Pilgrimage to Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Switzerland & Italy 2027
416-837-9306
Itinerary
| Sept 16 | Leave Toronto to Amsterdam |
| Sept 17 | Arrival in Amsterdam, capital of Holland. Amsterdam is known as Venice of the North, because of its lovely canals that criss-cross the city, its impressive architecture and more than 1,500 bridges. Tour of the city takes us to National Monument and Basilica of St Nicholas (photo stop from outside only). Also, boat cruise on Amsterdam’s canals. Mass in one of Amsterdam’s churches. Dinner and overnight in Amsterdam area. |
| Sept 18 | After breakfast we leave Amsterdam and travel to Cologne, En route stop at Kevelaer, Germany, the largest Catholic pilgrimage location within north-western Europe. Upon arrival in Cologne, Germany, we tour the city, enriched by some of Europe’s most striking churches, numerous museums, and one of the oldest universities in the world, Cologne is the Rhineland’s cultural heart. We will visit Cologne Cathedral, Hohenzollern Bridge, Roman Tower and Walls. Mass. Dinner and overnight. |
| Sept 19 | In the morning, travel to Aachen, one of Germany’s most important shrines, has immeasurable treasures for the Christian World. Visit the Aachen Cathedral and the Gothic Marian Shrine housing the swaddling clothes of Jesus, the loin cloth of the Lord, the cloth for John the Baptist’s head and the Blessed Virgin’s Cloak. Mass. Continue to Banneux, the most popular pilgrimage destination in Belgium. Virgin Mary appeared here eight times in 1933 to 11 years old Mariette Beco. We enjoy city walking tour and visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of Banneux. Dinner and overnight in Trier area. |
| Sept 20 | After breakfast, short city tour in Trier, Germany. The Cathedral of Trier was the first major church to be established in what is now Germany and is the oldest standing cathedral in Europe east of France. In 1986 the church was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as part of the Roman Monuments, Cathedral of St. Peter and Church of Our Lady in Trier. Continue to Luxemburg city, the capital of The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, one of the smallest countries in Europe. We will see the Old Town, Cathedral of Notre Dame and the Grand Duke’s Palace(outside photo stop only). Dinner and overnight in Riems area. |
| Sept 21 | Depart for Paris. Upon arrival panoramic tour of the city including famous landmarks: Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Place de la Concorde, Champs Elysees and Notre Dame Cathedral. Dinner and overnight in Paris. |
| Sept 22 | After breakfast, start with the visit to Miraculous Medal Church where Our Lady appeared to St. Catherine Laboure in 1830 and gave her instructions to have the Miraculous Medal made. Celebrate Mass in the Chapel, and venerate the incorrupt body of St. Catherine, as well as the heart of St. Vincent de Paul. From there you will visit the nearby chapel of the Vincentian Fathers to view the incorrupt body of St. Vincent de Paul, the saint who inspired thousands of charities and volunteers. After lunch break in Montmartre area, visit to Sacre Coeur Church, charming village famous for many artists that lived there in XIX century. Dinner and overnight in Troyes area. |
| Sept 23 | Morning to leave for Switzerland for tour of Einsiedeln, one of Switzerland’s most important pilgrimage destinations, known for its beautiful Baroque abbey and the revered Black Madonna. Will visit The Monastery of Einsiedeln where will celebrate Mass, dinner and overnight in Einsiedeln. |
| Sept 24 | After breakfast, travel to Turin. Upon arrival, tour of Turin, Italy takes us to the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, where one of Christianity’s holiest artifacts, the Shroud of Turin, is kept. Mass. Late afternoon, transfer to Parma area for dinner & overnight. |
| Sept 25 | After breakfast, we continue through the Italian Riviera to Florence– cradle of the Renaissance and capital of Tuscany. Upon arrival we start our sightseeing tour of Florence. We visit Santa Croce Basilica and famous Ponte Vecchio. Also, we pray inside magnificent Cathedral of Santa Maria Del Fiore. Also, we will view (photo stop from outside only) Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistery’s heavy bronze door “Gate of Paradise” and sculpture-studded Signoria Square with the statue of David by Michelangelo. Mass. Dinner and overnight in Florence. |
| Sept 26 | After breakfast, travel to Assisi, the town of St. Francis. After arrival we will visit the Basilica of St. Mary of Angels, St. Chiara Church and St. Francis Basilica including the Lower Basilica housing the tomb of St. Francis and the Upper Basilica with famous Giotto frescoes, illustrating scenes from St. Francis life. Mass. If time permits, we will visit Parish Church of Saint Mary Major & Sanctuary of the Spogliazione Tomb of Carlo Acutis. Continue to Rome for dinner and overnight. |
| Sept 27 | Morning, we will have a photo stop at Colosseum, Circus Maximus and Roman Forum, followed by a visit to the famous Trevi fountain, Piazza Navona Spanish Steps and Pantheon. In the afternoon, we visit the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and St John in Lateran. Mass. Dinner and overnight in Rome. |
| Sept 28 | After break, we start with visit to the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel, world’s famous for Michelangelo’s ceiling paintings of the Last Judgment. Then we walk to St. Peter’s Square and have a guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica. In the afternoon, visit Basilica of Saint Paul Outside The Walls. Mass. Dinner and overnight in Rome |
| Sept 29 | After breakfast, transfer to the airport for flight back to Toronto. |
Listed cost $6,190 includes
- Transportation from Toronto (unless specified otherwise), incl. airport taxes and surcharges
- Hotel accommodation first class or superior tourist class based on double occupancy 2 meals daily (breakfast and dinner)
- All sightseeing as per itinerary with English speaking guide, – tips to drivers, guides, restaurants, hotels
NOT INCLUDED IN THE COST OF THE TOUR
- Transportation from Toronto (unless specified otherwise),meals not specified, insurance, single room supplement is $900.00
HOW TO BOOK
- Please call, book online or download and send the registration form (see download registration form button below)
- A non-refundable deposit of $300.00 per person is required at time of booking.
