GRAND MARIAN PILGRIMAGE
Italy - Portugal - Spain - France
PLUS, a flight from Rome to Lisbon | PLUS, a flight from Lisbon to Barcelona | PLUS train transfer from Lourdes to Paris |
PLUS, a side trip to Milan, Florence, Pisa, Lisbon
As Christians, we reach out to God in praise and in gratitude as well as to seek refuge in pain and turmoil. 2020 has truly been a tough year for all. But now more than ever, we need God’s voice to help us navigate our way in the midst of great uncertainties.
10th Anniversary Celebration
Travel Dates: Oct 25 to Nov 12, 2023
DAY 01 – MAY 22 (MON): MANILA TO ROME
Depart Manila for a flight to Rome via Emirates Airlines. Enjoy flight food, drinks, and all other amenities.
DAY 02 – MAY 23 (TUE): ROME / ARRIVAL (D)
Welcome to Rome! Arrival at 13:25 at Rome Int’l. Airport and proceed to necessary immigration and customs procedures. Once completed, our Tour Director will accompany us to the motorcoach. We will tour the Spanish Steps, Pantheon, Piazza Venezia, and other Classical Rome landmarks with a local guide. Then, visit the outside of the Coliseum to take some pictures. Then, check into your hotel. Dinner and overnight hotel stay.
DAY 03 – MAY 24 (WED): ROME (B,D)
Packed breakfast and EARLY transfer to St. Peter’s Square for the Papal audience and Mass. We will visit the Vatican Museums with a local guide in the afternoon. The Spiral Staircase, Raphael’s Transfiguration, Pinecone Courtyard, Laocoön, Apollo Belvedere, The Rotunda Room and Porphyry Basin, The Tapestries Hall, The Maps Room, Raphael’s School of Athens, and The Sistine Chapel are among the Vatican Museum must-sees. Finally, we will visit St. Peter’s Basilica, the destination of all Catholics worldwide. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
DAY 04 – MAY 25 (THU): ROME / MONTE CASSINO / SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO (143+240KM) (B,D)
Montecassino. The Benedictine rule of “Ora et Labora,” or “Pray and Work,” prescribes eight hours of prayer, eight hours of sleep, and eight hours of manual labor, spiritual reading, or charity. It is recorded that one infamous monk disobeyed this rule and attempted to poison St. Benedict. The cup containing the poison broke when St. Benedict made the sign of the cross, revealing the conspiracy. Next, we’ll head to San Giovanni Rotondo, a rural town where Padre Pio is interred and where the incorrupt body is kept in the Church of Our Lady of Grace. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
DAY 05 – MAY 26 (FRI): SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO / ROME / LISBON (380 KM + flight) (B,D)
FLIGHT FROM ROME TO LISBON
At the hotel, we’ll have a breakfast buffet. After that, attend Holy Mass at Our Lady of Grace Church. Then, pay homage to the exhumed incorrupt body of St. Pio of Pietrelcina. Free time to visit San Giovanni Rotondo. Return to Rome for a flight to Lisbon. Arrive at the airport in Lisbon, and transfer to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 06 – MAY 27 (SAT): LISBON / SANTARÉM / FATIMA (80 + 59 KM) (B,D)
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Half-day visit to Lisbon with a local guide in the morning, including stops at St. Anthony of Padua and Jeronimos Monastery (admission included). Then transfer to Santarém, where we’ll have free time to visit the Sanctuary of the Eucharistic Miracle. Transfer to Fatima. Hotel check-in and have dinner and overnight in the hotel.
OPTIONAL: You may participate in the evening Candlelight Procession.
DAY 07 - 28 MAY (SUN): FATIMA / AVILA (498 KM) (B,D)
Buffet breakfast at your hotel. Free time in Fatima to visit Our Lady of Fatima Basilica and the tombs of Francisco and Jacinta. Then transfer to Avila. Hotel check-in and have dinner in the hotel. Overnight in hotel.
DAY 08 – MAY 29 (MON): AVILA / MADRID (109 KM) (B,D)
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Visit Avila Cathedral during a half-day tour of Avila with a local guide in the morning (entrance included). Proceed to Madrid for a half-day tour of the city (all external stops) with a local guide, including the Almudena Cathedral in Spain, which serves as the administrative center for the Madrid Roman Catholic Diocese. View several of Madrid’s attractions, including the Royal Place and its own Plaza Mayor, as well as modern structures along Gran Via, Paseo de la Castellana, Barrio Salamanca, Plaza de Castilla, and Parque del Oeste. See the Church of St. Isidore (Patron Saint of Madrid) with his incorrupt body. Hotel check-in, dinner, and overnight.
