Scotland & Ireland Pilgrimage Tour

Scotland & Ireland Pilgrimage Tour October 1-13, 2018 led by: Fr. Michael Ratajczak

“A pilgrimage is a journey or search of moral or spiritual significance.” So why make a pilgrimage to Scotland and Ireland? Any journey, anywhere, if taken with the notion of better understanding God’s World, God’s Creation, becomes a pilgrimage because it has spiritual significance . As we journey through Scotland and Ireland, we will be walking in the footsteps of many of our religious ancestors who brought the Christian message to these lands.

We will spend some time each day in prayer and will celebrate the Eucharist, walking with Jesus, remembering our past, and looking forward to our future. This journey is one of spiritual significance. It is a pilgrimage! I hope you will consider joining me… Fr. Michael Ratajczak Scotland & Ireland Pilgrimage Tour October 1-13, 2018

Day 1 – Mon. Oct. 1: Depart USA Depart LAX onboard your flight to Edinburgh.

Day 2 – Tues. Oct. 2: Arrival Edinburgh Arrive at Edinburgh Airport and meet you Scottish driver and licensed guide who will take you on a panoramic tour to discover the inspiring capital of Scotland. From the historical closes of the rOld Town to the large avenues of New Town, explore an outstanding city of contrasts and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Along its main thoroughfare, Princes Street, you will witness the most unique sight of Edinburgh Castle, majestically dominating both Old and New Town. See Carlton Hill and its National Monument, rightfully giving Edinburgh its nickname: the "Athens of the North". Visit the castle which has been a stronghold for over 3000 years and which overlooks the city. After the visit and checking into your hotel, the remainder of the day will be free for independent sightseeing, shopping or just relaxing before your informal welcome dinner at the hotel. Overnight Edinburgh or area DBB

Day 3 – Wed. Oct. 3: Edinburgh, Glasgow After breakfast check out of your hotel and travel to Glasgow. On the way, visit St. Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh. St. Mary’s became the pro-cathedral of the Archdiocese in 1878, during the restoration of the Scottish hierarchy, and Roman Catholicism in Scotland. Visit celebrate ass at Carfin Grotto the National Shrine to Our Lady of Lourdes which was founded by former Parish Priest of Carfin, Canon Thomas Taylorand and opened inM the early 1920's. Continue to Glasgow and on arrival enjoy a short orientation tour of the city which is Scotland’s largest. Overnight Glasgow or area DBB

Day 4 – Thurs. Oct. 4: Glasgow, Oban This morning travel to Oban, including a photo stop at Scotland’s largest body of freshwater in mainland Britain at Loch Lomond. Over 24 miles long, Loch Lomond has more than 30 islands and is now designated a National Park. You will visit Inveraray Castle which is the ancestral home of the Duke of Argyll, chief of the Campbell clan, and which featured in the television drama Downton Abbey. Celebrate ass at St Columba’s Cathedral, Oban or similar. Overnight Oban or area DBB M Day 5 – Fri. Oct. 5: Mull, Iona, Oban After breakfast take a ferry to the beautiful island of Mull and after driving across the island enjoy another short ferry ride to Iona. Iona is an enchanting, magical, and very special place and whil you are there you will be able to walk past the old nunnery and the historic graveyard that contains the remains of a score of Scottish, and even some Norse, Kinge s. Visit Iona Abbey which is symbolic as the home of Christianity in Scotland and it is widely regarded as the country's most sacred site. A religious settlement has existed here since the arrival of the Irish missionary St. Columba in A.D.563. Return to your hotel via Mull. Overnight Oban or area DBB Scotland & Ireland Pilgrimage

Day 6 – Sat. Oct. 6: Oban, Falls of Dochart, Perth Leave Oban after breakfast and travel to Perth. On the way stop for a photo shoot at the Falls of Dochart which run through the small town of Killin in Loch Lomond The Trossachs National Park. Visit Glenturret Distillery, home of Famous Grouse whisky. After seeing the age old process of milling, mashing, fermentiandng and distilling single malt whisky at Scotland's oldest distillery, visitors are introduced to The Taste Experience. Continue to Perth and visit Scone Palace which occupies a unique position in the history of Scotland as the rightful home of the celebrated Stone of Scone, also known as the Stone of Destiny. Scone Palace is regarded as a national treasure and is revered as the historic jewel in the crown of Scotland and today, is the home of the Earls of Mansfield. Overnight Perth or area DBB

