A Catholic Pilgrimage Tour to Italy, Switzerland & Germany

April 19, 2026 – Sunday
NEW YORK / ITALY
Today we gather at John F. Kennedy International Airport for our flight to Italy, arriving in Milan the following day. Meals are served on board our transatlantic flight.

April 20, 2026 – Monday
MILAN / TURIN
This morning, we arrive in Milan and are met by our Pilgrimage Tours’ tour director who will remain with us until the end of our tour. We depart the airport and arrive for a visit to Milan’s beautiful Cathedral, or “Duomo”, where Saint Ambrose baptized Saint Augustine. Following Mass, we drive to TTurin, or Torino; Italy’s first capital. We arrive at our hotel for check-in followed by dinner. Overnight in Turin.

April 21, 2026 – Tuesday
TURIN
Today we will enjoy a full day in Turin, beginning with a guided city tour of the historic center of Torino, where we see the splendid Palazzo Reale and its ancient Roman ruins such as the remains of the Roman walls, the Palatina Portal, the Roman Theatre and the Mole Antonelliana, Turin’s most iconic landmark. We also visit and celebrate Mass in the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, which stores the Holy Shroud, the most important relic of the Passion of Christ. In the afternoon we will visit the Basilica of Our Lady Help of Christians, housing the tomb of St. John Bosco, founder of the Salesian Society. Here we will learn about the extraordinary life of St. John Bosco on the site of the first safehouse he built for homeless and impoverished boys. Under the altar of St. Dominic Savio, relics of the saint are stored. Dinner and overnight in Turin.

April 22, 2026 – Wednesday
TURIN / BERN / LUCERNE
Following Mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, we depart Italy and enter Switzerland, where we enjoy a visit to the town of Bern. While here we visit Bern’s lovely Rose Garden, offering a wonderful view of Bern. We next enjoy a walking tour of Old Town Bern where we will see its Clock Tower and visit Albert Einstein’s house displaying some of Einstein’s inventions. This evening, we enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Following dinner, we continue onto the beautiful city of Lucerne, nestled in the Swiss Alps and situated on Lake Lucerne. Overnight in Lucerne.

April 23, 2026 – Thursday
LUCERNE / ZURICH
Following breakfast, we drive to and enjoy a full day in Zurich, beginning with a visit and celebration of Mass at St. Anton’s Church. Following Mass, we will visit the Church of Our Lady (Fraumunster), whose stained -glass windows were designed by the artist Marc Chagall. In Zurich’s historic center, we will see the facade of St. Peter’s Church (Peterkirche), displaying Europe’s largest clock, followed by free time on the Bahnhofstrasse, a popular pedestrian street offering the best in world-class shopping. Later in the afternoon, we return to Lucerne. Dinner and overnight in Lucerne.

April 24, 2026 – Friday
LUCERNE / BASEL
This morning we drive to the town of Basel, where we will enjoy a walking tour with a local guide where we will see Basel’s city hall and the Mittlere Brucke; the “Middle Bridge”. Following free time in Basel’s Marktplatz, we arrive at St. Marien Church for our celebration of Mass. Following Mass, we return to Lucerne for dinner at Restaurant Rebstock. Overnight in Lucerne.

April 25, 2026 – Saturday
LUCERNE / EINSIEDELN
Today we enjoy a day-trip to Einsiedeln, Switzerland’s largest and most important Marian Shrine. As far as you can see is a sea of green pastures and beautiful mountains. Einsiedeln is home to a shrine, a miracle-working Black Madonna statue and a Benedictine monastery. In the Lady Chapel, we find the Black Madonna statue, venerated by the faithful, with many miracles being attributed to Our Lady of Einsiedeln’s intercession. We celebrate Mass in the sanctuary’s Mercy Chapel. We will also see the impressive Diorama Bethlehem, the world’s largest nativity scene, with more than five hundred carved wooden figures. We will also see the Panorama, a circular painting more than three hundred feet in length and thirty feet high. The painting depicts Jerusalem and the Crucifixion scene. In the afternoon, we return to Lucerne for dinner and overnight.

April 26, 2026 – Sunday
LUCERNE / RHINE FALLS / THE BLACK FOREST / MUNICH
Following Mass this morning, we bid farewell to Lucerne and drive to Rhine Falls, Europe’s largest waterfalls, before driving to southern Germany, crossing the Rhine River, for a visit to the Black Forest. During our drive we enjoy some of the world’s most picturesque scenery including beautiful landscapes displaying majestic mountains, charming valleys, tranquil lakes, waterfalls and of course pine trees. Here we will enjoy the town square where you may want to sample some Black Forest cake and pay a visit to the Brunner World of 1000 Clocks store, offering a wide selection of locally crafted cuckoo clocks. Late afternoon we arrive in Munich for dinner and overnight.

April 27, 2026 – Monday
MUNICH
Today we enjoy a walking tour of Munich, including visits to St. Anton Church and the Church of Our Lady (Frauenkirche), the towering twin-onion domed steeple church that has served as the symbol of Munich for centuries. Following Mass, we visit the world-famous and lively Hofbrauhaus for lunch and a beer. The remainder of our day is free for personal exploration in Munich’s main square, the always festive Marienplatz. Dinner and overnight in Munich.

April 28, 2026 – Tuesday
MUNICH / REGENSBURG / WELTENBURG
Today we enjoy a day exploring Bavaria, starting with our arrival in the 2,000 year-old city of Regensburg along the Danube River. Here we visit and celebrate Mass in perhaps Germany’s most impressive gothic Cathedral, dedicated to Saint Peter. Following Mass, we enjoy a motor coach tour of Regensburg where we will see the University of Regensburg, where Pope Benedict XVI taught theology. We will also see the Old Town Hall as well as Thurns & Taxis Palace comprised of former Benedictine monastery buildings. From Regensburg we drive south to Kelheim for a scenic cruise featuring limestone crags and majestic forests alongside the Danube River. We arrive at the impressive Weltenburg Abbey, a Benedictine monastery with its amazing architecture, considered to be the oldest monastery in Bavaria, founded by monks in the 7th century. We return to Munich for dinner and overnight.

April 29, 2026 – Wednesday
MUNICH / ALTÖTTING
This morning we drive to Altötting, one of Germany’s most celebrated shrines and a village whose purpose is pilgrimage. In the center of the pilgrimage complex we find the Chapel of Mercy. The chapel houses a 13th century statue of the Blessed Virgin to which numerous miraculous cures are credited. Next, we visit and celebrate Mass at the Church of St Magdalene. Following Mass, we enjoy free time to explore St. Anne’s Basilica, the Church of Sts. Philip and James, the Panorama of the Crucifixion, the Pilgrim Museum and Saint Conrad’s Church. Later in the afternoon, we return to Munich where the remainder of our day is free for personal exploration. Dinner and overnight in Munich.

April 30, 2026 – Thursday
MUNICH / NEW YORK
Following breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our return 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.