John Paul the Great High School Germany & France Pilgrimage – June 2026

Pilgrimage to Germany and France

Trip Date:

Jun 16, 2026

- Jun 25, 2026

Group Type

Private

Activity Level

Moderate

Price

From $6,000

Deposit $1,500

Hosted by

St. John Paul the Great High School

or call us at (574) 383-9396

Trip Overview

Footsteps of Charlemagne Pilgrimage

Join Saint John Paul the Great Catholic High School on a transformative pilgrimage in the footsteps of Charlemagne to Germany and France. Discover the Catholic roots of Germany in St. Michael’s Church, the oldest church in Germany, modeled after Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Walk in the footsteps of great historical figures as you visit cathedrals of monarchical importance, as well as Charlemagne’s capital and resting place. Dive deeper into your faith, praying with the relics of Jesus’ swaddling clothes, the Blessed Virgin’s cloak, and the cloth used for St. John the Baptist’s head. Immerse yourself in the history and culture of two great countries and leave changed by this unique experience with Christ’s Church.

What’s Included?

Local, licensed tour guide
Accommodations in double, triple, or quad-occupancy rooms, including taxes
Roundtrip airfare as indicated on itinerary
Airport/hotel transfers (if arriving/departing on group flight)
Transportation on private motorcoach per itinerary
Meals as indicated on itinerary
Opportunity for daily Mass
Tickets for included activities
Audio headset for each pilgrim (groups 20+)
Verso Pilgrim Kits
Preparation and follow-up materials
Verso Pilgrimage Director (groups of 30+)

Itinerary

Day 1: Depart U.S.

June 16, 2026

Depart the U.S. on your overnight flight to Frankfurt

Day 2: Fulda

June 17, 2026

Arrive in Frankfurt and transfer to Fulda
Mass at a local church
Welcome Dinner in a local restaurant
Transfer to hotel and check-in
Overnight near Fulda

Accommodations: Hotel Milseburg (in Hilders, ~30 km from Fulda) or similar

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3: Fulda

June 18, 2026

Mass at a local church
Self-guided walking tour of Fulda
Visit the Cathedral of St Boniface, the Apostle to Germany
Visit St Michael’s Church, the oldest church in Germany, modelled after Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Lunch on your own
Free time at the Hessentag, Germany’s largest and oldest state festival with street food, craftworks, music, and other
cultural-heritage events
Dinner on your own
Overnight near Fulda

Accommodations: Hotel Milseburg (in Hilders, ~30 km from Fulda) or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 4: Cologne, Aachen

June 19, 2026

Depart for Cologne
Visit the Cathedral, housing the relics of the Three Magi
Mass at the Church of Mary’s Help
Lunch on your own
Continue on to Aachen, Charlemagne’s imperial capital
Dinner at the hotel
Overnight near Aachen

Accommodations: Kloster Steinfeld Gastehaus or similar

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5: Aachen

June 20, 2026

Mass at a local church
Visit the Cathedral, its Palatine Chapel, and Treasury
- Aachen Cathedral is Germany’s oldest and contains four significant relics: Jesus’ swaddling clothes, the Lord’s loincloth, the Blessed Virgin’s cloak, and the cloth used for St. John the Baptist’s head.
- It also houses the relics of the Three Magi
- Charlemagne was buried in the Palatine Chapel in the Cathedral in 814
- Until 1531, the Cathedral was the coronation site of German emperors
Explore Aachen on foot through the Old Town with a guided tour
Free time, with lunch and dinner on your own
Overnight near Aachen

Accommodations: Kloster Steinfeld Gastehaus or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 6: Eltz Castle, Trier