Day 7 – Sun. Oct. 7: Perth, St. Andrews, Edinburgh Today return to Edinburgh and on the way, enjoy a walking tour of St. Andrews, a charming and historic town that attracts visitors from all over the world. Known worldwide as The Home of Golf, the town also boasts Scotland's oldest university. Visit St. Andrews Cathedral, the remains of what was Scotland’s largest and most magnificent church still show how impressive it must have been in its prime. St Andrews Cathedral dominated the history of the medieval Church in Scotland, from its construction in the 12th century until the Protestant Reformation in 1560. A visit to St. Andrews Castle, which was the main residence of the bishops and archbishops of St Andrews the focal point of the Church in Medieval Scotland. Finally travel into Edinburgh with a short photo stop at the Forth Bridge, a Scottish icon that --is recognized the world over for its magnificent structure. As the world's first major steel structure, it represents a key milestone in the history of modern railway civil engineering and still holds the record as the world’s longest cantilever bridge. After checking into your hotel, enjoy dinner and entertainment at Taylors Spirit of Scotland or similar. Overnight Edinburgh or area BB

Day 8 – Mon. Oct. 8: Edinburgh, Belfast After breakfast head to Scotland’s west coast for your ferry to Ireland. On arrival in Belfast travel into the city for a short panoramic tour that will conclude at Titanic Belfast on the site where this famous ship was conceived, designed, built and launched. After checking into your hotel the remainder of the day will be free for independent sightseeing and shopping before dinner at your hotel. Overnight Belfast DBB

Day 9 – Tues. Oct. 9: Belfast, Giant’s Causeway, Derry, Ballybofey Leave Belfast after breakfast and travel north to the World Heritage Site at Giant’s Causeway. Formed millions of years ago by volcanic activity, the site consists of thousands of interlocking basalt columns. Continue to the 16th century Dunluce Castle whose kitchens fell into the sea one stormy night in 1639. Travel along the coast to Ireland’s only walled city, Derry, and enjoy a walking tour with a local guide before continuing through Donegal to the quaint town of Ballybofey. Overnight Ballybofey DBB Scotland & Ireland Pilgrimage

Day 10 – Wed. Oct. 10: Ballybofey, Sligo, Knock Shrine, Westport Leave your hotel this morning and visit Belleek Pottery, the world famous producer of Parian china goods. Then continue to Sligo, best known as home to one of Ireland’s famous poets William Butler Yeats before continuing to Knock Shrine. It was here in 1879 that fifteen people from the village witnessed an Apparition of Our Lady, St. Joseph, St. John the Evangelist, a Lamb and cross on an altar at the gable wall of the Parish Church. Following a tour of the museum ass will be celebrated and there will be time for personal meditation before setting off for the Museum of Country Life which is home to the nationalM collection of objects representing the traditional way of life in Ireland since 1850. After your visit transfer to your accommodation in Westport where dinner will await you. Overnight in Westport DBB.

Day 11 – Thurs. Oct. 11: Westport, Croagh Patrick, Kylemore Abbey After breakfast visit Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s most holiest mountain. Croagh Patrick is renowned for its Patrician Pilgrimage in honor of Saint Patrick, Ireland's patron saint. It was on the summit of the mountain that Saint Patrick fasted for forty days in 441 AD and the custom has been faithfully handed down from generation to generation. Then visit Kylemore Abbey, home to Ireland’s Benedictine Nuns and where you can visit their walled garden and Gothic church whilst enjoying the tranquility of the estate. Return to your hotel in time for dinner. Overnight Westport DBB

Day 12 – Fri. Oct. 12: Westport, Clonmacnoise, Tullamore, Dublin Drive to the center of the country to visit Clonmacnoise. This early Christian monastic site was founded by St. Ciaran in 545 AD, when Christianity flourished throughout Ireland. See round towers, church ruins and Celtic crosses with elaborate carvings, all in a picturesque setting on the banks of the River Shannon. Continue to the Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre which relates the story of Tullamore Dew Whiskey and Irish Mist Liqueur. This is followed by a complimentary tasting of the whiskey or liqueur. Return to Dublin where there will be time for independent sightseeing, shopping and dining. Overnight Dublin BB

Day 13 – Sat. Oct. 13: Dublin This morning enjoy a tour of the city with visits to Trinity College Library and the Book of Kells exhibition and Guinness Storehouse. The afternoon will be free for that last minute shopping before your farewell Irish Night which will include dinner followed by a show of traditional Irish music, song and dance. Overnight Dublin BB

Day 14 – Sun. Oct. 14: Depart, Arrival home Transfer to Dublin Airport for your return flight. Arrive home today.

PRICE OF TOUR: $4,325 per person in double room (min 35 in group) $575 single supplement 3 ALLIED DRIVE, STE. #303, DEDHAM, MA 02026 USA TOLL FREE TEL/FAX: 855-414-4433 [email protected] www.veredtours.com Tour Enrollment Form

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Terms & General Conditions

The actual order of days and sites in the tour itinerary may change but all events will remain.

