About the Pilgrimage

Our Danube River Cruise was so spectacular and well-received that we chartered another brand new ship for a Rhine River Cruise.

We have a marvelous itinerary aboard an elegant, luxurious ship reserved just for our group! We will have the same two fabulous Catholic guides — Jacek (Yatzik) Kowalski and Olga Makowska — who have worked with us many times. Everyone loves them!!

Our favorite two priests who joined us last time will be our priests again on this cruise — Fr. James Conlon and Fr. Frans Berkhout. They will celebrate Mass every day in some of Europe’s most stunning churches, hear confessions, and join in the fellowship. They are both very devout, but also a lot of fun.

Itinerary

Pricing depends on the type of cabin and view you choose.

 

Day 1 — Saturday, May 29 – Depart USA

Depart on overnight flights to Zurich, Switzerland.

 

Day 2 — Sunday, May 30

Zurich arrival – Lucerne, Switzerland

Upon arrival in Zurich, meet Steve and Janet Ray along with 3 of their favorite Catholic tour guides. Board your private motor-coaches and depart for Lucerne. Celebrate Mass at a local church. Check-in to your hotel and enjoy a Welcome Dinner. Overnight at the hotel in Lucerne. Schedule today is dependent on flight times.

 

Day 3 — Monday, May 31

Lucerne – Einsiedeln – Lucerne

After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a short visit to medieval Lucerne. See Spreuer Bridge, Chapel Bridge, Water Tower, Lion Monument, exterior views of the Jesuit Church, Franciscan Church, Town Hall and the medieval walls. Time for lunch on your own followed by an excursion to Einsiedeln. For over 1000 years, pilgrims have been traveling to pay homage to Our Lady of Einsiedeln, famous for the Icon of the Black Madonna. Guided tour of Einsiedeln Shrine and celebrate Mass. Drive back to Lucerne. Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant with a Swiss folklore show. Overnight in Lucerne.

 

Day 4 — Tuesday, June 1

Lucerne – Basel- Cruise Embarkation

Breakfast at the hotel this morning and check-out. Depart for Mariastein Abbey – a Marian shrine where the Miraculous Madonna is venerated in a cave chapel beneath the Benedictine monastery. Celebrate Mass at the Mariastein Basilica. Continue on to Basel and enjoy some free time to explore the old town and lunch on own. Depart for cruise port to begin our 7-night cruise on the Rhine River and enjoy time on ship at leisure. Welcome dinner aboard the ship before overnight. Ship travels through the night to Strasbourg, France.

 

Day 5 — Wednesday, June 2

Strasbourg, France – St. Odile – Alsace Region

Enjoy breakfast aboard the ship as we arrive in Strasbourg. Enjoy a guided tour of Strasbourg. Begin with a visit to the magnificent Strasbourg Cathedral. Continue with a walking tour through Strasbourg’s historic center, including charming Petite France quarter. Return to the ship for lunch. This afternoon, visit the Sanctuary of Mount Saint-Odile, a major pilgrimage site in the Alsace region, dedicated to St. Odile, the region’s patron saint. Celebrate Mass at the Sanctuary. Return to Strasbourg for dinner aboard the ship and overnight. Ship travels through the night to Speyer, Germany.

 

Day 6 — Thursday, June 3

Speyer, Germany – Mannheim – Heidelberg Mannheim

As the ship arrives in Speyer, enjoy breakfast aboard the ship. Visit the majestic Speyer Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dedicated to the assumption of the Virgin Mary and St Stephen. Guided tour followed by Mass celebration. Return to the ship for lunch as we sail to Mannheim, Germany. This afternoon, depart to Heidelberg city to enjoy a guided tour of the perfectly preserved medieval city. Admire the panoramic view of the city passing by the Old Bridge and see Heidelberg Castle. See the marketplace with the Town Hall, the Church of the Holy Spirit, Students’ Jail, Old University and have a walk on the main street. Return to the ship in Mannheim for dinner and overnight. Ship travels through the night to Rudesheim, Germany.

Early breakfast on the ship as the ship arrives in Rudesheim, Germany. Celebrate early Mass at the Church of St. Hildegard. Visit Eibingen Abbey, founded by St. Hildegard of Bingen. Enjoy a wine tasting at a local vineyard and walk thought the famous Drosselgasse. Return to the ship for lunch as it departs for Koblenz. Spend the afternoon on the ship as it sails the most beautiful section of the river, the Upper Middle Rhine Valley. Once the ship arrives in Koblenz, enjoy some free time in one of Germany’s oldest and most charming cities. Return to the ship for dinner and overnight, while docked in Koblenz.

 

Day 7 — Friday, June 4

Rudesheim – Rhine Valley Scenery – Koblenz

Early breakfast on the ship as the ship arrives in Rudesheim, Germany. Celebrate early Mass at the Church of St. Hildegard. Visit Eibingen Abbey, founded by St. Hildegard of Bingen. Enjoy a wine tasting at a local vineyard and walk thought the famous Drosselgasse. Return to the ship for lunch as it departs for Koblenz. Spend the afternoon on the ship as it sails the most beautiful section of the river, the Upper Middle Rhine Valley. Once the ship arrives in Koblenz, enjoy some free time in one of Germany’s oldest and most charming cities. Return to the ship for dinner and overnight, while docked in Koblenz.

 

Day 8 — Saturday, June 5

Koblenz – Cochem, Germany – Mosselle Wine Tasting

The ship departs early this morning from Koblenz to Cochem, Germany. Enjoy breakfast on board and a morning at leisure as we sail. Lunch is served aboard the ship before we arrive in Cochem with its majestic views of Reichsburg Castle, which dominates the skyline, on a rugged rock, high above the town. Then leave the ship to celebrate Mass, and enjoy a Mosselle wine tasting, with a touch of liquor, at a local winery. Return to the ship for dinner and overnight. Ship travels through the night to Cologne, Germany.

 

Day 9 — Sunday, June 6

Tour Cologne – Depart to Amsterdam

Breakfast aboard the ship as it arrives in Cologne. Celebrate Mass at a local church. Visit Cologne, home to one of Germany’s most revered Gothic masterpieces, the Cologne Cathedral. Learn about its rich history, stunning Gothic architecture and spiritual significance. Spend time in the Cathedral for personal prayer, quiet reflection and enjoying the beauty. Return to the ship for lunch as it sails on to Amsterdam. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure aboard the ship. Dinner and overnight aboard the ship.

 

Day 10 — Monday, June 7

Amsterdam – Edam – Amsterdam

After breakfast, depart the ship for the Amsterdam countryside to the picturesque town of Edam, Netherlands. Enjoy a tasting of delicious Dutch cheese followed by a guided tour of the cheese farm. Guided walk through of the town of Edam. Celebrate Mass at St. Nicholas Church. Return to Amsterdam for lunch aboard the ship. Embark on a canal cruise through Amsterdam. Experience the charm of Amsterdam’s historic merchant houses, picturesque bridges and landmarks from the water. Afternoon at lesiure before returning to the ship. This evening, enjoy a Farewell Captain’s Gala dinner. Overnight on the ship docked in Amsterdam.

 

Day 11 — Tuesday, June 8

Cruise Disembarkation – Return Flights to USA

Breakfast aboard the ship (pending flight timing) before disembarking. Bid farewell and transfer to the airport for your return flight home.

Contact our Reservations Team at 866.557.2364 or FootprintsOfGod@ctscentral.net