Itinerary In the footsteps of St Columban · Arrival of EY41 from Abu Dhabi. ... In the footsteps...

Monday 17th AugustDAY 1:Depart Australia/New Zealand - Dublin (Ireland)

In the footsteps of St ColumbanItinerary

17th August to 5th September 2015

OLIVE TREE TRAVEL

Tuesday 18th AugustArrive Dublin

14:50hrs

DAY 2:Arrival of EY41 from Abu Dhabi. Once you have cleared immigration, collected your baggage and cleared customs please proceed into the International arrivals hall. You will be met by Annie O’Brien your tour manager for Ireland and France and you will be transferred to your hotel.

Accommodation has been reserved at the Best Western Plus Academy Plaza Hotel for the next three nights on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis

Check-in time at the hotel is from 14:30 hours for clients booked to arrive on the 18th August.

Dinner will be served in the hotel restaurant

Ireland * France * Austria * Switzerland * Italy

Best Western Plus Academy Plaza Hotel10-14 Findlater Place off Upper O’Connell St. Dublin 1, IrelandTel: +353 1 878 0666

19:30 hrs

* There will be a time allocated for daily prayer and reflection. This will take place each morning either in the hotel, on the coach or at the first location of the day.

Itinerary - In the footsteps of St Columban 2015

OLIVE TREE TRAVEL

Wednesday 19th AugustDublin

DAY 3:

After breakfast, meet with Annie and your coach driver and you will make the journey to Glendalough where a visit has been arranged. This early Christian monastic settlement was founded by St. Kevin in the sixth century and is the home to one of the most important monastic sites in Ireland.

You will be guided on a pilgrim walk around the site by Fr. Michael Rodgers.

13:00hrs You will continue onto the Lara Resource Centre where there is the opportunity to eat a packed lunch.

15:00hrs This afternoon, a visit has been arranged to visit Magheramore which is the Columban Sisters’ Mother House. Mass will be held in the Chapel followed by a short talk about the history of the Columban sisters. Afternoon tea will be taken with the Sisters.

16:30hrs Re-join the coach and make the journey back to Dublin and the hotel.

19:30hrs Dinner will be served in the hotel restaurant.

Thursday 20th AugustDublin

DAY 4:

08:00hrs

09:30hrs

After breakfast, meet with Annie and your coach driver and start your full day of visits. These will include visits to Monasterboice, Mellifont Abbey, Hill of Tara and Dalgan Park.Arrive at Monasterboice to view the Muiredach's Crosses dating back as far as the 9th and 10th century and are internationally recognised icons of early medieval Ireland. There will also be the opportunity to see the Round Tower and early monastic ruins during your 30 minute visit.

10:20hrs Arrive at Mellifont Abbey for a brief visit of the first Cistercian monastery in Ireland founded in 1142 by St. Malachy of Armagh and became the model for other Cistercian Abbeys built in Ireland.

11:40hrs Arrive at Dalgan Park; this is the Columban Fathers’ Headquarters in Ireland. There will be a service of the Holy Eucharist in which the homily will be centred on the history of the Columbans and Dalgan.Lunch will be served at 12:45pm in the main dining room and afterwards there is an opportunity to visit the grounds and cemetery.

Mellifont Abbey

Hill of Tara

Breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant.07:00-9:15hrs

Breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant.07:00-8:00hrs

15:00hrs Re-join your coach and set off for the Hill of Tara which is located close to Dalgan. Arrive at the Hill of Tara which has been an important site since the late Stone Age when a passage-tomb was constructed there, it contains a number of ancient monuments. Enjoy an audio visual presentation of this beautiful spot followed by a guided tour by Ger Clarke.

17:00hrs Re-join your coach and make the journey back to Dublin and your hotel.

19:30hrs Dinner will be served in the hotel restaurant.


OLIVE TREE TRAVEL

Friday 21st AugustDublin to Luxeuil-les-Bains

DAY 5:

08:30-08:45hrs Meet with Annie and your coach driver and depart from the hotel at 08:45 am and transfer to Dublin airport.

Breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant. After breakfast please check-out of the hotel ensuring that you have paid for any extras, and all room keys have been handed into reception.

10:00hrs Check-in for your Aer Lingus flight EI552 to Lyon St. Exupery.

16:00hrs Depart airport for the four hours transfer to Luxeuil-les-Bains, a comfort stop will be made en-route.

On arrival in Luxeuil-des-Bains you will be taken to the Hotel Beau Site where accommodation has been arranged for the next three nights on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.

