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Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description.
DAY 1 Arrive in Lisbon, Portugal
Welcome to Portugal! Check into your hotel, and tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers.
DAY 2 Lisbon–Santarem–Fatima
On your guided sightseeing tour of Lisbon, see the enormous monument dedicated to Henry the Navigator, as well as the 16th-century Belém Tower, the Moorish citadel, and impressive Black Horse Square. Visit the CATHEDRAL LA SE’, where St. Anthony was baptized, and JERONIMOS MONASTERY, which dates back to the mid-1400s and was built in thanks to the Virgin Mary for Vasco de Gama’s successful voyage to India. Head north for a stop in Santarém to visit the CHURCH OF THE EUCHARISTIC HOLY MIRACLE. Arrive in Fátima, home to the most famous Catholic shrines. This evening, join pilgrims from around the world for the Rosary and candlelight procession at the Our Lady of Fátima Basilica.
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DAY 3 Fatima
This morning, after Mass Mass at the Sanctuary, visit Our Lady of Fátima SHRINE with the tombs of the visionaries, and the CHAPEL OF THE APPARITIONS, made famous by the Virgin Mary’s 1917 appearances to three shepherd children, which culminated in the revelation of the Three Secrets of Fatima. This afternoon, there’s time to pray and meditate or to join a guided optional excursion.
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DAY 4 Fatima–Braga–Santiago De Compostela, Spain
Journey north this morning and stop in Braga, one of the oldest Christian cities in the world and nicknamed the “Portuguese Rome.” Visit the BOM JESUS DO MONTE SANCTUARY, an important pilgrimage site where devout followers have walked the “Stations of the Cross” for contemplation and penance since 1811. See the unique zigzag stairway dedicated to the five senses—sight, smell, hearing, touch, and taste—and the three theological virtues—faith, hope, and charity. Continue into Spain and head for Santiago de Compostela, one of the top pilgrimage destinations since the Middle Ages. Later, there’s time to attend Mass.
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DAY 5 Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela has been known throughout history for the key 9th-century pilgrimage route, the Camino de Santiago (or Way of St. James), to ST. JAMES’ CATHEDRAL, which houses the Apostle James’ remains beneath the high altar. Later, explore on your own or join an optional excursion to Cabo Finisterre, where pilgrims have traditionally completed their walk and burned their robes.
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DAY 6 Santiago De Compostela–Burgos
Today, travel to Burgos, historic capital of Old Castile. Your visit takes you to the magnificent CATHEDRAL, a masterpiece of gothic architecture and burial place of Spain’s national hero, El Cid.
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DAY 7 Burgos–San Ignacio de Loyola–Lourdes, France
Travel through the Basque region toward Lourdes. En route, pause to reflect and attend Mass 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 marble and jasper main altarpiece. Cross into France and overnight in Lourdes, home to another of the world’s most famous places of pilgrimage. Join the nightly Rosary and candlelight procession for a memorable spiritual experience.
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DAY 8 Lourdes
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 and to attend Mass, if you like.
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DAY 9 Lourdes–Carcassonne–Barcelona, Spain
This morning, head for the France/Spain border. En route, visit the FORTIFIED CITADEL of Carcassonne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See the ramparts, castle walls, and drawbridges that are still well preserved from the Middle Ages. Overnight in Catalonia’s lively and beautiful capital, Barcelona.
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DAY 10 Barcelona
Today’s guided sightseeing includes a drive around Montjuïc to see the Olympic Stadium and a great panoramic view of the port and city. Continue to the city center’s Plaza Catalunya and Paseo de Gracia to admire Gaudi’s eccentric Houses Batlló and Milà, as well as his SAGRADA FAMILIA, an unfinished architectural masterpiece that is still a consecrated expression of the Catholic faith.
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DAY 11 Barcelona
Today is at leisure to explore as you like. Maybe join the optional excursion to the pilgrimage site of Montserrat and its countryside. Situated 4,055 feet above sea level in a mountain range composed of striking pink conglomerate, a form of sedimentary rock, this is the site of the Benedictine abbey that hosts the Black Virgin of Montserrat Sanctuary, patron saint of Catalonia. This evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
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DAY 12 Barcelona
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description.
DAY 1 Arrive in Paris, France
Welcome to Paris! Check into your hotel, and in the late afternoon, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions.
