Lisbon, Santarem, Fatima, Alba de Tormes, Salamanca, Burgos, Loyola, Lourdes, Paris, Lisieux, Nevers, Rome, Medjugorje
YOUR TRIP INCLUDES: Round-trip air from New York (special Add-on Airfares from all US gateways) ALL AIRPORT TAXES & FUEL SURCHARGES! 21 nights at centrally located first class hotels as follows: (or similar)
1 night: Marques de Pombal or Hotel Mundial, Lisbon, Portugal
2 nights: Santa Maria Jardim, Fatima, Portugal
1 night: Hotel Abba Fonseca, Salamanca, Spain
1 night: Hotel Abba, Burgos, Spain
Transfers as per itinerary Breakfast and Dinner daily Wine and mineral water with dinners Assistance of a professional local Catholic guide(s) Sightseeing and admissions fees as per itinerary Catholic Priest available for Spiritual Direction Mass daily & Spiritual activities Luggage handling (1 piece per person) Flight bag & portfolio of all travel documents
Sample Day-by-Day Itinerary: Day 1 - USA - Lisbon Depart from New York, JFK or from your hometown for the overnight flight to Lisbon, Portugal. Dinner and breakfast will be served on board.
Day 2 - Arrive Lisbon Arrive Lisbon. Meet your Priest, tour guide and fellow pilgrims.
This afternoon we will enjoy a tour of Lisbon. Sightseeing tour will include a visit of the Cathedral, St. Jerome’s Monastery, Saint Anthony's Church, Belem Quarter: Belem Tower, 25 April Bridge, Discoveries Monument. Our drive will also take us through the Basilica of the Star, Rossio Square, Commerce square and Marquee of Pomba Square.
Dinner and overnight in Lisbon.
Day 3 - Lisbon - Santarem - Fatima
After breakfast depart Lisbon for Santarem, where one of the oldest cities in the world is located. We will walk through its narrow streets to the Church of St Stephen, containing the oldest recorded Eucharistic miracle. This miracle has been on continuous display since 1269. We then continue on to Fatima, the place where the Blessed Mother appeared in 1917 to three simple shepherd children and exhorted mankind to pray for world peace. Dinner and overnight in Fatima.
Day 4 - Fatima
Six times, from the May 13 to Oct 13, 1917, the Virgin Mary appeared to three shepherd children in the diocese of Leiria. A new church has been constructed, however just as beautiful, an older church was constructed here in 1928, and millions of pilgrims visit each year. Fatima is one of the most visited holy places for Catholics from around the world. The atmosphere of intense spirituality and the importance of Fatima have been attested to by the visits of two Popes: Paul VI and John Paul II. Touring Fatima, see the Little Chapel of the Apparitions, Basilica, the site of Francesco and Jacinta's graves, the Hamlet of Aljustrel, where the children lived, and Valinhos, the site of Our Lady's appearance after the children's return from prison. Follow the Stations of the Cross along the Via Sacra (The Sacred Way) culminating in the Chapel of Calvary, which overlooks all of Fatima. Join pilgrims from around the world in an evening candlelight procession to pray the rosary. Dinner and overnight in Fatima.
Day 5 - Fatima - Salamanca Breakfast in the hotel. In the morning departure towards the city of Salamanca. Salamanca is the most graceful city in Spain. For four centuries it was the seat of one of the most prestigious universities in the world and, despite losing this reputation in the XVII Century, it has kept the unmistakable atmosphere of a seat of learning. It is a small place, and it is given a gorgeous harmony by the golden sandstone from which almost the entire city seems to be constructed. The city’s architectural sights seem endless: two cathedrals, one Gothic, the other Romanesque, vie for attention with Renaissance palaces and gems of Plateresque decoration. The Plaza Mayor is the finest in Spain; and the surviving university buildings are tremendous throughout, all of them distinguished by the same warm stone. Today we will visit this impressive and beautiful city: The grand Plaza Mayor is the hub of Salmantine life, the vast Baroque church of La Clerecía, the Casa de las Conchas (House of Shells), named after the rows of carved scallop shells symbol of the pilgrimage to Santiago which decorate its façade, the University, the cathedrals, the Roman Bridge, San Marcos and San Martin churches, etc. Dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight in Salamanca.