20:00hrs

Hotel Beau Site 8 Rue Georges Moulimard 70300 LUXEUIL LES BAINSTel: +33 3 84 40 14 67

10:00hrs You will walk to the Basilica St Pierre et St Paul where there will be a short talk on St. Columban. You will meet Phillip, a member of the Amis-de-St. Colomban who will take you on a tour of the town of Luxeuil.

This will be followed by some free time to purchase an early lunch.

A map is included showing you the location of the Basilica.

Breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant

Saturday 22nd AugustSainte-Marie-en-Chanois and Annegray

DAY 6:

07:00-08:45hrs

Today you will be travelling to France. Please remember to keep your passport and airline itinerary/receipt, which constitutes your passenger ticket, in an easy accessible place for airport procedures.

Please remember to pack any large containers of liquids (more than 100ml) inside your baggage that will be checked in. Any other small liquids must fit within a small plastic bag which cannot exceed a one litre capacity.

Please also ensure that any electronic devices carried in the hand baggage e.g. mobile phones, tablets etc are sufficiently charged so that they can be turned on if required.

12:00hrs Departure of Aer Lingus flight EI552.

15:05hrs Arrive at Lyon St. Exupery airport. Please pass through customs, immigration and baggage reclaim and make your way to the arrivals hall. Annie will be on hand to assist and escort you over to your coach and driver.

Dinner will be served in the hotel restaurant.

07:30-10:00hrs


OLIVE TREE TRAVEL

17:00hrs Depart Annegray and transfer back to Luxeuil-les-Bains.

Dinner will be served in the hotel restaurant.20:00hrs

12:15hrs You will meet with your coach and driver at the Basilica St. Pierre et St Paul and set off for Sainte Marie en Chanois, which is the site of the cave where St. Columban went to pray.

There will be an option for those who wish to do a pilgrim walk to the cave may do so by leaving the bus prior to arrival. There will be 30 minutes for silent prayer en route to Columban’s cave.

Annegray is the location where St. Columban built his first monastery on the site of a ruined Roman fort.

There is the opportunity for those pilgrims who wish to walk the final three kilometres to the site to disembark from the coach prior to arrival.

Upon arrival at Annegray there will be time for private prayer. There is also an opportunity to do the Rounds/Stations, walking around the ruins bare footed (optional) praying the prayers that are included in your books.

Sunday 23rd AugustFontaine les Luxeuil and St Valbert

DAY 7:

09:30hrs

10:00hrs

Set off for the Basilica on foot for morning Mass at the Basilica St. Pierre et St. Paul.

12:30hrs

Mass will commence.

The coach will depart from the Basilica for Fontaine les Luxeuil (Columban’s third foundation) to visit the local parish.

13:30hrs Depart for St. Valbert which was a place of retreat founded by the second Abbott after St. Columban of Luxueil. The Hermitage preserves some of the old ruins that have been restored in recent years.

Depart St. Valbert for Luxeuil-les-Bains.17:00hrs

Breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant07:30-10:00hrs

Dinner will be served in the hotel restaurant.20:00hrs


OLIVE TREE TRAVEL

Monday 24th AugustLuxeuil to Bregenz

DAY 8:

9:30hrs

After breakfast please check-out of the hotel ensuring that you have paid for any extras, and all room keys have been handed into reception.Please note there is a city tax of 1 euro per person per night to be paid directly to the hotel upon check out. You will need to bring your entire luggage down to the hotel lobby, in order to load onto the coach, before morning Mass.Please ensure that your passport is kept in an accessible place today, as you will be leaving France and travelling into Austria.

15:00hrs

Meet your coach in Place St. Pierre in front of the Basilica. Depart for Bregenz, this is a journey of approximately four hours and there will be time for comfort stops en- route.Upon arrival in Bregenz, you will be taken to the Hotel Germania where accommodation has been arranged for the next two nights on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.

Dinner will be served in the hotel restaurant

Hotel GermaniaAm Steinenbach 9, 6900 Bregenz, AustriaTel: +43 5574 427660


8:30hrs Walk to Maison Saint Colomban for a 09:00am Mass.Please refer to your map, you will find the house is located around the corner from the Basilica.

19:30hrs

Please note: This will be the final evening that Annie O’Brien your tour manager will be with you, as she will return to Ireland tomorrow. You will also meet your new guide Karin Mathis who will be looking after you whilst you are in Bregenz.

A map of Bregenz attached.

Tuesday 25th AugustBregenz

DAY 9:

10:00hrs Meet with Karin and your coach for the short drive to the Cistercian monastery in Wettingen-Mehrerau . Upon arrival you will be given a guided tour by Brother Amor and this will be followed by midday prayer with the monastic community.


