Pilgrimage to Holland Germany & Switzerland 13 days 10 nights

15 April, Singapore Group to meet at airport Terminal 1 at 2330pm for Final briefing before departure.

 Day 1, 16 April Thurs: Singapore – Doha -  Amsterdam   

• QR 945 SIN  DOH 16APR 0220 – 0535 

•  QR 273 DOH  AMS 16APR 0750 – 1345

•  Chapel of the Beguines - The Begijnhof Chapel, dedicated to Saint John and Saint Ursula, is a Roman Catholic chapel run by the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament, in the St Nicholas Parish of Amsterdam. It is located in a former schuilkerk in the Begijnhof across from its original location, the English Reformed Church, Amsterdam.

• Mass @ Church of Our Lord in the Attic - Museum Our Lord in the Attic (previously called Museum Amstelkring) is one of the most cherished museums in Amsterdam with a special atmosphere that surprises every visitor. The attic of this bourgeois house conceals a secret Catholic church, known as Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder (Our Dear Lord in the Attic), originally built in 1663, when Catholics lost their right to workship in their own way. Among other artefacts the museum house contains heavy Dutch furniture, tableclocks and two kitchens with Delft tiles.

• Dam Square shopping

• Dinner & Overnight Amsterdam (D)

Day 2, 17 April Fri: Amsterdam – Keukenhof – Eindhoven

• Breakfast at the hotel.

• Mass @ Shrine of Our Lady of All Nation - Exactly 600 years after the Eucharistic Miracle in Amsterdam, on March 25, 1945, Our Lady appeared in Amsterdam to a woman named Ida Peerdeman. This was the first of 56 apparitions, which took place up through 1959. These early messages were apocalyptic in nature and used many Biblical references, and since Ida was a simple person, she did not always understand some of the words such as Paraclete, Meteor, etc.

• Lisse, Keukenhof (33km 30mins) ( Half Day Guide)

• Lunch on your own

• Free time to enjoy the tulip till 1430

• Drive to Kinderdijk for photo stop (88km 1hr)

• Drive to Eindhoven (103km 1hr 30 mins)

• Dinner & overnight at the hotel in Eindhoven (B, L, D)

 Day 3, 18 April Sat: Eindhoven- Cologne

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Mass at the shrine of Sint-Catharinakerk - St. Catherine 's Church is a Roman Catholic church in the inner city of the Dutch city of Eindhoven , dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria . The church is located on Catharinaplein, at the beginning of Stratumseind, and was built to replace the dilapidated medieval St. Catherine's Church.

• Drive to Kevelear, Germany (63km 1hr)

• Visit Chapel Apparitions of Our Lady - Around Christmas time in the year 1641, a man named Hendrik Busman was walking the 11-mile journey from Weeze to Geldern and stopped, as he often did, to pray at a cross along the road in Kevelaer. While praying he heard a voice say “build me a chapel on this site”. Although obviously a religious man, he did not pay much attention, until the same thing happened two more times. Then, to further motivate him, his wife had a vision the next Easter in which she saw a chapel with a portrait of Our Lady of Luxembourg inside. As it happened she had been offered the chance to buy such an image previously but decided that it was too expensive.This was finally the sign that convinced Hendrik that he should do as the voice commanded, and he sent his wife out to try to find the image and purchase it. After a great deal of effort she was able to do so and returned with the image.

• Lunch

• After lunch drive to Aachen (122km 1hr 30mins)

• Visit The Aachen Cathedral - Charlemagne intended his Church of St Mary to become a complete image of the Heavenly Jerusalem, symbolizing the contact of the Earthly and the Heavenly. After app. 20 years of construction this vison was architecturally and liturgically realized around the year 803. The significance of the church arises from its 1200 year old history: burial place of Charlemagne, coronation church for the Roman-German kings and Pilgrimage Church attracting the faithful from all over the world every seven years. The Chapel of Saint Mary, Domhof 1, 52062 Aachen

• Drive to Cologne (87km 1hr)

• Dinner & overnight at Cologne

 Day 4, 19 April Sun: Cologne –Frankfurt

• Breakfast at the hotel and check-out

• Mass at Cologne Cathedral, Domkloster 4, 50667 Köln ·       - The history of the Cologne Cathedral dates back to early Christian times. 313 AD is with the St.. Maternus first mentioned a bishop of Cologne. It is in the range of the probable - although it is not detectable according to the current state of research - that already stood in his time the Episcopal Church of the Roman city in the area of ​​today's cathedral. The area was then in the northeastern district, in the immediate vicinity of the city wall and the north gate. It was dominated by residential development. Perhaps the first church was within a Roman dwelling, as evidenced by other Roman cities. 

