Alpine Pilgrimage 2016 Brochure
Transcription
Alpine Pilgrimage 2016 Brochure
TERMS AND CONDITIONS The Tour Price Includes: Air Transportation: Airfares are based on special contract agreements with various international airlines, and involve certain restrictions and deadlines. These fares are subject to cancellation penalties, and once they are issued, are NONREFUNDABLE, NON-TRANSFERABLE AND CAN’T BE USED TOWARDS FUTURE TRAVEL. Please refer to our CANCELLATION AND REFUND OF AIR AND LAND ARRANGEMENTS CLAUSE/POLICY below. Airfares are based on prices in effect as of JANUARY 1, 2016, and they are subject to change without notice. IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU PURCHASE TRAVEL INSURANCE. Surface Transportation: All surface transportation as described in the itinerary will be by modern motorcoach designed for highway travel. Groups will be met and transferred on arrival and departure. Hotels: First class Hotels (4 star throughout). Hotel classifications as per ratings on OHRG published by Ziff-Davis Company in New York. Hotels are double occupancy (2 people per room). Single room additional cost $650.00. Single rooms are limited and will be awarded on a first come first serve basis. If you request a roommate and none is available you will pay ½ this amount as a forced single room. Meal Plan: The meal plan is half board, 2 meals per day, consists of breakfast, and dinner, depending on the routine of the itinerary. Taxes and service charges normally appearing on the restaurant bills are included in the tour price. A list of all food allergies must be emailed to [email protected] for hotel accommodation. In the case the hotel is unable to accommodate, passenger is responsible for all meals. Unused meals will NOT be reimbursed. Baggage: INSPIRATIONAL TOURS restricts all tour passengers to 1 piece of checked luggage and 1 carry-on. All Passengers should check with the airline for up-to-date baggage weight and dimension information and restrictions which are subject to change at anytime before tour departure. Included: Airport Taxes, Fuel Surcharges, ( subj to change ) & Tips to guides and drivers. The Tour Price Does Not Include: Expenses of passports, laundry, mineral waters, after-luncheon and after-dinner tea or coffee or food not on the menus of the included meals; additional baggage; expenses of carriages, guides, sightseeing or other services than those specifically mentioned as being included in the itinerary; baggage and personal insurance; all items of a personal nature plus those not listed above as being included in the tour price. Booking Conditions: Deposits and Payment: A deposit of $300.00 per person is required at the time of booking. No order will be processed without a deposit. Full and final payment is due 60 days before departure. Registrations received within 60 days of departure require payment in full, deposit only will not be accepted. WE ACCEPT CASH, CHECKS OR MONEY ORDERS ONLY. WE DO NOT ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS. Cancellation and Refund Policy: All cancellations MUST BE RECEIVED IN WRITING VIA FAX, E-MAIL OR REGULAR U.S. MAIL. Automatic $100.00 cancellation fee up to 90 days prior to departure; 89 to 60 days prior to departure $300.00 cancellation fee; 59 to 30 days prior to departure 50% of tour cost cancellation fee; 29 days prior to departure up to date of departure 100% of tour cost cancellation fee; Total loss of tour costs, Air and Land. If nonrefundable air tickets have been issued prior to receiving notice of your cancellation, you will be charged the price of the ticket in addition to the cancellation penalties listed above. ALL RESERVATIONS ARE NON-TRANSFERABLE AT ANY TIME FOR ANY REASON. Deviations: Deviation policies vary by airline and are normally only allowed on the return journey, from the same departing city as the group, and depend upon availability. There is a change fee of $150.00 per person, plus any additional airline charges. ALL deviation requests must be made in writing, at least 90 days before departure date. NO TELEPHONE DEVIATION REQUESTS WILL BE ACCEPTED. Tour Prices All tour prices quoted for transportation and land arrangements in this folder are based on rates, (including foreign exchange rates), in effect at the time of original tour agreement with your tour host and accordingly are subject to increase without notice if such rates change prior to departure. Insurance: To protect your travel plans, WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND THE PURCHASE OF TRAVEL INSURANCE. A BROCHURE WILL BE PROVIDED UPON RECEIPT OF YOUR REGISTRATION AND DEPOSIT. Responsibility: Inspirational Tours, Inc. or their agents act only as agent for the passenger in regards to travel, whether by railroad, motor car, motorcoach, boat or airplane and assume no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity