Marian
Shrines
France, Portugal, and Spain
Payments
• The deposit you paid at registration is part of your balance.
• All pilgrims have a Travel Protection Plan purchased by Nativity Pilgrimage
• The Group Deluxe Protection Plan, which offers benefits for trip cancellation, is optional. The form to fill out can be found HERE.
• Payments may be made to your balance at any time before the final payment is due.
• Your final payment is due 100 days prior to your departure date.
• Each payment on a credit card will have an additional 3% fee.
• The total cost of the trip includes airline tickets, tour transportation, and allotted meals.
Passports / Visas
All travelers must have a valid passport. Your passport must be valid (not expired) within 6 months of your return date.
You must provide your complete name as it appears on your passport on your registration form. Tickets that are ordered incorrectly due to name discrepancies will require a change fee paid by you.
For an up-to-date, country-by-country listing of passport requirements around the world, please visit the Foreign Entry Requirements page
If you do not have a passport, please visit The U.S. Department of State website
For U.S. citizens, no visa is required.
For a list of all requirements for travel, please check the U.S. Travel Advisories HERE
For non-U.S. citizens:
• Discover if you need a visa HERE.
• If visa is required, apply for a visa here:
• France
• Portugal
• Spain
• Visas must be valid within 3 months of departure.
Tip Chart
Tips are an important portion of the earnings for escorts, guides, and bus drivers.
• At restaurants, a 15% service charge is already included in the bill. However, it is still customary to leave a tip to show appreciation
• Some general tipping guidelines for France: In a café, €0.20 for a drink and €0.50 for a snack. In a restaurant, €1-2 per person (tips are usually left in cash and not added to the credit card payment)
• For taxis, round up the fare by €1 for a city ride; add €2 for a ride from the airport
• Tip hotel staff €1 for room service. Sometimes a few coins will be needed for public restrooms
We recommend the following general tip amounts for group travelers:
In Case of Emergency
U.S. citizens traveling to France, Portugal, and Spain are encouraged to obtain updated information on travel and security issues and register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate in person or through the State Department’s Travel Registration website:
https://travelregistration.state.gov/
By registering, U.S. citizens make it easier for the U.S. Embassy or Consulate to contact them in cases of emergency.
Emergency
Telephone Numbers
France
General: 112
General (Accessibility): 114
Emergency Police: 17
Ambulance/Medical: 15
Fire Service: 18
Social Emergency: 115
Abused Children: 119
Missing Children: 116000
Portugal
General: 112
Spain
General: 112
Emergency Police: 091
Local Police: 092
Ambulance/Medical: 061
Fire Service: 080
Preparing for your Pilgrimage
Airport Security
All liquids, gels and aerosols carried in your personal carry-on bag onto the plane must be in 3-ounce or smaller containers.
Pack all these items in clear plastic pouches inside your carry-on bag to make it easier to remove them for the screening process.
For more information on any other security measures per airline policies, visit the TSA website
Documents/Ticketing
You will have your final documents four weeks prior to your departure date. Most of your final documents (hotel confirmations, emergency contacts, general trip information, travel tour badge, international phone connections, etc.) will be included. Airline E-Tickets will be sent to you electronically and a copy will be available.
Please note: late payment/bookings can cause delay in coordinating everyone’s final documents.
Your ticket is purchased by Nativity Pilgrimage at a Group rate, which is factored into the total price of your pilgrimage. They are issued to us approximately 15-25 days prior to your departure date. Some airlines now require that we provide e-tickets in place of paper tickets.
Nativity Pilgrimage is not responsible for any upgrade and cannot guarantee any upgrades or changes in your seating arrangements.
Airline Mileage Accounts
If you would like to obtain credit for miles flown on your pilgrimage, directly contact the airline you are traveling to open a mileage account. Each airline will have their own rules and regulations and it is your responsibility to contact the airline directly for obtaining credit.
What should I do if I want to change my ticket?
If you would like to change your ticket for any reason once issued, you must work directly with the airlines. You will incur additional costs (minimum of $200 per person) for such changes.
International Flights
Airline Connections
Nativity Pilgrimage must book your airline reservations based on the routings provided to us by the airlines, including connection time, cities for connections, and partner carriers.
Airlines determine the standard for the required minimum connecting time to transfer from one gate to another for each specific airport. At times, the connection times provided by the airlines may be tight (i.e. 45-60 minutes) and require passengers to make haste during their connections. There are times when the connections are long, due to the flight availability at the time of booking.
We are subject to the rules, regulations, and availability of the carriers we work with. We also must ensure that all reservations correspond so that each pilgrim is able to meet the group transfer to/ from the airport to hotel and hotel to airport.
Luggage
Luggage must be personally checked in by passengers.
Inform the airline representative of your final destination so that you will not need to claim and recheck your baggage during flight connections.
We suggest one check-in luggage and one carry-on luggage per passenger.