PAYMENT Payment for the tour must be made directly by the passenger or by the Tour Leader who is the passenger's agent for the collection and remittance of tour payments. No other person is authorized to request, receive or collect payments. NEVERTHELESS, VERED TOURS SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE ONLY FOR GOOD FUNDS PAID TO AND RECEIVED BY VERED TOURS. A deposit of $450 per person is required at the time of booking. Balance of tour price must be received no later than six weeks before departure to confirm your reservations. Full payment received less than six weeks before departure (after August 17, 2018) is subject to a $50 late fee.

CANCELLATION CHARGES No cancellation charges will be assessed for cancelations made prior to June 22, 2018 except for a $50 administrative fee. Cancelations after June 22, 2018 will be charged a $450 fee per person in addition to cancellation fees charged by the airlines, hotels or other service providers.

INSURANCE Travel insurance is recommended and may be purchased prior to departure. Contact your Tour Operator for further details.

REFUNDS All claims for refunds must be made before departure in writing to the tour operator. On or after day of departure, no refunds will be made for services not used.

RESPONSIBILITY VERED TOURS agrees to arrange for the tour outlined in this brochure which represents the agreement between the passenger, agent, Tour Leader and VERED TOURS. No changes or deviations are effective unless authorized by an officer of VERED TOURS. No other person is authorized to adjust, modify cancel or change this program or to make any representation or warranty concerning this tour. Except for willful negligence, VERED TOURS assumes no responsibility for any injuries, damages, losses, accidents, delays, schedule changes, irregularity or incidental damages resulting from circumstances beyond the control of VERED TOURS or by any person or reason, including but not limited to default or omission by any private or commercial carrier or third party providing services or facilities connected with this tour or any part thereof. VERED TOURS assumes no responsibility for acts or omission on the part of the Tour Leader. The airlines or steamship lines are not to be held responsible for any act or omission or event during the time the passengers are not on board plane, ship or conveyance. The passenger contracts in use by the airline or steamship lines or other lines and passenger or purchaser of this tour and/or passage, when issued shall constitute the sole contract between the airline and/or steamship line and the purchaser and/or passenger, and VERED TOURS assumes no liability or any responsibility in connection therewith.

Price of the tour is based on air and hotel rates and currency exchange rate effective January 21, 2018. If any changes occur, the tour price will change accordingly.

PLEASE READ THE TOUR CONDITIONS CAREFULLY. ENROLLMENT AND PAYMENT FOR THE TOUR CONSTITUTE ACCEPTANCE OF THESE CONDITIONS. TOUR CONDITIONS

AIR TRANSPORTATION IATA jet economy class (departure city to same) applicable on all IATA and ARC carriers based on *NON-REFUNDABLE fares as applicable for groups flying together for the entire itinerary. The operator reserves the right to cancel, withdraw or change the tour in whole or in part at any time. In the event of a change deemed necessary by the operator, the sole and exclusive obligation of the operator is to refund any payment received in connection therewith. *Subject to governmental, IATA, ARC and airline regulation requirements in effect at the date of and during the tour.

BASIC TOUR PRICE: $4,325.00 for minimum 35 in group. The above price includes the following:

HOTELS First Class hotels. All hotels offer twin or double bedded rooms with private facilities. Single room, if available, will be at extra charge. It is the responsibility of each passenger to find a roommate or pay the single supplement.

MEALS Breakfast and dinner will be provided daily. Lunch may be substituted for dinner. See the itinerary.

SIGHTSEEING Local transportation by motor coach or local conveyance as indicated and the service of an English-speaking guide. Entrance fees to all sites as outlined in the itinerary are included in the tour.

TRANSFERS Transfers of one passenger and one suitcase (weight/dimensions not exceeding airline limitations) per passenger between overseas airports, hotels, piers, stations, etc. are included throughout the tour in both directions. Transfers to airport of departure in North America are not included.

SERVICE CHARGES, TIPS (GRATUITIES) & TAXES Service charges imposed by foreign facilities, nominal taxes in connection therewith by government authorities, US Transportation Tax are included in the tour price. NOT INCLUDED: excess baggage, items of personal nature, such as laundry, telephone calls, lunch and dinner beverage, transportation from your hometown to the airport of departure and return, tips for personal favors, travel insurance, gratuities and costs resulting from absence or deviation from the itinerary and any items not shown herein as being included.

DEVIATIONS All deviations must be requested in writing. Deviation fees will be charged separately according to the airline or other service providers fees.

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