Marian Shrines Of Europe

2012 Season
Departs From: Lisbon

From 1,650EUR

Length: 12 days from Lisbon to Madrid, or 13 days incl. travel

Overview

Explore Portugal and Spain on this wonderful vacation. Begin in Lisbon with a welcome dinner at a local restaurant and guided sightseeing featuring visits to Jeronimos Monastery and the Church of St. Anthony. Visit the Church of the Holy Miracle in Santarém and Our Lady of Fatima Shrine in Fatima, where the Virgin Mary appeared to three children in 1917, as well as the Chapel of the Apparitions, the basilica, Parish Church, and Valinhos. Maybe join the evening’s rosary and candlelight procession. Next is the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, one of the top pilgrimage sites during the Middle Ages. You may wish to walk part of the famous Camino Pilgrim’s Way with an expert Local Guide. Next is Burgos, historic capital of Old Castile, with a guided visit to the cathedral. Travel along the Basque coast to arrive in Lourdes, one of the world’s most famous pilgrimage sites. Visit the grotto where the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernadette in 1858, Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine, and St. Bernadette’s birthplace and family home. You may wish to bathe in the healing waters, attend the “Blessing of the Sick,” or join the evening’s rosary and candlelight procession. Cross the Pyrenees to Saragossa, where guided sightseeing features the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, home to a miraculous image of the Virgin Mary. End in Madrid, where guided sightseeing includes a visit to the Prado Museum. A day at leisure allows you to relax or further explore. The trip concludes with an included farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Note:

April 4 Departure - Good Friday in Fatima and Easter Sunday in Santiago de Compostela
May 10 Departure starts on Friday in Lisbon instead of Thursday
May 10 Departure - Feast day of Our Lady of Fatima (May 13)

Duration: 12 Days

Schedule:

Start Date	End Date
14 June, 2012	25 June, 2012
28 June, 2012	09 July, 2012
26 July, 2012	06 August, 2012
20 September, 2012	01 October, 2012
20 September, 2012	01 October, 2012
18 October, 2012	29 October, 2012

City Highlights

LISBON
Welcome dinner; guided sightseeing, visit Jeronimos Monastery and the Church of St. Anthony

SANTARÉM
Visit the Church of the Holy Miracle

FATIMA
Orientation including visits to the Our Lady of Fatima Shrine, the Chapel of the Apparitions, Parish Church, and Valinhos

SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
Guided sightseeing; visit the cathedral; walk part of the famous Camino

BURGOS
Guided sightseeing, visit the cathedral

LOURDES
Guided walking tour, visit the grotto, the Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine, and St. Bernadette’s birthplace and family home

SARAGOSSA
Guided sightseeing, visit the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar

MADRID
Guided sightseeing, visit the Prado Museum; farewell dinner at a local restaurant

Headsets throughout the tour

Note:

May 10 Departure - Possible overnight in Tomar

Day 1   Arrive in Lisbon, Portugal. Time to rest or to start exploring the Portuguese capital. At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and your traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)

Day 2   Lisbon–Santarém–Fatima. Sightseeing with a Local Guide features visits to JERONIMOS MONASTERY and the CHURCH OF ST. ANTHONY. Afterwards, depart for Fatima and while en route, visit the CHURCH OF THE HOLY MIRACLE in Santarém, site of a famous Eucharistic Miracle. Then, visit OUR LADY OF FATIMA SHRINE with the tombs of the visionaries, and the CHAPEL OF THE APPARITIONS, where the Virgin Mary appeared to three children in 1917. Join this evening’s rosary and candlelight procession at the Our Lady of Fatima Shrine. (B,D)

Day 3   Fatima. Morning orientation includes a visit to the PARISH CHURCH where the visionaries were baptized. Also visit their homes in nearby Valinhos. Afternoon at leisure. Join this evening’s rosary and candlelight procession. (B)

Day 4   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, brother of St. John the Evangelist, are kept behind the high altar. (B)

Day 5   Santiago de Compostela. For over a thousand years pilgrims have been walking the CAMINO PILGRIM’S WAY. This morning, for those who wish to experience this event, drive to the small village of Arca and do part of this famous walk accompanied by your expert Local Guide. Afterwards, back in Santiago, join the pilgrim’s Mass in the cathedral. (B)

Day 6   Santiago de Compostela–Burgos. Travel to Burgos, the historic capital of Old Castile. Sightseeing with a Local Guide includes a visit to the magnificent CATHEDRAL. (B,D)

Day 7   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 includes visits to 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. (B,D)

Day 8   At Leisure in Lourdes. You may wish to experience the powerful healing baths and attend the “Blessing of the Sick” or join an optional excursion to the nearby Pyrenees? (B)

Day 9   Lourdes–Saragossa, Spain. Cross the Pyrenees Mountains to Saragossa. Enjoy sightseeing with a Local Guide and visit Spain’s most famous Marian Shrine—the BASILICA OF OUR LADY OF THE PILLAR, home to a miraculous image of the Virgin Mary. 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. (B)

Day 10   Saragossa–Madrid. Journey to Madrid, where guided sightseeing includes the Puerta del Sol, Plaza de España with its monument to Cervantes, the Parliament, the Cibeles Fountain, elegant Calle Alcala, and Paseo de Castellana. Today’s highlight: a visit to the PRADO MUSEUM with its priceless art treasures. Tonight you may wish to join an optional dinner excursion. (B)

Day 11   At Leisure in Madrid. A full day to explore on your own, to just relax, or join an excursion to nearby fortified Avila, where St. Theresa founded the order of Carmelites. Enjoy this evening’s farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)

Day 12   Madrid. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Meals:  Full buffet breakfast (B); 5 three-course dinners (D), including a welcome dinner in Lisbon and a special farewell dinner in Madrid

Hotel Information:  LISBON Mundial (F), FATIMA Fatima (F), SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA Hesperia Peregrino (F), BURGOS Almirante Bonifaz (F), LOURDES Grand Hotel Moderne (F), SARAGOSSA Silken Reino de Aragon (F), MADRID Gran Hotel Princesa (SF)


Terms and Conditions

Note: Flights are NOT included with the Tour and unless otherwise stated above transfers are also NOT included.

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