Lourdes and the Shrines of France

1. Lourdes and the Shrines of France

2. 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 ShrineLISIEUX: Visit Les Buissonnets, family home of St. Therese; the basilica; St. Peter’s Cathedral; and the Carmelite ConventPARIS–LOURDES: By high-speed “TGV” trainLOURDES: Visit the grotto; guided sightseeing, visit the Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine and St. Bernadette’s birthplace and family homeCARCASSONNE: OrientationAVIGNON: OrientationLA SALETTE: Visit the Our Lady of La Salette Shrine, the church, the Apparition site, and springARS-SUR-FORMANS: Visit the St. John Vianney Shrine, his home, and churchPARAY-LE-MONIAL: Visit the Chapel of the Apparitions and the Basilica of the Sacred HeartNEVERS: Visit St. GildardCHARTRES: Visit the cathedral

3. Day 1Board your overnight transatlantic flight

4. Day 2Arrival 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

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

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

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

8. Day 4Paris. Lisieux Excursion. • In Lisieux, see Les Buissonnets, family home of St. Therese, and Basilica of St. Therese • Next, St. Peter’s Cathedral and the Carmelite Convent

9. Day 5Paris-Lourdes • Board the “TGV” Train to Lourdes to visit the Grotto • Join the candle procession this evening in Lourdes

10. Lourdes candle procession

11. Day 6Lourdes • Walking tour of Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine, St. Bernadette’s birthplace and family home

12. Day 6Lourdes • Balance of day at leisure • Bathe in the healing waters or attend the “Blessing of the Sick” • Join this evening’s candlelight procession

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

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

15. Day 9Lyon- 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

16. Basilica of the Sacred Heart

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

18. Day 11Your homebound flight arrives the same day

19. Meals • Daily buffet breakfasts • 5 three-course dinners

20. Quality Hotels • PARIS Novotel Paris Tour Eiffel • LOURDES Grand Hotel Moderne • AVIGNON Mercure Pont d’Avignon • LYON Mercure Grand Saxe Lafayette • NEVERS Mercure Pont de Loire • PARIS Pulman Porte de Sévres subject to change

21. ParisNovotel 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

22. Paris Novotel Paris Tour Eiffel

23. 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

24. Lourdes Grand Hotel Moderne

25. 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

26. Avignon Mercure Cité des Papes

27. 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

28. Lyon Mercure Grand Saxe Lafayette

29. 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

30. Nevers Mercure Pont de Loire

31. 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

32. Paris Pullman Rive Gauche

33. 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)

34. 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.

35. Money • 1 U.S. Dollar = .643052 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).

36. 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).

37. 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.

38. 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 12”x11”x6” • 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