Catholic Pilgrimage Tour to Central Europe

July 26, 2020 – Sunday
NEWARK / PRAGUE
Today we depart Newark Liberty Airport on our direct flight to the Czech Republic, arriving the next day.  Meals are served on board.

July 27, 2020 – Monday
PRAGUE
This morning we arrive in Prague and are met by our Pilgrimage Tours’ tour director.  We depart the airport and drive to the Sanctuary of Svata Hora, a hilltop shrine featuring a renowned miraculous statue of the Virgin Mary and a spectacular basilica with its silver altar and magnificent frescoes and paintings.  Following Mass at the shrine, we return to Prague for a motor coach tour of the city, including a stop at Wenceslas Square.  Later in the afternoon we arrive at our hotel for check-in.  Dinner and overnight in Prague. 

July 28, 2020 – Tuesday
PRAGUE
Today we will visit downtown Prague where we will visit and celebrate Mass at the Church of Our Lady Victorious and see its Holy Infant Jesus of Prague Shrine.  Following Mass we enjoy a walking tour beginning with a walk across the famous Charles Bridge with its baroque statue and where we will see artists, musicians and vendors.  As we enter Old Town, we will see many interesting shops en route to Prague’s historic Old Town Square, where we will see the famous 15th century astronomical clock that is a fascinating display of dials, hands and figures.  We also visit the Gothic Tyn Church dating from the 14th century followed by free time for lunch.  In the afternoon we will visit Prague Castle and see its gallery with paintings from the most important masters of Renaissance: Titian, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Breughel, Holbein, Dürer and many others.  In Saint Vitus Cathedral we will see some of the most prized relics of Czech history including tombs of Czech kings, coronation jewels, and some outstanding artworks.  Dinner and overnight in Prague.

July 29, 2020 – Wednesday
PRAGUE / TELC / VIENNA
This morning we depart Prague for Vienna.  En route we will visit the town of Telc, where we arrive at the Church of Saint James for a visit and celebration of Mass.  Following free time for lunch and shopping in Telc’s historic center, we continue on to Vienna, the capital of Austria, where we enjoy a motor coach tour of the city.  Finally we arrive at our hotel for check-in.  Dinner and overnight in Vienna.

July 30, 2020 – Thursday
VIENNA
This morning we will visit Saint Stephen’s Cathedral, where we see the miraculous image of Our Lady of Mariapocs.  Following Mass at the Cathedral, we enjoy a tour of the Imperial Palace, also known as the Hofburg Palace.  We also visit the Church of St. Charles Borromeo, followed by free time in Vienna’s historic center.  Dinner and overnight in Vienna.

July 31, 2020 – Friday
VIENNA / MELK / SALZBURG
This morning we depart Vienna for a visit to the famous Melk Abbey, rising above the banks of the Danube River.  At over 900 years old, the Melk Abbey is one of the finest religious sites in Austria where black robed monks still stroll amidst marble sculptures and frescoed walls.  We celebrate Mass in the Golden Abbey Church.  We continue on to Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart, for dinner and overnight.

August 1, 2020 – Saturday
SALZBURG
This morning we enjoy a panoramic tour of the surrounding areas of Salzburg, where we relive the true story of the von Trapp family which was filmed as the “Sound of Music” in and around Salzburg.  The tour will include both an historic city tour and a journey into its lakes and mountains area, the breathtaking Salzkammergut.  In the afternoon we return to Salzburg’s historic center and enjoy a walking tour of the city, passing through Mirabell Gardens en route to the Salzburg Cathedral for a visit and celebration of Mass.  Following Mass we enjoy free time for shopping.  Dinner and overnight in Salzburg.

August 2, 2020 – Sunday
SALZBURG / OBERAMMERGAU
This morning we drive to Oberammergau where we will enjoy a performance of the Passion Play, performed once every ten years over several centuries.  Soon after the most recent performances in 2010, the villagers again began in their preparation for this year’s performances.    The play depicting Christ’s Passion, will be performed by hundreds of actors, singers and instrumentalists, who have been preparing for this year’s performances for several years.  The play will be presented in two halves, the first half in the afternoon, and its conclusion this evening.  In between these two halves of the performance, we will have free time to explore the village and its shops, as well as enjoy our group’s Bavarian dinner in a local restaurant.  Overnight in Oberammergau. 

August 3, 2020 – Monday
OBERAMMERGAU / MUNICH
Today we drive to Munich where upon our arrival, we enjoy a walking tour of Munich, including a visit and celebration of Mass at the Church of Our Lady (Frauenkirche), the towering twin-onion domed steeple church that has served as the symbol of Munich for centuries.  The remainder of our afternoon is free in the always festive Marienplatz.  This evening we gather for our “farewell dinner” at the world-famous Hofbrauhaus.  Dinner and overnight in Munich.  

August 4, 2020 – Tuesday
MUNICH / NEWARK
Following breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our direct flight home.  Though our pilgrimage draws to a close, its blessings will last a lifetime and its graces are certain to draw us closer to the Lord.