PILGRIMAGE TO GREECE, ALBANIA, MONTENEGRO, CROATIA, MEDJUGORJE & TURKEY

Itinerary

Sep 8 Day 1 Board your overnight flight to Athens.

Sep 9 Day 2 Upon arrival, we will follow the road to Ancient Corinth where Apostle Paul lived and preached for two years. Visit the Archaeological Museum, the Marketplace, the Bema and the Temples. Dinner and overnight in Thiva area.

Sep 10 Day 3 After breakfast, travel to Kalambaka and we see mystical Meteora, where we will visit famous Byzantine monasteries perch precariously on top of rock formations of varied and beautiful shapes. Dinner and overnight in Kalambaka area.

Sep 11 Day 4 After breakfast, we travel to Tirana. The main capital city of Tirana has received Mother Teresa (herself an Albanian), Pope John Paul II (1993) and Pope Francis (2014). In fact, the airport is known as Tirana Mother Teresa Airport. Saint Paul’s Cathedral in Tirana bears-stained glass windows of each as you enter. After our guided tour in Tirana, we check in our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Sep 12 Day 5 After breakfast, travel to Kotor, a fortified town on Montenegro’s Adriatic coast, in a bay near the limestone cliffs of Mt. Lovćen. Characterized by winding streets and squares, its medieval old town has several Romanesque churches, including Kotor Cathedral. Dinner and overnight in Kotor area.

Sep 13 Day 6 Morning, we travel to Dubrovnik, an old city on the Adriatic Sea coast. It has been nicknamed “Pearl of the Adriatic” and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979. Stroll around the narrow streets of the old town of Dubrovnik and experience the history and culture of this magnificent walled city. We see Onofrio’s Fountain, the Franciscan Monastery, the City Bell Tower, the Church of St Blaise, the city’s patron saint. Continue across the main square, where you will visit Dubrovnik’s baroque Cathedral of the Assumption, built in the 18 th century after an earthquake destroyed the original one. Continue to Medjugorje for dinner and overnight.

Sep 14 Day 7 After breakfast and mass we climb on the top of “Krizevac” which means “Mount of the Cross.” It is the highest mountain in the area. In 1933, the parish of St. James erected a large concrete cross to commemorate the 1900th Anniversary of Jesus ‘passion and death on the cross. During construction of the 16 ton cross, the parishioners carried up all of the materials, cement, sand, water, tools, etc., in memory of Christ’s way of the cross. The cross was completed on March 15, 1934. A relic of the True Cross of Jesus was received from Rome from Pope Pius XI and built into this cross. Dinner and overnight in Medjugorje.

Sep 15 Day 8 After breakfast, we celebrate Holy Mass and then take walk to the Hill of Apparitions where the visionaries first saw Our Blessed Virgin Mary. Pray before the statue that symbolizes the place of the First Apparition. A steep path leads to the top of the mountain, along which bronze reliefs were placed representing the joyful and the sorrowful mysteries of the Rosary. We also visit and pray at “Blue Cross”, a place of healings and graces at the foot of Apparition Hill. Dinner and overnight in Medjugorje.

Sep 16 Day 9 Morning, transfer to airport in Sarajevo for our flight to Istanbul. If time permits, tour the Old City with photo stops at landmarks, such as: Blue Mosque, Hippodrome Square, Topkapi Palace, etc. Enjoy some free time for shopping at the Grand Bazaar.

Sep 17 Day 10 After breakfast, we will visit the breathtaking Hagia Sophia, a splendid architectural wonder, rich with Islamic and Christian history. It has served multiple roles over its almost 1,500-year-old existence: it began as a Christian Basilica, before transforming into a mosque for 500 years and then a museum. Also, we visit Basilica Cistern. Then, we start our Bosphorus tour and visit the Spice Market. Next, we embark on a scenic cruise along the Bosphorus Strait, the waterway that divides Europe and Asia. Enjoy stunning views of Istanbul’s iconic landmarks, such as the Dolmabahce Palace, the Rumeli Fortress, and the iconic Maiden’s Tower. Experience the unique beauty of Istanbul from the water as we sail through the heart of the city. and Chora Church (if it is open and timing permits). Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.

Sep 18 Day 11 Fly to Izmir. Arrival and visit the Agora where St. Polycarp is believed to have been martyred if timing permits. Transfer to the hotel in Nazilli/ Pamukkale area for dinner and overnight.

Sep 19 Day 12 After breakfast, departure towards Pamukkale. Visit to Hierapolis, where the Apostle Philip came to spread Christianity and it is believed that he lived and was a martyr here. Hierapolis is mentioned in St. Paul’s epistle to the Colossians (Colossians 4:13). We will explore one of the richest cemeteries of the ancient world, the Domitian main gate and the main avenue. Next, we visit Algodón Castle, a natural wonder of gigantic white waterfalls, stalactites and natural pools formed over the centuries, by the passage of waters loaded with calcareous salts, from thermal springs. Continue to the splendid city of Ephesus (Rev 1:11,2:1-7) (Acts 18:19-28, 19:1-41 Ephesians). Saint Paul came to this city in the year 54 AD. and he stayed three years. He preached the Gospel, gained followers and also established the church of Ephesus. Ephesus is the best preserved ancient city in Asia Minor, which during the 2 nd-century had a population of 250,000 inhabitants and monopolized the wealth of the Middle East. Dinner and overnight.