Size and weight limitations vary from airline to airline.
Other Travelers
Your tour guide will not be traveling with you; they will meet you at your final destination.
Nativity Pilgrimage attempts to centralize as many pilgrims as possible on the same flights so that you may arrive/depart together.
Check-In
Please check-in for your flight 3-4 hours prior to the scheduled departure time.
Some airlines offer seating upgrades based on availability for additional fees or Mileage Plus Points upon check-in.
In-Flight Meals
Nativity Pilgrimage is not responsible for your special in-flight meal requirements. Those having dietary restrictions and need special in-flight meals are required to contact the airlines prior to their designated departure to order their meal.
Health Precautions
Vaccinations
While visiting certain countries, vaccinations are necessary for tourists. However, trips to most European countries do not require vaccinations.
To see which countries require vaccinations, please check the U.S. Travel Advisories website.
Consult your health care provider if you have any concerns and consider getting a flu vaccine, as long flights may expose you to the virus, especially during the late Fall and early Spring months.
Jet Lag and Adjusting
Jet lag is among the most common health ailments that people experience, even seasoned travelers.
Upon arrival, spend the first 24 hours adjusting your internal clock to the new time zone. By eating and sleeping according to the local time, your body will quickly adapt to the change.
Water in France, Portgual, and Spain
Tap water in Paris is safe and drinkable.
Check out this website for other cities in France. Tap water in both Portugal and Spain is safe and drinkable.
Lost/Stolen Items
Nativity Pilgrimage is not responsible for your lost or stolen items. Contact the airline carrier immediately if you have lost items. They will provide you with the proper paperwork to complete and register your claim. Make sure they know your traveling itinerary so they can contact you if your lost items are located. We are not able to follow-up on your claim. Contact a family member or friend to handle any inquiries by the airlines until you return home.
Tips for Prevention and Safety
• Carry all documents and money on you but not all in the same place to limit inconvenience in case of loss.
• Money belts worn inside clothing are recommended to prevent theft.
• Keep all medications in your carry-on bag during your trip in case your check-in luggage may get lost.
• Keep a separate list of important numbers (i.e. passport, traveler’s checks, and credit cards) in your handbag or personal carry bag, together with photocopies of airline tickets and the relevant pages of your passport/visas.
• Avoid excessive display of jewelry or cash.
• Use room safes and/or leave items with the hotel manager.
• Make sure any valuable are insured against theft if possible.
• Avoid exploration on your own and be cautious on unfamiliar streets and of unfamiliar individuals.
• Contact your local bank and credit card companies before departing on your trip to inform them of your travel.
• Cancel your credit cards as soon as possible if they get lost.
Travel Insurance
Be prepared for unforeseen events that can leave you to cancel your trip, or worse, with out-of-pocket expenses! We have partnered with Trawick Insurance to offer you coverage for the unexpected.
Trip cancellation insurance protects the covered expenses in case of many unforeseen circumstances. For a fraction of the trip cost, you can alleviate the risk of losing money if something unforeseen gets in the way. You may have skipped this coverage before but if you’re paying
out a lot of money upfront for an organized tour or airfare, if you have questionable health, or if you have a loved one at home in poor health, it’s probably a good idea to get this coverage. Safe Travels Trip Protection Plans cover the nonrefundable financial penalties or losses you incur when you cancel a prepaid tour or flight for an unforeseen reason.
For more information, please call our office and/ or check out the PDF on our website.
Money
Credit Cards/Travelers Checks
Major credit cards (VISA, Mastercard) are accepted. AMEX fees are higher for merchants and may be declined. Travelers checks may also be declined. Only use your credit cards at secure places of business.
Currency Exchange
The basic unit of currency is the Euro.
For up-to-date currency exchange rates, please visit: https://www.xe.com/.
Euro coins different according to country, but they can be used in any EU state. Bank notes are of uniform EU design.
How much money should I bring?
Each person is different. Things to take into consideration regarding money include preferred lunch and souvenirs. We recommend that the minimum spending money you should bring in addition to the suggested tips is $50.00 U.S. dollars per day. This is to be on the safe side, as you can always spend less and bring the rest back home.
Banks and ATM Machines
You may ask your hotel for the nearest international bank locations and their hours. Your tour guide should provide you with information on which locations offer the best rates of exchange. Refrain from exchanging money at local change booths or at the hotel since the fees will be high.
Banks charge a commission fee when you withdraw money internationally.
ATM machines can be found at most bank branches, post offices, train stations, airports, shopping centers, etc. and are accessible 24 hours. There is usually a fee with each withdrawal. Please be informed on your cash advance and withdrawal limits prior to departure.
Electricity/Technology
Communication
The telephone code for each country are:
France: +33
Portgual: +351
Spain: +34
You may bring your cell phone. Please check with your provider to inquire about international usage. To communicate for free with data or Wi-Fi, we recommend the following apps: Facebook Messenger, Skype, WhatsApp, and Viber.
