Visit to the City of Lourdes, with the possibility of attending the Procession of the Torches of Lourdes, whose image is known throughout the world.
TOUR INCLUDES:
- Accommodation in 3/4 star hotels for 2 nights
- Local guide for all visits
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Private transportation throughout the circuit
Program
Day 1: Madrid / Zaragoza / Lourdes
Departure from the Parish early in the morning to Zaragoza. Celebration of the Eucharist. Lunch in restaurant. Continuation of the trip to Lourdes. Arrival at the hotel in Lourdes, distribution of rooms and dinner and accommodation. Attendance at the torchlight procession.
Day 2: Lourdes
Breakfast. Full board accommodation. Day dedicated to visiting the Shrine and attending religious acts: Holy Mass, Confessions, Angelus in the Grotto, Mass, Via Crucis, Rosary, Procession of the Blessed Sacrament and blessing of the sick. Visit to Molino de Boly, Bernadette’s birthplace), El Calabozo. (“Le Cachot”) This place was, years before the Soubirous family arrived there, the jail of the city of Lourdes. It was a cousin of the father, Aimé Sajous, owner of some of the grounds of this old prison, who gave them a room, a gloomy and humid room of just 16 square meters where his parents and four children had to live. From then on, they would be known as “those who live in the dungeon.” The time of the Apparitions coincides with the stay in the dungeon.
Day 3: Lourdes / Barbastro / Madrid
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure early in the morning to Barbastro. Celebration of the Eucharist and visit to the Museum of the Martyrs. Lunch. After it, continuation of the trip back to Madrid. Arrival and End of the Pilgrimage.
Testimonials
“Frank and the Forocio team were wonderful in working to make our Study Abroad program a success with the large group of students we traveled with. Every detail was well organized and allowed us to enjoy the trips without worry. The tour guides they chose for us were professional and knowledgable. Frank checked in on us after every trip to ensure things had gone smoothly. We can’t imagine having traveled without them! We highly recommend Frank and Forocio!”
Ryan M. Bessett, PhD
Assistant Professor of Hispanic Linguistics Department of Writing & Language Studies University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
“College of DuPage has been working with Forocio for the past eight years. Their team has helped organize several of the cultural excursions for our summer study abroad program in Spain. Forocio has provided reliable services, professional and expert guides, and nice accommodations for our students in a variety of locations throughout the country. One of the highlights of the program is a guided tour of the Alhambra in Granada. The guides have always been so knowledgeable and passionate about sharing their expertise with our group. We would highly recommend Forocio during your stay in Spain.”
Donna Gillespie, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Spanish
College of DuPage – U.S.A.
(Viaje Educativo)0
“Son los mejores ofreciendo tours a medida, personalizados y se ajustan a tu presupuesto sin problema. Su profesionalidad contribuye a nuestra más absoluta tranquilidad en cada viaje que hacemos con nuestros grupos. Son más de doce años de confianza en los cuales hemos contado con ellos no sólo como proveedores de nuestros viajes sino con todo lo que tiene que ver con traslados privados locales, excursiones o reservas en restaurantes. ¡Prestan un servicio excepcional!”
Rocío Navas
Sr. Admin Coordinator
University of CaliforniaEducationAbroadProgram– España
(Viaje Educativo)
“I personally have been working with Frank for nearly 4 years. During that time he has organized logtistics for 6 university travel courses. Thanks to FOROCIO, our programs have been able to incorporate multiple city visits seamlessly. From city guides and buses in Morocco to trains and planes throughout Europe, I know when working with Frank we have access to the best options in terms of times, prices, and logistics. He continues to keep our budget and needs in mind in order to provide our groups with just what they need.”
If you would like more I am more than happy to write additional specifics. I truly am grateful for all you have done to make my job easier and would like to support FOROCIO in any way.
Alison Droster
Advisor, Office of International Studies Abroad
International Center
University of San Diego – U.S.A.
(Viaje Educativo)
“Forocio coordinated two weekend excursions for my study-abroad group. Both trips were impressively well-planned and reasonably priced. We had access to knowledgeable guides, a fantastic (also knowledgeable) bus driver, and a schedule that was perfectly balanced between sight-seeing and free time. I was also particularly impressed by the professionalism and reliability of Frank, the director. When a student’s minor emergency resulted in a two-hour delay to one of the trips, Frank personally assisted in shifting our full schedule of activities to accomodate the delay (no easy feat!). I whole-heartedly recommend Forocio to other educational travel coordinators, and I look forward to using their services again.”
Faith S. Harden
Assistant Professor
Department of Spanish and Portuguese
University of Arizona – Tucson, AZ – U.S.A.