13:15hrs You will have the opportunity to either walk back into town in the company of your guide Karin, or take the coach back to Hotel Germania. You have free time to purchase your lunch before picking up your coach at the hotel for your afternoon excursion.

15:30hrs Departure of the coach from your hotel to the church of St. Gallus, the original site of the church dedicated to St. Aurelia.When Columban first arrived at Lake Constance, he found that the Chapel which was dedicated to St. Aurelia, was being used for pagan worship. He commanded St. Gall, one of his disciples, who spoke the local language, to preach and convert the inhabitants. Many were indeed converted, and images of local gods were destroyed and St. Columban blessed the little church, placing the relics of St. Aurelia beneath the altar. Have free time to purchase your lunch before picking up your coach at the hotel for your afternoon excursion.


OLIVE TREE TRAVEL

Wednesday 26th AugustBregenz to Disentis

DAY 10:

8:15hrs

9:15hrs

Meet with your coach and driver and make the hour’s journey to St Gallen.

Upon arrival in St. Gallen you will meet your guides Cristina Duttweiler and Yvonne Herold and they will take you on a guided tour which will include the Basilica and the Library. The High Baroque library represents one of the most beautiful examples of its era. It contains Irish manuscripts of the 7th and 8th centuries, and illuminated manuscripts of the St. Gall School of the 9th and 11th centuries. You will visit the Cathedral and the tomb of St. Gall who was the most famous disciple of St. Columban, he remained behind, to allow St. Columban to continue his journey over the alps. You will have free time to wander around to enjoy this attractive city and to purchase lunch. Map attached.

On arrival in Disentis you will be taken to the Alpsu and Cucagna Hotels where accommodation has been arranged for tonight on a bed and breakfast basis

Hotel AlpsuVia Alpsu 4, 7180 Disentis/MustérSwitzerlandTel: +41 81 947 51 17

15:30hrs You will continue your journey to Gebhardsberg which was a pilgrim site from early monastic times. Here you will also enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the city and Lake Constance. You have free time to purchase your lunch before picking up your coach at the hotel for your afternoon excursion.

17:00hrs You will set off to the parish church of St. Kolumban, where the Eucharist will be celebrated.

18:30hrs Depart from St Kolumban and return to the Hotel Germania.

Dinner will be served in the hotel restaurant19:30hrs


After breakfast please check-out of the hotel ensuring that you have paid for any extras, and all room keys have been handed into reception. Please ensure that your passport is kept in an accessible place as you will be leaving Austria and travelling into Switzerland.

Karin will be on hand to assist with your departure and to bid you farewell.

14:00hrs There will be a special Mass said in the Chapel of the Sacred Heart in the Basilica. After Mass you will return to your coach and continue your journey. There will be time for a comfort break en-route to Disentis.be time for a comfort break en-route to Disentis.

18:30hrs

Hotel CucagnaVia Alpsu 10CH 7180 Disentis/MusterSwitzerlandTel: +41 81 929 5555

Dinner tonight will be in the Hotel Alpsu for the entire group. You will meet your new Tour Manager Anna Gris, who will be with you for the rest of your holiday around Switzerland and Italy.

20:00hrs


OLIVE TREE TRAVEL

Thursday 27th AugustDisentis to Olivone

DAY 11:

9:00hrs

10:00hrs

This morning you will walk from your respective hotels to the Abbey of St. Sigisbert, for morning prayer.A map is attached showing the location of your hotels and the Abbey.

You will join your coach at the Abbey and set off for Olivone through the Lucomagno Pass. There will be stops en-route to your final destination. At Sagn Gion there will be the opportunity for those who wish, to walk the 4.5kms to Alpe Stegia, where there is a military cable railway. Those not wishing to walk can enjoy the beautiful scenery. Re-join your coach and continue onto Hospezi Santa Maria where there is a chapel and a statue of Our Lady. There is also the opportunity to buy refreshments and use the facilities. Continue your journey further south to Camperio and enjoy the splendid scenery. There is a restaurant and facilities here in Camperio. Re-join your coach for the ten minute journey to the Arcobaleno Hotel in Olivone where you will commence a walk up to the Chapel of San Columbano.


18:15hrs Arrive at the Albergo Olivone and Posta where accommodation has been arranged for the next two nights on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.

Dinner will be at the Olivone and Posta for the whole group.

