A pilgrimage is a trip where God is in charge: He works through other people to organize the trip and perhaps to extend His invitation, but He has a plan for you to travel with Him to this specific destination at this time with your fellow pilgrims to reveal something of Himself to you.

You can use our online booking system by completing the information form attached to the pilgrimage for which you are registering. Your payment can safely be made online. If you prefer, you can print out and complete the registration form and mail it with a copy of your passport picture page and your deposit check (payable to Cloverdale Travel) to Cloverdale Travel, P.O. Box 348, Ringtown, PA 17967. You will receive an email confirmation for your received registration.

Sometimes things happen and we can no longer travel as planned. In this case please notify us in writing (by mail to Cloverdale Travel, P.O. Box 348, Ringtown, PA 17967, or by email to info@cloverdaletravel.org). Individual deposits are refundable except for a $500/person handling fee for cancellations made 90 days or more prior to departure. For cancellations 90 to 60 days prior to departure, you will be refunded everything except your initial deposit ($1000). If you cancel the trip within 60 days of departure, all payments are non-refundable. Unused portions of the trip are non-refundable.

If your air flight is delayed, notify your ground operator of your delay and new arrival time (the number is included with your travel documents). The ground operator in your destination will make arrangements for your new arrival time. If your group air flight is canceled, work with the airline for a new flight to have you arrive as close to your original arrival time. The airline must protect your flight. You could be booked on a partner airline. If your delay is extended the airline will provide food and/or hotel vouchers. Again, notify your ground operator so that adjustments can be made.

Yes, you can purchase a “land only” package that does not include group air (you will notice at registration that group air is an “extra” you can add). Land-only packages start at the first hotel and end at the last hotel. If you arrange your own flights to arrive and depart at the same time as the group flights it is possible to meet at and/or leave from the airport with the group. Switching from “land & air” to “land only” incurs a $100 fee.

Travel protection (or travel insurance) is optional, but highly recommended. In your confirmation email, you will receive an option to purchase travel protection through Travelex, but you are free to choose your own insurer. Most insurers offer a basic plan that allows for cancellation in the event of family, work, or medical emergencies, as well as coverage for things such as missing luggage or delay of trip. An upgraded coverage allows you to “cancel for any reason” within a certain time before departure (usually 48 hours) for a partial refund of your total payment.

Airfare purchased with trips is “group air” which guarantees an economy seat on the plane at a price typically lower than usual. The airline does all seating assignments. Sometimes it is possible to arrange an upgrade for an additional cost. If you are interested in upgrading your air reservation to another class, please let us know at registration and we will work to accommodate your request.

Standard rooms will comfortably accommodate a solo traveler (single room), two people (one double or two twin beds), or even three people (three beds — the third bed is sometimes a cot or “rollaway’). Some hotels offer suites or upgraded rooming accommodations for an additional cost. If you are interested, please let us know at registration and we will work to accommodate your request.

You can always invite a family member or friend to travel with you. You can also let us know that you are looking for a roommate and we will work to match you with another person of the same gender also looking for a roommate and the two of you can decide if you want to room together. A limited number of rooms (usually 4-5) are available for solo travelers to room alone for an additional “single supplement.

Everyone traveling internationally needs a valid passport. Passports must be valid for six (6) months following the scheduled return date. Beginning in 2024, U.S. citizens traveling to a country in the European Union (E.U.) will need a “travel authorization” to enter Europe. Each person must obtain this authorization personally online and pay the required fee. More information can be found at: https://traveleurope.europa.eu/etias_en Domestic air travel requires a Real ID driver’s license or a valid passport.

As my Mom always says, remember this is a pilgrimage, not a fashion show! Two words about packing for a pilgrimage: casual and light. Pack a few comfortable outfits with interchangeable pieces that can be worn throughout the pilgrimage. Comfortable shoes are a must. Articles of clothing that can be washed out and dry quickly are ideal. Remember that many churches require shoulders and knees to be covered!

