Spain and Portugal

12 day Pilgrimage Featuring Barcelona - Madrid - Avila - Toledo - Santiago de Compostela - Fatima

ITINERARY

Day 1> Depart USA to Barcelona
 
Day 2> Arrive Barcelona - Panoramic Tour of Barcelona
Upon arrival at Barcelona International Airport, you will be on your way to your hotel in Barcelona. Overnight in Barcelona.

Day 3> AM/Excursion to Montserrat - PM/Tour of Parc Güell & Sagrada Familia
Depart Barcelona for your excursion to Montserrat. For over a thousand years, pilgrims from everywhere in Europe have made their way to the Benedictine Shrine of the Cherished Black Madonna, said to have been carved by St. Luke. Celebrate Mass at the Shrine in Montserrat.
Your local guide will bring Barcelona alive as you visit Gaudi's Parc Güell and Sagrada Familia church. Festive dinner in a restaurant, where you will enjoy paella, Spain's most colorful and characteristic dish, and attend one of the best fiery shows of Flamenco dancing.
Overnight in Barcelona.

Day 4> AM/At Leisure - PM/Barcelona - Madrid/Highlights tour of Madrid
Early afternoon, you will be transferred to Barcelona Airport for your short flight to Madrid.
Upon arrival, your local guide will take you to visit the Royal Palace. The surrounding area is one of the most beautiful palatial complexes in all Europe and includes the Plaza de Oriente, the Sabatini Gardens and the Campo del Moro. Visit the Cathedral and St. Miguel Basilica. Overnight in Madrid.

Day 5> AM/Tour of the Prado Museum - PM/Excursion to Toledo
This morning, visit the Prado Museum. This afternoon, leave Madrid on your excursion to Toledo. Set on a hill overlooking the Tagus River, this ancient city is a fascinating architectural blend of Christian and Moorish elements, especially rich in buildings of the late 15th and 16th centuries. Visit the 13th century Cathedral, See of the Cardinal Primate of Spain. Celebrate Mass at the Cathedral in Toledo. Return to Madrid for overnight.

Day 6> Full day excursion to El Escorial/Valle de los Caidos - Avila
Today, enjoy an excursion to El Escorial. This afternoon, visit Avila-City of Kings and Saints. Completely encircled by 11th Century walls, Avila is the birthplace of St. Teresa, one of the greatest mystics of the Church. You will visit the Cathedral, the Convent of St. Teresa, the Monastery of the Incarnation and St. Joseph Monastery. Celebrate Mass, prayer and reflection at St. Joseph.
Overnight in Madrid.

Day 7> Madrid - Leon
After buffet breakfast, celebrate Mass at the Cathedral in Madrid. Drive north to Leon, the capital of Christian Spain at the start of the Reconquest. Upon arrival in Leon, you will start the El Camino de Santiago, “The Way of St. James” leading ultimately to Santiago de Compostela. Visit the Churches of Santa Ana, Santa Maria del Mercado, and the Convent of Conception.
Overnight in Leon.

Day 8> Leon - Santiago de Compostela
Visit the remarkable Cathedral built in pure Gothic Style. Daylight filters through no less than 12,917 sq. ft of stained glass windows. Tradition requires that all pilgrims rest their hands on a small pedestal in the church, so as to receive special protection for their pilgrimage.
Celebrate Mass at the Cathedral. Then, travel through the Galician Segment of the Way of St. James to your destination, the medieval city of Santiago de Compostela. One of the Western World’s most desirable spots of pilgrimage, Santiago still a special place in the hearts of many, and is home to one of the world’s largest churches, St. James of Compostela. Santiago is the end of the road of the ancient pilgrim’s journey as well as today’s pilgrim. The town is truly dominated by the famous Shrine.
Overnight in Santiago de Compostela.

Day 9> Santiago de Compostela
Start your tour of the Pilgrims Way. Visit the Shrine of St. James. According to legend, the bones of the Apostle St. James the Great (Santiago), brother of the Evangelist John, were transported to Spain after his martyrdom in A.D. 44 and placed at the site of the Cathedral in the year 813. Celebrate Mass, prayer and reflection at the Shrine. Your guide will take you on an orientation tour of the city. Visit the old town, Plaza de Espana, the Hospital of the Catholic Monarchs, the Plaza de la Quintana.  Also see the 12th century Church of Santa Maria de Sar in the Barrio de Sar. Overnight in Santiago de Compostela.

Day 10> Santiago de Compostela - Coimbra - Fatima
Leave Santiago de Compostela and drive south via Braga and Porto to Coimbra, to visit the Carmelite Monastery, where Sister Lucia, the last survivor of the three shepherd children still lives today.
Continue to Fatima, where the Blessed Mother appeared in 1917 to three simple shepherd children and exhorted mankind to pray for world peace. After setting into your hotel, participate in a candlelight procession.
Overnight in Fatima.

Day 11> Fatima
This morning celebrate Holy Mass at the Little Chapel of Apparitions. Then, your guide will take you on a tour of the Shrine of Fatima. Visit the tombs of the children, and the Chapel of the Apparitions known as the Capelinha. Visit Aljustrel, the hamlet where the three children lived and view their untouched homes. On to Valinhos where Our Lady appeared after the children’s return from prison. This evening, join pilgrims from around the world in an evening candlelight procession to pray the rosary. Don’t forget your white handkerchiefs for the Adeus farewell, when thousand of pilgrims wave a loving farewell to the statue of Our Lady of the Rosary.
Overnight in Fatima.

Day 12> Return to the USA