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Sacred Germany

A Spiritual Journey through the Heart of Bavaria
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Welcome to Your Pilgrimage

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Dear Pilgrim

Join us on a profound pilgrimage through Bavaria, where faith, history, and natural beauty come together to offer an unforgettable journey. Beginning in Munich, we will celebrate daily Mass and share fellowship as we travel to sacred sites that have drawn pilgrims for centuries. Highlights include the Three Hosts Procession in Andechs, the fairytale splendor of Neuschwanstein Castle, and the breathtaking pilgrimage church of Wieskirche. We will walk in the footsteps of Pope Benedict XVI in his hometown of Marktl and explore the rich spiritual heritage of Passau, Metten Abbey, and medieval Regensburg.

Our pilgrimage culminates in Altötting, Germany’s most beloved Marian shrine, with prayers before the Black Madonna and a candlelight procession with thousands of faithful pilgrims. This carefully crafted journey offers a unique opportunity to deepen your faith while experiencing the beauty, hospitality, and sacred traditions of Bavaria.

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Meet Your Spiritual Director

The Most Reverend Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst - Bishop Emeritus of Limburg and Delegate for Catechesis, Dicastery for Evangelization, Vatican

Bishop Franz-Peter is delighted to host this pilgrimage to his native Germany! Serving as the group’s Spiritual Director, he will have the opportunity to share with his fellow pilgrims his personal perspective on the traditions and culture of his beloved Bavaria.

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Meet Your Bayard Ambassador

Theodore “Ted” Musco - Director of Lifelong Faith Formation for SS. Isadore and Maria Parish, Glastonbury and Catechetical Consultant

Dedicated to helping his fellow Catholics deepen their faith for over 40 years, Ted brings a sincere passion for both travel and faith formation to his leading role in this pilgrimage. His close friendship with Bishop Franz-Peter has also inspired a great fondness for Bavaria, its people, and the rich traditions of their faith.

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Packages & Add-ons

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What's Included, What's Not

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What's included

Accommodations

8 Nights in Superior Hotels

Daily Mass

The group is accompanied by a Catholic Bishop to serve as the Spiritual Director of the pilgrimage. They will celebrate Mass in sacred spaces, hear confessions, and lead the group in prayer.

Tour Escort

A local expert, fluent in English and experienced in supporting groups on their travels through Germany. This individual will be at your group's disposal throughout your pilgrimage.

Transportation

The group will be transported by modern, air conditioned coach bus.

Meals per Itinerary

Half Board (9 Breakfasts and 6 Dinners).

Drink with Dinner

1 Glass of Wine, Beer, or Soft Drink with Dinner.

Tours per Itinerary

Entrance fees and private guided tours at all shrines, monasteries, abbeys, and historical sites listed in the itinerary.

What's not included

Tips/Gratuities

Bayard Pilgrimages suggests a budget of €16/person/overnight stay (€128) to cover gratuities for your tour escort, driver, hotel staff, and local guides.

Travel Insurance

It is HIGHLY recommended that all travelers purchase travel insurance for their pilgrimage.

Passport/Visa Fees

Each traveler is responsible for the procurement of and payment for any documents or certificates necessary for international travel.

Omissions

Any items not explicitly stated in the "What's Included?" section are considered the responsibility of each individual traveler.

Journey Highlights

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Table of Contents

Day 1 - The Journey Begins

Friday, September 26
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Flights to Munich

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Itinerary

Today, we board our flights bound for Munich and do our best to get some rest as we anticipate our arrival the next day. Meals and drinks are served aloft.

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Flight to Washington D.C.

Sep 25, 2026
BDL
14:48
Bradley International Airport

1h 35m

Sep 25, 2026
IAD
16:23
Washington Dulles International Airport
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Flight to Munich

Sep 25, 2026
IAD
22:20
Washington Dulles International Airport

8h 10m

Sep 26, 2026
MUC
12:30
Munich Franz Joseph Strauss Airport

This flight will provide dinner on September 25 and breakfast on September 26 to all passengers.

