Returning to Mother's Side 05/2025 

PILGRIMAGE TO FRANCE – SPAIN – PORTUGAL – ITALY

Day 1: USA (SFO/Houston)

ON FLIGHT. Passengers gather at the airport to complete check-in procedures for the flight to Paris.

Day 2: PARIS

(BREAKFAST, DINNER)

Upon arrival at Charles De Gaulle Airport, you will complete immigration procedures. A vehicle and guide will then take you to visit:

• Hill Montmartre – This beautiful hill, once a source of inspiration for many famous painters and musicians such as Picasso, Modigliani, Van Gogh, Renoir… was originally called the “Martyr Hill,” where Parisians paid their respects to Saint Denis.
• Church Sacre Coeur Built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, its pristine white facade against the blue French sky has become an iconic symbol of Paris. The cathedral is decorated in the Roman-Byzantine style with vibrant stained-glass windows dating from 1920-1930. The Sacre Coeur bell tower houses the Savoyarde bell, the largest in France. Situated on a hilltop, the cathedral offers stunning panoramic views of Paris. A private Mass will be celebrated here for the group.

The group had lunch and then continued their journey.

• Taking souvenir photos together Arc de Triomphe – The Arc de Triomphe – one of France's most famous historical symbols. It was built by Napoleon in 1806 and completed in 1836 to honor the army.

The tomb of the unknown soldier has lay beneath the Arc de Triomphe since November 11, 1920.

• Taking souvenir photos by the tower. Eiffel (The tower is a 1-minute walk from the pier) – a 325-meter-high steel structure located in the Champ-de-Mars park, next to the Seine River, in Paris. This structure was built by Gustave Eiffel and his colleagues for the 1889 World's Fair, which also commemorated the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution.
• River cruise Seine Enjoy a romantic boat trip on a Bateaux Parisiens boat – admire the architectural landmarks along the riverbank such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Louvre Museum… This unique journey offers you a panoramic view of the ancient city of Paris. Transfer back to your hotel for check-in and rest. Overnight stay in Paris.

 Day 3: PARIS – LISIEUX – PARIS

(BREAKFAST, DINNER)

After breakfast at the hotel, the group will depart for Lisieux town (190km from the airport) to visit:

• Carmelite Couvent Chapel: Visiting the tomb of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux. A private Mass will be celebrated for the group here.
• St. Therese BasilicaThe idea behind building this magnificent cathedral was to honor the canonization day of Saint Thérèse.
• St. Peter's Church: The church is designed in the classical Gothic style. Inside this church is the tomb of Bishop Pierre, who was involved in the trial of Saint Janne D'Arc.

After lunch, the group returned to Paris and continued their journey.

• Notre Dame Cathedral – Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris: Located on the Ile de la Cité island in the middle of the Seine River, this cathedral was built between 1103 and 1250. This Gothic cathedral features large stained-glass windows that let in sunlight. The facade of the cathedral has stone sculptures depicting the Virgin Mary with the infant Jesus, Jesus with his disciples, the Resurrection, and Judgment Day.

The group had dinner and returned to the hotel to check in and rest. Overnight stay in Paris.

Day 4: PARIS – LOURDES

(BREAKFAST, DINNER)

In the morning, guests will have breakfast at the hotel. Check out and depart for the Paris Foreign Missions Society to attend a ceremony.

• Church Miraculous Medal – The Miraculous Image – the place where the Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Catherine Laboure in 1830. The Virgin Mary entrusted her with the mission of promoting veneration of her through this image, often called the “Miraculous Image.” She promised: “All who carry this image with complete trust will receive many great graces.” The heart of Saint Vincent de Paul is also preserved here.

At the appointed time, a vehicle will take you to the TGV station to catch the train to Lourdes, a small city in southwestern France known worldwide for the apparition of the Virgin Mary to Bernadette Soubirous in 1854. You will have lunch and rest on the train.

The group will be picked up at the train station and taken to the hotel. They will participate in activities with the community. They will then rest in Lourdes.

Day 5: LOURDES

(BREAKFAST, DINNER)

Upon arriving in Lourdes in the morning, guests will have breakfast and visit:

• Basilica of the Immaculate Conception – Basilica of Immaculate Conception – Located in a hilly area, just behind the Massabielle cave and above the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, it is therefore also known as the Upper Church.
• The underground church is named after Pope Pius X. – with a capacity of 20,000 people.

The group returned to the hotel for dinner, then participated in the collective procession with the community. A private Mass was celebrated for the group there.

Spend the night in Lourdes.

Day 6: LOURDES – BURGOS

(BREAKFAST, DINNER)

After breakfast, the group departs for Burgos, a sanctuary of ancient churches. Upon arrival in Burgos, the group will have lunch at a restaurant. Following lunch, they will begin a tour of Burgos city.

