Day 1    September 09, 2008       Depart USA

Make your way to the airport for your flights to Spain.  Dinner and breakfast will be served on board.

Day 2    September 10, 2008       Arrive Madrid

Upon your arrival at Madrid Airport you will proceed to the baggage claim to locate your luggage.  Upon exiting the baggage claim you will be greeted by your guide who will be holding a sign which reads “St Mary Church”.  We depart via deluxe motorcoach for our tour of Madrid.  Our city tour will introduce us to the Old World charm of Madrid.  We will have an opportunity to see Retiro Park, Plaza de Espana, the Royal Palace, and San Isidor Cathedral. After Mass enjoy the view of the broad avenues of Madrid as we make our way to our hotel for dinner and a restful overnight.

Day 3    September 11, 2008       Madrid – Avila – Burgos

After breakfast we will enjoy a visit to El Prado Museum with its collection of El Greco, Goya, Velazquez and Rubens paintings. We continue on to medieval walled city of Avila where we will have Mass and visit the crypt of the Convento of La Santa, the La Encarnacion Convent, and St. Joseph's Convent. Next we are off to Burgos and its magnificent limestone Cathedral.  Enjoy free time to explore on your own before dinner

Day 4    September 12, 2008       Burgos – Bilbao – Loyola – Lourdes

After an early breakfast we depart for Bilboa and visit the Frank Geary designed Guggenheim Museum. After free time for lunch we continue on to Loyola to see the great Basilica of St. Ignatius, and the Santa Casa's beautiful panoramas of the Saint's life.  We will also be blessed to have Mass in the room where St. Ignatius received the grace of conversion at age 30. We continue on through the Pyrennes Mountains in southern France and arrive at the great shrine of Lourdes for a late supper.

Day 5    September 13, 2008       Lourdes

Mass at the Grotto,  enjoy a video presentation telling the story of Lourdes, and walk in the footsteps of St Bernadette. See Boly Mill where St Bernadette was born and the "Cachot," an abandoned prison where Bernadette's impoverished family. Join your prayers with those of pilgrims from around the world as you pray for the sick, drink water from the miraculous spring or submerge yourself in the healing baths. Experience Christ's love as you walk the life-sized Stations of the Cross overlooking the holy Grotto. Kneel in the chapel built on the very rock of the Grotto, in obedience to the request of the "Immaculate Conception."  Evenings are for Blessed Sacrament Procession before dinner. Your role in the universal church will have new meaning as you join the candlelight procession and group rosary.

Day 6    September 14, 2008       Lourdes

Today enjoy a full day in Lourdes for additional exploration, prayer and reflection.  Dinner and overnight in Lourdes.

Day 7    September 15, 2008       Lourdes – Manresa – Montserrat

After breakfast we depart for Manresa where St. Ignatius wrote most of his Spiritual Exercises in 1522. We will celebrate Mass at the cave where the saint lived near the River Cardoner. We continue on to  the spectacular beauty of the Benedictine Monastery in Montserrat.  Dinner and overnight in our hotel atop the mountain.

Day 8    September 16, 2008       Montserrat – Barcelona

Early Mass in the Basilica where the famous Black Madonna is enshrined. After breakfast, depart for Barcelona. Upon arrival visit the Pueblo Espanol for lunch on our own and shopping. Before late dinner, stroll the best known street in the city, Las Rambles, with its hundreds of shops and cafes where you can eat the famous Spanish Tapas.

Day 9    September 17, 2008       Barcelona

After breakfast we depart for Mass at the Cathedral in the Gothic Quarter.  We will enjoy a tour with includes: various buildings designed by the eminent architect Gaudi, including the Park Guell and the astounding Sagrada Familia Church. Enjoy free time on own before our Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant in Barcelona

Day 10  September 18, 2008       Barcelona - USA

After an early breakfast, depart for Barcelona Airport for your return flights home to the USA.