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DAY 2 Paris
Sightseeing with a Local Guide features the city’s main sights: the Arc de Triomphe, Louvre, Champs-Elysées, and the Eiffel Tower (ticket not included). Visit the BASILICA OF SACRE COEUR on Montmartre Hill, where silent prayers of adoration for the Church, the world, and for peace have been offered without interruption since 1885. This is also where St. Therese started her pilgrimage to Rome in 1887. Complete your city tour by visiting awe-inspiring NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL, where Joan of Arc was beatified in 1909.
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DAY 3 Paris. Lisieux Excursion
Travel to Lisieux and visit the CARMELITE CONVENT, where St. Therese, the “Little Flower,” lived as a nun. Therese has been a highly influential model of sanctity because of the simplicity and practicality of her approach to spiritual life. Next, visit ST. PETER’S CATHEDRAL, where St. Therese’s family attended Mass, and also visit LES BUISSONNETS, her family home. Later, attend Mass (French only), if you like, before returning to Paris.
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DAY 4 Paris
A special visit has been included to OUR LADY OF THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL SHRINE, where the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Catherine Laboure in 1830. Then, visit the ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SHRINE, where you can meditate and view the reliquary of the saint who has inspired thousands of charities and volunteers.
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DAY 5 Paris–Orleans–Limoges Area
Leave the “City of Light” this morning and head towards Orléans. Situated on the Loire River, this was once the capital of France and renowned for its associations with Joan of Arc. See her statue with your Tour Director as you walk around this historic town in the footsteps of the “Maid of Orleans.” Later, head for Limoges, famous for its 19th-century porcelain, medieval and Renaissance enamels, and its oak barrels used for Cognac production.
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DAY 6 Limoges Area–Rocamadour–Lourdes
This morning, stop in medieval Rocamadour, known for its inspirational cliffside setting and for being one of Christianity’s four holy places, along with Jerusalem, Rome, and Santiago de Compostela. On the agenda is a visit to the Rocamadour SANCTUARY, including the GRANDES ESCALIERS, 216 weathered steps leading to the top of the rocky plateau on which the CHAPELLE DE NOTRE DAME, with its venerated Black Madonna statue, is located. Even today, devout pilgrims make the climb on their knees in penance. Immediately adjacent is the ST. SAUVEUR BASILICA. Later, travel to Lourdes, one of the world’s most visited places of pilgrimage, and visit the GROTTO where the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernadette in 1858 to bring her message to the world that God loves each of us as we are. For a memorable experience, join the nightly Rosary and candlelight procession.
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DAY 7 Lourdes
Start the day in prayerful contemplation at the international Mass Mass. Then, a Local Guide will bring Bernardette’s story to life during a walking tour that visits OUR LADY OF LOURDES SHRINE and ST. BERNADETTE’S BIRTHPLACE and FAMILY HOME. You may wish to experience the powerful healing baths or attend the Blessing of the Sick.
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DAY 8 Lourdes
Today is at leisure to further immerse yourself in the mystical atmosphere of Lourdes or to join an optional excursion to the nearby Pyrenees.
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DAY 9 Lourdes–Carcassonne–Avignon
On the way to Avignon, stop first at the medieval FORTIFIED CITADEL of Carcassonne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then, continue to Avignon, and enjoy a walk to the Palace of the Popes (entrance not included), 14th-century residence of the papacy.
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DAY 10 Avignon–Paray-Le-Monial–Nevers
Following morning Mass Mass in Avignon (French only), travel to Paray-le-Monial, home to the CHAPEL OF THE APPARITIONS, where Jesus revealed his Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. Spend a few moments in prayer at the BASILICA OF THE SACRED HEART, then continue to Nevers.
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DAY 11 Nevers–Chartres–Paris
Visit ST. GILDARD MONASTERY in Nevers, where St. Bernadette spent her life as a nun. Spend time in prayer at the chapel where her miraculously incorrupt body has its final resting place. Continue to Chartres and meet your Local Guide for a visit of the CATHEDRAL—a masterpiece of gothic architecture, one of Europe’s most celebrated shrines, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its venerable history and exquisitely preserved architecture lend it an atmosphere of awe and holiness. Return to Paris for a final overnight.
Breakfast Breakfast
DAY 12 Paris
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description.