Sep 20 Day 13 Morning, we will visit the Temple of Hadrian, the Roman baths, the library of Celsus, the odeon, the Theatre, etc. We also visit the House of the Virgin Mary, a strong tradition of the Catholic Church states that Saint John brought the Virgin Mary to Ephesus and that here she ascended to paradise. Transfer to the airport in Izmir for our flight to Athens. Dinner and overnight in Athens.

Sep 21 Day 14 Full day in Athens. We will visit: immortal Acropolis with its classical temples, marvel at the ruins of the Parthenon, Erectheum and the Propylaea. Ascend Mars Hill, where St. Paul delivered his famous “Men of Athens” speech. Mass. In the afternoon some free time and dinner in historical district of Plaka. Overnight in Athens.

Sep 22 Day 15 Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

TOUR COST CAD$5,290 INCLUDES:

– Three internal flights
– Hotel accommodation first class or superior tourist class based on double occupancy
– All taxes and tips
– 2 meals breakfast and dinner daily
– All sightseeing as per itinerary with English speaking guide

NOT INCLUDED IN THE TOUR:
– Transatlantic flight
– Single supplement $1,190.
– Meals not specified, insurance, documentation
– Drinks at dinners

HOW TO BOOK:
A non refundable deposit of $500.00 per person is required at time of booking. Insurance with premium(if desired) must be purchased at the time of booking.

BALANCE OF PAYMENT
Balance due is payable 105 days prior to departure
For late bookings /within 105 days/ full payment is due immediately.

CANCELLATION:
If cancellation is necessary, please advise QS Travel & Tours immediately in writing. Cancellation charges are as follows:
105 days before departure ………………………………………………..$500.00 per person
Between 105 and 46 days before departure ……..……….…… 50% of the total cost
45 days or less ……………………………………………………………….. 100% of the total cost

IF YOU CHANGE YOUR BOOKING:
A $25 administration charge will be applied for changes you make to your booking outside the 90 days to departure period. Please note name changes are not allowed and such will be treated as cancellations.

IF QS TRAVEL & TOURS CHANGES YOUR BOOKING:
QS Travel & Tours will advise you of any change we feel significantly alters the holiday which you have purchased from us. Occasionally, changes might occur close to departure time. In such cases, you will be notified as early as possible. Due to circumstances beyond our control, the local tour operator may have to make last minute changes in hotel or schedule. In case the standard of the accommodation is changed, QS Travel & Tours will offer the choice of a full and immediate refund or comparable alternate travel services acceptable to you.

UNUSED SERVICES:
No refund or adjustment can be made for any portion of holiday not used.

GOOD VALUE AND EXPECTATIONS:
The Ministry of Consumer Relations requires that Ontarians traveling abroad be advised that they may encounter different living standards and practices than those at home.

FLIGHT CONNECTIONS:
In the event of a change in our flight times, with or without notice, we cannot accept responsibility for any special connecting fares which you might purchase and which cannot be changed without penalty.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION:
A valid Canadian passport is required for all visits outside of Canada. It is the sole responsibility of the passenger to ensure proper and valid documentation. Failure to provide valid documentation may result in denied boarding of the aircraft and cancellation of your flight arrangements without refund. If you are holding a passport other than Canadian, please contact QS Travel & Tours to determine whether or not a visa is required for entry into the country you will be visiting.

BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE
One piece of luggage of 23kg per person plus a carry-on-bag /weighting not more than 5 kg/

FLIGHT TIMES
All flight times are subject to change with or without prior notice to the passengers or his/her agent. QS Travel & Tours does not accept liability for missed connection or any expenses resulting from an off-schedule, rescheduled or late flight operations.

PRICES
Prices in this brochure are given in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated. Prices are correct at the time of going to press. In the event of any change beyond QS Travel & Tours control, including but not limited to increase in the price of fuel, currency fluctuations affecting our costs, or increases in government taxes or levies. QS Travel & Tours reserves the right to surcharge the passenger/s up to 7% of a tour cost.

LIABILITY
QS Travel & Tours Inc. is a tour operator and has made the advertised holiday arrangements with the airline/s/, hotel/s/, cruiseship/s/, other operator/s/ and other. Each of these organizations has its own specific terms and conditions for doing business and you will be bound by them. QS Travel & Tours accepts no responsibility for /A/ the acts or omissions of any party/ies/ other than QS Travel & Tours employees./B/failure by the passenger to be properly documented; /C/ failure by the passenger to comply with departure or joining or baggage requirements;/D/ aircraft delays, government actions, priests change their commitments as spiritual directors, etc, act/s/ of God or any factor beyond our direct control; /E/ cancellation or delay to any tour or holiday or change to the itinerary; /F/ expenses resulting from lost or damaged baggage. QS Travel & Tours accepts no responsibility for additional expenses due to delays or changes in air, rail, road, sea or other service, quarantine, sickness, war, weather or other causes All such expenses will have to be borne by the passengers. QS Travel & Tours reserves the right to refuse any person as a member of these tours at its sole discretion. QS Travel & Tours reserves the right to cancel any or all departure/s/ with or without prior notice and QS Travel & Tours sole responsibility shall be to refund all monies paid for such cancelled departures. The laws and courts which govern this contract are those of the Province of Ontario.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
When you book you QS Travel & Tours, an agreement is made between you and QS Travel & Tours and others who will provide services. Please read carefully the information on this page for it sets out the conditions governing the provision of these holidays.

TRAVEL INSURANCE
Please contact our agents for insurance quote.
Insurance rates subject to change any time.
Once purchased insurance premiums are not refundable.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL:
Tel. 905.412.2242; 1.800.565.3619
Email: group@qstours.com