•  The Church of Saint Andrew, Komödienstraße 4, 50667 Köln ·       - St. Andrew is also the patron saint of the Cologne brewers, the Cologne Rosary Brotherhood and founding and Order Church of the Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem. In the circle of the 12 Romanesque churches of Cologne, the Andreaskirche impresses with its rich architectural sculptures of the Rhenish late Romanesque as well as the extensively preserved, especially gothic furnishings.

• Lunch

•  Drive to Trier (187km 2hrs 30mins)

• Visit Trier Cathedral, Liebfrauenstrsse 12, 54290 Trier - It has the distinction of being the oldest church in Germany, dating from about 320-330 A.D. There is not a great deal of historical documentation but it is believed that Saint Helena gave a portion of land here to build a church.

  It offers two very special attractions: the Holy Robe and the Shrine of Saint Matthias. There is not a great deal in writing to verify this, it mostly stems from tradition although there is no reason to doubt it.

  The Holy Robe is said to be the robe that Christ wore on His way to the Crucifixion. We know from John’s Gospel that soldiers cast lots for the robe but nothing is said as to what happened thereafter. According to tradition, Saint Helena discovered the robe in the Holy Land around 327 A.D. and brought it back to Germany.

  The Holy Robe is kept protected and concealed to preserve it is only on display in the Cathedral on rare occasions. The last public showing of the Robe was April 13-May 13, 2012.

  The Cathedral also is the setting for the Shrine of Saint Matthias.

•  Drive to Frankfurt (188km 2hrs)

•  Dinner & overnight at Frankfurt

Day 5, 20April Mon: Frankfurt     

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Mass at Walldrun ( 95km 2 hrs) - The story of Walldurn is not necessarily unique concerning Eucharistic Miracles. It seems that from time to time Our Lord manifests himself physically to us just in case we forget the significance of the Eucharist. Such was the case in 1330 while a priest, Fr. Heinrich Otto, was celebrating Mass here in Walldurn. When Father accidentally knocked over a chalice containing the Precious Blood he was amazed to see an image of the Crucified Christ with eleven thorn-crowned heads surrounding it appear on the altar cloth. After Mass ended Fr. Heinrich again looked at the corporal and was amazed that the image was now even clearer. But not being sure if he had committed some sort of sacriledge by spilling the Precious Blood, he decided to hide the cloth under the in a secure place under the altar. Shortly before his death he revealed it to his confessor. The Miraculous Corporal was immediately found and was later enshrined. Word of the miracle spread quickly and soon thousands of pilgrims were traveling to the village to view the Holy Corporal. There were many reports of healings and conversions as a result of these pilgrimages.

  In 1445 the Eucharistic Miracle was officially recognized by Pope Eugene IV as being authentic. A beautiful church was built here, the Church of Saint George, to house the Miraculous corporal. In 1962, Pope John XXIII elevated the church to a minor basilica, and is now known as the Minor Basilica of Saint George and the Most Precious Blood.Although the image is somewhat faded it is still visible. Unfortunately it is not on public display except on rare occasions, but you can venerate it in its reliquary in the church.It is the third most-popular shrine in Germany, attracting about 200,000 pilgrims each year.

• Have lunch at the local restaurant

• Return to Frankfurt city

• Half day guided tour of Frankfurt

• St Paul’s Church, Emperor’s Cathedral

• Free & easy till dinner at restaurant

• Overnight at Hotel Frankfurt

Day 6, 21 April Tues: Frankfurt – Altotting      

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Drive to Altotting (381km 5hrs)

• Lunch

• Half day guided tour of city followed with Mass at the Shrine of the Black Madonna, Papst-Benedikt-Platz, 84503 - In the heart of Bavaria lies the town of Altoetting (pronounced Al tooting by the locals). It is often called the “Lourdes of Germany” due to the thousands of pilgrims who come here every year in search of healing. An alternate spelling on some maps and in some guide books is Altotting.

