Take this incredible pilgrimage of the most important shrines in Portugal, Northern Spain and southern France. Explore the beautiful countryside of these regions and visit these special cities while confirming your faith.
TOUR INCLUDES:
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- Breakfast
- Dinner according to the programme, including a dinner in a local restaurant in Barcelona.
- 11 nights of hotel accommodation
- Accompanying guide for the duration of the trip and local guides where specified.
- Private Coach for the tour.
- Entrance tickets to Belem Tower and Monastery de Jerónimos (Lisboa) and Sagrada Familia (Barcelona).
Program
Day 1: Lisbon Arrival transfer
Welcome to Portugal! Check into your hotel, and tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers.
Day 2: Lisbon–Alcobaça–Fátima City tour Lisbon & Monastery
Breakfast at the hotel.
Henry the Navigator made Lisbon the 15th-century “Mistress of the Seas” through his explorations and discoveries all over the world. On your guided sightseeing tour you’ll see the enormous monument to him, and the other discoverers, the Monument to the Discoveries, as well as the fortified 16th-century Belem Tower, the Moorish citadel and the impressive Black Horse Square. You will visit the Cathedral La Sé and Jerónimos Monastery, which dates back to the mid-1400s. The Monastery was the location for the signing of the Lisbon treaty in 2007 and houses the tombs of the great discoverer Vasco da Gama (1468–1523), and of the poet and chronicler of the Age of Discoveries Luís de Camões (1527–1570).
Later, we will head north for a stop in Alcobaça to visit the 12th-century Church of Santa Maria Monastery, built for 999 Cistercian monks and one of the most important medieval monasteries in Portugal.
In the late-afternoon, we´ll arrive in Fátima, the site of one of the world’s most famous Catholic shrines. This evening, why not join the rosary and candlelight procession at the Our Lady of Fátima Basilica?
Dinner at the hotel.
Day 3: Fátima Spiritual visit
Breakfast at the hotel
This morning, after Mass at the Sanctuary, we willhave time to visit Our Lady of Fátima Shrine, the tombs of the visionaries and the Chapel of the Apparitions. Fatima was made famous by the Virgin Mary’s appearance to three shepherd children—Francisco, Jacinta, and Lucia—on May 13, 1917. In the afternoon, there will be time to explore on your own, or join a guided optional excursion.
Optional Excursion: This is a fascinating afternoon excursion that will take you way back in time to the period of the very controversial and powerful Knights of Templar. Even though their oath swore them to live in poverty, many gifts and donations were bestowed upon the order and with these they were able to build on land that was also given to them. The Convent of Christ in Tomar is the combination of a castle and convent used by the Knights. The convent was added later as an extension to the castle, which began construction in 1160. A local guide will show you round these impressive buildings whilst explaining the history and background of the Knights of Templar.
Dinner at the hotel.
Day 4: Fátima–Braga–Santiago de Compostela Visit Braga
Breakfast at the hotel.
Journeying north this morning we will stop in Braga, one of the oldest Christian cities in the world and nicknamed the “Portuguese Rome.” Visit the Bom Jesus do Monte sanctuary (Good Jesus of the Mount) and see the unique zigzag stairway that is dedicated to the five senses—sight, smell, hearing, touch, and taste—and the three theological virtues—faith, hope, and charity. Later, cross into Spain and head for Santiago de Compostela. Later attend the rosary and Mass.
Dinner on your own.
Day 5: Santiago de Compostela City tour
Breakfast at the hotel.
This morning visit St. James’ Cathedral. Santiago de Compostela has been known throughout history for the key 9th-century pilgrimage route, the Way of St. James, to its cathedral, which houses the Apostle James’ remains beneath the high altar. Later, explore on your own or walk a portion of the Camino de Santiago.
Dinner on your own.
Day 6: Santiago de Compostela-Burgos City tour
Breakfast at the hotel.
Today, travel to Burgos, the historic capital of Old Castile. Your visit takes you to the magnificent cathedral, a masterpiece of gothic architecture and the burial place of Spanish national hero El Cid.
Dinner at the hotel.
Day 7: Burgos–Loyola–Lourdes Visit Sanctuary of Loyola
Breakfast at the hotel.
Travel through the Basque region toward Lourdes. En route, attend Mass at the 17th-century Sanctuary of Loyola, built in honor of San Ignacio de Loyola, founder of the Jesuit religious order. See its spectacular dome and main altarpiece, built in marble and jasper. We´ll cross the border into France, and spend the night in Lourdes, home to another of the world’s most famous places of pilgrimage.
Dinner at the hotel.
Day 8: Lourdes Spiritual visit
Breakfast at the hotel.
Today’s guided walking tour includes the grotto where the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernadette in 1858, Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine, Bernadette’s birthplace, and her family home. The afternoon is at leisure to further explore this little market town that became a pilgrimage place of world renown during the 19th century. Opportunity to attend Mass.
Dinner at the hotel.
Day 9: Lourdes–Carcassonne–Barcelona Visit Carcassonne
Breakfast at the hotel.
We leave France this morning and head for the French-Spanish border. En route, we will visit fortified Carcassonne, founded by the Visigoths in the 5th century and the most medieval-looking city in France. See the ramparts, castle walls, and drawbridges that are still well preserved from the Middle Ages. Spend the night in Catalonia’s lively and beautiful capital; Barcelona.
Dinner on your own.
Day 10: Barcelona City tour
Breakfast at the hotel.
Our guided sightseeing includes a drive around Montjuïc to see the Olympic Stadium and a great panoramic view of the port and city. We will continue to the city center to Plaza Catalunya and Paseo de Gracia to admire the fascinating eccentricity of Gaudi’s architectural masterpieces in Houses Battló and Mila and the Sagrada Familia (entrance fees included).
Dinner on your own.
Day 11: Barcelona Excursion Montserrat
Breakfast at the hotel.
Day of leisure. Maybe join the optional excursion to Montserrat and its countryside. The history of Montserrat is fascinating and started in 880 when a small group of shepherd children saw a bright light descending from the sky in the Montserrat Mountains and heard angels singing. The children told their parents, who in turn informed a local vicar who was brought to the scene and witnessed the same experiences. On exploring the region an image of the Virgin Mary was found in one of the caves and from that moment on the cave became a holy sanctuary for religious pilgrims. The trip to Montserrat from Barcelona is accompanied by a local guide and lasts about 4 hours. After driving through picturesque villages up to the 1,235 mt. Massif of Montserrat, you will have time to visit the Chapel of our Lady to see the visage of the 14th century Black Virgin (La Moreneta) keeping watch high over the altar. Return back to Barcelona at the end of the visit.
This evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant/Dinner at the hotel.
Day 12: Barcelona-US Departure transfer
Breakfast at the hotel.
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Transfer to airport for your home flight.