DAY 1 Arrive in Madrid, Spain
Welcome to Madrid! Take some time to get settled and prepare yourself for your upcoming journey of faith. Then, at 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner with wine at your hotel.
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DAY 2 Madrid-Avila
The day begins with breakfast, followed by guided sightseeing featuring the Puerta del Sol, Plaza de España with its monument to Cervantes, Parliament, the Cibeles Fountain, elegant Calle Alcala, and Paseo de Castellana. The highlight is a visit to the PRADO MUSEUM with its priceless art treasures. Continue to the walled town of Ávila, where St. Teresa founded the Order of Carmelites, for a guided walking tour. Visit the Romanesque and gothic CATHEDRAL; the CONVENT OF SANTA TERESA and MONASTERY OF LA ENCARNACION—two important pilgrimage stops.
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DAY 3 Avila-Fatima, Portugal
The majestic Serra da Estrela mountains form the backdrop of your drive into Portugal. Arrive in Fátima, and visit OUR LADY OF FÁTIMA SHRINE and the CHAPEL OF THE APPARITIONS, where the Virgin Mary appeared to three children in 1917. You may wish to take some private time to attend Mass, meditate, or join the evening Rosary and candlelight procession at the shrine.
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DAY 4 Fatima
Today, visit the PARISH CHURCH where the visionaries were baptized, and see their homes in nearby VALINHOS. There’s another opportunity tonight to join the Rosary and candlelight procession.
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DAY 5 Fatima-Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Enjoy guided sightseeing in Santiago de Compostela, one of the top pilgrimage destinations during the Middle Ages, along with Rome and Jerusalem. Visit the CATHEDRAL where the relics of St. James the Apostle are kept behind the high altar. You may wish to attend Mass and reflect on your time at this holy place.
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DAY 6 Santiago de Compostela
For more than a thousand years, pilgrims have been walking the CAMINO PILGRIM’S WAY, and this morning, you can experience it yourself. Drive to the village of Arca and do part of this famous walk accompanied by your Local Guide. Back in Santiago, attend the pilgrim’s Mass Mass in the cathedral.
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DAY 7 Santiago de Compostela-Burgos
Travel to Burgos, the historic capital of Old Castile. Sightseeing with a Local Guide includes a visit to the magnificent 13th-century CATHEDRAL, dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
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DAY 8 Burgos-Lourdes, France
Continue along the Basque coast and arrive in Lourdes, home to one of the world’s most famous places of pilgrimage. Your guided walking tour visits the GROTTO where the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernadette in 1858, the OUR LADY OF LOURDES SHRINE, the BIRTHPLACE OF ST. BERNADETTE, and her FAMILY HOME during the time of the apparitions. Join this evening’s memorable Rosary and candlelight procession.
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DAY 9 Lourdes
Today is at leisure. You may wish to experience the powerful healing baths, the “Blessing of the Sick,” or attend Mass Mass to pray. An optional excursion is also available to the nearby Pyrenees.
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DAY 10 Lourdes-Barcelona, Spain
Re-enter Spain and head south to Barcelona, Spain’s second-largest city and host of the Olympic Games in 1992.
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DAY 11 Barcelona
Sightseeing with a Local Guide features the Columbus Monument, Plaza de Cataluna, and Paseo de Gracia. A major highlight is a visit to the SAGRADA FAMILIA BASILICA, Gaudi’s masterpiece. Marvel at the panoramic view of the city and harbor from Montjuïc Hill. The rest of the day is at leisure.
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DAY 12 Barcelona-Montserrat-Saragossa
Stop in Montserrat and visit the impressive BENEDICTINE MONASTERY. Also visit the BASILICA, one of Spain’s most important pilgrimage sites, and admire the 12th-century Romanesque carving of the La Moreneta (Black Madonna). Continue to Saragossa, home to Spain’s most famous Marian Shrine.
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DAY 13 Saragossa-Madrid
This morning, guided sightseeing brings you to the BASILICA OF OUR LADY OF THE PILLAR. According to local tradition, on January 2 of the year 40, the Mother of God appeared upon a pillar to the Apostle St. James the Greater while he was preaching the gospel. The pillar is conserved and venerated within the basilica today. Continue to Madrid, where a farewell dinner with wine awaits at the hotel.
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DAY 14 Madrid
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
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