Pilgrimage in the U.S. to Where Catholicism and Bourbon Matured Together

In episode 43, “Kentucky Catholics and Bourbon,” Tom and Noëlle talk about how Catholicism and bourbon sort of “grew up together” in the late 18th century in the area around Bardstown, Kentucky.

By 1808, in part due to the Catholic bourbon makers, Bardstown was one of the most important cities west of the Appalachians.

So when the Church was looking to establish a diocese west of the Appalachians, Bardstown was the logical choice.

Join us on this Catholic pilgrimage in America to this place where Bishop Benedict Joseph Flaget poured himself out for 30-plus years. Where Edward Dominic Fenwick, OP first planted the Dominicans. Where Father Stephen Badin evangelized and helped establish the Sisters of Loretto. And where the Trappists of Gethsemani welcome retreatants to their peaceful plot.

This also is the land where great bourbon names like Basil Hayden, Wathen, Willet, JW Dant, Calvert, and Jim Beam all trace their lineage.

Daily Itinerary

(subject to change)

Terms & Conditions

Deposit, Payment Schedule & Registration

A non-refundable $350 per person deposit is required at the time of booking. This deposit covers all services related to organizing the pilgrimage including, but not limited to, deposits at destinations, accommodations, and administration. Full payment of the balance is due 60 days prior to the date of departure. If you are booking a pilgrimage within 60 days of departure, full payment is due at the time of booking.

Form Of Payment

We accept checks, credit cards, and bank transfers. If mailing a payment, note name of pilgrimage in the Memo line. In case of any billing error, we reserve the right to re-invoice and correct billing.

Price Guarantee

Prices are per-person, in double occupancy rooms. Although rare, pilgrimage prices may change due to significant external factors. We are under no obligation to give a breakdown of costs and services related to a pilgrimage.

Not Included

Tips given to the pilgrimage guides, spiritual director, and bus driver; travel insurance; items of a personal nature (such as telephone calls, mini bar, laundry), and drinks beyond what is stipulated.

Final Documents

Final confirmation documents, which include Tom an Noelle’s contact information, hotel information, and emergency contact information will be emailed to you approximately two (2) weeks prior to departure. Upon receipt, you are responsible for checking your itinerary for hotel transfer from the airport, the spelling of your name, and other important information to ensure their accuracy. If there are any errors it is your responsibility to contact us via email at least one (1) week prior to the start of the pilgrimage.

Participation

American Catholic History and vendors contracted for services reserve the right to refuse to accept or retain any traveler whose behavior is deemed likely to affect the smooth operations of a tour, or adversely affect the enjoyment or safety of other passengers. American Catholic History and vendors retained shall be under no liability to any such person for refund, compensation, repatriation, or any other matters arising.

Cancellations And Refunds

Cancellations must be received in writing from the email address or phone number used to register for the pilgrimage. Cancellations will be effective on the date of receipt. Cancellations for standard pilgrimages are subject to the following fees:

Date of Registration to 60 days prior to departure: the $370.00 deposit

31 – 59 days prior to departure: 50 percent of total pilgrimage amount.

30 days or fewer, no refund.

If American Catholic History cancels the pilgrimage for any reason, any purchased airfares are the sole responsibility of the client.

ADDITIONAL CANCELLATION CHARGES MAY APPLY

Partial Room Cancellation: If a guest cancels or leaves a pilgrimage and a roommate remains, an additional supplement may apply.

Refunds can take 30-60 days to be processed.

Changes In Reservation

After a reservation is confirmed any changes are subject to additional fees. Name changes are not permitted.

Hotel Accommodations

Hotel accommodations are based on twin-bedded or double rooms (double occupancy). We reserve the right to substitute similar category hotels without prior notice.

Sharing a Room

Guests are to provide us with the name of their travel companion at time of registration.

Room Upgrades & Requests

Some hotels offer upgrades on request. Specific requests may include such accommodations as adjacent or connecting rooms, or special bedding requests. Please note that while every effort will be made to accommodate a special request, we cannot guarantee they will be honored.

Private Rooms And Single Supplement

If a pilgrim is traveling solo, a private room is available upon request, and that pilgrim will be charged the Single Supplement Fee of $520.

If a pilgrim registers without a roommate, every effort will be made to pair that pilgrim with another pilgrim of the same sex. If no other single roommate of the same sex is available, the pilgrim will be placed in a private room, and the pilgrim will be assessed the Single Supplement Fee.

Hotel Check In

Most hotel check-ins take place during the afternoon. Should you wish to have a guaranteed room ready upon your arrival before the hotel’s normal check-in time, this can be arranged for an additional fee. That fee will usually be the cost of an additional night at that hotel. Please ask for details.

