Adora Winquist
presents
The Magdalene Mysteries
A Journey to the South of France
on a Quest for the Divine Feminine
with Adora Winquist
September 24 – 30, 2021
About Adora Winquist
For more information on Adora and her mission, please visit her website: adorawinquist.com.
TOUR INCLUDES
- 6-nights hotels accommodations delightful boutique hotels and a Chateau
- Hotel service charges and taxes
- Breakfast every day
- 2 lunches
- 4 dinners
- Services of English-speaking local tour guides throughout
- Sightseeing as per itinerary
- Sightseeing entrance fees
- Plus: Inclusion in BMSJ’s $1,000,000 Per Person Errors & omission insurance protection
ITINERARY
Day 1: Friday, September 24 – Arrive Marseilles – To Saintes Maries de la Mer (D)
Arrival day in Marseilles. Arrive/meet at Marseilles Airport by 12 noon for our pick up. We head to our beachfront hotel in the legendary village of Saintes Maries de la Mer, the place on the Mediterranean Sea where Mary Magdalene came ashore, together with some other members of the holy family and friends. We drive through and into the marshlands known as “The Camargue” where wild white horses and black bulls roam, and pink flamingos migrate from Africa – it is a truly mythical landscape. The town is named after “the Marys” who accompanied Mary Magdalene, Mary Jacobe and Mary Salome – relatives of the Mother of Jesus.The maritime village is charming and known for its connections to gypsy culture. Although 
we will not be there during the chaos of the festivals (this is a good thing) there is still a flavor of the “gitane” here, where the traditions feel both Spanish and French. This is a village of Flamenco and Paella. We will have two days to explore the history of this special village, and learn more about the amazing women who made history here. Free time to relax on the beach before a walk through the heart of the village takes us to our welcome meal. Dinner with at a local restaurant. Overnight and dinner.
Day 2: Saturday, September 25 – In Saintes Maries de la Mer (B)
Morning walk to the landing beach (directly across from our hotel!) and then on to the extraordinary Church of the Sainte Marys of the Sea. The crypt is where the bones of Sainte Sarah and the two “other” Marys were discovered by Good King Rene d’Anjou during his excavations in the 15th century, and there is a first century stone altar on display which may be the first Christian altar in the world – used entirely by female disciples. The church is indescribable as a treasure trove of history – and perhaps heresy, as the crypt 
also contains one of the most spectacular black Madonna statues in the world – the nearly life sized image of Sainte Sarah. Balance of the day is free to choose how best to enjoy this special village. Time to enjoy the Mediterranean, where you may choose a boat excursion along the Petite Rhone River and along the shoreline to experience the feeling of arriving on the beaches here (not included, but inexpensive and easily arranged). There is very tempting shopping here for traditional gifts from Provence. Optional excursions can be arranged for riding the white horses (let us know in advance if this is something you want to do). Relax, enjoy the plentiful gypsy music and a pitcher of Sangria! Dinner is also your own to choose tonight as there are so many inexpensive, high quality restaurants here.
Day 3: Sunday, September 26 – To Tarascon St. Maximin-la-Ste. Baume (B/L)
After breakfast, we take our leave of the magical Saintes Maries de la Mer, heading for nearby Tarascon. It is here that Martha, Mary Magdalene’s sister, lived and preached. The name of the village comes from the legendary monster, The Tarasque, that lived in the Rhone River and terrorized the local community – until Martha tamed it with love and prayer (and a bucket of holy water). In medieval times, the remains of her home were found on the very spot tradition said she preached and we will visit her church – she is very much a living force here, as is her sister. Martha’s remains can be seen in the crypt of the cathedral where they have been since she was buried here 2000 years ago. Entrance to the crypt varies from day to day, depending on the church caretaker’s schedule, but we will do our best to gain access. After included lunch in Tarascon, we make our way to St. Maximin-la-Ste. Baume, in the region where Mary 
Magdalene spent years of her life, living in hiding high up in the protection of the jagged mountains. There are conflicting legends regarding the time periods in which she lived here, all of which will be discussed in detail over the course of our journey this week. Upon her death, she was buried on the site that would later become the Basilica of St Maximin, skeleton intact, but her bones have been the reason for wars between Provence and Burgundy, and are now scattered throughout France. This afternoon we check into our hotel and visit the impressive St. Maximin Basilica, which holds some of the bones of Mary Magdalene in the crypt, as well as the stone coffin in which her body resided for many centuries. Her skull is enshrined and on display in the crypt in a golden reliquary, which is paraded through the town every year for her feast day, July 22nd. It has been authenticated as a skull from the first century of a petite woman who likely died in her late 50s or early 60s. There are still strands of red-gold hair on the skull (although they are not visible through the reliquary). Viewing it can be a very emotional experience for Magdalene devotees. This church was one of the main pilgrimage destinations in medieval France and its size and glamour continue to testify to its glorious past. 
Exploring it in depth reveals some true jewels of medieval and Renaissance art pertaining to Our Lady – for those with eyes to see! Our hotel is a stunning 13th century former monastery/convent with exceptional atmosphere. This evening, you are free to explore the lively Provencal village of St Maximin and dine in one of the local restaurants. Overnight on St. Maximin-la-Ste. Baume.
