Day 1: U.S.
Board overnight flight to Portugal.
Day 2: Lisbon
Welcome to one of Western Europe’s oldest cities. Transfer to hotel & enjoy time of leisure. Tonight, discover the tastes of Portugal at one of Lisbon’s local restaurants.
Day 3: Lisbon – Santarém – Fátima
Visit the Jerónimos Monastery, Lisbon’s Manueline-styled gem that took an entire century to complete. The complex features two museums & the Church of Santa Maria, home of the tomb of famous explorer Vasco da Gama. See the beautiful Santo António Church, an 18th-century Portuguese national monument dedicated to the saint of lost people, Saint Anthony. Travel to Santarém to visit the Church of the Holy Miracle. View the crystal pyx which holds the host of the 13th-century Eucharistic Miracle, which occurred at the site of the church. Visit the 20th-century Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima, located at the 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. Attend the rosary & candlelight procession this evening at the sanctuary (if available).
Day 4: Fátima
Explore the community of Aljustrel, which features the homes of the visionaries, the three children who saw the 1917 apparitions. Visit the Parish Church of St. Anthony, where the visionaries were baptized. Return to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima. See the tombs of two of the three visionaries. Spend the afternoon at leisure & attend the rosary & candlelight procession at the sanctuary this evening (if available).
Day 5: Fátima – Santiago de Compostela
After breakfast, head for the border & discover the sites of Santiago de Compostela, one of Spain’s ancient cities filled with history. Visit the Cathedral, built in honor of the legend of the remains of Saint James. Highlights of the cathedral include the crypt housing the Saint’s remains, the famous sculpture “Pórtico da Gloria,” & the Botafumeiro, one of the world’s largest incense diffusers.
Day 6: Santiago de Compostela – Burgos
Travel to Burgos, following the pilgrimage route, the “Way of St. James.” Arrive in the ancient city & explore one of its most famous landmarks, the Gothic Cathedral of Burgos. Dating back to the 13th century, the cathedral features nineteen chapels, an extensive collection of sculptures, relics, paintings, & the 16th-century automaton clock.
Day 7: Burgos – Lourdes
Enjoy a walking tour of the charming town of Lourdes, situated in south-western France. Visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, which features the grotto where Saint Bernadette received the Marian apparition of 1858 & the spring which disperses the Lourdes water, believed to produce healing to those who drink it or bathe in it. Tour the home where she was born, the House of Saint Bernadette, & Le Cachot, where her family lived at the time of the apparitions. This evening concludes with a rosary & candlelight procession (if available).
Day 8: Lourdes
Enjoy a day of free time in beautiful, exciting Lourdes. Visit one of the town’s museums, ride horses & play tennis, or explore the nature of the Pyrenees Mountains on an optional excursion (available upon request).
Day 9: Lourdes – Saragossa
Enjoy a scenic route to Saragossa, Spain, through the Pyrenees Mountains. Learn about the legend of Saint James which led to the later construction of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar. Inside the cathedral is the wooden statue given to the Saint during the Marian apparition of 40 A.D. The shrine serves as an interactive display, as visitors may kiss the statue.
Day 10: Saragossa – Madrid
Discover the history & culture of Spain’s capital, Madrid. Stroll through Puerta del Sol, the famous plaza which once served as a gateway into the city during ancient times. Visit the Plaza de España, which features the monument commemorating one of Spain’s famous literary figures, Miguel de Cervantes. Other highlights of the sightseeing tour include the fountain of Cibeles, the famous streets Paseo de la Castellana & Calle de Alcalá, & the world-famous Prado Museum, featuring works of art by Velázquez & Goya.
Day 11: Madrid
Spend the day at leisure. Relax, shop, or explore. This evening, enjoy traditional Spanish cuisine at the farewell dinner, held in one of Madrid’s restaurants.
Day 12: Madrid – U.S.
Transfer to the airport & board return flight home.