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Day 2 - Willkommen in Deutschland

Saturday, September 26
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Arrive Munich | Welcome Mass | Welcome Dinner

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Itinerary

Arriving in Munich, we are greeted by our group’s Tour Escort before boarding our coach bus and transferring to our accommodations. After some time to rest and freshen up, we celebrate the first Mass of our pilgrimage and then sit down to a special dinner to mark the start of our journey through Bavaria.
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Welcome Mass

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Welcome Dinner

A special dinner to mark the start of our journey through Bavaria.
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Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Starnberg

Check inSaturday, Sep 26, 2026
Check outTuesday, Sep 29, 2026
Experience the charm of Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Starnberg, where stunning views of Lake Starnberg meet elegant dining options showcasing regional cuisine. Located conveniently near Munich, this historic building offers luxurious spa facilities and private access to the lakeside for a truly memorable stay.
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Day 3 - The Three Hosts Procession

Sunday, September 27
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Experience the Three Hosts Festival in Andechs

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Three Hosts Procession and Festival

Drive to the Five Lakes region and the small town of Andechs to celebrate the Dreihostienfest – the Three Hosts Festival. The festival includes special services, blessings, and a grand procession through Andechs displaying three sacred relics. Andechs is also renowned for its Benedictine monks' excellent beer.
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Breakfast

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Dinner

Day 4 - Neuschwanstein Castle and Weiskirche

Monday, September 28
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Tour Neuschwanstein Castle and Wieskirche

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Visit Neuschwanstein Castle

Our day begins with a visit to one of Bavaria’s most iconic sites! Neuschwanstein Castle was the passion project of King Ludwig II of Bavaria. Although the king died before the construction could be completed, Neuschwanstein was eventually “finished” by subsequent monarchs who opened it up to public visitors.
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Tour Wieskirche

Our fairytale castle tour complete, we make our way to the nearby pilgrimage site of Wieskirche. Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its outstanding rococo architecture, the Church of Wies will provide our group with the prefect venue for our daily Mass.
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Breakfast

Day 5 - Travel to Passau and Visit Marktl

Tuesday, September 29
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Explore Marktl and Arrive in Passau

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Travel to Passau

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Visit Marktl and Pope Benedict XVI Museum

Setting out from the Five Lakes Region toward Passau, we stop at the riverside town of Marktl. A charming yet unassuming market town, Marktl’s humble appearance disguises an exciting piece of Catholic history in being the birthplace of the late Pope Benedict XVI! Our group will enjoy a tour of the late Pope’s childhood home, now a museum dedicated to his life and theological works. Afterwards, we will be given some time to explore the town, walking in the places that formed one of the faith’s most beloved and influential figures of recent times.
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mk | hotel passau

Check inTuesday, Sep 29, 2026
Check outThursday, Oct 1, 2026
mk hotel Passau offers a central location on Bahnhofstraße, making it easy to explore the city's attractions. Enjoy modern, well-equipped rooms and on-site dining featuring local cuisine. The hotel also promotes eco-friendly practices and provides complimentary bike rentals to discover the beautiful surroundings.
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Breakfast

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Dinner

Day 6 - Tour Passau

Wednesday, September 30
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Explore Passau's Cathedrals and Pilgrimage Sites

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Explore Old Town and St. Stephen’s Cathedral

Our group will first explore the Old Town area with a visit to St. Stephen’s Cathedral. After a great fire destroyed most of Passau in 1662, this magnificent structure was among many of the city’s buildings to be rebuilt in the Baroque style. Today, St. Stephen’s is perhaps best known for housing the world’s largest cathedral organ with 17,974 pipes and 233 registers!
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Visit Pilgrimage Church of Mariahilf

Later, we will cross the river and ascend the hill to the Pilgrimage Church of Mariahilf. Long venerated as a site of Marian devotion, this hilltop church houses a miraculous image of Saint Mary credited by Leopold I, once the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, with his empire’s salvation during a devastating conflict with the Ottoman Empire. For those who are able, a 321-step covered stairway, decorated with portraits of saints and votive tablets, offers a unique method of reaching the pilgrimage chapel.
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Breakfast

Day 7 - Travel to Regensburg and Visit Metten

Thursday, October 1
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Explore Metten Abbey and Arrive in Regensburg

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Travel to Regensburg

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Visit Metten and Benedictine Abbey of St. Michael

Traveling along the Danube, we soon arrive at the small town of Metten. Though a beautiful town in its own right, our interest here lies in the sprawling Benedictine Abbey of St. Michael. Founded in 766, St. Michael’s is one of the oldest abbeys in Bavaria and has long held a significant role in defining Bavarian spirituality. Today, it also marks one of the critical stops along the Via Nova or “New Way” pilgrimage routes that pass through the area. Our group will enjoy a guided tour of the abbey grounds as well as some time to explore the surrounding town before boarding our bus and completing our journey to Regensburg.
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Novotel Regensburg Zentrum

Check inThursday, Oct 1, 2026
Check outSaturday, Oct 3, 2026
Experience the Novotel Regensburg Zentrum, centrally located near the city's historical treasures. Enjoy spacious rooms designed for comfort and indulge in on-site dining featuring a mix of local and international flavors. With modern architecture that harmonizes with its surroundings, this hotel also offers business facilities and a relaxing indoor pool.
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Breakfast