DAY 09 – MAY 30 (TUE): MADRID / ZARAGOZA / BARCELONA (317 + 308 KM) (B,D)
After buffet breakfast, we will move on to Zaragoza and visit the Basilica of the miraculous Nuestra Señora del Pilar. Then continue your drive to Barcelona. Upon arrival, check-in in at your hotel. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
DAY 10 – MAY 31 (WED): BARCELONA / MONTSERRAT / BARCELONA (64 + 64 KM) (B,D)
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. We’ll go to the Monastery of Montserrat, which is situated atop a magnificent mountain range that rises from the Catalan plain. Visit the Royal Basilica and offer prayers to the revered Black Madonna, which was believed to be carved by St. Luke. Then, return to Barcelona City for leisure time. Dinner and overnight in a hotel
DAY 11 – JUN 01 (THU): BARCELONA (B,D)
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, visit the Sagrada Familia (entrance included) with a local guide. This Roman Catholic Church in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, is designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi. Free time in the afternoon to visit Las Ramblas. Dinner and overnight in the hotel in Barcelona.
DAY 12 – JUN 02 (FRI): BARCELONA / LOURDES (562 KM) (B,D)
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Lourdes. You will enjoy a half-day tour of the Sanctuary with a local guide through Lourdes. Here you will see the main highlights and hear the amazing stories. You will also visit the house of St. Bernadette to see where she grew up. Hotel check-in and have dinner in the hotel. Overnight in hotel. OPTIONAL: You may participate in the evening Candlelight Procession.
DAY 13 – JUN 03 (SAT): LOURDES (B,D)
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Morning Mass at the Chapel in the Basilica of Our Lady of Lourdes. Free time to visit the miraculous water. Pray collectively on the life-size Stations of the Cross in its most magnificent setting and meditate at the Grotto for close communication with God.
OPTIONAL: You may participate in the evening Candlelight Procession.
DAY 14 – JUN 04 (SUN): LOURDES / PARIS (TGV TRAIN) (B,D)
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the station to take the TGV train (second class ticket included) from Lourdes to Paris. The motor coach will bring the baggage to Paris, and the passengers will carry the hand luggage on the train. Arrival and transfer to the hotel for dinner and overnight. Hotel check-in and have dinner and overnight.
DAY 15 – JUN 05 (MON): PARIS (B,D)
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Full-day city tour (with local guide) of Paris: visit the Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, where you’ll pray afterward before the incorrupt body of St. Catherine Laboure. Visit the ruins of the Cathedral of Notre Dame. In the afternoon, we will visit Montmartre and Sacred Heart Church. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
DAY 16 – JUN 06 (TUE): PARIS (B,D)
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Full-day city tour (with local guide) of Paris: visit the Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, where you’ll pray afterward before the incorrupt body of St. Catherine Laboure. Visit the ruins of the Cathedral of Notre Dame. In the afternoon, we will visit Montmartre and Sacred Heart Church. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
DAY 17 – JUN 07 (WED): PARIS / DEPARTURE TO DUBAI (ETD at 2155) (B)
Buffet breakfast. Before we leave France, free time for shopping until our transfer to the airport for departure at 21:55.
DAY 18 – JUN 08 (THU): DUBAI / MANILA (B,L)
Arrive in Dubai Int’l. Airport at 6:35 AM and carry through the required customs and immigration procedures. Our local tour guide will meet us at the arrival area when the group is cleared. We will have a welcome breakfast before proceeding to our day tour. We will visit Burj Khalifa (photo-stop), Dubai Gold Souk, Jumeirah Beach, the picturesque palace and residential area of Dubai, a photo-stop at the famed Jumeirah Mosque, and The Dubai Mall. Then, return to the airport for our 1700 departure time.
DAY 19 – JUN 09 (FRI): MANILA
Enjoy all airline amenities and relax during the flight back home. The estimated arrival time in Manila is 0550AM.
HOME, SWEET HOME!