(Viaje Educativo)
“The University of California has for years enjoyed the excellent services of Forocio in organizing trips to Andalucía for our students studying at Madrid universities. I have nothing but praise for the professionalism of Forocio, the selection of sites to be visited, hotels to stay and restaurants to eat. The guides they provide are a cut above what one would expect and the overall experience has been noted in glowing terms by our students and professors alike. ”
Giorgio Perissinotto
Professor and Director Centro de Estudios de la Universidad de California
(Viaje Educativo)
“I have to say that I believe that the trip was a major success… I could not have been happier with the arrangements that you made for us and everything went incredibly smoothly…I would also mention that your services were just what we needed. As an art group, I’m sure that our needs were not standard, but you did a tremendous job in accommodating us, and it’s greatly appreciated. I hope we will be working together again next year. Thanks again for all of your help and hard work.”
Jason Guynes, MFA
Professor of Art – Chairperson, Department of Visual Arts
The University of South Alabam
(Viaje Educativo)
“Como directora de un programa de study-abroad, me encanta trabajar con Forocio. Frank y su staff dan un servicio personalizado excelente. Siempre puedo contar con ellos para ayudarme a organizar cualquier viaje para mis alumnos y, trabajando con ellos, sé que los viajes van a ser de buena calidad a precios muy razonables. ¡Yo recomiendo Forocio a todo el mundo! ”
Melanie Swisher
Resident Director Alcalá ProgramInstituteforStudyAbroad
Butler University UAH
Alcalingua
(Viaje Educativo)
“Intrax Education Abroad, one of the leading North American providers in faculty led study abroad programs has been working successfully with Forocio International Friends for a number of years. Over the past year we have seen an increase in our group offerings to Spain due to the excellent work of the Forocio team. Without exception, every student group that we have sent to Spain with Forocio has been extremely satisfied with their attention to detail and high level of customer attention and service. Our organization works with tour operators all over the world and Forocio stands out head and shoulders above all!” ”
Joseph Roma
Operations Manager Intrax Education Abroad
San Francisco
(Viaje Educativo)
“From transportation and hotels to guided visits, Forocio offers quality excursions at competitive prices. Frank and his team are exceptional, and Forocio’s customer service and willingness to adapt to our program requirements has resulted in first-rate travels throughout Spain and wonderful memories for our students. Indeed, even with a program as large as ours (80-100 students), Forocio has provided excellent accommodations, comfortable and spacious motor coaches, exceptional guides in both Spanish and English, and does it all while maintaining quality and an economical price. And, to top it off, Forocio makes sure that everything is taken care of for you by making all arrangements and staying in contact at all times. This is an honest and trustworthy company that is genuinely interested in their client. Higly recommended. ”
Chad M. Gasta
Director, Western European Studies Program
Iowa State Universit
(Viaje Educativo)
“Back from Sevilla, I just wanted to send you a quick note to thank you and Forocio for organizing the trip for us. Everything went well… We all had a great time: the hotel accommodations were good, and the hotel food was good too. I want to especially commend our guide Pablo Carbajosa, who is an excellent guide, and a very lovely person. We truly enjoyed his sense of humor, his knowledge, his kindness, as well as his impressive linguistic abilities. I hope we can have another trip with Forocio, if not this year, then next year. I am going to give your address and information to the next Field Directors, who may contact you even before they get here next year. Best wishes, and once again, thank you very much!”
Eva Bueno
St. Marys University
(Viaje España)
“Another successful ISU trip in Spain! Thank you for all that you do for us.”
Howard Van Auken, PhD Bob&Kay Smith
Entrepreneurship Fellow Professor of Management Iowa State University
(Viaje España)
“Estamos encantados con los viajes que Forocio organiza para la Universidad de California año tras año. Se trata de una agencia sumamente profesional, con un excelente conocimiento de España, de su gente y de su cultura. También, entienden mejor que nadie la mentalidad y las motivaciones de nuestros estudiantes, quienes siempre recuerdan estos viajes con un gran cariño. Tampoco se olvidan de las fiestas que organiza Forocio en el Palacio de Gaviria. Son memorables! Siempre hemos estado satisfechos con los hoteles y los autobuses que nos ha facilitado Forocio. Los guías que lideran los viajes o las visitas son los mejores que hay en este negocio. En fin, es un placer trabajar con Forocio y tienen todo nuestro agradecimiento. ”
Jean-Xavier Guinard
Director, Education Abroad Program of the University of California in Madrid
(Viaje Educativo)
“The transportation, accomodations, and tour guide services provided by Forocio are consistently of the highest quality. The staff is knowledgeable, responsive, and reliable. They do an excellent job in selecting moderately priced services well-suited for student and faculty groups.”
