A Catholic Pilgrimage to Portugal & Spain

July 14, 2025 – Monday
WASHINGTON / PORTUGAL
Tour members gather at St. John Neumann Church got our departing bus ride to Washington’s Dulles Airport. We Aboard our direct, non-stop flight to Portugal, arriving the next morning. Meals are served on board.

July 15, 2025 – Tuesday
LISBON / FATIMA
This morning 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 191 7 Mary appeared to local children and the “Miracle of the Sun” occurred. Following dinner, we participate in this evening’s Candlelight Procession. Overnight in Fatima.

July 16, 2025 – Wednesday
FATIMA / NAZARE
Today 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 da lria where Our Lady appeared to the children. Here we pause to recite the Holy Rosary. We celebrate Mass at the Basilica ofOur Lady, followed by a visit to the nearby village of Aljustrel to see where the three shepherds were born and where the apparitions of Our Lady occurred. In the afternoon we depart for the seaside village of Nazare for a relaxing visit that will include a visit to its Shrine of Our Lady of Nazare. Following dinner this evening, we have another opportunity to join the Candlelight Procession. Overnight in Fatima.

July 17, 2025 – Thursday
FATIMA / OBIDOS
This morning we drive to the quaint medieval town of Obidos and enjoy a leisurely walk through its cobblestone streets. Here we celebrate Mass at the Santa Maria Church decorated inside with beautiful white and blue baroque tiles. Here we will have free time for lunch and shopping for native handcrafts, art work and libations. Late afternoon we return to Fatima. Following dinner, you may once again attend the Candlelight Procession. Overnight in Fatima.

July 18, 2025 – Friday
FATIMA/ PORTO/ SANTIAGO de COMPOSTELA
Our day begins with a drive to the home of Saint James, Santiago de Compostela. We arrive in Santiago in the afternoon and enjoy a walking tour of the historical center of Santiago, including a visit and celebration of Mass in the Cathedral of St. James the Apostle, housing the remains of the saint. The cathedral’s facades display examples of both Romanesque and Baroque architecture. Dinner and overnight in Santiago de Compostela.

July 19, 2025 – Saturday
SANTIAGO de COMPOSTELA
Today we enjoy our day in Santiago, beginning with a walking tour of the historical center of Santiago de Compostela., followed by a visit to the Cathedral of St. James the Apostle, housing the remains of the Saint. The Cathedral’s facades display examples of both Romanesque and Baroque architecture. We celebrate Mass in the Cathedral of St. James. The remainder of our day is free for relaxation, personal exploration and shopping the streets of Santiago. Dinner and overnight in Santiago de Compostela.

July 20, 2025 – Sunday
SANTIAGO de COMPOSTELA / ASTORGA / BURGOS
This morning we bid farewell to Santiago and cross the Iberian Peninsula, first stopping in historic Astorga, known for its distinctive culture and architecture and is one of the towns along the “Camino” route or Way of St. James. Here we will walk through the two major squares of Astorga; Plaza Mayor and Cathedral Square. After a break for lunch, we continue our drive through Spain arriving in the town of Burgos, to visit the immense Cathedral of Burgos, an amazing masterpiece of French Gothic architecture that dominates the town center. Here we celebrate Mass. Following Mass, we tour the Cathedral’s chapel and cloister and admire its impressive doors and architecture. Dinner and overnight in Burgos.

July 21, 2025 – Monday
BURGOS / ZARAGOZA
Today we will drive to Zaragoza, where we visit the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, the place where Mary appeared to the Apostle James before her Assumption into heaven. We celebrate Mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar. The remainder of our afternoon is free to explore the local merchants and shops around the Plaza of Our Lady adjacent to the basilica. Dinner and overnight in Zaragoza.

July 22, 2025 – Tuesday
ZARAGOZA / MONTSERRAT / BARCELONA
Today we bid farewell to Zaragoza and drive to the spectacular mountaintop sanctuary of Our Lady of Montserrat, where we enjoy a tour of the monastery and its grounds, including a visit to the Shrine and see the Statue of Our Lady of Montserrat, known as “La Morenata” (black Virgin), probably Spain’s most fervent devotion o the Blessed Mother. Following Mass at the shrine, we drive to the cosmopolitan city of Barcelona to visit 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. Following dinner this evening, we enjoy a motor coach tour of Barcelona. Overnight in Barcelona.

July 23, 2025 – Wednesday
BARCELONA
Following Mass this morning in Barcelona’s Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, we enjoy a visit to the impressive Basilica of the Sagrada Famila (Holy Family), one of the largest churches in Europe. Here we will learn of 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, and continues to this day. From here we arrive for a visit to the lovely Guell Park, also designed by Gaudi. Following free time in the city’s Ribera District, we return to our hotel for freshen up before this evening’s flamenco dance performance and our “farewell dinner”. Overnight in Barcelona.

July 24, 2025 – Thursday
BARCELONA / WASHINGTON
After breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our direct flight back home. Though our pilgrimage draws to a close, its blessings will last a lifetime and its graces are certain to draw us closer each day to the Lord. Upon our arrival in Washington, we transfer from the airport back to St. John Neumann Church.