Name: USA: Shenandoah Valley Experience 2021
Start: 2021-10-24
End: 2021-10-29
Location: Shenandoah Valley USA

Inside the Vatican Pilgrimages

76 reviews

Oct 24 - 29, 2021

Group size: 15 - 30

USA: Shenandoah Valley Experience 2021

Shenandoah Valley USA

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Inside the Vatican Pilgrimages

76 reviews

$NaN

Oct 24 - 29, 2021

Group size: 15 - 30

Meals
Five (5) Breakfasts, three (3) lunches, and five (5) dinners. On your own meals: one (1) lunch. Add-on meals: two (2) breakfasts, two (2) lunches, and two (2) dinners.
Private Motor Coach
Private, first-class motor coach bus and all group transfers are included.
Taxes and Fees
All local taxes are included.
Entrance Fees
All entrance fees are included.
Arrival Transfers
There will be a group transfer from airport (IAD) to San Damiano Spiritual Life Center. Flights must arrive into IAD before 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, Oct 24, 2021 in order to make use of this transfer.
Departure Transfers
There will be a group transfer to airport (IAD) from San Damiano Spiritual Life Center. Flights must depart from IAD on Friday, October 29, 2021 after 12:00 p.m. in order to make use of this transfer.

Airfare
Airfare to and from Washington D.C.
Gratuities
Gratuities payable to the bus driver.
Arrival Transfers
Airport transfers for those not arriving within specified time frames to participate in the group transfers.
Departure Transfers
Airport transfers for those not arriving within specified time frames to participate in the group transfers.
Meals
Meals not specifically identified.
Other Personal Expenses
Other personal expenses including, but not limited to, laundry services, minibar in hotel rooms, et cetera.
Other
Items not specifically mentioned in the pilgrimage description literature.

Day 1: Sun, Oct 24, 2021
Day 1: Sun, Oct 24, 2021
Arrival: Welcome to the Shenandoah Valley!
Arrive at our home for the next 5 nights in the Shenandoah Valley - San Damiano Spiritual Life Center (SDRC).

You arrive and are welcomed at a mid-afternoon tea. You may want to wander the beautiful grounds before our Sunday evening Mass, followed by a "Welcome Dinner."

Overnight at SDRC. Dinner included.
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Day 2: Mon, Oct 25, 2021
Day 2: Mon, Oct 25, 2021
Monk on a Mountain top
Private Mass with a monk and a conversation with nuns on a mountain top.

After breakfast we will have a spiritual reflection. After lunch, we will depart for our encounters with nuns and a monk who will offer Mass for us on a mountain top. Dinner will be at our retreat center.

Overnight in SDRC. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
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Day 3: Tue, Oct 26, 2021
Day 3: Tue, Oct 26, 2021
Scenic Drive and Farm-to-Table Dinner
After breakfast we will have a spiritual reflection.

Following lunch, we will depart for Skyline Drive, which reaches its highest point at 3680 feet, and appreciate the natural beauty and spectacular vistas of Shenandoah National Park and the Valley below. Our drive will conclude at a local Catholic farm, where we will enjoy a fresh farm-to-table dinner with music before returning to our retreat center.

Overnight in SDRC. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
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Day 4: Wed, Oct 27, 2021
Day 4: Wed, Oct 27, 2021
Emmitsburg
We will depart early to arrive in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania for a moment of prayer at the Gettysburg National Military Park and Battlefield.

We will then drive to Emmitsburg, Maryland to the Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton for Mass. Following Mass, we will tour the Shrine and the Basilica, and see period reenactments at the historic Stone House and White House, both on the Shrine's grounds. After lunch, we will visit the National Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, 10 minutes away. We will tour the beautiful Grotto, built just 21 years after Our Lady's apparitions in France, before returning to our retreat center for dinner.

Overnight in SDRC. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
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Day 5: Thur, Oct 28 2021
Day 5: Thur, Oct 28 2021
Downtown Front Royal
After breakfast we will have a spiritual reflection.

We will enjoy an "on-your-own" lunch and leisurely stroll along the town of Front Royal's historic Main Street, convening at the nearby Inside the Vatican offices for tea and coffee and a meeting with noteworthy Catholics in the area. You will have the opportunity to spend some time in the adoration chapel of the historic St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.

Our private transportation will take us to the family-owned Rappahannock Cellars for an afternoon of wine tasting and enjoying the view of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Overnight in SDRC. Breakfast and dinner included. Lunch is on your own.
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Day 6: Fri, Oct 29, 2021
Day 6: Fri, Oct 29, 2021
Farewell
After Morning Mass and our farewell breakfast, we will hear a final spiritual reflection and then depart.

Breakfast included.

For those traveling on to Washington, D.C., we will depart after lunch.

Overnight in Washington, D.C. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
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Add-On Day 1: Fri Oct 29
Add-On Day 1: Fri Oct 29
Transfer to Washington D.C.
We will arrive at the Washington Retreat House for an afternoon tea.

After afternoon tea, we then will depart for a private tour of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The Basilica "truly is the embodiment of the people who are the fabric of the Catholic faith and mosaic of our great nation." (www.nationalshrine.org/history/)

Overnight in Washington, D.C. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
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Add-On Day 2: Sat Oct 30
Add-On Day 2: Sat Oct 30
Bible Museum and Franciscan Monastery
After breakfast, we will have a morning reflection.