Enjoy a 10% Discount & BDO BNPL 3-month 0% Installment Program
Pilgrimage Rate: US$ 5,320/person less 10%
Discounted Rate: US% 4,788/person
​INCLUSIONS:
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Flight via Emirates
o Manila to Rome
o Paris to Dubai
o Dubai to Manila
o 30 kg bag check-in
o 9 kg cabin luggage
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Flight via TAP Portugal
o Rome to Lisbon
o 23 kg bag check-in
o 9 kg cabin luggage
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Roundtrip in ALL airport transfers (Rome, Lisbon, and Paris)
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Accommodation in Superior Tourist / First Class Hotels (3***S/4****), in twin/double rooms
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ALL Hotel taxes and service charges
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Priest / Chaplain for the entire duration of the Pilgrimage
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Coach driver & deluxe private motorcoach, equipped with the most updated facilities
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Road taxes, parking fees, and special permissions to enter the cities
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Our English-speaking Tour Director for the entire trip
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Meals: 16 buffet breakfasts (B) and 15 dinners (D) in the hotel; 1 buffet Lunch (L) in Dubai
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Pitcher of water during meals
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All the accommodation City taxes in the hotel
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City tours with English-speaking local guides in:
o Rome (2HD)
o Lisbon (1HD)
o Avila (1HD)
o Madrid (1HD)
o Barcelona (1HD)
o Lourdes (1HD)
o Paris (2FD)
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Entrances with pre-booking to:
1) Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel in Rome
2) Jeronimos Monastery in Lisbon
3) Avila Cathedral
4) Sagrada Familia in Barcelona
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Headphones to visit the Basilicas in Rome
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Pre-booking of 1-way 2nd class ticket for the TGV train Lourdes/Paris
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Booking of the tickets for the Papal Audience in Rome (on Wednesday)
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Booking of the HOLY MASS in each city
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Pilgrimage tours to Churches, as mentioned in the itinerary
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Leisure tours to cities, as mentioned in the itinerary
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Dubai City Tour
o Transit / Layover UAE Visa
o Roundtrip airport transfer
o Meals: 1 Buffet Breakfast, 1 Buffet Lunch
o City Tour – as indicated in the itinerary
o Local Tour Guide
o Deluxe private motorcoach
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Tour Escort from Manila
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The pre-departure briefing (2 weeks before departure)
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Tour Kit
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Travel Insurance with CoVid coverage (up to 74 y.o.)
o NOTE: Surcharge will apply to 75 y.o. and up
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FREE Visa Assistance
EXCLUSIONS:
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Visa, Appointment, Biometrics, and Courier Fee
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All airline taxes and fees – US$ 196 PP
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Philippine Travel Tax – US$ 32 PP
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Tipping to Tour Director/Tour Guide and Driver (Europe & Dubai) – US$ 170 PP
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Porterage: all airports, hotels, and train
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Drinks and lunches (except in Dubai)
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RT-PCR test/s (if applicable)
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Others not specified explicitly in the INCLUSIONS
PACKAGE RATE is a minimum of 25 pax per group
Less than 25 pax per group:
20 to 24 pax: 5,088/pax
15 to 19 pax: 5,388/pax
TERMS of PAYMENT: Note: Lack of payment will cancel the booking.
$ 500 – NON-Refundable deposit per person upon confirmation of the reservation.
100% – balance payment required after visa approval.
CANCELLATION FEES:
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50% cancellation fee is to be charged on or 90 days before arrival
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75% cancellation fee is to be charged on or 60 days before arrival
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100% cancellation fee is to be charged 45 days before arrival, including no show
IMPORTANT NOTIFICATION:
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THERE IS NO REFUND FOR ANY UNUSED SERVICES
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For the pax who cannot pass immigration in the Int’l Airport OR miss the flight, the tour fare is non-refundable
NOTES/REMINDERS:
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NO PORTERS are included in the service for all segments (Airport, Hotel, and Train)
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Granting and non-granting of Schengen visas are solely under the Embassy Consul's discretion.
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Standard check-in time is between 1400-1600 HOURS (2 to 4 pm), and check-out time is 1200 NOON (depending on the hotel's policy).
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The passenger can carry only one (1) baggage w/ a maximum of 30 kg for the long haul and a small handbag as space under the bus is limited. Don't have any supplements for those passengers carrying extra luggage.
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ONLY 23kg bag check-in is allowed for the Rome to Lisbon flight.
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If all the luggage does not fit on the bus, please be aware that the extra bags will be sent to the next overnight destination by a shipping company, and the client must pay and afford the shipping cost.
PAYMENT PROCESS:
(1) Payment shall be made in either a bank deposit or cash payment.
We accept Credit Card payments (a 4% add-on rate is required for Bank Charges)
(2) EMAIL copy of deposit slip (with the name of the payer) together with bio-page passport copy & 2x2 colored photo
(a scanned copy is acceptable).
Email Address: travelbookings@1gazelle.com
(3) Once payment is confirmed, we will email the visa application form and the acknowledgment Receipt.
(4) Airline tickets, tour and hotel vouchers, and tour kits will be released two (2) weeks before departure, during the
pre-departure briefing.
For Booking Confirmation:
> Deposit payment through:
- BDO US Dollar Account #: 1062 5027 0794
- Account Name: GAZELLE TRAVEL AND TOURS
- Branch: SM East Ortigas
> Email a copy of the deposit slip to travelbookings@1gazelle.com