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Dinner

Day 8 - Tour Regensburg and Visit with Bishop Voderholzer

Friday, October 2
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Explore Regensburg's Cathedrals and Bishop's Nativity Collection

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Tour Regensburg and Basilica of the Nativity

Located along the Danube River, Regensburg is widely known for its well-preserved medieval town center featuring Bavaria’s oldest Catholic church, the Basilica of the Nativity of Our Lady of Regensburg. Though updated many times over its 1,000-year history, most recently in stunning rococo style in the 18th century, the church retains a timeless aura of devotion imbued over the centuries by countless faithful pilgrims.
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Visit St. Peter Cathedral

Later, we visit another of the city’s treasured monuments, St. Peter Cathedral. Built in the Gothic style popular in the 13th and 14th centuries, this towering Cathedral identifies the heart of Regensburg to observers from miles around. On entering, we clearly understand why it is also known as the “Cathedral of Light” as we gaze in wonder at the intricate stained-glass windows and vaulted ceilings bathed in a brilliant glow.
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Visit with Bishop Voderholzer

This afternoon, at the invitation of the Bishop of Regensburg, our group will be hosted at His Excellency’s home where we will enjoy an exclusive viewing of his private collection of over 4,000 unique nativity sets!
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Breakfast

Day 9 - Travel to Altötting, Tour, Farewell Dinner

Saturday, October 3
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Pilgrimage Culmination in Altötting and Candlelight Procession

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Travel to Altötting

Departing Regensburg, we quickly reach the final destination of our pilgrimage, Altötting.
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Tour Altötting

Here, we experience the culmination of our exploration of Bavarian spirituality as we join the more than one million pilgrims who visit Altötting every year. Among the many graces offered by this sacred place, pilgrims are invited to pray before the Black Madonna kept in the Chapel of the Grace of Our Lady of Altötting. After a private Mass, our group will be given ample time for prayer and reflection.
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Farewell Dinner

After a private Mass, our group will be given ample time for prayer and reflection before gathering to enjoy a final dinner together before our journey home.
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Candlelight Procession

This evening, those who wish may participate in a beautiful candlelight procession similar to those practiced at other famous Marian Shrines such as Lourdes or Fatima.
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Hotel Zur Post Altötting

Check inSaturday, Oct 3, 2026
Check outSunday, Oct 4, 2026
Experience the charm of Hotel Zur Post Altötting, ideally situated near the historic pilgrimage site. Enjoy comfortable rooms with modern amenities and savor local cuisine at the on-site restaurant. With a rich history and personalized service, your stay promises to be memorable.
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Breakfast

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Dinner

Day 10 - Return Home

Sunday, October 4
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Farewell to Bavaria and Departure

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Group Transfer to Munich Airport (MUC)

Transferring to the nearby Munich airport, we say our farewells to Bavaria and our fellow pilgrims as we undertake the long journey home.
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Flight to Washington D.C.

Oct 4, 2026
MUC
16:20
Munich Franz Joseph Strauss Airport

9h 5m

Oct 4, 2026
IAD
19:25
Washington Dulles International Airport
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Flight to Hartford

Oct 4, 2026
IAD
22:25
Washington Dulles International Airport

1h 32m

Oct 4, 2026
BDL
23:57
Bradley International Airport
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Breakfast

Early departures may request a "breakfast box" if their schedule won't allow for them to enjoy a full breakfast at the hotel.

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Map

1. Andechs Monastery

Bergstraße 2, 82346 Andechs, Germany

2. Neuschwanstein Castle

Neuschwansteinstraße 20, 87645 Schwangau, Germany

3. Wieskirche (Pilgrimage Church of Wies)

Wies 12, 86989 Steingaden, Germany

4. Marktl (Pope Benedict XVI Museum)

Papst Benedikt XVI.-Geburtshaus, Marktpl. 11, 84533 Marktl, Germany

5. St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Passau

Domplatz 9, 94032 Passau, Germany

6. Mariahilf Pilgrimage Church, Passau

Mariahilfberg 3, 94032 Passau, Germany

7. Benedictine Abbey of St. Michael, Metten

St.-Michaels-Platz 1, 94526 Metten, Germany

8. Basilica of the Nativity of Our Lady, Regensburg

Niedermünstergasse 8, 93047 Regensburg, Germany

9. St. Peter Cathedral, Regensburg

Domplatz 1, 93047 Regensburg, Germany

10. Chapel of Grace (Gnadenkapelle), Altötting

Kapellpl. 2, 84503 Altötting, Germany