With so many influential and important Catholic sites to see
all over the world, it may be cumbersome to figure out how to visit them. A
great way to visit these Shrines, Basilicas, and Churches is to embark on a
group Pilgrimage for an equally educational and spiritual experience. Though
many may think independent travel is more luxurious or preferable, we find
there are innumerable benefits to group travel – here are just a few:
- No
Stress
From the moment you book a group tour, you are like a
passenger in a car – and think of your tour company like a chauffeur. Simply sit
back and enjoy the ride! The tour company handles all pieces of the planning
process - booking hotels, arranging travel, creating an itinerary, and even
selecting the restaurants. This takes all the stress off you so
you can simply focus only on getting the absolute most out of the Pilgrimage,
rather than worrying about researching, getting directions, or reading reviews.
- Knowledgeable
Guides
Having a knowledgeable local Catholic guide will provide you
with “Confidence” – Confidence that you will
tour all the highlights or “must-see” sites of your destination; Confidence that your guide will explain the
significance and history of every Holy site you visit; Confidence
that your guide will ensure your comfort and safety; Confidence
that you will not get lost or be unable to communicate with locals; and Confidence that you will experience this place as the
locals do. Having confidence in your guide will allow you more freedom to explore
and learn about each site you visit following in their lead rather than
figuring your own way.
- New Friends & Unbreakable Bonds
When a group of people share any experience, they become
bonded by that unique happening. This is especially true of Pilgrimages, as
they are a deeply spiritual and transformational experience. Furthermore, when
on a Pilgrimage, you are immediately immersed into a group of like-minded
people, bonded through faith and similar interests. A Pilgrimage is the perfect
place to form new friendships and lifelong bonds.
- Built
in Budget
While travel is expensive, booking a group tour gives you a
built-in budget. Because group tours are often arranged as a package, you can
rest assured knowing that there will be little to no surprise expenses during
your trip since everything included in your package has been paid for upfront,
making it easier to keep track of spending, and stick to a budget.
- Daily
Mass
While on Catholic Pilgrimage, the tour operator arranges
your entire itinerary prioritizing daily Mass – taking away the stress of
having to worry about fitting Mass into a day packed with sightseeing, or
finding a church where you can pray comfortably.
To learn more about the benefits of group travel, check out,
Labels: 206 Tours, Catholic Travel, Catholicism, Fr. Peter Dugandzic