If your flight arrives early and your room is not ready for check in, most hotels will hold onto your bag and place it in your room for you when your room becomes available.

Meals

We make every effort to accommodate special meal requests by forwarding those requests to restaurants we work with. However, neither we, the hotels at which we stay, nor the restaurants are able to guarantee every dietary accommodation request. If someone has a high intolerance or a severe allergy, we recommend bringing your own food.

Photography And Videography During Pilgrimage

We reserve the right to take photographs and videos during the operation of our pilgrimages and to use those photos and videos for our marketing and promotional purposes during the pilgrimage and thereafter. By booking a pilgrimage with us, you agree to allow us to use your photographs and videos in which you appear. Pilgrims who prefer that their images not be used must advise us in writing at least one (1) week prior to departure.

Responsibility Clause

Beatrix Media, LTD through its brand American Catholic History, acts in this endeavor as a pilgrimage operator.

The suppliers providing ground transportation, sightseeing arrangements, and hotel accommodations for the pilgrimage are not Beatrix Media, LTD employees. By utilizing Beatrix Media, LTD pilgrimage service you agree that Beatrix Media, LTD, its employees, officers, and agents will not be liable for any change in itinerary schedule, strikes, delay, acts of governments, fires, riots, theft, pilferage, epidemics, quarantine, medical or customs regulations, accident, loss, injury, or damage to you or to those traveling with you in connection with any accommodations, transportation or any other services or resulting directly or indirectly from any occurrence or conditions beyond its control, including defects in vehicles, breakdown in equipment, thefts, delay or cancellation of, or changes in itinerary for any act, omission, or event during the time you are on pilgrimage. Neither Beatrix Media, LTD and/or agents of the suppliers concerned are to be held responsible for the late arrival or departure on return of passengers at airports or hotels due to inclement weather or other reasons, nor are we to be held liable for payment or any refund for transfers or unused service, hotel accommodations, or meals occasioned by such late arrivals at the hotels holding rooms as confirmed itineraries. Passengers must bear all such losses or expenses. To guard against unforeseen health or other circumstances, we recommend you purchase travel insurance. Beatrix Media, LTD is not responsible for circumstances beyond its control. In circumstances where trip cancellations resulting from the inability for trip to depart or operate as scheduled, such as cancellations due to acts of war and/or terrorism, war, force majeure, act of God, civil unrest, illness, disease, criminal or terrorist acts of any kind, or if natural disaster takes place, Beatrix Media, LTD, its employees and agents, are not liable for any restitution, and in addition, without limitation, are not responsible for any injury, financial or physical loss, death, inconveniences, traumas, or damages with connection to any inclusions other provisions of any goods of services included.

There are inherent risks in travel as our pilgrimages go at times through remote locations, far from medical facilities. Beatrix Media, LTD pilgrims are to assume all associated risks and complete responsibility, including illness, injury or even death by participating. You agree to indemnify and hold Beatrix Media, LTD harmless, with respect to any claim made to Beatrix Media, LTD by anyone else which is related to your participation.

Special Medical Conditions Those Who Need Special Assistance

You must report any disability requiring special attention to Beatrix Media, LTD at the time of registration. We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance to any tour participant for walking, dining, while in their room, on flight, getting on and off motor coaches and other vehicles, or other personal needs. A qualified and physically able companion(s) must accompany passengers who need special assistance. It is the Pilgrim’s responsibility to arrange for such assistance prior to making their reservations. We will make an effort to accommodate disabled passengers by reserving wheelchair assistance at airports and handicap accessible rooms where available, however, we cannot guarantee and are not responsible for any denial of services by carriers, hotels, restaurants, or other independent suppliers. The motor coaches we use are not usually equipped with wheelchair ramps or lifts. Motorized scooters are unsuitable and impossible to accommodate. Beatrix Media, LTD is not responsible for any medical condition that occurs prior, during, or after the pilgrimage. A pregnant woman is advised not to travel after 6 months of pregnancy, we recommend bringing a companion; note that level of comfort may be adversely affected by long flights, layovers, or long bus rides through remote locations.

Young Travelers

Travelers who are less than 18 years old on the departure date must be accompanied by an adult, if this adult is not the parent, or traveling with only one parent, it is recommended that a notarized letter be written by the parents, or non-traveling parent granting authorization, including the dates of pilgrimage (from/to just in case of medical emergencies).

Travel Advisories

It is the responsibility of the pilgrim to become informed about their destination with most current travel advisories.

Physicality Of Our Tours

Beatrix Media, LTD pilgrimages may require physical fitness, including a lot of walking, sometimes up and down the hills and/or stairs, and over rough and uneven terrain. It is suggested that you begin a vigorous walking regimen approximately 3 months before departure to prepare physically, until you are able to build up to walking 3 miles without discomfort.

