Offical Travel Programs

WYD BASIC TOUR

Day 1	July 21: USA/RIO-Brazil
Today we meet at our designated our airport for our flight to Rio de Janeiro. Our flight will include meals, drinks and in-flight entertainment.
Day 2	Jul 22: Rio de Janeiro/WYD
Upon arrival in Rio de Janeiro, we are met by our assistant at the airport and transferred to our WYD accommodations. Rest of the day is at leisure. Dinner provided by the WYD Council.
Day 3	Jul 23: WYD/Rio/Sugar Loaf/ Corcovado
After breakfast we will have a panoramic tour of Rio passing the renowned Samba schools, stopping to visit the beautiful Metropolitan Cathedral famous for its pyramid shape, we continue our tour with a visit to Cinelandia Square with its historic buildings, National Museum of Arts, National Library and Theater. Our next stop will be Sugar Loaf Mountain we travel up the mountain by cable car 700 feet above sea level. The outstanding view will enable us to have a breathtaking view of Guanabara Bay, Rio-Niteroi Bridge, Santa Cruz Fortress and the beaches of Nitereroi. Later in the day we will enjoy a scenic train ride to the iconic Christ the Redeemer Statue. We will spend time here to take in the beauty of the Christ statue and outstanding views that will take our breath away. We will then take the train back down the mountain and the bus will transfer us to our hotel to refresh ourselves before we attend the evening, opening ceremonies of World Youth Day 2013, overnight at our hotel.
Day 4	Jul 24: WYD
Catechesis (teaching) sessions in the morning and festival events in the afternoon and evening.
Day 5	Jul 25: WYD
Catechesis (teaching) sessions in the morning. Arrival and welcome of the Holy Father in the afternoon and evening.
Day 6	Jul 26: WYD
Catechesis (teaching) sessions in the morning. Stations of the Cross - a re-enactment of our Lord's Passion and Death in the afternoon and evening.
Day 7	Jul 27: WYD
Pilgrimage walk to site of Closing Mass, evening Vigil with the Holy Father and sleep out 'under the stars'.
Day 8	Jul 28: WYD
Closing Mass and concluding events. Overnight at our accommodations.
Day 9	Jul 29: Rio De Janeiro/WYD
We transfer to the airport for our departure from Rio De Janeiro to USA - the end of our Pilgrimage to World Youth Day 2013.

Take an optional 2 Days of Sightseeing in Rio either before or after your WYD basic program.

OR Explore Brazil further by joining us on any of the below optional progams.

IGUAZU FALLS OPTIONAL PROGRAM

Day 1	USA/Rio, Brazil
Today we meet at our designated airport for our flight to Rio de Janeiro. Our flight will include meals, drinks and in-flight entertainment.
Day 2	Rio/Iguassu Falls
Upon arrival in Rio we connect for our flight to Iguassu. We are greeted at the airport by our driver and taken to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 3	Iguassu Falls
After breakfast, our guide picks us up in the morning for our full day tour of Iguassu Falls. We begin with a 3-hour tour of the Brazilian side of the falls by our city guide. During the walk, there is an impressive view of the Devil's Throat from a bridge. At the end of the tour, an elevator takes us up to the top of the falls. After our tour of the Brazilian side, there will be a break for lunch. Then on to see the Argentinean side of the Iguassu Falls (4-hour tour). We are taken across the border into Argentina, into the Parque National del Iguassu, 40 km away from the Brazilian border. Once in Argentina, we go on a walking tour of the falls. The views are magnificent, especially the one right on top of the Devil's Throat. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 4	Iguassu Falls/Rio De Janeiro/WYD
This morning, we transfer to the Iguassu Falls airport for our flight to Rio de Janeiro. Upon arrival, we are met and transfer to our WYD accommodations.

PARATY OPTIONAL PROGRAM

Day 1	USA/Rio, Brazil
Today we meet at our designated airport for our flight to Rio de Janeiro. Our flight will include meals, drinks and in-flight entertainment.
Day 2	Rio De Janeiro/Paraty
Upon arrival in Rio de Janeiro we depart on our motor coach with a private guide to Paraty for an unforgettable trip to UNESCO’s Heritage Site, Paraty. Only 150 miles from Rio, we drive along the shore through gorgeous places like Itacurussá, Mangaratiba and Angra dos Reis. Upon arrival, we are taken to our Pousada (hotel) to relax and get ready for the fun. At night, enjoy a walk around the historical area and have dinner (included) at a local restaurant.
Day 3	Paraty
Today, after breakfast, we take a walking tour through the historical heart of this great town. Then, enjoy a boat tour on Paraty's bay. We visit a natural aquarium, stop for swimming and enjoy the astounding view from the boat. Lunch is included.
Day 4	Paraty/ Rio De Janeiro/WYD
This morning, we are taken along the part of the golden route used by the slaves to transport the gold and precious stones exploited from the mines in Minas Gerais. We are taken back into the 19th century. After the walk, we can visit and enjoy diving into one of the many waterfalls in Paraty. We have lunch (included) at a 19th century farm and visit Alambique where they produce the famous Paraty pinga (sugar cane liquor). After lunch, we return back to Rio de Janeiro. Upon arrival, we are met and transfer to our WYD accommodations.