  The shrine’s reputation began in 1489 when a 3-year old child drowned in a nearby pond. Her mother rushed the dead body to the altar where a statue of Our Lady (the Black Madonna) stood. As the mother pleaded for his life to be returned to him, he opened his eyes and was restored to life.

  Another somewhat similar miraculous healing occurred a few years later and involved another young person, this time a child had been crushed under a cart. Once again, a distraught mother brought her child to the chapel and, once again, the child was restored to life.

• Dinner & overnight at Altotting hotel

Day 7, 22April Wed: Altotting- Erding – Munich  

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Board the coach and drive to Drive to Erding ( 70km 1 hr)

• Mass at the Eucharistic Miracle of HeiligBlut, 85435 Erding - In the 17th Century here in Erding, lived a peasant who seemed to have no success in life. Although he worked hard, his crops never yielded in any great quantity, and his livestock did poorly as well. Noting that his neighbor seemed to do very well, he asked him what his secret was. The neighbor replied that he kept the Blessed Sacrament in his house (meaning, he kept Jesus in heart). The simple peasant mis-understood this to mean the actual host, and decided that all he need to do was to get a consecrated host and keep it in his house as some sort of lucky charm.

  One day at Mass, he took the host but did not consume it. Instead, he placed it in a clean linen cloth that he had brought for that purpose. As he walked home, though, he began to be stricken with conscience at what he had done. He had little religious education, but instinctively felt that his actions were sinful (and not only that, they were illegal). He decided to turn around and return to the church to confess his sins. As he was walking toward the church, the host flew out of the linen cloth, up into the air, and then landed on the ground. When it hit the ground, it disappeared.

  Panic-stricken, he ran to the church, where the priest was greeting the local congregants and confessed to the priest. As soon as he heard his confession, he set off down the road to find the host, with much of the town behind him. Still a ways off, the priest spotted the host on the ground, gleaming white. As he got there and tried to pick up the host, it again flew up into the air, landed on the ground and disappeared, just as it had done before. When the local Bishop was informed of what happened, he came to the spot where the host disappeared and, once again, it was found gleaming on the ground. And, again, it flew up into the air (this time for a longer period than the previous two times) and then fell to the ground and disappeared. It was never seen again.

• Lunch

• Board the coach and drive to Munich (51km 1 hrs)

• Half day guided tour, visit Church of Our Lady in Munich, St Mary’s square - Both onion domes of the Gothic cathedral and city parish church known as the Frauenkirche (full name: “Dom zu unserer Lieben Frau” or “Cathedral of Our Dear Lady”) are an unmistakable symbol of the city of Munich. 

  It is located in Munich’s Old Town, not far from the centrally located Marienplatz. Construction on the cathedral began in 1468 under Prize Sigismund, who commissioned Jörg von Halsbach with its construction. In World War II, the Frauenkirche was very heavily damaged by air strikes, but was later rebuilt and renovated in several construction phases. The south tower of the cathedral can be climbed and offers a unique, wide view across the rooftops of Munich and on to the Alps. In the entrance of this imposing late-Gothic interior you encounter among other things the legendary devil’s footprint in the floor of the church. Also worthy of note is the tomb of the princes in the space under the chancel. The oldest resting place in Munich for the Wittelsbachs is also the grave of Holy Roman Emperor Ludwig the Bavarian (1282 - 1347).

• Dinner at the world famous Hofbrauhaus

• Overnight at Munich hotel

 Day 8, 23 April Thurs: Munich  – Einsiedeln - Lucerne 

• Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.

• Depart Munich

• Castle of Neuschwanstein visit with guide.

• Lunch

• Board the coach and drive to Einsiedeln (248km 3hr 30 mins)

• Mass at Shrine of Our Lady, Kloster Einsiedeln - Today the Einsiedler monastic community counts about fifty monks. These are active in school, pilgrimage and parish care and perform numerous work within the monastery. The monks are trying to live the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Rule of Saint Benedict in the present day, thus creating a place that invites people to meet God.