Please note if you are staying at the Arcobaleno with Anna and your driver, you will receive return transfers from your hotel to the Olivone and Posta. A map showing hotels attached.Dinner tonight will be in the Hotel Olivone and Posta

Albergo Olivone and PostaVia Lucomagno, 6718 OlivoneTel: +41 91 872 13 66

Friday 28th AugustOlivone

DAY 12:

12:00hrs Today you will join the coach and visit a number of local churches in the area.Your visits will include the Oratorium, San Pietro di Motto, Grotto Sprΰch and Ronco Pizzotti and finally a visit to San Carlos di Negretino church before finally returning to Olivone.

07:30-10:00hrs

17:00hrs Mass will be celebrated in the chapel of San Columbano.

After Mass re-join the coach for your short journey to your hotel.

Unless you have been allocated a room at the Arcobaleno, in which case you will leave the coach here and check-in at this hotel.

18:00hrs

Albergo Arcobaleno416 - BlenioSwitzerlandTel: +41 91 872 13 62

19:30hrs

Breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant. Morning at leisure.07:30-10:00hrs


OLIVE TREE TRAVEL

Saturday 29th AugustOlivone to Bobbio

DAY 13:

After breakfast please check-out of the hotel ensuring that you have paid any extras and that your room key has been handed into reception.Please remember to keep your passport in an accessible place as you will be travelling to Italy today.


11:45hrs Upon arrival in Pavia you will be taken to the church of San Pietro in Cielo d’Oro. A name derived from the fact that the ceiling is gold and was previously part of mosaics of an early Christian wooden church that stood on the site. After your tour of the church you will have time to purchase lunch and enjoy free time in this University city with its Romanesque and medieval buildings.

Re-join your coach and set off on the rest of your journey to Bobbio.

15:00hrs

Arrive in Bobbio where the group will be accommodated in the following hotels.

Hotel Piacentino (and apartments) plus San Nicola and San Columbano.

17:00hrs

Dinner tonight will be in the Hotel Piacentino in Piazza S. Francesco.

There is a map attached showing the location of all the properties.

19:30hrs

San Pietro in Cielo d’Oro

17:00hrs Return to the Hotel Olivone and Posta.

Walk to the Parish Church of San Martino in Olivone for evening Eucharist.

18:00hrs

Dinner tonight will be in the Hotel.20:00hrs

San Pietro di Motto

07:00-10:00hrs

09:00hrs Please join your coach and driver and set off on your journey over the border to Italy. Hotel Piacentino and

apartmentsPiazza S. Francesco, 1929022 Bobbio PC, ItalyTel: +39 0523 936266

San Nicola Via San Nicola11 29022 Bobbio, ItalyTel: +39 052 393 2355

San Columbano Vicolo Borghetto 5, 29122 Bobbio, ItalyTel: +39 0523 179 7293


OLIVE TREE TRAVEL

Sunday 30th AugustBobbio

DAY 14:

Tomb of St Columban

Today you will be attending the international gathering in Bobbio for the culmination of the year of St. Columban. Pilgrims and visitors will celebrate the 1,400th anniversary of the death of St. Columban. The day’s programme is organised by the local church and civil authorities.

Breakfast is served in the restaurant of your accommodation.

07:00-10:00hrs

19:30hrs Dinner tonight will be in the Hotel Piacentino in Piazza S. Francesco.

08:45hrs This morning you will meet Anna and join your coach driver at the Hotel Piacentino in S. Francesco and leave Bobbio for San Colombano al Lambro, a community noted for it's wine production.

10:30hrs Arrive in San Colombano al Lambro where Mass will be celebrated in the local Parish church of San Columbano Abbate.

After Mass you will be visiting the Cantina Pietra Santa for some wine tasting and this will be followed by lunch.

11:45hrs

Monday 31st AugustBobbio - San Colombano al Lambro

DAY 15:

After your lunch you will re-join your coach and return to Bobbio.15:00hrs

Dinner tonight will be in the Hotel Piacentino19:30hrs

San Colombano al Lambro

Breakfast is served in the restaurant of your accommodation.07:00-10:00hrs


OLIVE TREE TRAVEL

08:15hrs Meet with Anna at the Hotel Piacentino and join your coach and set off for Coli.

08:45hrs Arrive in Coli where there is a walk of one hour to the Grotta San Michele. The Eucharist will be celebrated in the parish church.

Return to Bobbio. 13:00hrs

Tuesday 1st SeptemberColi

DAY 16:

Dinner tonight will be in the Hotel Piacentino19:30hrs

Grotta San Michele

Breakfast is served in the hotel or B&B restaurant.07:00-10:00hrs

09:00-9:30hrs

After breakfast please check-out of the hotel or Bed & Breakfast accommodation ensuring that you have paid any extras and that your room key has been handed into reception.