Pilgrimage Cancellation And Force Majeure Event Affecting Pilgrimages

In the event a pilgrimage is canceled, postponed, delayed, or rescheduled due to force majeure (i.e. Act of God, State of War, Terrorism, Strike, Pandemic, etc.) or any other condition beyond reasonable control, the purchase will be honored for an equivalent attendance to the next scheduled occurrence of the pilgrimage. The pilgrim will be expected to either attend or transfer to purchase accordingly. No cash refunds will be issued. On rare occasions, a tour departure may be canceled due to a lack of participation. In this event only will Beatrix Media, LTD contact you with options. Beatrix Media, LTD is not responsible and does not assume responsibility for any additional costs or any fees relating to the cancellation of air tickets or other arrangements not made by Beatrix Media, LTD. Such cancellations are not the fault of Beatrix Media, LTD.

Beatrix Media, LTD Itinerary Disclaimer

Though every effort will be made to follow the itinerary, it should be considered as an indication of the tour, rather than a contract of places to be visited. Occasionally, local events or religious holidays, traffic conditions, and other events may necessitate changes in the sequence of visits or missing certain visits entirely. We will have daily Mass and strive to be in Churches or places as indicated. However an alternative site for Mass will be arranged if needed.

Waiver Of Liability/Hold Harmless

By accepting the terms and conditions, I agree and acknowledge that I may be giving up important legal rights and remedies available to myself, my family, my heirs, successors, and assigns. For value received, I agree on behalf of myself, my heirs, successors, and assigns (“Our Behalf”) that I assume all risks and waive any claim of liability of any nature whatsoever against, and agree to indemnify and hold harmless, Beatrix Media, LTD et al. with respect to any and all actions, claims or demands that may be made or brought on Our Behalf against Beatrix Media, LTD et al. arising out of, or in connection with, travel to, or attendance at the tour or any other activity I may engage in while participating in the tour/event. Further, for value received, for any injury to third parties that may arise because of my own actions or omissions, I agree to indemnify, hold harmless and defend Beatrix Media, LTD et al. with respect to any and all actions, claims, expenses or demands arising therefrom that may be made or brought against Beatrix Media, LTD et al., including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses arising in connection therewith.

Nature of Risks

I understand that voluntarily traveling to, and attending, a tour/pilgrimage may involve certain risks beyond the control of Beatrix Media, LTD, its officers, directors, volunteers, and agents, in connection with the pilgrimage – and all parishes within it, and their respective officers, directors, volunteers and agents, and chaperons or representatives associated with the tour (hereinafter referred to as Diocese et al). Such risks include, but are not limited to, accidents, emergencies, epidemics/pandemics, exposure to reckless conduct of other persons, and/or negligence of security and medical personnel. Beatrix Media, LTD et al. hereby disclaims any and all liability and responsibility for any such risks. I understand that I will be at various sites, such as hotels, restaurants, tourist sites, or on tourist excursions. If during any break in the tour there may be an opportunity to participate in recreational or other activities, participants do so at their own risk and subject to all terms and conditions set by any recreational or other provider.

Amendments

FORUM SELECTION AND CHOICE OF LAW
THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED AND INTERPRETED PURSUANT TO THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF OHIO BY MUTUAL AGREEMENT OF THE PARTIES HERETO AND THE FEDERAL AND STATE COURTS IN OHIO SHALL HAVE EXCLUSIVE AND SOLE JURISDICTION OVER ANY DISPUTE, CONTROVERSY OR SUIT ARISING RELATIVE TO THIS AGREEMENT.

DISPUTES/CLASS ACTION WAIVER

YOU AGREE THAT YOU WILL ONLY BRING CLAIMS AGAINST BEATRIX MEDIA, LTD IN YOUR INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS ACTION OR REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING.

ERRORS AND OMISSIONS

While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information on our website or communicated by our staff, errors or omissions are possible and Beatrix Media, LTD is not responsible for such error. If a mistake is made in billing, we reserve the right to correct the invoice and you will be responsible for proper payment.

Beatrix Media, LTD reserves the right to correct any errors or omissions and to amend these Terms and Conditions at any time as the result of any material changes to legislation or regulation. All amended Terms and Conditions shall automatically be effective upon being posted on our website. Accordingly, all are expected to check the content of relevant pilgrimages on our website, and its terms and conditions found on its page prior to booking and prior to travel in order to ensure they are aware of any changes.

If upon returning from your trip, you wish to inquire about any services provided, please ensure that all correspondence is received by email to [email protected] within 30 days of the pilgrimage completion date. This will enable us to make a timely investigation.