pilgrimage
12 days/11 nights Croatia tour
Spend 12 days visiting the places in Croatia that are holy to Christianity, starting in Belgrade and ending with a special pilgrimage to Medjugorje.
DAY 1
ARRIVE IN ZAGREB
Arrival at Zagreb airport and transfer to hotel.
DAY 2
ZAGREB
This morning enjoy a guided city tour of Zagreb featuring the fortified historic Upper Town including a visit to St Mark’s Church dating back to the 13th century and where we will celebrate our private Mass. Continue on to St Catherine’s Church and the Cathedral of the Assumption whose twin spires are visible from afar. Nearby is the Stone Gate containing a shrine to the Virgin Mary believed to possess miraculous powers. This afternoon travel out to Croatia’s National Sanctuary of Our Lady of Bistrica and home to a fifteenth century miraculous statue of the Virgin Mary. Take the opportunity to kneel before the black wooden figure of the smiling Madonna with the infant Jesus. Free time back in Zagreb. Overnight.
DAY 3
ZAGREB - PLITVICE LAKES (140km/2h)
Travelling west today into Slovenia you come to the Postojna Caves where you will tour the fantastic underground world by miniature electric train! Onwards to Rijeka to celebrate a special Mass at the shrine of Our Lady of Trsat built to commemorate the transfer of the Holy House of Nazareth from Jerusalem. Tradition assets that the Holy House was kept here between 1292 and 1294 en route to Loreto. Travel inland towards the beautiful Plitvice Lakes for two night retreat in paradise! Overnight.
DAY 4
PLITVICE LAKES RETREAT
The Plitvice Lakes National Park has been granted UNESCO World Heritage status. The breathtaking scenery of this natural wonderland lies in its sixteen lakes interconnected by a series of waterfalls and in deep woodland populated by deer, bears, wolves, boars and rare bird species. The lakes are yellow and ochre in autumn, green and fresh in spring. A series of wooden footbridges will allow you this morning to walk across the lakes before boarding a boat cruise for a close up view of the waterfalls. An afternoon at leisure in paradise to enjoy and discover the natural surroundings and walking trails at your own pace. Overnight in Plitvice.
DAY 5
PLITVICE TO TROGIR (270km/4h)
Journey due south today to the fortified medieval city of Zadar, the oldest Slavic city on the Adriatic and at one time the capital of Dalmatia for many centuries. A pause here for an exploration tour which includes the ruins of the Roman Forum, the Cathedral of St. Anastasia and the pre Romanesque Church of St. Donat dating back to the 9th century! Also included is a visit to Zadar’s sea organ which plays enchanting rhythms according to the movement of the sea. Finally come to Trogir, a beautiful walled coastal town with a waterfront promenade – now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site! Overnight.
DAY 6
TROGIRVIA (30km/40min) - SPLIT (170km/6h) - DUBROVNIK (200km /6h40min)
Travel to nearby Split for a morning tour featuring the historic inner city built around the Roman Emperor's Diocletian's Palace (another UNESCO World Heritage site). See remnants of Split's Roman heritage including the Church of St. Domnus, Jupiters Temple, the Peristyle and Split Cathedral. The pilgrimage leads to the town of Sinj and home to the great Croatian Shrine of Our Lady of Sinj. Situated atop a hill in a beautiful setting, this spiritual centre is home to a miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary dating back to the 17th century. After celebration of Mass we settle back for a breathtaking drive today along the famous Adriatic coast to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Dubrovnik called the “Pearl of the Adriatic”. Overnight in Dubrovnik.
DAY 7
DUBROVNIK - MEDJUGORJE (150km/ 3h)
This morning enjoy a walking tour of “Old Dubrovnik” starting with Mass and a visit to the Church of St. Blaise; the Rectors Palace, Bell Tower Clock, Orlando’s Column and the Sponza Palace. The tour will culminate with a visit to the Dominican Monastery and Franciscan Monastery with its pharmacy, one of the oldest in the world. Depart for Medjugorje in the early afternoon. Here you will be welcomed by a local family in close proximity to the Church of St. James in private guesthouse lodgings. Overnight in Medjugorje.
DAY 8 – 11
MEDJUGORJE PILGRIMAGE
Your stay should include opportunities to – Meet the Visionaries – Ascend the Hill of Apparition – Way of the Cross to Mt Krizevac – Oasis of Peace Centre – Cenacolo Community – Special events and talks – Daily English Mass – Nightly Croatian service with Rosary.
DAY 12
DEPART FROM MEDJUGORJE
Transfer to airport.
