Some journeys are remembered for their beautiful scenery. Some trips impress people with their unique itineraries or rare experiences. But the September 2025 pilgrimage tour departing from Miami with the Pilgrimage Group is a particularly interesting journey, because what many guests mention most after the trip… is the food.
It sounds simple, but for multi-day pilgrimages to Europe, especially for Vietnamese or older Vietnamese expatriate travelers, the question of "whether the food will suit me" is always one of the biggest concerns before departure. Some travelers even carefully bring instant noodles, dried shredded pork, or other dried foods for fear of having difficulty getting used to European cuisine throughout the journey.
But after the trip, those same guests were the most enthusiastic when talking about the meals on the tour. And perhaps that's what makes the September Pilgrimage so much more special than a typical "basic" pilgrimage tour.
A classic itinerary that covers all the most important points of the PTBY (France - Spain - Portugal - Italy) in Europe.
The September 2025 tour departing from Miami is considered one of the most comprehensive and easy-to-follow pilgrimage routes for those visiting Europe for the first time.
The journey passes through most of the most important pilgrimage sites on the PTBY route (France – Spain – Portugal – Italy):
Vatican City, Lourdes Cathedral, Fatima Cathedral, major cathedrals in many European cities, and especially the complete set of the famous Four Great Cathedrals in Rome.
For many in the group, this was their first time stepping inside St. Peter's Basilica – the most important center of global Catholicism. Some had seen the Vatican in pictures for years, but only when they actually stood in St. Peter's Square or gazed up at the colossal dome inside the Basilica did they truly feel the overwhelming awe this place offered.
One of the most memorable moments of the journey was attending the Papal Audience at the Vatican. Although the square was very crowded that day, the feeling of being present among tens of thousands of faithful from all over the world created a very special atmosphere that is difficult to describe in pictures alone.
Catacomb – a place that unexpectedly moves many visitors.
In addition to famous holy sites, the West Palm tour also takes the group to visit the Catacombs – a system of catacombs and hiding places of early Christians in Rome.
This was also the destination that surprised many visitors the most on the trip.
Not as grand as the Vatican.
It's not as crowded as the big squares.
But Catacomb feels very different – deep, quiet, and full of historical depth.
As we descended into the narrow corridors deep underground, listening to stories about how the early Christians had to secretly celebrate Mass and preserve their faith amidst persecution, many in the group fell almost completely silent throughout the tour.
There are places people visit to admire the scenery, but there are also places that allow one to better understand the history of faith as it has unfolded over thousands of years. And Catacomb is one such place.
Lourdes and Fatima – moments of profound silence in the journey.
While the Vatican may seem overwhelming, Lourdes and Fatima offer stops that lighten the burden and deepen the journey.
In Lourdes, the group participated in rituals and Mass in the very special atmosphere of France's most famous Marian shrine. Long rows of candles lit up as evening fell, people silently prayed, and the feeling of peace around the grotto led many visitors to say that this was where they felt "the most peaceful in their souls" during the entire trip.
Meanwhile, Fatima possesses a very different kind of beauty: broader, more tranquil, and almost instinctively inspiring one to slow down.
There were evenings when the whole group would sit for a long time in Fatima Square after Mass, with no one wanting to leave too early.
But the most talked-about thing was… food.
The most interesting thing about the September Pilgrimage tour is that visitors remember the food very fondly.
And this group also received the most praise for their "delicious food" among all the European tours that year.
The tour menu changes daily and in each country, instead of repeating familiar dishes throughout the trip. This makes the culinary experience a truly memorable part of the journey.
On some days, the group enjoyed traditional Italian dishes right in Rome.
On other days, they serve Chinese food, which suits the taste of Vietnamese customers.
Some days the menu features exquisite Japanese cuisine.
Then, interspersed throughout, there are French dishes and various other Asian and European cuisines.
What surprised many guests the most was that the food was "very much to their liking," even though they were in Europe.
In particular, one of the most talked-about meals was the one at Wan Chopstick – a high-end Japanese restaurant in Rome.
Initially, many guests were quite hesitant, wondering, "Is it really okay to eat Japanese food in Rome?" But in the end, this was the meal that received the most praise from the entire group. From the presentation of the dishes and the quality of the ingredients to the flavors, everything surprised everyone.
Some guests even happily recounted:
“"At first, I brought a whole suitcase full of instant noodles because I was afraid I wouldn't be used to the taste, but in the end, I hardly touched them."”
It sounds simple, but in reality, on long journeys, enjoying delicious and palatable food greatly impacts the overall experience. Perhaps that's why the West Palm tour is remembered as a "very pleasant" tour – where travelers can visit all the important pilgrimage sites while maintaining their energy and mood throughout the trip.
A journey that wasn't overly "premium," but was very fulfilling.
The September 2025 pilgrimage isn't an overly luxurious or elaborate tour. It's a truly classic and "basic" journey within Carnival US Travel's PTBY (France - Spain - Portugal - Italy) tour system.
But what makes this trip memorable for many visitors lies in its perfectly balanced approach:
- reasonable schedule
– visited all the highlights
– has the depth of pilgrimage
– and especially the dining experience exceeded expectations.
There are journeys that people remember because of a very significant moment.
But there are also trips that are cherished for the sum of many small things: a delicious meal, a Mass in Lourdes, an afternoon in Fatima, or the emotional feeling of stepping into the Vatican for the first time in one's life.
And perhaps the September 2025 Pilgrimage Tour is one such journey – not overly extravagant, but enough for many people to recall it with warm and joyful feelings whenever they remember it after returning home.