From the start of the trip (and that starts before we leave the UK) the emphasis is very much on ensuring that all the children have a wonderful fun filled week. Each child travels and stays with a family group. The Groups will be visiting a selection of Lourdes attractions, including the Grotto, the house where Saint Bernadette grew up, the 'Cachot', and some of the many museums in the town.

Each group designs its own programme of events and activities, but a few things are common to all Groups:

• The Tuesday evening Torchlight Procession: This is a wonderfully visual and emotional event. All the pilgrims in Lourdes are invited to come together for a torchlight procession, singing along, and on Tuesday night HCPT leads the procession. There is a great sing-along at the end.
• The Thursday Trust Mass: All 5000+ members of HCPT, IHCPT, ASCPG and many many friends, come together in the Undergrond basilica. For many this is the highlight of the week.
• Most Groups have an excursion day out. A traditional and still popular destination is Gavarnie, high up in the Pyrenees. This is a spectacular venue where some days Groups make snowmen and other days it's shorts and t-shirts!

Meals are taken at the Groups hotel (or pic-nics on longer excursions) and there are plenty of stops at cafes for drinks ice-creams, rest and laughter. Evenings feature fun, games and parties.

You can find out more about Lourdes, the Lourdes story and some of the places we visit here

You can see a typical weeks programme here

Click here to look at our photo gallery