6 Day Journey for only US$989.00
December 09 - 14, 2004
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The Guadalupe Shrine is considered to be the holiest place in the Wester Hemisphere. Indeed, it is venerated to such an extent that then US President John F. Kennedy and French President Charles De Gaulle both took time out during a state visit in Mexico to worship the shrine. Here Pope John Paul preached to the millions of faithful during his unprecendented visit to Mexico.
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Itinerary:
Day 1, Thursday - December 09 (USA/Mexico City)
Early departure for Mexico City. We will be met by our local English speaking guide on arrival and transferred to our hotel. This afternoon is free to discover the many moods of Mexico, perhaps by taking a stroll along the ZONA ROSA (Pink Zone) a 24 block stretch of the finest shops, restaurants and cafes. Or simply relax and enjoy the amenities of our deluxe hotel before our informal orientation and Holy Mass followed by our welcome dinner.
[dinner]
Day 2, Friday - December 10 (Mexico City)
After breakfast, we will proceed to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe to celebrate Holy Mass, then we will board our motorcoach to visit Mexico City's highlights. Zocalo's main square (Plaza Mayor), see the site of Montezuma's Palace - now the national palace that hold Diego Rivera's famous murals; the Metropolitan Cathedral, started in 1753 and took 250 years to complete and yet the largest in North America; Alameda Park, the hill dominated by the Palace of Emperor Maximillian. Continue our tour of the historic Mexico to Plaza Santo Domingo. Here the inquisition held court adn the dominicans built their first church. The church of Santo Domingo (once used as a school of medicine) was founded in 1576 and have 2 shrines - Our Lady of the Rosary, one of the first rosary shrines in Mexico adn Our Lady of Cavadonga, brought to Mexico by the Spaniards. An on to the Chapultepec Park and the wonderful residential districts on the south of the city.
[Buffet Breakfast/Lunch]
Day 3, Saturday - December 11 (Mexico City)
After breakfast, we will proceed to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the "Patroness of Americas" by the way of the plaza of the three cultures, baptismal site of Juan Diego and the Metropolitan Cathedral of St. Francis. We will visit the old and the new Basilicas - Tepeyac Hill - Chapel of the Well - and the surrounding gardens. We will celebrate Holy Mass at teh new Basilica. In the afternoon, we will visit the Pyramids of Teotihuacan which gave Mexico the name "Egypt of the New World." We'll recall here the human sacrifices which preceded the "Miracle of Guadalupe" after which eight million Indians were coverted. We will also explore the intriguing Aztec Ruins Cuicuilico, the Sun, and the Moon, the two-mile long Avenue of the Dead, and the Temple of Quetzalcoatl.
[Buffet Breakfast/Lunch]
Day 4, Sunday - December 12 (Tlaxcala & Ocotlan)
Feast Day of the Nuestra Senora De Guadalupe
Today, after breakfast, we will refresh ourselves with cool mountain air at the Mexican mountains as we pass Mt. Extlaxehaud on our way to Tlaxcala, "The Lourdes of Mexico," with its miraculous statue and spring water. And on to the Shrine of San Miguel Del Milagro, site of the Miraculous apparitions of St. Michael - the Arcangel to Diego Lazaro. Here we could drink the healing water given curative powers by St. Michael himself. Then, we visit the church of Our Lady of Nativity enroute to the exquisite and astonishing Basilica of Our Lady of Ocotlan, where an apparition to Juan Diego in 1541 was miraculously burned into the trunk of an oak tree. Here we will have our Holy Mass. We will continue to Pueblo, a famous colonial city with a university older than Harvard, visit a great Cathedral wth a world-famous Rosary Chapel. On to the Church of St. Francis, where we see the incorrupt body of the Blessed Sebastian (died 1578). Return to the city, driving through spectacular mountains with a view of the most famous peaks covered with "eternal snow" considered one of the most beautiful drives in Mexico.
[Buffet Breakfast/Lunch]
Day 5, Monday - December 13 (Cuernavaca/Taxco)
A day trip to Cuernavaca, known as the "City of Eternal Spring." Cuernavaca has long served as the weekend getaway for Mexico City residents. It's excellent year round climate and small-town ambiance have made it a favorite destination. We will stroll through the Borda Gardens and the two plazas in the center of town after having first explored the Palace of Cortes, which dominates the main boulevard. Built by Herman Cortes in 1530, the building now houses a museum displaying artifacts relating the history of the city and murals by Mexican artist Diego Rivera. The Cathedral is both the one of the oldestin the country and yet one of the newest, by virtue of its modern decor. Borda, a wealthy colonial-era gold mining magnate notorious for mistreating his laborers, built the beautiful gardens. In 1860, the gardens became Emperor Maximilian and his wife Carlota's favorite place to rendezvous... with their own lovers. Then, to Taxco "Silver City," a good place to buy sterling silver, to sit and listen to music, to see Santa Prisca, an outstanding baroque church and enjoy a fiesta. Relax before our Thanksgiving Mass followed by our farewell dinner.
[Buffet Breakfast/Dinner]
Day 6, Tuesday - December 14 (Mexico City/USA)
Holy Mass, and farewell prayer to the "Queen and Mother of the Americas"
Perfect, Ever Holy Virgin Mary,
Mother of the True God for whom we live.
You, who are truly our Compassionate Mother,
we seek You, we beseech You.
Mercifully heed our cries and our sadness.
Heal our sorrows, our afflictions and our pain.
Gentle and loving Mother, shelter us in the hollow of your mantle, in the fold of your arms.
Let nothing distress nor disturb our hearts.
Reveal to us your beloved Son, so that with Him and in Him we may find our salvation adn the salvation of the world.
Most Holy Virgin Mary of Guadalupe, make us your messengers, messengers of the Word and the Will of the God.
Amen.
Transfer to the airport for our flight back home with memories to cherish and assurance that life is a gift!
[Buffet Breakfast]
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Tour Cost plus taxes of: US$189.00
Your 6 Day Tour Includes:
- Air Fare: USA/Mexico City/USA
- Deluxe hotel accomodation: Maria Isabel Sheraton
- Touring and Sightseeing as per itinerary
- English speaking guide with expertise on the apparition
- Buffet breakfast daily
- One welcome dinner
- One farewell dinner
- Deluxe air-conditioned motorcoach
- Baggage Handling (one piece per person)
- All spiritual activities coordinated
- RTA Travel bag and portfolio
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Reservation & Payments:
A reservation is confirmed only upon receipt of a US$300.00 (per person) deposit.
Full payment is due 90 days prior to departure date.
Cancellations:
All cancellations must be in writing. Deposits are refundable up to 90 days prior to departure with US$50.00 cancellation charge. Cancellations made within 90 days prior to departure are non-refundable. No shows and usused portions are non-refundable as well.
Insurance:
Trip cancellation insurance and medical coverage is available. We strongly recommend it.
Not Included:
Cost of passport, visas, health documents, laundry, insurance, optional sightseeing & items of personal nature such as foor & beverage not on the regular d'hote menu.
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