• Burgos Cathedral – One of Spain's three largest cathedrals, Burgos Cathedral was built between 1221 and 1567. It seems that the entire history of classical Gothic architecture is encapsulated in this magnificent structure, along with its unique collection of artworks, including paintings, tombs, and distinctive stained-glass windows. It also houses the tombs of King Fernán González and El Cid – two famous national heroes who fought against the Moors from the 8th to the 11th centuries. A special Mass will be celebrated here for the group.
• Paseo de la Isla Old Town Picturesque with riverside parks. Guests will have dinner and check into their rooms for rest.

Overnight stay in Burgos.

Day 7: BURGOS – FATIMA

(BREAKFAST, DINNER)

The group had breakfast and checked out of the hotel. They then departed for Fatima.

After having lunch at the restaurant, guests will continue their journey to Fatima for a visit to:

Holy Trinity Church – The Church of the Most Holy Trinity, inaugurated on October 12, 2007, to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima, is the largest church in Portugal and the fourth largest Catholic church in the world. Dinner will be served at a restaurant.

Spend the night in Fatima.

Day 8: Fatima

(BREAKFAST, DINNER)

After breakfast at the hotel, a vehicle will take you to visit:

• Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary.

• In the evening, the group participated in the procession of the Virgin Mary and the evening candlelight vigil along with thousands of pilgrims from all over the world.

Spend the night in Fatima.

Day 9: Fatima – Lisbon – Rome

(BREAKFAST, DINNER)

After breakfast and checking out, the group will be transferred to Lisbon – the capital and largest city of Portugal. This coastal city has a long history, famous for the "Age of Discovery" in the 15th and 16th centuries when numerous renowned navigators from Lisbon ventured to conquer the shores of various continents, bringing wealth and prosperity to Portugal. Guests will have breakfast and visit:

• The port and city of Lisbon.

Lisbon Cathedral: It was built by the first king of Portugal, D. Afonso Henriques, in the 12th century. A special Mass was celebrated here for the group.

• Chapel of St. Anthony of Podova.

The bus will take the group to the airport for the flight to Rome. Upon arrival in Rome, guests will check into their hotel, have dinner, and then have free time to explore and shop in the Eternal City.

Spend the night in Rome.

Day 10: ROME – CALISTO – ROME

(BREAKFAST, DINNER)

After breakfast at the hotel, the vehicle and guide will take you to continue your sightseeing:

• Calisto Catacombs: Pope Zeferino (199-217) entrusted the care of the catacombs to Deacon Callistus. Later, Deacon Callistus was elected Pope, succeeding Pope Zeferino and governing the Church (217-222) until Callistus's martyrdom and burial in this cemetery. In the 3rd century, nine Roman bishops were buried in the Catacombs of St. Callistus, also known as the Papal Chapel. In total, 46 popes and over 170,000 martyrs are buried here, including the tomb of St. Cecilia.
• Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls – It is one of the four most important ancient cathedrals in Rome, built by Emperor Constantine on the burial site of Saint Paul.
• Basilica of St. John Lateran – After issuing the Edict of Milan in 313 granting the Catholic Church religious freedom throughout the Roman Empire, Emperor Constantine commissioned the construction of the Basilica of Lateran between 313 and 318 to honor the Savior. This is the Mother and Head (Mater et Caput) of all churches in the world. During the pontificate of Pope Gregory I (590-604), the basilica was dedicated to both Saint John the Baptist and Saint John the Apostle. Pope Lucius II established its current name, the Basilica of St. John Lateran, in 1144. From the 4th to the 14th centuries, this basilica was the center of the Roman Church, the seat and symbol of the Pope.
• Holy Stairs – According to tradition, Jesus ascended the steps to be judged by Pilate in his palace, and the blood of Jesus was found on the steps. On the Holy Stairs is the Holy Chapel containing very precious relics.
• The Church of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem – The Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem houses many precious relics: a nail used to crucify Jesus; two thorns from His Crown of Thorns; a finger belonging to Saint Thomas; a fragment of the good thief's cross; three fragments from the cross of Jesus; an ark containing small pieces of the crucifix; and, notably, a piece of wood from the cross of Jesus inscribed with the word "Nazere" in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek.

Have dinner and then return to the hotel to rest.

Spend the night in Rome.

Day 11: ROME – VATICAN – ROME

(BREAKFAST, DINNER)

After enjoying a buffet breakfast at the hotel, guests will depart for a visit to:

Attending an audience with the Pope.

• St. Peter's BasilicaOne of the Four Great Basilicas of Rome. The first basilica was built by Emperor Constantine in 320. The present-day basilica was built during the reigns of 18 Papal Dynasties.

The reign lasted 120 years (1506-1606) under the direction of 12 famous architects such as Bramante, Michelangelo, Raffaello, and Maderno. It is the largest and most beautiful cathedral in the world.

• Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore – St. Mary Major's Basilica – one of Rome's four major basilicas, built in the 4th century. According to legend, the Virgin Mary appeared to John and Pope Liberius (352-366) and asked them to build a church in her honor and the place where the snow fell on the Esquilino Hill around the night of August 4th and the morning of August 5th, 358. Therefore, the people venerated her with the title "Our Lady of the Snow," later changed to "Our Lady of God" after the Council of Ephesus proclaimed the dogma of Our Lady of God in 431. This is the only basilica in Rome that still retains its original architectural features. It houses a wooden manger where Jesus lay at his birth in Bethlehem.
• Colosseum: The Colosseum, a large amphitheater in Rome, was built between 70 and 72 AD during the reign of Emperor Vespasian. Despite enduring many historical upheavals, the Colosseum has remained standing. as a masterpiece of time. (Taking souvenir photos outside) 
• Palatine HillLocated near the Titus Gate, visitors can admire newly unearthed ruins such as the House of Augustus and the Domitian Stadium. From the Palatine, visitors can see the Maximus Theatre, where famous horse races took place.

The vehicle will take you back to the hotel, where you will have dinner and rest.

Spend the night in Rome.

Day 12: ROME – USA

(BREAKFAST)

Guests wake up early, have breakfast, and check out.,

Vehicles to take you on your sightseeing tour:

• Spanish Square – The Spanish Square, known as the “tourist heart” of Rome, attracts the most visitors who come to see the Holy Trinity Church atop the hill, the arched staircases, and the park with the stone boat spouting water. It’s an ideal meeting place for everyone.
• Take photos outside. The PantheonThe temple, dedicated to the virgin goddess Athena, was built around the middle of the 5th century BC.
• Trevi Fountain – the setting for classic films like "La dolce vita" or "Three coins in the fountain," many tourists today also come with the hope of finding eternal love, just like what they have seen in those movies.

The vehicle will take you to the airport to catch your flight back to the United States.

TOUR PRICE:

Group size 40 guests: $3,950 USD/guest

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Tour Price Includes:

• Round-trip economy class airfare for the group.
• Domestic flight tickets. Checked baggage allowance: 20 kg + 1 small carry-on bag (40 x 20 x 25 cm) – subject to airline regulations. If you require additional checked baggage, please pay the fee as per airline regulations.
• Airport security fees, fuel surcharges, airport taxes.
• 3-4 star hotel (double or triple room)
• Meals, visits, and transportation as per the program.
• The tour guide speaks English and Vietnamese.
• A separate Mass is celebrated for the group each day.
• The spiritual director accompanied the group throughout the entire trip.
• Carnival gifts.

Tour Price Excludes:

• Passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of return to the United States. The passport must meet the following requirements: the photograph must not be damaged or blurry, and all information must be complete. Even if the passport is still valid, a blurry photograph will not be accepted for entry or exit.
• Travel insurance.
• Tips for local guides and drivers.
• Single room supplement applies.
• Surcharge for business class airfare (if applicable).
• Extra baggage fees for checked baggage beyond the standard allowance of European domestic airlines.
• Visits outside the scheduled program, personal expenses, excess baggage fees, telephone calls, laundry, etc.
• Any additional fuel surcharge may apply at the time of ticket issuance (if applicable).
• Visa fees for green card holders: Please contact our office for guidance on the procedure.

PAYMENT METHODS:

• Phase 1: $1,000.00 upon registration.
• Second installment: $2,500.00 before February 17th, 2025
• Phase 3: Full payment due before March 28, 2025.

TOUR CANCELLATION:

• Cancellation 100 days before departure: a fee of 25%/person will be charged on top of the tour price. 
• Cancellation 90 days before departure: a fee of 50%/person will be charged on top of the tour price. 
• Cancellation 60 days before departure: a fee of 75%/person will be charged on top of the tour price.
• Cancellation 30 days before departure: a 100% fee will be charged for the tour price.
• If a customer is not present at the departure time, the tour will be considered cancelled and no refunds will be given.
• Carnival reserves the right to cancel tours 30 days before departure and issue refunds for any reason. The company will refund the cost of any non-visits included in the tour program, as well as airfare.

NOTE:

• Tour prices do not apply to personal or commercial visits.
• Tour prices are calculated based on a minimum group of 30 adults or more. Therefore, a surcharge will apply if the number of participants is lower.
• The company will not be responsible for lost destinations/visits in the following cases: destinations/visits being closed without prior notice, traffic congestion, or because you stay at a location for longer than the allotted time.
• The company is not responsible for flight delays caused by the customer's failure to be present at the airport as required by the airline or for personal reasons of the customer.
• Because fuel costs may increase at the time of ticket issuance without prior notice, we will present the airline's official document regarding any surcharge increase (if applicable) and request that customers agree to the corresponding price increase.
• Depending on the actual situation, the order of destinations in the itinerary may change, but all the original sightseeing points will still be included.
• In objective circumstances such as terrorism, natural disasters, visa processing delays by the Consulate, or changes in the schedules of public transportation such as airplanes and trains, the travel company reserves the right to change the itinerary for the convenience and safety of customers and will be exempt from liability for compensation for any resulting damages.
• Passengers aged 75 and above are required to provide a health certificate for international travel issued by a doctor and a health commitment form to the company. A healthy family member under 60 years of age must accompany them.
• Please read the inclusions and exclusions carefully before booking the tour. This will help avoid any confusion or misunderstandings about the services offered.

Carnival Group sends best wishes.

Wishing you a blessed pilgrimage!