which may be occasioned either by acts or defect in any vehicle or for any reason whatsoever, or through the acts or default of any company or person engaged in conveying the passenger or in carrying out the arrangements of the tour. They can accept no responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, quarantine or other causes. All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger as tour rates provide for arrangements only for the time stated. The right is reserved to substitute hotels of similar quality to those specified in the itinerary and the right is reserved to cancel any tour prior to departure, in which latter case a full refund will constitute full settlement to the passenger. No refund will be made for any unused portion of the tour unless arrangements are made prior to departure from the United States. The airlines concerned, their agents, or affiliates and other carriers, are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time passengers are not on board their aircraft. The passenger ticket in use by said carriers, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between the carriers and the purchasers of these tickets and/or the passenger. It is the passengers’ responsibility to obtain any visas that they need to travel. The services of any I.A.T.A. carrier may be used for these tours and transportation within the U.S.A. may be provided by any member of the Air Traffic Conference of America. PRICES ARE BASED ON RATES EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2016 AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. Join Fr. Cooper on a 15 day Grand Pilgrimage along the Alpine Way Germany, Switzerland, Austria and the Czech Republic MUNICH- OBERAMMERGAU – INNSBRUCK – LUCERNE ALTOTTING – SALZBURG – VIENNA – PRAGUE OCTOBER 9TH – 23RD, 2016 $4,890.00 PER PERSON FROM NEW ORLEANS (Includes: Roundtrip Air Transportation From New Orleans, First Class Hotels, Double Occupancy, 2 Meals A Day – Buffet Breakfasts And Dinners (Dinners Served With Wine), Daily Sightseeing, Airport Taxes, Fuel Surcharges - Which Are Subject To Change, And All Tips Are Inclusive.) Spiritual Director: Fr. Robert Cooper St. Benilde Catholic Church - Metairie, LA Pilgrimage Coordinator: Carol Ingrassia NOTE: While no changes are anticipated, there might be occasions when certain alterations become necessary to this itinerary due to logistical reasons. All Masses are subject to final church schedules. [email protected] www.inspirationaltoursinc.com Melk Abbey, Vienna My Brothers and Sisters in the Lord It is with a profound spirit of gratitude that I joyfully invite you, your family members and friends to join me on a 15 day Grand Pilgrimage along the Alpine Way visiting Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and the Czech Republic – a treasure house of Marian shrines, sweeping landscapes, and ornate cathedrals. Neuschwanstein Castle Salzburg Baroque Dom Cathedral Vienna, Austria - Schoenbrunn Palace DAY 1: DEPART USA We depart the United States en route to Munich. celebrate Mass at the Wilten Basilica. After Mass, we continue to Vaduz in the Principality of Liechtenstein for a lunch break before we enter Switzerland. We will visit Einsiedeln, the most famous pilgrimage destination in Switzerland, where the Great Festival of the Miraculous Dedications is held each year. We will visit the impressive baroque Abbey Church. We continue to the picture-book Lucerne, the center of Catholic resistance during the time of the Reformation. Dinner and Overnight in Lucerne. to enjoy its gardens and hidden trick fountains. Mass will be at St. Peter’s Churchyard. There will be some free time in the afternoon to explore the city on your own. Dinner is at a local restaurant with music from the movie “Sound of Music.” Overnight in Salzburg. DAY 2: ARRIVE IN MUNICH Mass: Church of Asamkirche Upon arrival in Munich we will be met by our English speaking guide. We will visit the baroque Church of Asamkirche for Mass. After Mass, we will have time to stroll among the shops or to sample some of the local brew at the numerous beer gardens. Then we will be transferred to our hotel for dinner and overnight in Munich. DAY 3: MUNICH: VISIT THE CITY Mass: Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) We start our city tour of Bavaria’s capital including Nymphenburg Palace, summer home of the Bavarian monarchs with its magnificent gardens and the historic Glockenspiel on the Marienplatz. Just down the street we visit St. Peter’s Church, the oldest church in Munich. We will also visit the revered twin-towered Fraunkirche (Church), the most familiar landmark of old Munich. We celebrate Mass at the Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady), the towering twinonion domed steeple church that has served as the symbol of Munich for centuries. Tonight we will enjoy a festive dinner