Angela Diettrich
Office of Study Abroad
University of Kansas
(Viaje Educativo)
“My apologies for not getting back to you after the trip, but I fell immediately into a new academic semester and am only now surfacing… Anyway we all had a great great, both the students and me… You did a great job arranging an excellent (but complicated) itinerary. I would definitely plan to do Roman Spain again… You were very wise, by the way, to suggest that I bring a letter from my school. That got us free into a number of places, including the Prado. That sort of things would not have happened in Italy…Anyway, thank you for arranging such a wonderful trip. I would certain call upon you again and recommend you to others.”
Thomas Jerome Sienkewicz
Department of Classics – Monmouth College
Monmouth, Illinois – United States of America
(Viaje Educativo)
“Ya un poco más descansada, quisiera agradecerles su apoyo durante el viaje y sobre todo para el regreso a nuestras ciudades de origen… En cuanto al viaje en si mismo se desarrolló sin contratiempos y dejó una impresión final de mucha satisfacción en todos los muchachos… Así que muchas gracias Stefan y Blanca por ese magnífico regalo que hicieron a los muchachos y que definitivamente quedará en sus memorias como uno de los mejores recuerdos de su vida. Quisiera terminar este correo dando unas inmensas gracias a Henar. Fue un elemento invaluable para el exito de este viaje. Su profesionalismo me impresionó porque siempre iba más allá de lo que implicaba su papel. Estaba al tanto de todo, aprendió a conocer los muchachos, inclusive identificando los de Oxford y los de Bath. Me alegro haberla conocido y creo que en una semana no solamente conocí una muy buena guía pero gané una amiga.”
Ma. JocelynePerréard
Profesora de francés – División Preparatoria
Campus Estado de México – TEC DE MONTERREY
(Viaje Educativo)
“I wanted to tell you all how much my small group & I appreciated all your help, advice & assistance with our visits to cities in Italy. I would heartily recommend your group to any individual or group planning visits to Italy!”
Lois Greene
Professor, Design, University of Kansas
(Viaje Educativo)
“Hemos pasado un viaje sensacional en Valencia. Nuestra guía, Ester fue muy accesible, simpática y la visita informativa e interesante. El personal y servicio del hotel Excelsior fue efectivo, atento y cordial. De nuevo, nuestro conductor, Eduardo Navarro, ha sido extraordinario… Muchas gracias por el servicio de primera clase+ que he recibido de parte de tu empresa.”
Linda Luft, M.A
Resident Director
The University of Arizona – United States of America
(Viaje España)
“The students & teachers are very happy about the trip and its arrangement. Thank you for doing so much for us. There is no disappointment and all are fine. I am happy to be your reference whenever you need.”
Jackie Harris
Charlotte Travel Limited
Tsimshatsui, Kowloon Hong Kong – China
(Viaje Educativo)
“Forocio is my best choice for field trip arrangements and support during my short and long visits to Spain. I have taken groups of students from the College of DuPage to Madrid and Granada for five weeks and I was very pleased with all the support I received from Forocio. I sincerely recommend their services, their tour guides are well prepared and their expertise made our learning experience valuable. I highly recommend Forocio for all your trips in Spain.”
Edith Jaco, Ed.D.
Director of the Spain Study Abroad Program
College of DuPage – United States of America
(Viaje España)
“Trabajamos con Forocio desde hace más de 20 años con total satisfacción tanto por parte de nuestros clientes como nuestra. Es una empresa seria y fiable. Los precios son muy competitivos y se esmeran por complacer las necesidades de los clientes. Mientras la relación siga siendo tan buena como hasta ahora, seguiremos trabajando y recomendando Forocio para reservas hoteleras y viajes.”
Virginia Sampere
Directora General
Estdio Internacional Sampere
“For the last 6 years Forocio has been essential to our study-abroad program in Madrid. Their rare combination of expertise, dependability, and affordability makes our program run smoothly and makes my life much easier. Our extended field trip to Barcelona is the highlight of our summer and the meals Forocio arranged for us were exquisite. My students bragged to their friends from other programs about the hip restaurants we went to in Spain.”
George A. Carlsen
Director of the Madrid Summer Study Abroad Program
Pepperdine University
“We have worked with Stefan Schmuckle and Forocio since 2012, taking groups of American university students to Europe during the month of January. Our groups have ranged in size from 23-32, and we have visited five cities per trip, ranging from Barcelona to St. Petersburg, Russia. We have always sought the elusive combination of acceptable price point and comfortable accommodations – and Stefan has always delivered. Not once have we had a guide or transport fail to show up on time or arrived at a hotel that was not only expecting us but ready for early check-in. Stefan even handled all the flights between the European cities. We could not be more pleased with Forocio and look forward to working with them in the future.”
Janie Spencer, Ph.D.
Professor of Spanish
Birmingham-Southern College