- Insurance must be purchased at time of booking.
BALANCE OF PAYMENT
Balance due is payable 60 pays prior to departure For late bookings (within 60 days) full payment is due immediately.
CANCELLATION
If cancellation is necessary, please advise IHT immediately in writing. Cancellation charges are as follows:
- 60 days before departure or earlier – $300.00 per person
- between 60 and 45 days before departure – 50% of the total cost
- 45 days or less – 100% of the total cost
IF YOU CHANGE YOUR BOOKING
A $50.00 administration charge will be applied for changes you make to your booking outside the 60 days to departure period. Please note that name changes are not allowed and such will be treated as cancellations.
IF IHT CHANGES YOUR BOOKING
IHT will advise you of any change we feel significantly alters the holiday which you have purchased from us. Occasionally, changes might occur close to departure time. In such cases, you will be notified as soon as possible. Due to circumstances beyond our control, the local tour operator may have to make last minute changes in hotel or schedule. We reserve the right to substitute any of the hotels with hotels in similar or better category. First class twin-bedded rooms with private facilities are used.
UNUSED SERVICES
No refund or adjustment can be made for any portion of holiday not used.
GOOD VALUE AND EXPECTATIONS
The Ministry of Consumer Relations requires that passengers travelling abroad be advised that they may encounter different living standards and practices than those at home.
FLIGHT CONNECTIONS
IHT sells holidays from and returning to Toronto only, unless otherwise specified. In the event of a change in our flight times, with or without notice, we cannot accept responsibility for any special connecting fares which you might purchase and which cannot be changed without penalty.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION
A valid Canadian passport is required for all visits outside of Canada. It is the sole responsibility of the passenger to ensure proper and valid documentation. Failure to provide valid documentation may result in denied boarding of the aircraft and cancellation of your flight arrangements without refund.
If you are holding a passport other than Canadian, please contact IHT to determine whether or not a visa is required for entry into the country you will be visiting.
BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE
One piece per person (50 lbs) plus a carry-on bag (weighing not more than 15 lbs)
FLIGHT TIMES
All flight times are subject to change with or without prior notice to the passengers or his/her agent. IHT does not accept liability for missed connections or any expenses resulting from an off-schedule, rescheduled or late flight operations.
PRICES
Prices in this brochure are given in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated. Prices are correct at the time of going to press. In the event of any changes beyond IHT control, including but not limited to increase in government taxes or levies, airport taxes or surcharges or substantial changes in foreign exchange rates, IHT reserves the right to surcharge the passenger/s.
LIABILITY
IHT is a tour operator and has made the advertised holiday arrangements with the airline/s, hotel/s, cruise ship/s, other operator/s, and other. Each of these organizations has its own specific terms and conditions for doing business and you will be bound by them. IHT accepts no responsibility for: (a) the acts or omissions of any party/ies other than IHT employees, (b) failure by the passenger to be properly documented, (c) failure by the passenger to comply with departure or joining or baggage requirements, (d) aircraft delays, government actions, acts of God or any factors beyond our direct control, (e) cancellation or delay to any tour or holiday or change to the itinerary, (f) expenses resulting from lost or damaged baggage. IHT reserves the right to refuse any person as a member of these tours at its own discretion. IHT reserves the right to cancel any or all departure/s with or without prior notice and IHT sole responsibility shall be to refund all monies paid for such canceled departures. The laws and courts which govern this contract are those of the Province of Ontario.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
When you book your IHT tour, an agreement is made between you and IHT and others who will provide services. Please read carefully the information on this page for it sets out the conditions governing the provisions of these holidays.
INSURANCE COST
| Age | All Inclusive | Non-Medical / Cancellation |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 59 | $413.86 | $370.66 |
| 60 - 64 | $499.39 | $424.22 |
| 65 - 69 | $637.09 | $502.15 |
| 70 - 74 | $828.04 | $572.83 |
| 75 - 79 | $1236.60 | $946.08 |
| 80 - 84 | $1575.72 | $1181.52 |