Just like with packing, think about what you will leave behind — worries, concerns, situations over which you have no control — and what you will bring — special intentions, prayers, hopes. Form your own prayer intentions and invite others who cannot travel with you to give you their intentions. We usually gather written intentions and place them on the altar each day for Holy Mass. Bring (or download apps) prayer books, missalettes, Rosary, Bible — those things that help you to pray. Some find a journal to be helpful to plan and reflect. Go online to visit and research places we will visit.

Always check airlines to confirm acceptable luggage sizes and weights. International travel usually includes one (1) checked bag (not exceeding 50 lbs and 62 inches [H+L+W]), one (1) carry-on bag (not exceeding 15 lbs and 9x14x22 inches), and one (1) personal item (must fit under seat in front of you). Please note that a carry-on bag that does fit overhead on the airplane will typically not fit overhead on the bus used for touring. On a full pilgrimage there will not be room for both checked luggage and carry-on luggage in under-bus cargo, so choose a carry-on that is flexible in the event you have to hold it on the bus.

Standard voltage in the U.S. is 110-120V. Voltage in most European countries and in the Holy Land is 220-230V. You will need a converter to safely use your device. You will also need an adapter so that our standard U.S. plug prongs will fit into the foreign sockets. Some phones, readers, and computers have built in converters; check with your manufacturer. Universal travel adapters/converters are available at Wal-Mart, Target, Best Buy, or through Amazon

Pilgrimage itineraries are full, giving people the opportunity to see and experience the most a place offers. Plan on walking 10,000+ steps a day. Begin a walking routine at home in the months before departure to build up your stamina. If walking is challenging for you, consider bringing support (cane, walking poles, wheelchair). We will do our best to help all pilgrims see and experience everything they are able to physically do, but keep in mind that accessibility specifications vary from country to country, and do not often meet the same standards and criteria as in the U.S. Bringing a travel companion to assist might be the best solution.

While portage is typically included at hotels and buses for 1 bag per person, there are times when pilgrims will have to carry and transfer all their bags, such as at the airport until check-in, and during late night and early morning hotel arrivals and departures. Keep this in mind when packing!

Hotel standards differ between the U.S. and other countries. We typically stay in 4-5* hotels (by international standards). Hotel rooms might be smaller than in the U.S. Key cards may operate the room lighting (and the elevator). Many hotels provide hair dryers and toiletries, as well as WiFi. Some have laundry services available (for an additional cost). Be careful in unfamiliar bathrooms for slippery floors and elevated showers and tubs. A list of hotels is provided with your final documents for you to check specific amenities.

A good recommendation is to carry as little currency as possible, just as much as you need! That will vary for each of us, but having some local U.S. currency is always good, especially for small purchases, church donations, and tipping. About $100 in U.S. $1’s and $5’s will cover most day-to-day situations. Credit cards are widely accepted for larger purchases, and you can also use your credit/debit cards to obtain money through an ATM when abroad. Check with your bank or credit card company about international usage and withdrawal fees.

Credit cards are widely accepted throughout the world, especially Visa and Mastercard. American Express and Discover are not always accepted. Notify your bank or credit card company to create a “travel plan” so they know where and when you plan to travel outside the U.S. and use your credit card. Also, find out international transaction and conversion fees. If given the option, it is usually better to be charged in the local currency and allow your bank or credit card company to do the conversion to U.S. dollars (Dynamic Currency Conversion or DDC).

Most tips are included in the price of your pilgrimage, such as for the tour manager/guide and driver who accompany us throughout the trip, porters at hotels (1 bag/person), local guides who join us for specific parts of our itinerary, and waitstaff at group meals. You should plan on leaving tips each day for the housekeeping staff at hotels, donations at churches for Mass, as well as when dining out on your own or ordering drinks from the bar. If not included in your bill, plan on tipping 5-10% when dining out.

God invites some people to lead others on pilgrimage. If you discern that God is calling you to lead a group (or to work with a priest or other person to lead a group), we can help you plan, publicize, and lead your group. To begin, decide on a destination and time of year to travel, and we will work with you to plan a custom itinerary based on your requests and budget. Your first step is to send us a message here on a website through “Get in Touch” in the Contact section.