June 21, 2026

Depart for Wierschem
Enjoy a guided tour of Eltz Castle
Lunch at a local restaurant
Continue on to Trier
Enjoy a guided tour of the city of Trier, known for its well-preserved Roman and medieval buildings, including the Porta Niegra, the amphitheater and baths, and the Constantine Basilica
Celebrate Mass at Trier Cathedral, followed by a guided tour
- Trier Cathedral is home to remarkable artwork as well as the Holy Robe that Jesus wore during the Crucifixion
Finish the day with a visit to the Church of Our Lady, one of the first Gothic churches in Germany, located near the burial site of St. Mathias, the apostle who replaced Judas Iscariot
Dinner on your own
Overnight in Trier

Accommodations: ibis Styles Trier or similar

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7: Reims

June 22, 2026

Transfer to Reims, a medieval intellectual center and hub for the French monarchy
Mass at a local church
Lunch on your own
Visit Reims Cathedral, Palais du Tau, and the Abbey of Saint-Remi
- The Cathedral is the coronation site of French monarchs, to France what Westminster Abbey is to England
- The Palais du Tau held the “Talisman of Charlemagne” — a reliquary holding a fragment of the Cross that belonged to Charlemagne
- Saint-Remi houses the tomb of the saint who baptized Clovis
Dinner at the hotel
Overnight in Reims

Accommodations: CIS de Champagne or similar

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8: Paris

June 23, 2026

Transfer to Paris
Lunch on your own
Mass at the Basilica of Sacre-Coeur, a sanctuary of perpetual adoration and an iconic dome offering some of the best views of Paris
All-night adoration at the Sacre-Coeur guesthouse (pending availability)
Overnight in Paris

Accommodations: ibis Paris 17 Clichy-Batignolles or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 9: Paris

June 24, 2026

Visit St Vincent de Paul Chapel and Miraculous Medal Chapel, with Mass
Visit to Saint-Denis and have a guided tour of the Basilica, a key center for the Frankish monarchy, notably the former burial place of the kings of France
The original Abbey-Church of Saint-Denis was consecrated in the presence of Charlemagne in 775
Twelfth-century renovations by the Abbot Suger make the Basilica the first Gothic building
Lunch on your own
Afternoon tour of Sainte-Chapelle and Notre-Dame Cathedral
Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant
Overnight in Paris

Accommodations: ibis Paris 17 Clichy-Batignolles or similar

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10: Departure

June 25, 2026

Transfer to Paris airport and depart on your journey home

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodations

Simple Accommodations

Hotel Milseburg 3 or similar

Hilders, ~30 km from Fulda

Novotel Aachen City 4 or similar

Aachen

ibis Styles Trier 3 or similar

Trier

CIS de Champagne

Reims

Hôtellerie de la Basilique - Sacré-Cœur Montmartre (Guesthouse) or similar

Paris

Pricing

Package Cost

$6,000

Optional Add-ons

Travel protection

Quote available upon request**

The pricing for this pilgrimage will range between $5,500 and $6,000 per person depending on the number of students who register.

The $6,000 listed price will only apply if the group is only 20 students. If more than 20 students register, the price will decrease proportionally. The trip will be no less expensive than $5,500.

Pricing listed per person in double, triple, or quad-occupancy rooms and includes airfare.
The number of available single-occupancy rooms is limited.

*Travel protection price is calculated based on a variety of factors and optional plans are provided by Travel Insured International.

Rates assume a minimum of 20 full-paying pilgrims.

Flights

Arrival Flight Information - June 16, 2026

TAP Air Portugal Flight #232
- Departs Washington Dulles (IAD) at 5:00 P.M.
- Arrives Lisbon (LIS) at 5:20 A.M. (next day June 17)
TAP Air Portugal Flight #570
- Departs Lisbon (LIS) at 8:35 A.M.
- Arrives Frankfurt (FRA) at 12:40 P.M.

Departure Flight Information - June 25, 2026

TAP Air Portugal Flight #429
- Departs Paris Orly (ORY) at 10:20 A.M.
- Arrives Lisbon (LIS) at 11:55 A.M.
TAP Air Portugal Flight #233
- Departs Lisbon (LIS) at 5:30 PM
- Arrives Washington Dulles (IAD) at 8:50 P.M.

