All pilgrims have a Medical Travel Protection Plan included.
Trip cancellation insurance is optional. Learn more at www.nativitypilgrimage.com/travel-protection-form
Payments may be made to your balance at any time before the full payment is due.
Full payment is due 100 days before your departure date.
Each payment with a credit card will have an additional 3% fee.
The total cost of the trip includes airline tickets, tour transportation, and allotted meals.
Passports
All travelers must have a valid passport. Your passport must be valid within six months of your return date.
The name on your registration form must match the name on your passport exactly. You are responsible for any fees airline carriers impose due to incorrect tickets with a name discrepancy.
For an up-to-date listing of passport requirements worldwide, please visit the Foreign Entry Requirements page here.
If you do not have a passport, please visit the U.S. State Department’s website here.
Visas
For U.S. citizens, no visa is required. For a list of all travel requirements, please check the U.S. Travel Advisories here. Discover if you need a visa here. Visas must be valid within three months of departure.
Tipping
Tips are an important portion of the earnings for escorts, guides, and bus drivers.
Tipping in pubs for drinks ordered at the bar is not customary. Some restaurants include a service fee, which covers the tip. If not, a 10% tip is sufficient.
Taxi drivers generally do not expect tips, but rounding up the fare to the nearest Euro is acceptable if you would like to tip.
Tip hotel staff €1 for room service.
U.S. citizens traveling to Germany are encouraged to obtain up-to-date information on travel and security issues and register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate in person or through the Department of State'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 case of an emergency.
United States Embassy in Germany https://de.usembassy.gov/
German Embassy in the United States https://www.germany.info/us-en
In Germany, the emergency number is 112 Emergency numbers
Preparing For Your Pilgrimage
Physical & Spiritual Preparation
Physical Preparation
If you are not used to physical activity, start walking 1 or 2 times a day, building up to 1 or 2 miles.
Tip: Form a walking group with other pilgrims and meet regularly.
Spiritual Preparation
Attend Mass every day if possible. Spend some quiet time in church to reflect on your upcoming trip.
Pray to Jesus and his Blessed Mother to open your hearts and minds to new perspectives that you will all share in spiritual union.
Safety Procedures
All liquids, gels, and aerosols carried in your personal carry-on baggage must be in 3-ounce containers or smaller. Pack all of these items in clear plastic bags inside your carry-on bag to make it easier to remove them for the inspection process. For more information about other security measures based on airline policies, visit the TSA website at https://www.tsa.gov/travel
Final Documents
Your final documents will be available four weeks before your departure date. Most documents (hotel confirmations, emergency contacts, general trip information, travel credentials, international phone connections, etc.) will be included. You will receive your electronic airline tickets, and a copy will be available.
Please note: Late payments or reservations may cause delays in coordinating everyone's final documents.
Ticketing
Nativity Pilgrimage acquires tickets at the group rate, which is included in the total price of the pilgrimage. We issue them approximately 15 to 25 days before the departure date. Some airlines require us to provide e-tickets instead of paper tickets. Nativity Pilgrimage is not responsible for any improvements and cannot guarantee any improvements or changes to its seating arrangements.
Airline mileage accounts
If you wish to receive credit for miles flown on your pilgrimage, please contact the airline directly to open a mileage account. Each airline has its own rules and regulations, and it is your responsibility to contact the airline directly to obtain credit.
Change your ticket
If you wish to change your ticket for any reason once it has been issued, you must contact the airline directly. These changes will incur an additional fee (minimum $200 per person).
Airline connections
Nativity Pilgrimage books flights based on information provided by airlines, including connection times, connecting cities, and partner airlines. Airlines determine the minimum connection time required to transfer from one gate to another at each airport. Occasionally, the connection times offered by airlines can be tight, forcing passengers to rush through connections There are also times when connections are long due to flight availability at the time of booking We are subject to the rules, regulations, and availability of the transportation companies we work with We must also ensure that all reservations are correct so that each pilgrim can attend the group transfer to/from the airport and hotel, and vice versa
Luggage
Luggage must be checked in personally by the passenger. Inform the airline representative of your final destination so you don't have to claim and recheck your baggage during connecting flights
We suggest one checked bag and one carry-on bag per passenger
Size and weight limitations vary by airline
Flights International
Other travelers
Your tour guide will not travel with you He or she will meet you at your final destination Nativity Pilgrimage attempts to accommodate as many pilgrims as possible on the same flights so they can arrive and depart together
Register
Please check in for your flight 3-4 hours before the scheduled departure time Some airlines offer seat upgrades based on availability for additional fees or Mileage Plus points at check-in
Meals on board
Nativity Pilgrimage is not responsible for your special dining needs on board If you have dietary restrictions and require special meals on board, please contact the airline prior to your scheduled departure
Jet Lag and adaptation
Jet lag is one of the most common health problems suffered by people, even experienced 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.
Precautions Health
Vaccines
When visiting certain countries, tourists must be vaccinated. However, travel to most European countries does not require vaccinations.
To see which countries require vaccinations, visit the U S travel advisory website here
Consult your healthcare professional if you have any concerns. Consider getting a flu vaccine, as long flights can expose you to the virus, especially in late fall and early spring.
