What's a typical day like?

Have you ever wondered what does a typical day on tour/pilgrimage look like?

Day 1

We will leave Nola airport mid-afternoon on Day 1, have a lay-over in Atlanta (I'm guessing) for a couple of hours.  This gives everyone time to use the restroom and grab a snack or download a book on the airport's wifi.  We will then fly to our destination.  Flight time overseas is typically about nine and a half hours.  On the plane, they will provide earbuds for movies, an eye mask, foam earplugs, a small pillow and light blanket.  They provide drinks (alcoholic and nonalcoholic) and a small packet of nuts or pretzels. About an hour into the flight, they will provide a meal.  If you or your family have any dietary restrictions, you will need to alert our airline prior to check-in (for the rest of the trip, I will notify our company to make accommodations for allergies,etc.).  After the meal, we encourage everyone to get some sleep.

This is what happens when teenagers watch movies the entire flight and are somewhat delirious upon arrival in the airport!

Day 2

Europe is on average seven hours ahead of us so when we land, it will be Day 2 on our Itinerary.  The best way to overcome jet lag is to hit the ground moving.  Trust me, you might be tired, but this is truly good travel planning.  Once we arrive in the destination airport, we will collect our baggage and go through customs.  After customs, we will meet our Tour Director who coordinates buses, hotels, museum entries, etc.  He or she is typically from the destination country and will stay with us the entire trip.  He is the go-between for us and the locals.  In the case of the Pilgrimage, Fr. Sensat and I will assume these rolls.  We may have to wait 30-45 minutes for another group to arrive.  We then board our bus and start our tour of city.  Usually, this half-day is an overview of the city with a few minor stops to get our bearings.  Once we're done with our taste of the city, we will head to eat supper.  Supper may be at our hotel or a restaurant located in the city.  Day 2 is usually an early turn-in after supper.   

Day 3

7am:  Wake

7:30am: Breakfast

8am: Depart from hotel

8-1p:  Walking or Bus tour of the City

1-3p:  Lunch on your own an Free time for shopping or exploration

3-7p:  Walking or Bus tour,  or travel to next destination

7-8p:  Small break before dinner to freshen up

8-9pm:  Dinner

9pm: Coffee shop, bar or ice cream if you so desire, or turn in for the night

During Pilgrimages, we will make time every day for mass which you may or may not choose to attend.  

Please note that European meal times differ from American meal times so you are highly encouraged to bring snacks such as granola bars or other dry snack packages.  You also have plenty of free time for coffee and bathroom breaks.  We recommend you bring a refillable water bottle as well. The price of bottled water can be expensive.

Travel times with wait requirements, flights and layovers can vary.  Dress comfortably and in layers.  One airport may be very hot, while the plane may be freezing cold or vice versa.

How much you walk per day can average 4-6 miles on uneven ground.  Wear good walking shoes that are broken in already! 

Remember this is an example of your trip days and nothing is set in stone even when we are on tour.  Most importantly, be on time.  We will wait no more than 15 minutes, and then you will need to find a taxi to our next stop.

There will be snafus and screw-ups on every trip.  Your attitude will make or break the trip for you, so have patience and have a good time!

If you are interested in going on our next Pilgrimage, click on this link and scroll down to France & Spain Pilgrimages.  We are almost halfway to a full group so don't wait!

Spain & Portugal Pilgrimage 2017