12:00hrs Upon arrival in Bologna you will be taken to the Hotel Regina where accommodation has been arranged for tonight on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.

You may leave your baggage with the hotel porters and enjoy some free time to purchase lunch in one of the many eateries in the area.

Wednesday 2nd SeptemberBobbio to Bologna

DAY 17:

Meet your guide in the lobby for the commencement of a half day walking tour of this historic capital of the Emilia-Romagna region. Bologna is famous for its many arched colonnades, renaissance structures and several medieval towers.

14:30hrs

Dinner tonight will be around the corner to your hotel.Ristorante Victoria, Via Augusto Righi 9, BolognaTel: +39 051 233548A map of the location of the restaurant is included

Hotel ReginaVia dell'Indipendenza, 51, 40121 Bologna, ItalyTel: +39 051 248878


Join your driver and coach and set off for Bologna.

19:30hrs

For those who choose to eat out, they will pay for their own meals OR Take your evening meal late like Romans and Italians during summer: long and easy with no rush to get up from the table. The waiters service complimentary liquori at the end

of the meals with any array of bottles put on the table.


OLIVE TREE TRAVEL

Thursday 3rd SeptemberBologna to Rome

DAY 18:

10:03hrs Departure of the Frecciargento train number 9413 (carriage number 7) for Rome Termini.

On arrival in Rome, meet the coach and driver for the transfer to the Pontifical Irish College where accommodation has been arranged for the next two nights on a bed and breakfast basis.

12:20hrs

Pontifical Irish CollegeVia dei Santi Quattro, 1,

RomeTel: +39 06 772631

19:30hrs

Dinner tonight will be in an atmospheric tavern which is located close to the Colosseum - Hostaria Gladiatore, Piazza del Colosseo, 5, RomeTel: +39 06 7720 9496A map showing the location of the hotel and restaurant is attached

Pontifical Irish College


After breakfast please check-out of the hotel ensuring that you have paid any extras and that your room key has been handed into reception.There is a city tax that has to be paid by the individual at check-out. The charge is currently €1.50 per person per night.

Meet with your driver and coach and transfer to the train station.

9:00hrs


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06:30 Depart Irish College for transfer to St Peter’s Square.

A special early light breakfast is served in the College.

07:15hrs Arrive St Peter's Square in time for this morning’s 08:00am Mass in the Basilica of St. Peter.

08:00hrs After Mass you will enjoy morning tea with H.E. John McCarthy the Australian Ambassador, at the Australian Embassy to the Holy See located on the other side of the Tiber to St. Peter’s.

This will be followed by a walking tour led by Columban Fr. Robert McCulloch through the historic centre of this magnificent city, during which time there will be an opportunity to purchase lunch. Return to the college.

18:30hrs Join your coach at the Irish College and set off for the Columban Fathers’ House in the northern part of the city.

22:00hrs Transfer from Columban Fathers house to the Irish College.

Friday 4th SeptemberRome

DAY 19:

St Peter's Square

Piazza Navona

Pantheon

Colosseum

5:45hrs

You have been invited by the Columbans to enjoy an evening barbeque.


OLIVE TREE TRAVEL

Saturday 5th SeptemberTravel home

DAY 20:

St Columbans Mission Society thanks you for being a part of the pilgrimage - "In the Footsteps of St Columban" to mark the 1400th Anniversary of the death of St Columban

in the year 615 in Bobbio in northern Italy. We thank Olive Tree Travel and Barton Hill for their support in making

this commemoration a success.

Thank you from the Columbans:

For pilgrims who have made their own arrangements please note that check-out time for the hotel is at 10:00hrs.

Breakfast is served in the college07:00–08:00hrs

Please remember to keep your passport in an easy accessible place for airport procedures.Please remember to pack any large containers of liquids (more than 100ml) inside your baggage that will be checked in. Any other small liquids must fit within a small plastic bag which cannot exceed a one litre capacity.Please also ensure that any electronic devices carried in the hand baggage e.g. mobile phones, tablets etc are sufficiently charged so that they can be turned on if required.

Join your coach and say farewell to the Irish College and set off to Fiumicino airport.

08:00hrs

Check-in for flight Etihad Airways flight EY84.09:00hrs

Departure of EY84 for Abu Dhabi. 11:45hrs

Itinerary In the footsteps of St Columban · Arrival of EY41 from Abu Dhabi. ... In the footsteps...

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