SALVADOR OPTIONAL PROGRAM

Day 1	USA/Rio, Brazil
Today we meet at our designated airport for our flight to Rio de Janeiro. Our flight will include meals, drinks and in-flight entertainment.
Day 2	Salvador
Today, we arrive in Rio de Janeiro and fly to Salvador. We are met at the airport by one of our representatives and taken to the hotel. The rest of the day is free. We can walk along the beach before dinner of the typical "baiana" cuisine with its local spices.
Day 3	Salvador
Today, after breakfast we go on a city tour around the town and visit the famous Pelourinho, the recently restored historical center of Salvador, UNESCO's World Heritage Cultural Site, plus we see the Capoeira dancers and Olodum players. It's a trip back to the Colonial period of Brazil as we stroll along the cobble stoned streets and experience this unique northeast culture. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
Day 4	Salvador
Today, we have the whole day to visit the restored 17th-century Convento do Carmo. Take the boat tour of the Bay of All Saints, then head out to the church of Bonfim and continue to the lovely Museu de Arte Sacra. In the evening, we can go to a local show or have dinner at an unforgettable "baiano" restaurant.
Day 5	Salvador/Rio de Janeiro/WYD
This morning, we transfer to the airport for our flight to Rio. Rest of the day at leisure for activities on our own. This evening, we attend the opening ceremonies of World Youth Day 2013.

BELO HORIZONTE AND TIRADENTE OPTIONAL PROGRAM

Day 9	Rio/Belo Horizonte
Today we depart for our airport for our flight to Belo Horizonte upon arrival we depart from Belo Horizonte towards Congonhas do Campo. Congonhas has important works from the Golden Age of Brazil, The main points of interest are Aleijadinho’s sculptural masterpieces of the twelve Prophets, carved in soapstone and his sculptural representation of the Via Crucis (Stations of the Cross), done in polychromatic woodwork. The set of life-sized sculptures is Brazil’s greatest artistic treasure. We then proceed to São João del Rei (100 km), visiting the beautiful churches of Pilar (1721), Carmo (1733) and São Francisco de Assis (1749). After lunch, we then visit Tiradentes (15 km away). Tiradentes was the leader of the Inconfidência Mineira (1789), a republican movement to free Brazil from the Portuguese domination. Tiradentes was born in this city and killed during the repression by the Portuguese, becoming a national hero. We then visit the church of Santo Antonio (1710), Museum of Padre Toledo and the Fountain of São José das Botas (1749). Overnight and dinner at our hotel.
Day 10	Tiradentes/Mariana/Ouro Preto
After breakfast, we leave Tiradentes towards Mariana (180 km away). This enchanted city, founded in 1696, was for a short time the capital of the Minas Gerais state. It was originally called Royal Village of Our Lady of Carmel. In 1745, it received its present name which was in honor of Queen Maria Ana. A walk down its picturesque streets allows us to see houses which date from the beginning of the XVIII century, with their balconies of wood, iron and even soapstone. In Minas Gerais Plaza, we see the churches of São Francisco de Assis with its richly sculptured door, our Lady of Carmel, the City Hall and the Pillory can be found. Stop for lunch. Transfer to Ouro Preto and accommodation and dinner.
Day 11	Ouro Preto/Belo Horizonte
After breakfast, we have a full day tour of Ouro Preto, visiting the Church of São Francisco de Assis: An example of Brazilian religious architecture, designed by Aleijadinho, with wood and soapstone sculptures by the same artist. Museum of the School of Mines: A complete mineralogical view of Brazil, in addition to displays of geological artifacts from other countries. Church of Nossa Senhora do Pilar: A church that marked the culmination of the Golden Age architecture, with carved works painted entirely in gold. The Oratorio Museum and the Opera House will be visited too, on walks around the streets of this remarkable city. Late afternoon, we transfer back to Belo Horizonte.
Day 12	Belo Horizonte /Rio de Janeiro/USA
This morning, we fly back to Rio and connect for our flight home. We arrive in the USA the same day.