++ Special Pilgrimages - Christain Tours ++

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Introduction

Travel Advice
Provided by UK's
Foreign & Commonwealth Office

Image of Mexico's Icon/Logo Every year we are pleased to invite you to join our Pilgrimage to Mexico in December to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Our Lady of Guadalupe is the patroness of Mexico and of Latin America and every year on 12th December the Mass of the Roses is celebrated at her Shrine. This pilgrimage is a unique opportunity to invoke the help of the Blessed Virgin for peace and justice in the world today.

Those returning from this pilgrimage say they have found it a wonderful and enriching experience, both spiritually and culturally. We also give you the opportunity of extending your tour and spending a few days or a week at leisure in the resort of Acapulco.

Itinerary

Day 1
Depart from London Airport on British Airways scheduled and direct flight to Mexico. Arrive at Mexico City in the early evening. Meeting and assistance upon arrival. Transfer to your hotel in Mexico City to check in, dinner and overnight stay.

Day 2
After breakfast we visit the Church of Santo Domingo, founded in 1576 and containing one of the first Rosary shrines in Mexico. Here we will say the Rosary for the Missions before proceeding to Mexico Metropolitan Cathedral, which started in 1573, and was designed to replace a smaller church. The present structure took 250 years to complete. Within, there are various Chapels and Altars; the Altar of Forgiveness made of gilded carved wood; the Chapel of the Kings, built in expectation of Royal visits that never came. The Cathedral is a treasure trove of beautiful paintings, sculptures and jewellery. Today we will celebrate Mass in the Cathedral before we continue to Zocal. In the afternoon we drive to visit the Pyramids of Teotihuacan - "Place of the Gods" the site of one of Mexico's most ancient civilizations. Here you will see the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon, the Temple of Quetzalcoatl and other fascinating structures. After we finish our tours we will return to hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 3
After breakfast we travel by coach to Chapultepec Park and Castle. The park is one of the oldest in the Americas. We will also visit the museum of Anthropology which houses thousands of relics of Mexico's past civilizations. Mass will be celebrated in the vicinity and the afternoon is free for individual activity and for shopping. We suggest that you take a walk along Francisco Madero Street, Juarez Avenue and Alameda Park. Dinner and overnight stay at your hotel in Mexico City.

Day 4 - The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Image of Basilica Guadalupe By way of the Plaza of the Three Cultures, and Tlatelolco, we shall drive to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, The "Patroness of the Americas." Catholics consider the Basilica to be one of the holiest places in the Western Hemisphere. The special Mass of the Roses will be celebrated at the new Basilica where the Shrine is housed. The modern Basilica, dedicated in 1976, is of unusual design and brilliant colours. Above its main altar hangs the original image of the Virgin whose imprint appeared on the humble Indian Juan Diego's sackcloth in 1531 as testimony of her appearances. In 1745 the Vatican gave official recognition to the Miracle of Guadalupe and the Church was declared a Basilica in 1904. Early in the afternoon you will return to your hotel in Mexico City for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 5
This morning we depart for Puebla "City of Angels" via Cholula, where you will be amazed by the Great Pyramid, the largest in the Western Hemisphere and the numerous churches. There is said to be 365 Altars, one for every day of the year. Nearby you will visit Santa Maria Tonazintla and its little jewel of a Church built in the 16th Century by an Indian architect. We visit also the 16th century Cathedral, the striking Rosary Chapel whose carved, gilt altar is truly a work of art, the Convent of Santa Rosa, now turned into the Regional ceramics Museum; and the hidden Convent of Santa Monica, which operated secretly until discovered in 1934. Today you will attend Mass at one of the churches visited. Late in the afternoon we return to our hotel in Mexico City for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 6
A day at leisure with the possibility of taking an optional excursion to visit Taxco. Dinner and overnight stay at your hotel.

Day 7
After breakfast we drive to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe for a visit and Mass, spending the morning in the Shrine. In the early afternoon we return to Mexico City and continue to Xochimilco floating gardens for a boat ride on a typically decorated trajinera. We return to our hotel for dinner and overnight stay. This evening you may choose to take the optional excursion to the Ballet Folklorico.

Day 8
After breakfast the coach will take you to the airport for your return flight to London.

Optional Excursions

Full day excursion - Taxco & Cuernavac:
Travel by coach to Taxco via Cuernavac. We first go to visit the caves of Cacahuamilapa, perhaps the largest in the world. No end has yet been found to these mammoth sub-terranean chambers. Often the site for symphonic concerts, these caves are an experience in colour, shape, sound and mystery that you will encounter no where else in the world. Lunch in Taxco. In Taxco "City of Eternal Spring" we will have Mass and visit the lovely Churrigueresque style Church of Santa Prisca where amongst other lovely works of art we will see the masterpieces by renowned colonial painter Manuel Carbrera. Enjoy a walking tour of Taxco along its winding cobblestone streets and the many silver shops and factories. Return to Mexico City.

Folkloric Evening:
You will be taken by coach to the Palace of Fine Arts to see the world famous Folkloric Ballet performance. Before the show you will have an opportunity to see the celebrated Tiffany glass window. After the show you will be taken back to the hotel.

Your tour price includes:

Return airfare on scheduled British Airways flights from London to Mexico City
All airport taxes
7 nights half board accommodation based on sharing twin room with private facilities.
Sightseeing and entrance fees as per our programme
All transportation in deluxe air-conditioned coach
The services of a local English speaking guide throughout your pilgrimage
All local town taxes and porterage

Your tour price does not include:

Single room supplement if available
Lunches
Optional excursions to Taxco & Cuernavac and Folkloric evening
Travel insurance
Tips and gratuities
Items of a personal nature such as drinks and laundry

Optional Extension to Acapulco

Image of Acapulco After your week in Mexico City we offer you the possibility of extending your stay for a further 4 or 7 nights in the world famous resort of Acapulco.

Day 8
Transfer from your hotel to the airport in Mexico City and fly to Acapulco, where you will be met and transferred to the 4-star hotel where you will be staying for the next 7 nights on Bed & Breakfast basis. During your stay you are at leisure to enjoy the golden beaches of Acapulco. You can also make a tour by glass bottom boat visiting the site of the underwater bronze statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe, installed in 1959, and continuing to Roqueta Island. Check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport for your return flight to Mexico City and onward flight back to London.

This price includes:

Return flights between Mexico City and Acapulco
4 or 7 nights bed & breakfast accommodation based on sharing twin room with private facilities
Transfers between airport and hotel on first and last days

Price does not include:

Lunches and dinners
Airport taxes
Single room supplement if required
Tips & gratuities
Items of personal nature such as drinks and laundry