Dear Fellow Pilgrim,

Croatia, a fascinating country in Europe, is home to beautiful Marian shrines, churches and pilgrimage sites. Some of the places we will visit are Zagreb, the beautiful capital, Medjugorje, and Dubrovnik. Medjugorje has been the focus of much devotion and interest in the Catholic world for a generation. Catholicism has been alive for over 600 years in Croatia. 

I invite you to join me and other pilgrims on this Marian journey in October, 2010.  Please read the brochure and itinerary.  I hope you will come.

Sincerely yours in our Lady,

DAY 1:  Mon., Oct. 4 - Newark / En Route

Depart Newark for your overnight trans-Atlantic flight to Zagreb, Croatia. Meals will be served in flight.

DAY 2:  Tue., Oct. 5 - Zagreb - D

Welcome to Zagreb, the capital of Croatia!  Upon arrival you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. En route enjoy a panoramic sightseeing tour.

Walking Tour of Zagreb 
Walk through the narrow streets of Upper Town, passing the Cathedral, the Dolac open-air market, the Stone Gate with the painting of Our Lady with Jesus, St. Mark’s Church with its picturesque roof, Parliament and Government buildings, and the Lotrscak Tower.

DAY 3:  Wed., Oct. 6 - Zagreb/Marija Bistrica/Zagreb - B,D

Excursion to Marija Bistrica
After breakfast travel to Marija Bistrica, the largest and most visited Marian sanctuary in Croatia. The main pilgrimage site is the parish church of St. Peter with a miraculous Gothic sculpture of Mother Mary of Bistrica with a child dating from the 16th century. This church became a Croatian sanctuary in 1715 by Parliamentary decision. On the hilltop of Bistrica's Calvary, the Way of the Cross is marked by stone and bronze sculptures and consists of 15 stations showing Christ's Passion. Return to Zagreb.

DAY 4: Thurs., Oct. 7- Zagreb/Rijeka/Opatija - B,D

Sightseeing Tour of Rijeka
Today you will travel to Rijeka. Upon your arrival enjoy a sightseeing tour. Visit the church and sanctuary of Our Lady of Trsat, situated above the town. According to the legend, the sanctuary's history began with “Mary's House,” which was transferred from Nazareth to Trsat in 1291 and then to Loretto, Italy in 1294 AD. Tour the 13th century Franciscan cloister. The Votive Chapel contains numerous illustrations of the miracles of Our Lady of Trsat. Continue to Opatija.

DAY 5:  Fri., Oct. 8 - Opatija/Zadar/Šibenik  - B,D

Sightseeing Tour of Zadar
After breakfast travel to Šibenik, but first a stop in Zadar. Visit the Church of Saint Donat. The symbol of the city of Zadar and the most famous monumental edifice in Croatia is the Cathedral of St. Anastasia. The Cathedral is considered to be the most impressive basilica in Dalmatia. Its oldest parts are an early Christian basilica, but its present Romanesque appearance was shaped in the 12th century.

Sightseeing Tour of Šibenik
Continue to Šibenik, which is known as the oldest Croatian and Slavic city on the Adriatic. Enjoy a short sightseeing tour of Šibenik. The most famous sight is the Cathedral of St. James, dating from the 15th century, and built by Juraj Dalmatinac. A statue, which is the work of the sculptor, Ivan Mestrovic, stands on the square in front of this masterpiece.

DAY 6:  Sat., Oct. 9 - Šibenik/National Park Krka/Trogir  - B,D

Excursion to the National Park Krka
After breakfast visit the Cathedral of St. Jakob. Then depart for the National Park Krka. Enjoy the sight of crystal clear waters, waterfalls, and small lakes. Sail to the island of Visovac, which has always been an oasis of peace and prayer, where the Franciscan monastery and church served as fortresses of spirituality, morality, faith, Croatian culture, and national identity. The Franciscans came to Visovac in the year 1445. Sail back to Skradinski buk where you will have time to wander around. Continue to Trogir.

DAY 7:  Sun., Oct. 10 - Trogir/Split/Međjugorje - B,D

Sightseeing Tour of Trogir
After breakfast enjoy a short sightseeing tour of Trogir, which is known as a town museum. Walk through its narrow streets and travel back in time as you pass stone houses, churches, palaces, monasteries, and walls. Visit the Cathedral of St. Lawrence, the main attraction in Trogir. The finest piece of architectural work is a Romanesque portal created by the local artist Radovan. The sides of the portal feature lion figures, with the figures of Adam and Eve above them.

Continue to Split, which is included on UNESCO's World Heritage List, and is the largest and most important town in Dalmatia. The town was developed around the palace, which was erected by the Roman Emperor Diocletian in the 4th century.  Visit the cellars of Diocletian’s Palace whose architectural purpose was to raise the imperial residential area in the upper floor. Admire the Cathedral of St. Duje. The Cathedral was originally the mausoleum of Diocletian, and is said to be the oldest Cathedral in the world. Continue to Međjugorje.

DAY 8:  Mon., Oct. 11 - Međjugorje - B,D

Since the first apparition of Our Lady at the beginning of 1981, millions of people of all faiths, from all over the world, have visited Medjugorje and have left spiritually strengthened and renewed. Walk to Apparition Hill by “the way of the rosary” marked by wooden crosses and bronze relief.