  The community is called to serve God and the people of this place and to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary. This vocation must be lived in faithfulness and dedication. We trust that in the future young people will find their way into our community and find happiness and fulfillment here in the service of God and of men.

• Dinner at the hotel tonight

• Overnight at Einsiedeln hotel

Day 9, 24 April Fri: Einsiedeln - Lucerne    

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Mass

• City tour in Einsiedeln

• Lunch

• Drive to Lucerne (60km 1 hr)

• Mass at St Gallus church, Peter Chapel, Hofkirche, Jesuitenkirche

• Shopping

• Dinner & Overnight at Lucerne Hotel (B, L, D)

  Day 10, 25 April Sat: Lucerne - Zurich 

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Drive to Mt Titlis with cable car with lunch (41km 1hr)

• Lunch on top of Mt Titlis

• Drive to Zurich (92km 1hr)

• Mass at the St Peter & Paul church, Grossmunster, Kirche Enge,

• Free & Easy before dinner

• Dinner & Overnight at Zurich Hotel (B, L, D)

 Day 11, 26 April Sun: Zurich – Singapore   

• Breakfast at the hotel and check-out

• Half day Guided tour Zurich city

• Mass in Liebfrauenkirche church

• Shopping time before we head to airport

• Dep : QR 096 ZRH – DOH 1805 0055+1

• (B, L)

 Day 12, 27 April Mon: Singapore 

• QR 946  DOH SIN 0250  1545

•  Home sweet home 

FARE: (Excluding fuel surcharge and airport Taxes)

S$ 3968.00 (Twin sharing) (Based on 25 paying pax)

S$   808.00 Single Room Supplement

FUEL SURCHARGE AND AIRPORT TAXES $570.00 (subject to change)

Tour Package Includes:

–       Return economy airfare 

–       All round transfers as stated in the tour itinerary;

–       10 night’s hotel accommodation in selected hotels;

–       Daily breakfast; 8 lunches, 10 dinners at local restaurant or hotel;

–       Sightseeing as stated in the itinerary;

–       Service of English Speaking Local Tour Guide;

–       Tipping for local guide and driver

–       Service of a Tour Manager from Singapore

Tour Package Exclude:

–       Fuel surcharge and airport taxes $570.00  (Subject to changes)

–       Any extension and deviation where applicable;

–       Excess baggage over and above the stated limit of 23kg per person;

–       Optional sightseeing not indicated in the itinerary;

–       Insurance coverage

–       Water over meals wherever applicable

–       Hotel Taxes to be paid on the spot

–       Porter & Chambermaid

–       Tipping over meals

Terms & Conditions:

- Airport & Fuel Tax = $570.00 (Subject to Change)

- Exchange rate: Euro 1: SGD $1.53 ( Subject to change)

Terms & Conditions

Reservations/Payment

To confirm your booking, we require the following:

- Name (as per passport) to support flight & room reservations

- Deposit: S$1000 per person upon air‐seats/rooms confirmations (non refundable)

- Balance full payment 60 days prior to group departure date or later

- No deviation

*** Air‐seats and hotel accommodations are subject to confirmation

Cancellations

The following cancellation charges are levied by the airlines, hotels, overseas ground operators and our services and opportunity costs.

Note that the above itinerary is subject to change based on the pace of the group and availability & accessibilities of sites due to unforeseen circumstances. Sites can be replaced with an alternative without prior notice.

Anyone found to be a disturbance to the harmony of the group would be asked to leave on their own accord.

CANCELLATION CHARGES:

Cancellation fees will be imposed as follows:

1-      Deposit : Non Refundable

2-      60 – 22 days prior to departure 50% of tour price per person

3-      21 – 15 days prior to departure 75% of tour price per person

4-      14 -7 days prior to departure 100 % of tour price per person

 Important Note:

Note that the above itinerary is subject to change based on the pace of the group and availability & accessibilities of sites due to unforeseen circumstances. Sites can be replaced with an alternative without prior notice.

Solomon Ambrose      M + 65 93209793

Alternative Travel & Tours Pte Ltd

Email: ambrose@alternative.com.sg