotel Moderne

Avignon Mercure Cité des Papes Situated on the Place d Horloge sqaure, the city centre of the old city. Close to Palace of the Popes 89 guestrooms, all with air-conditioning, safe, satellite TV, radio, hairdryer 1 restaurant, 1 bar

Avignon Mercure Cité des Papes

Lyon Mercure Grand Saxe Lafayette In the heart of the business area of Lyon, close to Presquile and Old Lyon 156 guestrooms, complete with air-conditioning, safe, radio, satellite TV, telephone, hairdryer 1 full restaurant, 1 bar

Lyon Mercure Grand Saxe Lafayette

Nevers Mercure Pont de Loire Located on the sides of the Loire River, 5 minute walk from the town centre 59 guestrooms, all with air-conditioning, satellite TV, radio, telephone, hairdryer 1 full restaurant, 1 bar

Nevers Mercure Pont de Loire

Paris Pullman Rive Gauche Ideal location. Close to the Porte de Versailles and Paris exhibition centre. 617 guestrooms, all with satellite TV, radio, air- conditioning, safe, telephone, hairdryer 1 full restaurant, 1 private dining room for groups, 1 bar

Paris Pullman Rive Gauche

To Know About Your Destination On rare occasions, the road to Our Lady of La Salette may not be accessible due to weather conditions. In the unlikely event that the TGV train is unavailable, alternative transportation will be provided. Sometimes there is a small charge for public toilets Stores may close earlier than back home and are usually not open on Sundays Ice machines are not available in all hotels, nor are washcloths (you might like to pack a couple)

To Know About Your Destination Please remember that it is not customary in Europe to drink iced water with meals. Ice is not normally added to drinks unless specifically requested. If you intend to visit a specific museum or other public venues, ask your tour director for the days and dates they are open. Request and keep receipts for all your personal spending (meals, souvenirs etc.) Sales tax or VAT (value added tax) is already included on price tags; VAT refunds, if applicable, will take about three months to process. Obtain the relevant tax form plus invoice from the store and hand it to the appropriate office when leaving.

Money 1 U.S. Dollar = Euro We recommend use of a money belt while traveling. Please note that it is not very easy to change travelers checks. Even banks and exchange offices do not always offer this service and if it is offered, then charges are extremely high. We therefore recommend that you take a credit card with you plus a small amount of cash (preferably in US dollars).

Additional Information We recommend layered, easy care clothing, a pair of comfortable, tried-and- tested walking shoes, a heavy cardigan or jacket, and a small umbrella for the occasional shower. Evening dress: smart casual. Shorts and bare shoulders are considered inappropriate at some religious sites, so carry trousers and a pullover in your hand luggage, or ask your tour director. Having laundry done can be very expensive, so you may wish to bring some travel soap. Remember a good quality, electric current converter (check that it is sufficiently powerful for your appliance) and international plug adapter for using electrical equipment abroad. Many restaurants only serve bottled mineral water (for a fee).

Additional Information Europeans generally dine slightly later than might be your custom Coffee and tea are usually only served after meals and cost extra (ask the hotel staff). To reduce charges on calls home, we recommend you use a calling card (this service may not be available from every telephone). Items to pack in your hand luggage: a good supply of any medication you are taking as it may not be available, extra film and spare batteries for your camera, a pen, light rainwear, a sweater, a road map if you enjoy "plotting your progress," and maybe a small travel pillow. Label your camera and rolls of film with your name and tour code; should you lose them, there's a better chance of their being returned. Remember to check that you have not left your camera or film on the motorcoach at the end of your tour.

Baggage Allowance We will provide you with a carry-on bag If you would like to take your own, carry-on bags should not exceed the dimensions of 12x11x6 For safety reasons, wheeled carry-on bags are not suitable as hand luggage on the motorcoach Porterage for one suitcase per person is included One suitcase per person