Options for 2013 – Part 2

We are observing the Year of Faith until November 2013, per Papal Directive of Benedict XVI who shall resign from his responsibilities at the end of this month. We as Catholics have many things to reflect on and do penance for, in this season of Lent. Indeed, we must do the Lenten observance: pray, fast and abstain from things we like most, and give alms to the poor among us. And if travel is what we want to do this year, consider the following pilgrimages.

Delmar Travel & Tours, the pioneer in pilgrimage offerings hereabouts, will be celebrating its 35th anniversary this year.  Although Delmar lost its most valuable travel escort, the Catholic Church has gained a dedicated priest in Fr. Ricky Ordonez.  His parents, Del & Marilou,  believe that he strengthened his priestly vocation through the pilgrimages he led over the years.

For their Anniversary Pilgrimage, Delmar will have Footsteps of Jesus (Jordan & Israel) on April 11 – 22 with Rev. Fr. Gerry Matriano as Spiritual Director. This tour will also feature a knowledgeable, very spiritual Filipina tour guide based in Israel who is married to an equally religious Jew. 

Tour will start from Manila through Dubai on Emirates Airlines, arriving in Amman, Jordan, the following day. Then on to the city of Petra (one of the 8 Wonders of the World), Jericho, Tiberias (beside the Sea of Galilee and known for its medicinal spas), then a cruise on the Sea of Galilee, Capernaum, Mt. of the Beatitudes, River Jordan, Mt. Tabor of the Transfiguration, Nazareth, Cana of the first miracle of Jesus at a wedding feast, the seaport city of Haifa,  the archaeological site of Caesarea, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, the Dead Sea (where they discovered ancient scrolls dating back 100 BC to 100 AD written in Hebrew & Aramaic), then back to Jordan for the flight to Manila.

Tour cost: US$3,447.00 inclusive of airfare, taxes, tips, hotel accommodation in 4-star establishments on twin sharing basis, breakfast & dinner at hotels, porterage for 1 suitcase not to exceed 20 kilos per person, airport transfers with airport assistants, local tours with English speaking guides, entrance fees to museums and sights, a Spiritual Director and a Filipino escort.  Additional P1,573.00 for travel insurance covering the 11 days of the tour (optional). Full payment is required 1 and a half months before departure.

Ave Maria Pilgrimage (France, Spain & Portugal) on April 15 – 29.  From Manila to Paris, France, on Emirates Airlines. Upon arrival, there will be a guided city tour of famous landmarks like Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, etc. The tour ends with a Mass at the Chapel of the Miraculous Medal.  Next day will be a visit to the Palace de Versaille, then Lourdes, through the city of Andorra to Barcelona, Spain. Visits to the celebrated architect Gaudi’s various works, most notable of which is the unfinished Church of the Sagrada Familia. Then doing the slopes of Montserrat where the Church of Our Lady of Montserrat sits atop a mountain. Next stop is the city of Zaragoza and the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar -- the column where Our Lady appeared to the apostle John, encouraging him in his missionary endeavors, can be viewed. On to Burgos through Salamanca, to Fatima in Portugal. Back to the walled ancient city of Avila (of the Santa Teresa fame!) then to Madrid for the flight back to Manila.

Tour cost: US$4,682.00 inclusive of airfare, taxes, Schengen visa fee, tips, travel insurance, porterage for 1 suitcase not exceeding 20 kilos, 3-4 star hotel accommodation on twin sharing basis, local tours with English speaking guides, entrance fees to the palace and sights, Delmar travel bag & kit, Spiritual Director and a Filipino escort.  Full payment required 2 months before departure. There is another Ave Maria Pilgrimage for 9 nights, April 15 – 26,  for US$4,126.00, same inclusions.

Here’s a new product developed by Delmar to entice the youth to go to the Holyland. This could be the result of the aspirations of covenanted communities like Couples for Christ.  Holyland Adventure & Pilgrimage Tour (Jordan & Israel) for the Youth, May 17 – 29, from Manila on Emirates Airlines through Dubai to Amman, Jordan. Then to the glorious city of Petra and Wadi Rum, the location where the panoramic movie “Lawrence of Arabia” was shot, catapulting multi-awarded actor Peter O’Toole to fame. Overnight stay in a Bedouin tent with a bonfire over barbeque dinner and spontaneous dancing. On to Moujib Canyon and Amon River before crossing to the Dead Sea in Israel. Then Jericho and Tiberias, with a cruise on the Sea of Galilee, Mt. of the Beatitudes and a visit to the Church of Tabgha – site of the multiplication of the fish and bread by Jesus. Other sites included are Mt. Tabor, the River Jordan, Nazareth, Cana – site of Jesus’ first miracle and a renewal of vows among married couples, the ancient Roman city of Caesarea on the Mediterranean Sea, the capital city of Tel Aviv, the holy city of Jerusalem, Mt. of Olives where Jesus was captured, Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus sweated blood in His agony, the Wailing Wall, the Old City (Jerusalem) from the Pool of Bethseda where Jesus healed a paralytic, through the Via Dolorosa, ending with a Mass in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre – holiest site in all Christendom. Side trips to Cenaculum – site of the last Supper – and the Dorminion Abbey where Mama Mary “assumed” to heaven. Back to Amman, Jordan for the flight to Manila.

Tour cost: US$3,357.00 inclusive of airfare, taxes, tips, 3-star hotel accommodation on a twin sharing basis, daily hotel breakfast and dinner, porterage for 1 suitcase not exceeding 20 kilos, airport transfers, local tours w/an English speaking guide, entrance fees to sites and museums, Spiritual Director and a Filipino escort. Add: P1,573.00 for 11-day Travel Insurance coverage (optional). Full payment required 1 and a half months before departure.

Shrines of Italy Pilgrimage, September 16 – 27 on Emirates Airlines. From Manila through Dubai to Rome. Three days in Rome for the museums and sites, as well as the many basilicas and cathedrals. Then, to Montecassino where the 6th century abbey built by St. Benedict sits on top of a mountain, across which the abbey founded by his twin sister St. Scholastica is also a pilgrimage site.  Next is a visit to the town of San Giovanni Rotondo, made famous by San Padre Pio of Pietrelcina who built the biggest hospital in all of Europe beside the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie (Our Lady of Grace) where he served until his death and where his incorrupt body is kept. On to Monte Sant’Angelo with a basilica built on top of the cave where Michael the Archangel vanquished the devils into the abyss. The surrounding Medieval castle with a moat and the quaint village are lovely to explore. Lanciano is an ancient town in honor of the converted Roman soldier who was present at Christ’s crucifixion.  The Miracle of the Holy Eucharist – one that makes you cry in renewed faith – is enshrined there in Santuario de San Legonziano. Loreto, where legend tells of the angels having transferred the house of the Holy Family in Nazareth to the basilica here.  Assisi of St. Francis with the magnificent basilica in his honor, and Santa Chiara Church where the body of St. Claire can be viewed. Then to Sienna with the Sanctuary of St. Catherine, next Florence with its breathtaking architecture, arts and crafts.  Back to Rome for the flight to Manila.

Tour cost: US$3,793.00 inclusive of airfare, taxes, Schengen visa fee, travel insurance coverage, porterage for one luggage, hotel accommodations on twin sharing basis, etc. Full payment is required 2 months before departure.

My focus is the Divine Mercy Pilgrimage on October 02 – 16, which I will discuss in the next Travel Update.