Marian Blooms: France, Belgium, and the Netherlands with Claire Swinarski, Kathryn Whitaker and Fr. Stephen Buting

Depart from Chicago, Dallas, or Newark on an overnight flight to Paris. Dinner and breakfast will be served on the flight. Quotes for add-on flights and optional Premium Economy and Business Class upgrades are available upon request and will be provided starting 120 days before departure. Group air restrictions (for ten passengers traveling together) do not permit specific seating requests on flights. We recommend purchasing the land-only package with us if seat assignment confirmation is important. Please do not hesitate to contact the trip Account Manager, who will be happy to answer any questions or assist in any way.

We are greeted at the airport by our English-speaking Tour Manager, who will accompany us throughout the entire pilgrimage. We depart towards the center of Paris and visit the Chapel of the Miraculous Medal and the burial site of St. Vincent de Paul. We celebrate Mass before settling into our hotel for a well-deserved night of rest. Dinner and overnight in Paris. (Welcome dinner at the hotel with wine included)

After breakfast at the hotel, which is included each morning, we depart for the center of Paris and the magnificent Basilica of Sacré-Cœur, situated on the Hill of Martyrs (Montmartre). Built in 1914, the Basilica is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and contains an extraordinary mosaic of the Risen Christ, among other artworks of great beauty. We celebrate Mass at the Basilica. In the afternoon, our panoramic tour of the city includes the major highlights. We stop at the Eiffel Tower for pictures before we arrive at Sainte-Chapelle Cathedral for a view of the magnificent stained-glass windows. Dinner is at leisure tonight to enjoy a Parisian cafe. Overnight in Paris.

This morning, we celebrate Mass and visit the magnificent Notre-Dame Cathedral. The rest of the day is at our leisure to explore Paris on our own, visit a museum, or just soak up the city’s marvelous atmosphere. Tonight, we gather for a transfer to our evening dinner cruise on the River Seine. Enjoy the magic of Paris at night with a wonderful dinner and wine as we sail past the magnificently illuminated monuments we saw on our panoramic city tour. Overnight in Paris. (B.Special Dinner)

Check out of our hotel in Paris, and depart for Belgium. Along the way, we take a detour in Reims for Mass at the beautiful Reims Cathedral. We have time at leisure to enjoy the town for lunch. As we are in the heart of the Champagne region, we learn about the production and have a tasting. Continue to Ghent, Belgium, for an overnight and have dinner at the hotel.

Today we start with a visit to St. Bavo’s Cathedral to see the famous Altarpiece “Adoration of the Mystic Lamb” dating back to the 15th century. Here, we will celebrate Mass (TBC). We then take a short bus ride to Bruges and visit the Church of Our Lady to see Michelangelo’s Madonna and Child. We spend the afternoon exploring Bruges. Dinner is at leisure. Overnight in Ghent.

Depart this morning for the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Banneux, where the Virgin Mary appeared in 1933. We visit the Apparition Chapel and celebrate Mass. Following the Stations of the Cross and time for personal prayer and reflection, we have lunch on our own. On our way back to Ghent, we stop in Aubel to visit the Val Dieu Abbey and Brewery for a tour and beer tasting. Dinner and overnight in Ghent.

This morning, we check out of the hotel and start our journey towards Amsterdam. Along the way, we stop in Antwerp to visit the Cathedral of Our Lady, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest Gothic church in the Netherlands and Belgium. See the famous artwork by Peter Paul Rubens, and celebrate Mass. While in Antwerp, we visit the chocolate museum, where we can taste chocolate at each stage of production, and shop for gifts to bring home. We arrive in Amsterdam and enjoy dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Amsterdam.

This morning, we drive to the Shrine of Our Lady of All Nations for Mass and a visit with the sisters. We also visit Our Lord in the Attic, a hidden Catholic church from the Reformation era. This afternoon, we will explore the Anne Frank House and experience the Secret Annex, where history breathes. Late in the afternoon, we visit De Tullperij, where we can shop, take pictures, or enjoy a cup of coffee and homemade cake amongst the flowers. Dinner is at leisure tonight to explore Amsterdam’s dining scene. Overnight in Amsterdam.

After breakfast, we celebrate Mass and visit St. Nicholas Cathedral. Our drive through fields of tulips takes us to the town of Lisse, home of the world-famous Keukenhof flower show. Enjoy the morning as we walk through the massive venues and fields of beautiful tulips, lilies, and amaryllis. We have the opportunity to take a boat tour through the bulb fields, or to climb a windmill for a better view of the flowers. We can even buy and ship flowers home. After time for lunch on our own, we return to Amsterdam for the rest of the afternoon at our leisure. Enjoy a boat ride or walk along the canals, and do some shopping, just watch out for the bikes! Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner with wine in a local restaurant. Overnight in Amsterdam. (B. Special Dinner)

Today marks the end of our pilgrimage. We say farewell to a country and a trip that will last in our memory forever. We are transferred to the Amsterdam airport for our return flight home.