Lost or Stolen Items
Nativity Pilgrimage is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Contact the airline immediately if you have lost any items. They will provide you with the necessary documentation to register your claim. Make sure they know your travel itinerary so they can contact you if they find your lost items. We cannot follow up on your claim. Contact a family member or friend to handle any airline inquiries until you return home.
Prevention and Safety Tips
Carry all your documents and money with you, but not all in the same place. This reduces the hassle if you lose them.
It is recommended to use money belts inside clothing to prevent theft. Keep all medications in your carry-on luggage during your trip in case your checked luggage is lost.
Keep a separate list of important numbers (passport, traveler's checks, credit cards) in your carry-on bag or personal handbag along with photocopies of airline tickets and the corresponding pages of your passport/visa. Avoid excessive display of jewelry or cash.
Please use the in-room safes or leave your items with the hotel manager. If possible, make sure all valuables are insured against theft. Avoid exploring on your own and be careful on unfamiliar streets and with unfamiliar people.
Contact your local bank and credit card companies before your trip to inform them about your trip
Cancel your credit cards as soon as possible if you lose them.
Protect Your Trip
Prepare for unforeseen events that could force you to cancel your trip or, worse yet, out-of-pocket expenses! We've partnered with Travel Insured International to provide you with coverage for any unexpected events.
where
Trip cancellation insurance protects covered expenses in the event of various unforeseen circumstances. For a fraction of the trip cost, you can reduce the risk of losing money if something unexpected arises. You may have overlooked this coverage before, but if you're paying a lot of money upfront for a package tour or plane ticket, if you have health issues, or if you have a loved one at home with health problems, it's probably a good idea to purchase it. Worldwide Travel Protection Plans cover non-refundable penalties or financial losses you may incur when a prepaid tour or flight is canceled for an unforeseen reason.
For more information, please call our office, visit www.nativitypilgrimage.com/travel-protection-form, or scan the QR code below.
Money
Credit cards / Traveler's Checks
Major credit cards (VISA, Mastercard) are accepted. AMEX fees are higher for merchants and may be declined Traveler's checks may also be declined. Use your credit cards only at secure merchants
How
much money should I bring?
Every person is different. As for money, it's important to consider lunches and souvenirs. For added security, we recommend bringing a minimum of $50 00 per day, plus tips
Currency exchange
The basic monetary unit in Germany is the Euro For updated exchange rates, please visit: https://www.xe.com/
Banks and ATMs
Ask your hotel for the nearest international bank branches and their hours Your tour guide will tell you which branches offer the best exchange rates. Avoid exchanging money at local exchange offices or at your hotel, as fees are high. Banks charge a fee when you withdraw money internationally
There are ATMs in most bank branches, post offices, train stations, airports, shopping malls, etc. A fee generally applies to each withdrawal. Please check your cash and withdrawal limits before your trip.
Technology Electricity and
Communication
The telephone code for Germany is +49.
Check with your cell phone provider for information on international use of your cell phone.
For free communication over data or Wi-Fi, we recommend apps like Facebook Messenger, Skype, WhatsApp, and Viber
Feel free to bring a camera and/or use your cell phone to take photographs during your pilgrimage, but be aware of signs indicating whether photography is permitted in some museums and churches
Adapters
Germany operates with a supply voltage of 230 V and uses type F.
Before you leave, purchase an international adapter to connect your devices to European outlets. Make sure this adapter has enough power for your device You can also purchase a converter to convert different voltages Adapter/converter kits that include the full range of plugs can be purchased at electrical supply stores
It is not recommended to purchase electronic devices from abroad unless you are sure that the power supply used is compatible with the power supply in your country of origin.
You can find an adapter with a quick search on Amazon
Photograph
During Your Pilgrimage
Language and Climate
Language
German is the predominant language in Germany.
Climate
We suggest checking the weather online before packing to get an idea of what it will be like during your trip. See the attached tables for average temperatures in Germany.
General dress guidelines
MUNICH, GERMANY
Formal attire is not allowed. Avoid tank tops or any type of sleeveless clothing.
Shorts, sleeveless blouses, sleeveless dresses, short skirts, and short dresses are not permitted in churches.
Itinerary Changes
Although every effort will be made to follow the original itinerary, it serves primarily as a general outline of the tour rather than a contract of places to visit.
Occasionally, local religious festivals, national holidays, traffic conditions, and other events may cause changes to the sequence of visits (or the elimination of sites). We will celebrate daily Masses at the locations indicated in the itinerary, unless we are forced to change it. In this case, an alternative church will be arranged.
Our intention is to carry out all the pilgrimages as outlined in the itinerary.
General Packing List
Here's a list of things you might want to bring on your trip. Anything not listed in the "Important Items and Documents" section is optional. Travel sizes are recommended.
Important Articles/Documents
Passport
Copy of passport
Second form of identification
Flight documents
Name tag
Money
Medication
Dramamine (for motion sickness)
Over-the-counter pain relievers (aspirin, Advil, or Tylenol)
"We're thrilled that you will be joining us on this journey. We assure you that it will be an incredible spiritual experience that you will never forget. Our goal is to provide you with all the necessary information to put your mind at ease.
Rest assured, we are here to guide you through every step of the process. We are always available to answer any questions you may have about taking a pilgrimage with Nativity. Therefore, we have compiled a list of our most frequently asked questions from past travelers.”