at the famous Hofbrauhaus. Overnight in Munich. DAY 4: MUNICH/LINDERHOFF CASTLE/ETTAL ABBEY/ OBERAMMEGRAU Mass: Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Oberammergau This morning we head south of Munich, deep into the forest to King Ludwig’s Linderhof Castle. The castle is situated in a lovely valley in the middle of the Ammergau Alps. After our visit, we will have a light lunch and then continue to the magnificent Benedictine Abbey of Ettal. This beautiful Baroque abbey was founded in 1313. Then we depart for Oberammergau, a beautiful village, known both for hosting the Passion Play and for its beautiful woodcarvings. The story of Oberammergau is one of faith and miracles. In the 1600′s, “The Black Plague” swept through Europe, striking down one in every three people and leaving in its wake misery and death. The people of Oberammergau prayed to be spared, vowing that they would present a play depicting the Passion of Jesus every 10 years. We will celebrate Mass this evening at parish church of Sts. Peter and Paul in Oberammergau. Dinner and overnight Oberammergau. DAY 5: OBERAMMERGAU/WIES/NEUSCHWANSTEIN/ INNSBRUCK Mass: Church of Wies Our first stop this morning is Wies. Miraculously preserved in the beautiful setting of an Alpine valley, the Church of Wies is a masterpiece of Bavarian Rococo. Here we celebrate Mass. Then we head south of Munich, near the Austrian border, for the quaint medieval town of Fuessen, where the legendary Neuschwanstein Castle, an architectural masterpiece, idyllically sets atop a precipice among the Bavarian Alps. With its turrets and mock-medievalism, its interior styles ranging from Byzantine through Romanesque to Gothic, the castle is a fantasy come true. This afternoon we travel into the Tyrolean Alps to Innsbruck. During a guided city tour you will see the Imperial Palace, Ambras Palace, Ottoburg and the Wilten Basilica as well as the Golden Roof, Innsbruck’s most well known attraction. Dinner and Overnight in Innsbruck. DAY 6: INNSBRUCK/LIECHTENSTEIN/EINSIEDELN/ LUCERNE Mass: Wilten Basilica After some morning sightseeing in Innsbruck, we will DAY 7: LUCERNE: EXCURSION TO MT PILATUS Mass: Jesuit Church in Lucerne Lucerne remains one of Europe’s favorite and most charming destinations. The medieval city looks out upon the frosted peaks of the Alps and the clear, blue waters of Lake Lucerne. Our walking tour of Lucerne features the Lion Monument, the famous Water Tower which has served as a prison, watchtower and treasury, the Renaissance-style Town Hall and the famous Chapel Bridge. We will also visit the Cathedral of St. Leger and the baroque Jesuit Church where we will celebrate Mass. In the afternoon, we will take a scenic cable car ride to the summit of Mt Pilatus which offers us a breath-taking view of the area. Dinner will be at a local restaurant. Overnight in Lucerne. DAY 8: LUCERNE/DACHAU/KARMEL HEILIG-BLUT/ ALTOTTING Mass: Carmelite Convent at Dachau (Karmel Heilig-Blut) This morning we leave Lucerne very early to visit the Nazi concentration camp of Dachau, the first of the Nazi concentration camps opened in Germany. After a morning of sightseeing and emotional exertion, we visit the Carmelite Convent, Karmel Heilig-Blut, where we will celebrate Mass. The convent, located just outside the north wall of the Memorial Site at Dachau, presents an intriguing sight because of its buildings with rooflines resembling those of the barracks in the former camp. We continue on to Altotting for Dinner and Overnight. DAY 9: ALTOTTING/BERCHTESGADEN/OBERSALZBERG/ SALZBURG Mass: Shrine of Our Lady of Altotting – (Gnadenkapelle) This morning we wake up in the city of Altotting, one of Germany’s most celebrated shrines and a city whose purpose is pilgrimage. The Shrine of Black Madonna of Altotting has for centuries served among Germany’s most beloved devotions to Mary. We will celebrate Mass at the center of the pilgrimage complex, the Gnadenkapelle. The chapel houses the 13th century statue of the Blessed Virgin. While there, we have the opportunity to visit the Basilica, the Panorama of the Crucifixion, the Pilgrim Museum, St. Konrad’s Monastery and more. We then make a visit to the hillside town of Berchtesgaden. We travel east of Berchtesgaden to the little village of Obersalzberg, the site of Hitler’s Berghof (mountain retreat). Salzburg is our final destination for today, a splendid city set on the banks of the Salzach River. We arrive in Salzburg for dinner and overnight at the hotel. DAY 10: SALZBURG: VISIT OF THE CITY Mass: St. Peter’s Churchyard After breakfast, we begin our walking tour of the city. Salzburg is compact and best explored on foot. Narrow, winding lanes and secluded passageways are evidence of its medieval roots. The heritage of the Catholic Church is evident in the Archbishop’s Residence and the decoration of the State Rooms, available