Day 1: U.S.
Depart on an overnight flight to Lisbon, Portugal.
Day 2: Lisbon
Welcome to lovely Lisbon. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel. Enjoy a sightseeing tour of one of the oldest cities in Western Europe. Visit the Jerónimos Monastery, Lisbon’s Manueline-styled gem that took an entire century to complete. The complex features the National Archeology Museum, the Maritime Museum & the Church of Santa Maria, home of the tomb of famous explorer Vasco da Gama. See the 16th-century Tower of Belem & one of Portugal’s national monuments, Santo António Church. Spend the remainder of the day at your leisure.
Day 3: Lisbon – Fátima
Venture through Lisbon’s historic districts today. See the beautiful Lisbon Cathedral, located in the Alfama district, the area not completely destroyed by Lisbon’s 1755 earthquake. Discover Lisbon’s vibrant culture in the Chiado district, an area filled with museums & theatres, & visit the city center, the Baixa district, whose layout was constructed to withstand future earthquakes. Head to Fátima for dinner & an overnight stay.
Day 4: Fátima – Aljustrel – Valinhos
Visit the 20th-century Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima, located at the prestigious site of the Marian apparitions of 1917. See the beautiful alters, each representing a mystery of the Rosary, & the sacred monument inside the Chapel of Apparitions, which signifies the specific place where several of the miraculous events occurred. Explore the community of Aljustrel, which features the homes of the three children who saw the apparitions, & Valinhos, home of the monument commemorating the site of the Saint’s fourth appearance.
Day 5: Fátima – Coimbra – Santiago de Compostela
Journey to Coimbra, famous for its 13th-century academic institution & Romanesque architecture. Walk through the University’s library, which features an extensive collection of literature, with over a million texts. Explore the Old Cathedral of Coimbra, a prime display of Romanesque architecture, featuring the famous blue & gold altarpiece. Visit the Carmelite Convent of Santa Teresa, where Sister Lucia, one of the children who saw the Marian apparitions of Fátima, laid her head to rest. Attend Mass before departing for Spain. Travel along the “Camino de Santiago,” a symbolic route to Santiago de Compostela.
Day 6: Santiago de Compostela
Stroll through the Plaza del Obradoiro & visit one of the plaza’s bordering historic buildings, the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, built in honor of the legend of the remains of Saint James. Highlights of the cathedral include the crypt which houses the Saint’s remains, the famous sculpture “Pórtico da Gloria,” & the Botafumeiro, one of the world’s largest incense diffusers. Attend Mass, & see the offering of the Botafumeiro. Enjoy a final overnight stay in Spain.
Day 7: Santiago de Compostela – U.S.
Transfer to the airport, & board return flight home.