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Including Frankfurt, Wurzburg, Fulda, Walldurn, Regensburg, Munich, Altotting, Salzburg, Vienna, Mariazell & Prague.
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Day 1 - USA / GERMANY
Today we depart for our gateway and overnight flight to Frankfurt. Meals will be served in flight. |
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Day 2 - FRANKFURT / WURZBURG
After processing through customs, we meet our Pilgrimage Tours' tour director who will remain with us until the end of our tour. We embark on a scenic motor coach tour of Frankfurt. We continue on to nearby Wurzburg to celebrate Mass in the 900 year-old Romanesque Neumunster Basilica. Dinner and overnight in Wurzburg. |
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Day 3 - WURZBURG / FULDA
This morning we depart to the classic city of Fulda where we visit the baroque Cathedral. After Mass we see the tomb of St. Boniface, the "Apostle of the Germans" and tour the Cathedral grounds. Just beside the Cathedral, we'll go to St. Michael's Church with its pyramidal tower, beautiful frescoes, crypt and vaults. By midday we will have time to stroll along the brick and cobblestone streets where we are treated to boutiques, cafes and open-air markets. We'll also visit St. Mary's Abbey and the Castle Fasanerie. We return to Wurzburg for dinner and overnight. |
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Day 4 - WURZBURG / WALLDURN
Traveling to the south, we visit the Basilica of the Holy Blood, the place of the Eucharistic Miracle of Walldurn where, in 330, the priest Heinrich Otto spilled a chalice onto linen fabric and formed a distinct image of Jesus' head with an eleven pointed crown of thorns. Following Mass, we take a tour of the artistic depictions of the miracle and time for veneration of the Corporal before returning to Wurzburg. Among the many large Catholic shrines in the world there are many smaller ones. Of them, Our Lady of the Vineyard in Wurzburg is among the most spectacular. The diminutive statue of Our Lady is enshrined with encircling altars and intricate hand carvings. The classic baroque architecture has been built progressively since the 15th century. We will also visit the Cathedral, the Marienberg Fortress and Prince Bishop's Palace. Dinner and overnight in Wurzburg. |
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Day 5 - WURZBURG / REGENSBURG / MUNICH
We head south into Bavaria to the 2,000 year-old city of Regensburg along the Danube River. Amidst a medieval landscape founded by Marcus Aurelius we visit the home of Germany's most impressive gothic Cathedral and celebrate Mass there. We will have time to explore the ancient city with its many eras and flavors along narrow walkways and stone bridges. In the afternoon we depart for Munich where we visit the Asamkirche, one of the most richly decorated rococo churches in the world. Dinner and overnight in Munich. |
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Day 6 - MUNICH
This morning we celebrate Mass at the Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady), the towering twin-onion domed steeple church that has served as the symbol of Munich for centuries. We drive to the west to Bavaria's famous Ottobeuren Abbey to join in the monastic Liturgy of the Hours. We'll tour the majestic basilica and visit the Chapel of St. Benedict and the Abbey Museum. Next, we visit what is arguably the most intensively decorated and extravagant rococo building in the world, the Weis Church. Situated on the slopes of the Alps, we'll see the site visited by over one million pilgrims each year who come to see the incredible paintings and frescoes as well as the image of the "Scourged Savior." We return to Munich for dinner and overnight. |
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Day 7 - MUNICH / ALTOTTING / SALZBURG
Journeying into the heart of Bavaria we go to Altotting, one of Germany's most celebrated shrines and a city whose purpose is pilgrimage. Upon arrival we'll celebrate mass at the center of the pilgrimage complex, the chapel of Mercy. While there, we have the opportunity to visit the Basilica, the Panorama of the Crucifixion, the Pilgrim Museum, St. Konrad's Monastery and more. On the way to Salzburg we visit the shrine of Our Lady of Maria Plain, a place of prayer for many and a place of pilgrimage for Pope John Paul II in a most spectacularly scenic setting. We continue on to Salzburg for dinner and overnight. |
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Day 8 - SALZBURG / VIENNA
This morning we continue toward Vienna, stopping at the second largest Marian Shrine in Austria, Our Lady of Maria Taferl. We celebrate Mass at the hilltop shrine where miraculous apparitions were seen for several years in the mid 1600's at a location that had been the site of Celtic sacrifices. En-route to Vienna we stop at Melk Abbey along the Danube River. Over 900 years old, Melk Abbey is one of the finest religious sites in Austria where black robed monks still stroll amidst marble sculptures and frescoed walls. Our final stop before Vienna is at the sprawling Gottweig Abbey high above the Danube valley. We'll explore the thousand year old fortress-like complex. We arrive in Vienna for dinner and overnight. |
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Day 9 - VIENNA / MARIAZELL
The Hofburg Palace Chapel is our destination for a performance by the Vienna Boys Choir this morning followed by a visit to Vienna's landmark, St. Stephens Cathedral where we celebrate Mass. While there, we'll see the miraculous image of Our Lady of Mariapocs, tour the Cathedral and its catacombs, and those who wish may climb the 343 steps to the top of the Cathedral spire. Next, we'll take a tour of the Imperial Palace, viewing the private rooms of Emperor Francis Joseph and those of his wife, Empress Elisabeth, as well as the Treasuries with the magnificent crown jewels. In the afternoon, we embark on an excursion to Mariazell, the most famous Marian Shrine in Austria. We return to the city center, visiting Karlsplatz with its Church of St. Charles Borromeo and Otto Wagner's Stadtbahn pavilions. The remainder of the day is at leisure for sightseeing in Vienna. Dinner and overnight in Vienna. |
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Day 10 - VIENNA / PRAGUE
After breakfast, we depart to the north with a stop at the Klosterneuburg Abbey. We celebrate Mass at the Monastery Cathedral on our way to Prague. We go to a holy mountain in the heart of the Czech Republic, the sanctuary of Svata Hora. The hilltop shrine features a renowned miraculous statute of the Virgin Mary and a spectacular basilica with a magnificent silver altar, frescoes and paintings. Dinner and overnight in Prague. |
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Day 11 - PRAGUE
This morning we go to Prague's most notable monument, the Prague Castle, with its picturesque view. We enter the St. Vitus Cathedral for Mass and to see some of the most prized relics of Czech history including tombs of Czech kings, coronation jewels, and some outstanding artworks. At the castle gallery we see paintings of the most important masters of Renaissance: Titian, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Breughel, Holbein, DÅrer and many others. Within the Castle complex, we also visit the All Saints Church rebuilt in Renaissance style, the Romanesque St. George church and the old convent. The afternoon is free for exploration in Prague. Dinner and overnight in Prague. |
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Day 12 - PRAGUE
In downtown Prague we see Christian Prague's most beloved relic, the Holy Infant Child in the Church of Our Lady Victorious. At the shrine we see the Holy Infant of Prague statute and museum after celebrating Mass. We continue with sightseeing in the historic Old Town Square. This is the site of the famous 15th century astronomical clock that is a fascinating display of dials and hands and figures. Below the neo-Gothic Old Town Hall we see 27 marble crosses set into the ground. Nearby, we see the Church of St. Nicholas and the gothic Tyn Church dating from the 14th century. In this church you will find, among other interesting relics, the tomb of the astronomer, Tycho Brahe. Dinner and overnight in Prague. |
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Day 13 - PRAGUE / USA
After breakfast, we transfer to the airport for the flight home. Though our pilgrimage has come to an end, the blessings of our encounters with the Lord, Our Lady, and the saints are certain to strengthen and encourage us throughout our lifelong pilgrimage. |
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