for viewing. Visit the mighty Romanesque Cathedral, the Nonnberg Convent of Benedictine nuns, and the Fortress Hohensalzburg. We stop at Hellbrunn Palace DAY 11: SALZBURG/MARIAZELL/VIENNA Mass: Chapel of Grace in Mariazell Basilica This morning we begin our drive across the Austrian countryside en route to Mariazell, the resort town that is also home of the Mariazell Basilica, dating back to the dawn of the 14th century. The Chapel of Grace is considered the national shrine of Austria. Miracles are attributed to its statue of the Virgin; giving rise to fame that has spread all over Europe. We will stop and see the miraculous statue, which is housed in the Chapel of Miracles, built directly over the place where Magnus established his monastic cell in 1157. After Mass here, we continue to Vienna. Dinner and overnight in Vienna. DAY 12: VIENNA: CITY TOUR Mass: St. Stephen’s Cathedral We begin our day with a sightseeing tour of the Imperial city of Vienna. We begin at the Hofburg Chapel. Our local guide will show us the Ringstrabe with its magnificent buildings, such as the State Opera House, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Natural History, the City Hall, the Hofburg, the Parliament, the University, and the impressive Gothic St. Stephen’s Cathedral, where we will celebrate Mass, as well as the Votive Church. We will also see the Giant Wheel at the Prater amusement park and the beautiful Belvedere Palace gardens. After lunch we will visit the magnificent Schonbrunn Palace, former summer residence of the Habsburgs. On a guided tour, we will be shown the splendid rooms of the outstanding palace, followed by a walk through the unique gardens. Tonight, a special treat: We will attend From the cobbled streets of Alpine towns to the Shrine of Black Madonna to the fairytale castles of the Bavarian Alps to the renowned statue of the Infant Jesus of Prague, this pilgrimage will hold many spiritual treasures. We will be praying and worshipping in the places of many Christian saints and the sites of numerous Marian devotions, touching the foundations of our faith, and uncovering the hidden treasures of these beautiful cities and villages. This is a sacred journey in which faith is strengthened, spirits are encouraged and souls are renewed. No pilgrimage along the Alpine Way would be complete without attending a concert at one of Vienna’s elegant concert halls and visiting the Nazi concentration camp of Dachau, the first of the Nazi concentration camps opened in Germany – a powerful experience that can teach us much about courage and hope in the face of unbelievable suffering. The celebration of the Eucharist will feed us spiritually each day. Quiet time for prayer will place us closer to the source and summit of our Catholic faith. What better way to contribute to a renewed conversion to the Lord Jesus and to the rediscovery of faith than to walk the path of the holy men and women who have gone before us. Please prayerfully consider traveling with us on this holy journey. There is no doubt that you will be richly blessed. Looking forward to praying with you on these days of pilgrimage, I remain Sincerely in the Lord Fr. Cooper a concert at one of Vienna’s elegant concert halls. Dinner and overnight in Vienna. DAY 13: VIENNA/PRAGUE Mass: Klosterneuburg Abbey After breakfast, we depart for our scenic motor coach ride to the enchanting city of Prague, a city of domed rooftops, soaring steeples, and countless spires. In route, we will stop at the Klosterneuburg Abbey. There we will celebrate Mass at the Monastery Cathedral. Then 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 statue of the Virgin Mary and a basilica for Our Lady with its silver altar, frescoes and paintings. Dinner and overnight in Prague. DAY 14: PRAGUE: CITY TOUR Mass: Church of Our Lady Victorious We visit Old Town by way of Golden Lane and then go to the Lesser Town to see the medieval Charles Bridge that is adorned with many baroque statues. We will also see St. Nicholas Church, the Astronomic Clock, and the Prague Castle district where we tour St. Vitus Cathedral, St. George Basilica, Loreto Church, Strahov Monastery, and Wenceslas Square. In the afternoon, we will celebrate Mass at the Church of Our Lady Victorious and see there the renowned statue of the Infant Jesus of Prague. A festive farewell dinner awaits us at a local restaurant. Overnight in Prague. DAY 15: RETURN TO USA We depart from Prague Airport for our return flights to the USA. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Carol Ingrassia St. Benilde Catholic Church 1901 Division Street Metairie, LA 70001 Phone: (985) 773-0123 Email: [email protected] Prague Tyn Cathedral & Clock Tower EARLY REGISTRATION IS HIGHLY ENCOURAGED! FIRST COME FIRST SERVE BASIS DEPOSIT DEADLINE: JULY 9, 2016 INVOICES WILL BE SENT OUT 60 DAYS BEFORE DEPARTURE FOR FINAL PAYMENT