An 11-day Marian Pilgrimage 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.  Next we visit nearby Aljustrel to visit the House of Lucia and House of Francisco and Jacinta, as well as the Fatima Parish Church, known as the Church of the Three Shepherds, where the Fatima children were baptized.  In the afternoon we will visit the Shrine and Basilica of Our Lady, where we celebrate Mass in the Capelinha, followed by free time to explore the Sanctuary’s grounds.  Following dinner this evening, we have another opportunity to join the Candlelight Procession.  Overnight in Fatima.

Day 4 – Thursday
FATIMA / SANTIAGO de COMPOSTELA
Today we depart Fatima for the home of Saint James; Santiago de Compostela.  Upon our arrival, we enjoy a walking tour of the historic center of Santiago de Compostela, including a visit to the Romanesque and Baroque Cathedral of Saint James the Apostle, which houses the remains of the Saint James.  Following Mass in the Cathedral of Saint James, we arrive at our hotel for dinner and overnight in Santiago de Compostela.

 Day 5 – Friday
SANTIAGO de COMPOSTELA / AVILA
This morning we travel to Avila, perhaps the best-preserved walled city in the world and home of Saint Teresa of Avila who with her spiritual director Saint John of the Cross, reformed the Carmelite Order.   We celebrate Mass at the Carmelite Monastery of the Incarnation, where we will also see the cell where St. 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 6 – Saturday
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 7 – Sunday
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 8 – Monday
LOURDES
This morning we celebrate Mass in the Grotto.  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 Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (Upper Basilica) and 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 9 – Tuesday
LOURDES / BARCELONA
This morning we depart Lourdes for Barcelona, where upon our arrival we enjoy a motor coach tour of this cosmopolitan city, including a visit to its impressive Basilica of the Sagrada Familia, one of the largest churches in Europe.  Here we will learn the history of the basilica, including its initial ground-breaking in 1882 and its construction which became the life’s work of Antoni Gaudi until his death in 1926.  Following Mass in the crypt of the basilica, we arrive at our hotel for dinner and overnight in Barcelona.

Day 10 – Wednesday
BARCELONA / MONTSERRAT
This morning we embark on an excursion to the wonderful mountaintop Sanctuary of Montserrat and enjoy some of the most incredible scenery in Spain.  Upon our arrival we enjoy a tour of the Monastery and grounds where we visit the Shrine and see the Statue of Our Lady of Montserrat or Black Madonna, probably Spain’s most fervent devotion to the Blessed Mother.  Following Mass in the Chapel of the Virgin, we enjoy free time for lunch.  We return to Barcelona and arrive for a walking tour of its Gothic Quarter and the famous Las Ramblas Boulevard, one of the most upbeat and striking boulevards in all of Europe.  Here we will enjoy free time for shopping and personal exploration of this vibrant city.  Our day concludes with our Farewell Dinner at Marina Bay Restaurant.  Overnight in Barcelona. 

Day 11 – Thursday
BARCELONA / 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.