ITINERARY

Pilgrimage to Germany, & Hungary October, 2018

Day 1: Depart USA Our pilgrimage begins today as we depart on our overnight flight to Munich. Meals and drinks served aloft.

Day 2: Arrive Munich Upon arrival in Munich we will be met by our local tour manager and then proceed to a local church for Mass. After Mass we will continue on to our hotel for check‐in. The remainder of the day will be free.

Day 3: Munich Today we will enjoy a full day tour of Munich including visits to the Burgersaal Church, the Michaelskirche, the Frauenkirche, the Marienplatz with its famous Rathaus‐Glockenspiel clock, the festive Hofbrauhaus beer hall where we will have lunch and Nymphenburg Palace which we will view from outside.

Day 4: Munich Today we will take a full day tour outside of Munich. We will first visit Neuschwanstein Castle to see the most famous of the fairytale castles built by King Ludwig II. Next we will visit the Wieskirche (Church in the Meadow) which is also called the Church of Scourged Redeemer and is considered to be the most beautiful Rococo church in Europe. Return to Munich.

Day 5: Munich / Salzburg Depart Munich and drive to the Shrine of Our Lady of Altotting, also known as the Chapel of Grace, which is the oldest Marian shrine in Germany. The shrine became a popular pilgrim destination in 1489 after a young boy who had drowned had a miraculous recovery after his mother laid his body before the image and prayed to the Blessed Mother for a miracle. After Mass in Altotting we will continue cross the Austria‐German border and then stop in Maria Plain, which has been a famous pilgrimage site since the 17th century. We will then drive a short distance to Salzburg and check‐in at our hotel.

Day 6: Salzburg Stroll through the heart of old Salzburg and visit Mozart's birthplace, the famous Horse Fountain, the Hohen Salzburg Fortress and the modern Festival Hall. Visit the religious heritage of this town including the 17th century Cathedral, Nonnberg Convent which was founded by St. Rupert in the 8th Century and is the oldest nunnery in existence, and the Benedictine Abbey of St. Peter which was also founded by St. Rupert. Later this afternoon we will visit the beautiful gardens of Hellbrunn Palace, a 17th Century castle known primarily for its trick fountains that spray unsuspecting walkers with water.

Day 7: Salzburg / Vienna Depart Salzburg this morning and drive to Abbey which is among the world's most famous monastic sites. This Benedictine abbey is located above the town of Melk on a rocky outcrop overlooking the River. The abbey contains the tomb of Saint Coloman of Stockerau and the remains of several members of the House of , Austria's first ruling dynasty. Continue on to the imperial city of Vienna.

9265 Dowdy Drive, Suite 232  San Diego, California 92126  www.georgesintl.com (800) 566‐7499  (858) 566‐9911  FAX (858) 271‐6692  [email protected] CST # 2035995‐40 Day 8: Vienna A wealth of treasures awaits us in Vienna ‐ one of Europe’s most dynamic cities. Our tour of Vienna includes visits to the Town Hall (outside visit), the State Opera House (outside visit), St. Stephen’s Cathedral, St. Charles Church, and the Kaisergruft. The highlight of the tour is a visit to the magnificent Schoenbrunn Palace with its 1,400 elaborately decorated rooms and gardens. The remainder of the afternoon will be free.

Day 9: Vienna / Bratislava / Budapest This morning we will depart Vienna and drive to Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. Here we will visit the picturesque Old Town, Michael’s Gate, Bratislava Castle, and St. Martin’s Cathedral. Then continue on to lovely Budapest, the capital of Hungary, which straddles the Danube River. The Buda Hills rise on one side of the river, housing the city’s ancient past and Pest is on the other side, modern and inviting. The two are linked with a series of elegant bridges.

Day 10: Budapest This morning we will visit the Gothic Parliament building, home of the Holy Hungarian Crown. Then proceed to Hero's Square, one of the largest and most inspiring spaces in Budapest, with its towering stone column and statue of the Archangel Gabriel. Continue on to the Great Market hall which is the largest indoor market in Europe. Then proceed to St. Stephen’s Cathedral where we will celebrate Mass. Next, discover the magic of Fishermen's Bastion, with seven stone towers overlooking the famous river, and the distinctive Castle District with the Royal Palace and St. Mathias Church.

Day 11: Budapest This morning we will drive to Esztergom which is the seat of the Roman Catholic Primate of Hungary. Here we will visit the 19th century Cathedral which is the largest church in the country, the Romanesque Royal Palace, and the Christian Museum which is located in the Primate's Palace. We will then continue on to Szentendre which is the most frequently visited tourist centre along the Danube. This Mediterranean‐like town is the home of Serbs who fled from the Turks and settled there in the 14th‐17th centuries. Seven church towers rise high in the sky. Four of them belong to the Orthodox Church. Icons, works of gold and silversmiths and other treasures are found in the Serb Orthodox Church Museum. The 13th‐14th century Roman Catholic Parish Church stands on the Castle Hill, a sun‐dial on its wall tells the time. From Szentendre we will take a river cruise down the Danube back to Budapest. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 12: Budapest / USA Following breakfast transfer to the airport to catch our return flight home.

9265 Dowdy Drive, Suite 232  San Diego, California 92126  www.georgesintl.com (800) 566‐7499  (858) 566‐9911  FAX (858) 271‐6692  [email protected] CST # 2035995‐40