France, Portgual, and Spain operate on a 230V supply voltage and uses rounded, two-prong plugs.
Before leaving home, purchase an international adapter so you may connect your devices to the outlets in the country. Make sure this adapter is sufficiently powerful enough for your device/appliance. Also, purchase a converter to convert the different voltages. Adapter/ converter kits that include the entire range of plugs can be purchased at electrical supply stores.
It is not recommended to buy electronic devices abroad unless you are sure that the current it uses is compatible with the current at your home country.
Photography
Feel free to bring a camera and/or use your cell phone to take photos during your pilgrimage, but be mindful of signs that indicate whether or not photography is allowed in some museum and churches.
During your Pilgrimage
Language & Climate
Language
The official language of France, Portugal, and Spain are French, Portuguese, and Spanish, respectively.
English is not commonly used except for high tourist locations. Please take time to learn some polite phrases from each country, such as please, thank you, excuse me, sorry, good morning, and, “Do you speak English?”
Climate
We suggest checking out the weather online prior to packing to get an idea of the weather during our trip.
General guidelines for clothing on pilgrimages
• No formal clothing
• Avoid tank tops or any type of sleeveless clothing
• No shorts, sleeveless tops/dresses, or short skirts/dresses are permitted in the churches
Itinerary Changes
Though every effort will be made to follow the original itinerary, the itinerary serves mainly as the general idea of the tour rather than a contract of places to be visited.
Occasionally, local religious holidays, nation holidays, traffic conditions, and other events may lead to changes in the sequence of visits (or the removal of visits). We will have daily Mass in the locations indicated on the itinerary unless itinerary changes are forced upon us.
In this case, an alternative church will be arranged.
Our intention is to operate all pilgrimages as listed in the itinerary.
General Packing List
Here is a list of things you may want to bring on your trip. Anything except items under “Important Items & Documents” are optional. Travel sizes are recommended.
Medicine
□ If you take regular medications, make sure to bring a list containing names and dosage.
□ Dramamine (for motion sickness)
□ OTC Pain medicine (Aspirn, Advil, or Tylenol
□ Stomach relief such as Pepto or Imodium (preferably in tablet form)
□ Sleep-aids
□ Allergy medicine
□ Cold/flu medicine
□ Bandages
Electronics
□ Power converter/Adapter
□ Cell phone
□ Camera
□ Chargers
□ Extra batteries
Important Items & Documents
□ Passport
□ Copy of Passport
□ Second form of identification
□ Flight documents
□ Name tag
□ Money
Spiritual Items
□ Bible
□ Rosary
□ Catholic Mass Missal
Personal Care Items
□ Deodorant
□ Soap/Body Wash
□ Shampoo/Conditioner
□ Toothbrush/Toothpaste
□ Chapstick
□ Comb/Brush
□ Lotion/Moisturizer
□ Nail Clippers
□ Feminine items
□ Wet wipes
□ Plastic bags for laundry
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I lose my ticket?
If you lose your ticket prior to departure, contact Nativity Pilgrimage immediately and we will fax you a copy of your ticket. You will need to arrive at the airport earlier (approximately 5 hours before boarding) and sign a Lost Ticket Indemnity Form and pay the airlines a $100 reissuing fee. If you lose your ticket during your trip, please inform your guide immediately so that we may follow the same procedure.
What should I do if my flight is cancelled or delayed?
If your flight is cancelled or delayed, it is imperative that you work directly with the airlines at the airport to arrange for alternate flights or protection.
Once your tickets have been issued or you have checked-in for your flights, Nativity Pilgrimage can no longer make any changes to your flight itinerary. This can only be done by the airlines. It is important to remember it is not the airline agent’s fault, so please remain courteous to them.
The airlines are not required to offer reimbursement for personal expense or overnights when delays/cancellations occur due to weather. This is why we strongly recommend the purchase of Traveler’s Insurance. However, if you find that you have no luck with the airline personnel, please contact Nativity Pilgrimage and we shall do all in our power to assist you.
What should I do if I miss my flight due to my late arrival at my departure airport?
If you miss your flight due to your own late arrival at your departure airport, it is imperative that you work directly with the airlines at the airport to arrange for alternate flights. You will incur additional costs for such changes. Please note that you should contact Nativity Pilgrimage once your alternate arrangements have been made so that we may arrange for a private transfer (at your expense) if necessary.
What happens if I have a problem or complaint during my trip?
If you have any problems, concerns, or complaints during your trip, please communicate them immediately to your tour guide. Your tour guide is at your disposal to assist you with all your needs including issues with your hotel room, meals, etc.
Remember, there is very little that can be done to undo a problem once you have returned home, but most of the time your tour guide can address any concerns you may have swiftly.
However, if the issue is not resolved to your satisfaction by your tour guide, then please contact our office.