DAY 9: Tues., Oct. 12 - Međjugorje/Ston/ Dubrovnik - B,D

This morning travel to Dubrovnik, with a stop in Ston. During the period of the Dubrovnik Republic, Ston had an important strategic role. Its salt works dating back to Roman times were worth a fortune while its defensive walls from the 14th century provided security in dangerous times. Continue to Dubrovnik.

DAY 10:  Wed.,  Oct. 13 - Dubrovnik - B,D

AM: Sightseeing Tour of Dubrovnik
Your first stop is a lookout point above the city. After taking photos of the city walls, ancient rooftops, and picturesque buildings, drive back to the city. Walk through the Stradun, the main city's promenade. Visit the Franciscan Monastery, which was built in the Romanesque-Gothic style. The Old Pharmacy, located inside the Monastery, was opened in 1317. It is the third oldest pharmacy in Europe.

Next, visit the impressive Baroque Cathedral and Treasury, which were built to replace the Romanesque Cathedral that was destroyed in 1667. The Treasury is situated in the beautiful Baroque chapel and it consists of 138 reliquaries, most of which are traditionally carried in a procession around the city on the Feast of St. Blaise on February 3.

PM: Enjoy the afternoon at leisure in Dubrovnik.

DAY 11:  Thurs., Oct. 14 - Dubrovnik/Cavtat/Konavle/Dubrovnik -  B,D

Excursion to Cavtat
Today you will travel to the beautiful historical town of Cavtat. Marvel at the beautiful palaces and luxuriant vegetation. Visit the mausoleum of the Račić family, the home and gallery of the great Croatian painter Vlaho Bukovac, the Franciscan Monastery, the Church of St. Blaise from the 15th century, and the Baroque parish Church of St. Nicholas.

Lunch: Enjoy lunch in picturesque Konavle.

DAY 12:  Fri., Oct. 15 - Dubrovnik/Newark - B

B=breakfast;    L=lunch;   D=dinner

A Mass schedule is being arranged.

TOUR CONDITIONS

TOUR PRICE: Tour price is based upon current tariff and exchange rates and is subject to change. It is based upon a minimum of 20 fully paid passengers.  In the event this minimum is not met a surcharge will be levied.

REGISTRATION AND DEPOSITS: A deposit (by check) of $1000 p/person is required at time of registration, along with signed registration form. You will be billed for the balance which is due on or before June 4, 2010 either by check or money order.

NOTE: Comprehensive insurance is available to cover trip cancellation and interruption, baggage protection, medical, accidental death & dismemberment and emergency evacuation and repatriation.  A descriptive booklet will be mailed to you upon receipt of your deposit.

AIR TRANSPORTATION: Economy class via any regular IATA carrier. Any cancellation, itinerary change or failure to use confirmed air space may be subject to penalties levied by the airlines at the time of ticketing.  Air tickets, once issued, are non-refundable. This is in addition to above "Cancellation Terms."

PASSPORT/VISA REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport is required for all tour members. US citizens do NOT require visas for travel to Croatia or Bosnia-Herzegovina.  If you are not a U.S. citizen call the Consulate of EVERY country you will enter (even in transit when changing planes) to check on visa requirements.  ALL passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the completion date of tour.

TOUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE: Passport, visa, insurance, U.S. Departure Tax and other airline taxes.  All items of a personal nature, beverages and meals not included in the tour. Optional tours and excess baggage charges.  There is no refund for unused land arrangements or any cost incurred through absence or deviation from the stated itinerary for any reason, including illness.

RESPONSIBILITY: FAR HORIZONS a division of Carlson Wagonlit Travel, N.J., and/or their agents, give notice that all tickets issued by them and all arrangements for transport or for hotel accommodations made by them, are made by them as agents for the passenger upon the express condition that they shall not be liable for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity which may be occasioned either by reason of defect of any vehicle conveying the passenger or through the act of default or any company or persons engaged in carrying out the arrangements of the tour, or otherwise in connection therewith, or of any hotel, or employee. FH and/or their agents can accept no responsibility for losses or accidental expenses due to delay or changes in schedules, defaults or overbookings by hotels, sickness, weather, strike, war, acts of terrorism or other causes.  All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger.  Baggage is at "owner's risk" throughout the tour unless insured.   FH reserves the right to withdraw the tour, or any part of it, to make such alternations in the itinerary as they deem necessary or desirable.  FH has no special knowledge or information regarding any supplier insolvency, unsafe conditions, terrorist or social unrest, health hazards or weather hazards, other than what has appeared in the public media. For information about possible dangers at your destination please call the Travel Advisory Section of the State Dept. at (202) 647-5225. For medical information contact the CDC at (877) 394-8747. You hereby release FH from any claims arising from any causes not within our control.  By using your tickets, you acknowledge that you have read the foregoing and agree to it.

AIRLINE CLAUSE: Any airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission, or event during the time passengers are not aboard their aircraft.  The airline tickets when issued shall constitute the sole contract between airline and the purchaser of these tickets/and or passenger.

FAR HORIZONS
135 Chestnut Ridge Rd
Montvale, NJ 07645
Tel:  201-799-4382 or 877-482-8747
Fax: 201-822-3201
E-mail: farhorizons@cwtnj.com