A 12-Day Marian Pilgrimage Tour to Portugal, Spain & France

Day 1 – Monday
USA / PORTUGAL
Today we depart the United States on our flight to Portugal, arriving in Lisbon the following day. Meals are served on board our transatlantic flight.

Day 2 – Tuesday
LISBON / FATIMA
Today we arrive in Lisbon and meet our Pilgrimage Tours’ tour director who will remain with us until the end of our tour.  Following free time for lunch, we enjoy a panoramic tour of Lisbon, the birthplace of Saint Anthony, including a visit and celebration of Mass in the Church of Saint Anthony.  Following Mass, we drive along the Tagus River where we will see the Tower of Belem and the Discoveries Monument, displaying statues of many Portuguese explorers. We will also visit Jeronimos Monastery, an impressive symbol of Portugal’s power and wealth during the “Age of Discovery”.  Finally we arrive in Fatima where in 1917 Mary appeared to local children and the “miracle of the sun” occurred.  Following dinner we participate in the evening’s Candlelight Procession.  Overnight in Fatima.

Day 3 – Wednesday
FATIMA
This morning we participate in the Stations of the Cross along the path that the shepherd children used to tend to their flock en route to the Cova de Iria where Our Lady appeared to the children.  Here we pause to recite the Holy Rosary.  We continue on to nearby Aljustrel and visit the House of Lucia and House of Francisco and Jacinta.  Next we celebrate Mass in the Fatima Parish Church, known as the Church of the Three Shepherds, where the Fatima children were baptized.  In the afternoon we arrive in the Sanctuary of Fatima and visit the Shrine and Basilica of Our Lady, followed by a visit to the shrine’s museum and free time to explore the sanctuary’s grounds.  Following dinner, we enjoy another opportunity to join the Candlelight Procession.  Overnight in Fatima. 

Day 4 – Thursday
FATIMA / AVILA
This morning we depart Fatima and travel to Avila, Spain, perhaps the best-preserved walled city in the world and home of Saint Teresa of Avila until her death in 1582.  It is here, with her spiritual director Saint John of the Cross, that Saint Teresa reformed the Carmelite Order.  We visit and celebrate Mass in the Carmelite Monastery of the Incarnation, where we will also see the cell where Saint Teresa lived.  Next we arrive inside the ancient walls of Avila and visit the Church of Saint Teresa where we will see more relics of Saint Teresa.  Dinner and overnight in Avila.

Day 5 – Friday
AVILA / MADRID / ZARAGOZA
This morning we depart Avila for Madrid, where upon our arrival, we enjoy an orientation tour of Spain’s capital that will include a visit and celebration of Mass in Madrid’s Almudena Cathedral.  Following Mass, we enjoy free time in the Plaza Mayor, Madrid’s main square.  We bid Madrid farewell and continue on to the town of Zaragoza for dinner and overnight.

Day 6 – Saturday
ZARAGOZA / LOURDES
This morning we visit and celebrate Mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, the place where Mary appeared to the Apostle James before her Assumption into heaven.  Following free time in Zaragoza’s main square adjacent to the basilica, we continue on to Lourdes where in 1858, Mary appeared to a young Bernadette Soubirous.  Upon our arrival in Lourdes, we will visit the Grotto for an introduction to the Shrine.  Following dinner at our hotel, we participate in this evening’s Candlelight Procession.  Overnight in Lourdes.

Day 7 – Sunday
LOURDES
This morning we celebrate Mass in the Crypt of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (Upper Basilica).  Following Mass, we enjoy a walking tour of Lourdes where we visit the places important in the life of Bernadette, including the Grotto and Spring where Mary appeared to Bernadette numerous times.  We see the nearby Healing Baths where many pilgrims submerge themselves for its healing properties.  We also visit the Rosary Basilica (Lower Basilica) as well as the Basilica of Pius X, followed by a visit to Bernadette’s home and the Museum of Lourdes.  Our afternoon is free for personal exploration of Lourdes, allowing for time for those who wish to visit the Healing Baths.  This evening offers another opportunity to participate in the Candlelight Procession.  Overnight in Lourdes.

Day 8 – Monday
LOURDES / BORDEAUX / TOURS
Early this morning we celebrate Mass in the Lourdes’ Grotto.  Following Mass, we depart Lourdes for Tours.  En route we visit the town of Bordeaux and enjoy a walking tour, including a visit to the Cathedral of Saint Andre.  Finally, we depart Bordeaux and arrive in Tours for dinner and overnight.

 Day 9 – Tuesday
TOURS / LISIEUX / PARIS
This morning we visit the town of Tours, including a visit to the Basilica of Saint Martin.  We depart Tours for Lisieux, the home of Saint Therese, known as “The Little Flower” and the Newest Doctor of the Church.  Here we will visit the site of the Lisieux family home, Les Buissonnets, and the Carmelite Convent Chapel which contains the remains of Saint Therese.  Next we visit the Basilica of Saint Therese and celebrate Mass in its Crypt, where Saint Therese’s parents are entombed.  In the afternoon we arrive in Paris and check into our hotel.  Following dinner, we enjoy a motor coach tour of the “City of Lights”, where we will see many of Paris’ landmarks including the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs Elysees and Palais Garnier; Paris’ beautiful opera house.  During our tour we will stop at the Trocadero terrace for a wonderful view of the Eiffel Tower and its light show.  Overnight in Paris.

Day 10 – Wednesday
PARIS
This morning we visit and celebrate Mass at the interesting and unique Saint Stephen’s Church (Saint-Etienne-du-Mont), one of Paris’ “pilgrimage churches”, once visited by Pope John Paul II.  The church houses several relics of Saint Genevieve, the patron saint of Paris.  Next we arrive at the Pantheon building for a short walk to the beautiful Luxembourg Gardens.  Late morning we will arrive for a visit to the Ile de la Cite, a small island surrounded by the River Siene where we will visit the Cathedral of Notre-Dame, an architectural marvel, which stands on the banks of the Seine on the site of an early Christian basilica.  Here we will see the Gallery of the Kings, the Portal of the Last Judgment and its famous Rose Window.  While here we enjoy free time for lunch and shopping next to the cathedral.  Next we will visit the beautiful Sainte-Chapelle, a Gothic royal chapel with impressive stained glass windows.  Following dinner this evening, we enjoy a cruise on the River Seine.  Overnight in Paris.

 Day 11 – Thursday
PARIS
Following breakfast, we drive to Rue de Bac for a visit to the Shrine of the Miraculous Medal, where Saint Catherine Laboure received her apparitions of Mary.  Here we see the incorrupt body of Saint Catherine as well as the body of Saint Louise de Marillac, who founded the Daughters of Charity with Saint Vincent de Paul.  Following Mass at the Shrine, we visit the nearby Shrine of Saint Vincent de Paul where we will see the saint’s once incorrupt body.  Next we will visit and ascend the Eiffel Tower to its top deck for an incredible panoramic view of Paris.  In the afternoon we visit the world famous Louvre Museum to see some of its fine collection of art, including Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.  Later in the afternoon we arrive in Montmartre, known as the “Artists Quarter” of Paris, for a visit to the Romanesque and Byzantine Sacre Coeur Basilica.  Our day concludes with our Farewell Dinner at La Bonne Franquette on Montmartre Hill.  Overnight in Paris.

Day 12 – Friday
PARIS / USA
Following breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our return flight home.  Though our pilgrimage draws to a close, its blessings will last a lifetime and its graces are certain to draw us closer to the Lord.