Day 4: Monday, September 27 – In St. Maximin-la-Ste. Baume (B/D)
After breakfast we drive up the mountains to Ste. Baume, the astonishing cavern cathedral carved into the top of a mountain. Enduring local legends indicate that Mary Magdalene lived here after she came to France. In medieval times, royals and nobles came here to visit this remote cliff sanctuary and make the pilgrimage up the hill. So popular was this act of devotion to Mary Magdalene that a “Royal Road” was created to make the ascent easier. The walk is slightly challenging, but if you take your time it is also beautiful and well worth it. It takes about 45 minutes to make the ascent. After our descent, we visit the small church and convent at the foot of the cliff face, which has some beautiful displays as well as the breathtaking Magdalene murals painted here in the early 1900s. This was the main site welcoming pilgrims – it still is! Overnight and group dinner tonight.
Day 5: Tuesday September 28 – To Alet-les-Bains (B/D)
We depart Provence and head west to the magical medieval village of Alet-les-Bains, known to the ancients as “The Chosen Place” by late afternoon. Our hotel is in a spectacular ancient location, set amid ruins from the 9th century. The hotel is composed of buildings from the 12th to the 19th centuries and is perched on the edge of the fabled Aude river. Overnight and dinner at our hotel.
Day 6: Wednesday, September 29– In Alet-les-Bains. To Arques (B/L/D)
This morning we will visit the Gorge of Galamus, a moderate hike through a stunning canyon to a cavern where it is believed locally that Mary Magdalene once taught and preached. It was converted to a chapel in ancient times and has connections to the Knights Templar. A hermitage was built around it in 1395, and ancient legend says there were once blue mammoths which lived under the ground here! PICNIC lunch before heading to the 13th century Chateau d’Arques. Permission pending from the village, we will visit the village church of Arques, where there is a stunning mural of Jesus – painted by Jewish residents who were hidden in the basement during Nazi occupation as a show of gratitude to the village that saved them. Back to the hotel for our farewell dinner party!
Day 7: Thursday, September 30 – Tour Ends (B)
Early morning departure as our coach will transport us to arrive at Toulouse airport by 10 am. Please try to schedule your return journeys in the afternoon to allow yourselves time. Some passengers choose to stay in an airport hotel in Toulouse and take morning flights the next day. We can help with the recommendation of an airport hotel for you if this is necessary to accommodate your schedule.
Hotels or similar
St Maries de la Mer – Hotel Camille (2 nights)
On the shores of the Mediterranean in the vibrant village of Saintes Maries de la Mer is the charming Hotel Camille. Facing “the landing beach” where Mary Magdalene and her entourage arrived in France 2000 years ago, the Hotel Camille is a fresh and comfortable ocean front hotel.
St. Maximin-la-Ste. Baume – Hotel De France (2 nights)
Ideally located in the heart of the village of Saint Maximin La Sainte Baume, the Hotel de France is a stone’s throw from the Sainte Marie-Madeleine basilica, overlooked by the Sainte Victoire. The Hotel de France has been completely renovated to welcome you in a setting reflecting the spirit of Provence. The Hotel de France has 20 rooms with an intimate and warm atmosphere.
Quillian – Hotel Cartier (2 nights)
The Hotel Cartier is a small boutique hotel located in the middle of the town. It features 26 air-conditioned rooms with private bath, hair dryers, flat-screen televisions and complimentary wireless Internet access.
Please read the Terms and Conditions for this tour.
TOUR PRICES
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All prices are in US dollars
Tour – Land Only Costs Per Person, double occupancy:
$2,299 payments via check or money order, $2,419 via credit card
Tour – Land Only Costs Per Person, single room occupancy:
$2,799 payments via check or money order $2,939 via credit card
Pre-Paid Gratuities:
$75 payments via check or money order, $80 via credit card
Deposit Schedule
Deposit Payment – due as soon as possible in order to ensure a place on the tour
Per Person Double or Single accommodations: $500 by check or money order, $525 by credit card
Final Payment (final instalment due on or before August 1, 2021)
NOTE: The Single Room Supplement applies for those who would like to secure a private room throughout the tour.
ROOMMATES: We will be happy to try to find a suitable roommate for those who are traveling alone and would like to share a room. Per our Terms and Conditions, registration for the tour will be held open until four weeks before the departure date in order to try to match everyone with a roommate. If, by that date, we have not been able to match you with a suitable roommate, you will be responsible to pay for the single supplement. An early registration will facilitate this process.
On August 1, 2021, this tour will become “On Request,” so register now to avoid disappointment
If you have already registered and would like to go to the payment page, Click Here.
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We have recently seen some of our valued travelers lose not only their non-refundable deposits, but also their entire tour payments because they hoped they would not need trip cancellation insurance.
You should protect your trip investment and yourself in regards to health, property and trip payments. That is why we provide you with an easy way to contact BMSJ’s preferred insurance provider, Allianz Global Assistance. If you need additional information or have questions, please call Allianz directly at 1-800-284-8300, and refer to code F025323.
BMSJ will be sending you additional details and a brochure with your confirmation on trip cancellation/interruption insurance.
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Sainte-Marthe de Tarascon photo by Bjs / CC BY-SA