Airport Transfer Information

Pilgrims will be transferred to/from the airport in Europe in one group based on the timing of the group flight.

More Details

What's Not Included

Gratuities for pilgrimage director, guide(s), driver(s), hotel staff, and meals
Passport, visa, or luggage fees
Any personal purchases
Any meals not indicated on itinerary, as well as beverages at meals
Any required COVID tests or vaccinations
Recommended travel protection with Cancel for Any Reason coverage
Anything else not explicitly mentioned as included

Payment Schedule and Cancellation Policy

Reference John Paul the Great Chaplain Website for detailed payment and cancellation information.

Jump To

Frequently Asked Questions

What is my Pilgrim Portal?

Your Pilgrim Portal is how you will securely share the information we need for your trip. We collect all this information through your “tasks” in your Pilgrim Portal. After booking, you will receive access to your portal and can log in at the link at the top of this page.

How does Verso Ministries prepare me for my journey?

We know from experience that preparing for a journey is just as important as the journey itself. From pre-departure spiritual formation emails and webinars hosted by the Verso trip leader, to providing you with a pilgrim kit to bring with you on your journey, we accompany you through the entire process – before, during, and after the pilgrimage – to prepare your mind and heart for what you’ll encounter. And of course, we’re always available by phone or email to answer and assist with any questions you might have.

Why should I travel with Verso Ministries?

At Verso, we believe in crafting pilgrimages that offer you a view of God’s world and his work in it that you can’t get anywhere else. We believe that everything – from the holy sites, to the meals, to daily Mass, to your fellow pilgrims – shape the ways God can speak to you, which means we’re intentional about it all. We believe a pilgrimage isn’t just the days you travel, but it’s how you prepare – from the moment you sign up, to the days and weeks after you arrive home. We shepherd you through the entire process so you can achieve the most transformative experience possible. We’re not just travel experts; we’re experts in Catholic pilgrimage.

Resources

Discover helpful guides and tips to prepare for your pilgrimage and enrich your journey with Verso Ministries.

Finding the Saints of France

5 Benefits of Going on a Pilgrimage

Finding God in Silence

Becoming the Best Version of Yourself Through Pilgrimage

What Our Pilgrims Have to Say

Father Kuhn

Jocelyn

“Verso provided a safe, quality travel experience, but even more important – a transformative pilgrimage. You are making a solid choice when traveling with Verso and will not regret the decision.”

Rev. Jonathan Meyer

Pastor, All Saints Parish

“It was the experience of a lifetime. This pilgrimage gave us a true glimpse of what it would be like to walk with Jesus in the Holy Land. Celebrating Mass, traveling with superb guides, and reflecting on Biblical passages enriched our love of the Holy Land and deepened our faith.”

Deacon John & Ada H.

Pilgrims, Holy Land

“Who doesn’t love a trip that’s already perfectly planned for you? You don’t have to do much except come and experience the trip. I’m really grateful for Verso because they know what they’re doing.”

McKenzy S.

Pilgrim, World Youth Day

Pilgrimage to Germany and France

Trip Overview

What’s Included?

Itinerary

Accommodations

Pricing

Optional Add-ons

The pricing for this pilgrimage will range between $5,500 and $6,000 per person depending on the number of students who register.

The $6,000 listed price will only apply if the group is only 20 students. If more than 20 students register, the price will decrease proportionally. The trip will be no less expensive than $5,500.

Flights

More Details

Frequently Asked Questions

What is my Pilgrim Portal?

How does Verso Ministries prepare me for my journey?

Why should I travel with Verso Ministries?

Resources

Finding the Saints of France

5 Benefits of Going on a Pilgrimage

Finding God in Silence

Becoming the Best Version of Yourself Through Pilgrimage

What Our Pilgrims Have to Say

Father Kuhn

Jocelyn

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