We will then tour the Bible Museum and experience Holy Scripture through the centuries, with lunch afterwards. In the afternoon we will visit the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America. The Franciscan Monastery "brings the Holy Land experience to America with full-size replicas of Holy Land shrines, a beautiful church and contemplative gardens." (myfranciscan.ord/about/)

Overnight in Washington, D.C. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
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Add-On Day 3: Sun Oct 31
Add-On Day 3: Sun Oct 31
Farewell
After Morning Mass and our farewell breakfast, we will hear a final spiritual reflection and then depart.

Breakfast included.
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Day 1: Sun, Oct 24, 2021

Arrival: Welcome to the Shenandoah Valley!

Inside the Vatican Pilgrimages

76 reviews

With more than 33 years of publishing Inside the Vatican magazine, we have colleagues and friends all over the world — and many of them have become part of our Pilgrimage family. Designing an Inside the Vatican pilgrimage begins with a theme or a particular country; then we weave in encounters with real people who live and work there, as well as those with expert knowledge in its historical and spiritual perspectives. Every detail has been arranged to create a unique experience; an authentic spiritual journey for each pilgrim.

Wonderful pilgrimage. Truly white glove attention to detail, safety and comfort. This pilgrimage took us to wonderful places I was delighted to visit.

By Mary Lou C for Assisi to the Apostles: Bones of Francis to the Tombs of Peter & Paul on Mar 31, 2026

I had a wonderful time. My fellow Pilgrims and Deb, Robert and Hope were a delight to be with. Robert's history of Rome was informative as well as putting a sense of humor here and there. I think my favorite part was staying within Vatican City with specail access to St. Peter's Basilica. I am so happy to be Catholic! Thank you and God bless.

By Carol Ann M for Assisi to the Apostles: Bones of Francis to the Tombs of Peter & Paul on Mar 29, 2026

I'm so greatful to our leaders. I had couple of pilgrimage in the past but this one was a kind of pilgrimage very special. I felt God's blessings more than ever. Including mysterious God's plan? I fell on the ground that led me to meet a young man, who is studying foreign language and we had pleasant conversation. My bruised.. is fading away but memories of this pilgrimage still staying. Wonderful people, food was delicious, colud stay unusual place! Thank you very much.

By Tomiko H for Assisi to the Apostles: Bones of Francis to the Tombs of Peter & Paul on Mar 28, 2026

Thanks for the most amazing time.. so very worthwhile..

By Annabel F for Assisi to the Apostles: Bones of Francis to the Tombs of Peter & Paul on Mar 24, 2026

I enjoyed my pilgrimage to Spain, going to the beautiful old cities, even though there was a lot of walking up hill. Fr Murr does a good job covering his material, connecting the OT to the NT and Jesus's role. It was easy to understand and a beginner or a scholar would benefit from Fr's perspective. I loved the Sister's that served us, only wishing I could have communicated with them, but my Spanish isn't good. It was a very enjoyable experience.

By Janice B for Spain: Pilgrimage and Retreat with Father Murr on Nov 16, 2025

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I just returned from the amazing pilgrimage in Italy! It truly was a “Journey Toward the Face of Christ” in the heart of Italy! Whether visiting the sacred sites in Assisi; Lanciano and the Eucharistic Miracle; the Holy Face relic in Manoppello; or in an outdoor procession with the Benedictine Monks in Norcia; or in the face of Pope Leo XIV at Mass and in the Vatican Gardens, I kept saying to myself “it doesn’t get better than this!” Dr Moynihan, Deb and Brankica planned for and provided every opportunity for us to experience the best! We were blest with their knowledge and kindness. We had plenty of opportunity to pray. The accommodations were very comfortable, the food delicious, and the fellowship flowed! I am already looking forward to my next pilgrimage with them! Thank you for sharing your gifts and God bless you!

By M Patricia L on 10 Jun, 2025

This was a most holy pilgrimage, I can’t even believe all the sacred things we experienced and touched, not to mention the places and saints we encountered. God blessed our travels the whole time. I’m still in awe as I look back and think to myself, “Oh yeah, we did that too, and how special was that!” For my husband and myself it was the trip of a lifetime, and it will never be forgotten. Thank you Robert, Deb and Brankiva!!! Cheryl

By Cheryl L on 08 Jun, 2025

The trip was great! The Vatican Pilgrimages staff that accompanied us were great! Thank you Deborah Tomlinson! You are so professional and kind. There was any need that a person had that you couldn't help with. The accommodations were great, remembering this was a pilgrimage and not a vacation. We stayed at 2 different locations and the rooms were very comfortable and the food was excellent. Plenty of time for attending Mass and Talks, yet time for reflexing alone or with new found prayer friends. Just a few days into the pilgrimage, everyone became friends. So many "like minded" prayerful people. It was suggested we get to our meeting site a day or two earlier so we could get acclimated to the time change, and that worked out great! Julie and I spent 2 days in Split see the sites and just relaxing together. The guide were had was extremely knowledgeable. Plus, we can be proud that we have contributed to the restoration of the Franciscan Monastery! Transportation must be mentioned also, it was great!

By Michael M on 05 Jun, 2025

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