Day 6 - Salamanca - Alba de Tormes - Ávila - Burgos After breakfast in the hotel we will depart towards the village of Alba de Tormes. In Alba we will visit and celebrate Mass at the Carmelite Monastery, where Saint Teresa died in 1582 and is buried. In the little museum of the Carmelite Monastery we will be able to see the incorrupt heart and left arm of the Saint. Later on we will continue our journey to Ávila. Two things distinguish Ávila: its eleventh-century walls, two perfectly preserved kilometers of which surround the old town, and the mystic writer Santa Teresa, who was born here and whose shrines are a major focus of religious pilgrimage. Ávila’s atmosphere has changed very little since the days of Santa Teresa, the first woman to be named a Doctor of the Church, to whom the city is dedicated: the Cathedral, started in the XII Century but never finished and built in three different styles: Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance; San Vicente church, the Incarnation Convent, where St. Therese became a nun and home to the most comprehensive museum dedicated to her life ; La Santa Monastery, built on the site of the house where she was born, San José Convent, the first monastery founded by the Saint, etc. After the visit departure to the city of Burgos, the historic capital of Old Castile. After dinner explore Burgos (on your own), and admire the magnificent limestone Cathedral. Overnight in Burgos.
Day 7 - Burgos - Loyola - Lourdes After breakfast depart Burgos, heading for Lourdes, France. En route stop in Loyola, the birthplace of St Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits. Here, we'll see the 17th Century Basilica dedicated to St Ignatius. Behind the sanctuary is the family home of St. Ignatius, which we'll visit during our stop. The most venerated place in this building is the room where Ignatius at age 30, was brought following his serious wounding at the Battle of Pamplona. Later we motor through the Pyrenees Mountains into Lourdes. Here, standing between the spectacular mountain-river, Gave de Pau, stands picturesque Lourdes, the birthplace of St Bernadette to whom Our Lady appeared in 1858 near the Grotto of Massabielle. Settle into your hotel, explore before dinner, followed by a candlelight procession (every evening from Apr through Oct) before retiring for the evening.
Day 8 & 9 - Lourdes After breakfast, our guided tour of Lourdes will include the sanctuary; the Basilica of St Pius X, the world's largest underground church; and the baths where hundreds of miraculous cures have taken place. 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 lived. Join your prayers with those of pilgrims from around the world as you pray for the sick, drink water from the miraculous spring, pray at the Grotto and 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." Attend the blessing of the sick and participate in nightly candlelight processions requested by Our Lady, and take time for private devotions. Each evening dinner and overnight at your hotel.
Day 10 -Lourdes - Paris
After breakfast leave on the flight to Paris. Upon arrival, you will meet your driver and transfer to your hotel in Paris. Enjoy free time to rest, relax and explore before we depart for Mass at the Sacre Coeur. Dinner and overnight in Paris.
Day 11 - Paris
Wake up in Paris and depart for Mass at Shrine of the Miraculous Medal. View the incorrupt body of St. Catherine Labouret whose guardian angel led her to the chapel where the Blessed Virgin displayed a vision of the miraculous medal and, later, the green scapular. The Virgin promised bountiful graces for all who wore these. Our sightseeing tour includes some of the most beautiful and important churches in the world, such as Notre Dame Cathedral and Sacre Coeur, see the Eiffel Tower, L'Arc de Triomphe, drive through the Champs Elysees, and many other sights on this mostly panoramic tour. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 12 - Excursion to Rouen & Lisieux
After breakfast we depart for Rouen where on May 30, 1431 Joan of Arc was burnt at Place du Vieux Marche. We will visit the Joan of Arc museum and Rouen church. We continue on to Lisieux, the home of St. Therese whom Pope Pius X called "the greatest saint of modern times." Her extraordinary love for God and service to humanity comes alive as you visit the Basilica of Saint Therese - one of the biggest and most magnificent reli-gious structures built in the 20th-century. During our stay in Lisiuex a Mass will be celebrated. We will stop at Les Buissonets, St. Therese's family home. There on display are relics, clothing, and personal objects belonging to the "little flower." Before leaving tour the ancient Cathedral of St. Peter and the Carmelite Convent. We return to Paris for dinner and overnight.
Day 13 - Paris - Rome
After breakfast we depart for Paris airport for your short flight to Rome. Upon arrival your escort will warmly welcome you to Italy. Transfer to your hotel and enjoy a free afternoon for rest, relaxation, or exploration. Your tour escort can suggest sights or walks for you to enjoy.
Day 14 - Rome
This morning we depart for a sightseeing tour entitled "Christian Rome" which includes: the Basilica of St. Mary Major, one of the oldest shrines dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, a shrine that con-tains a relic from the manger of the infant Jesus; the Holy Stairs; the Basilica of St. John the Lateran, former residence of the popes prior to their return to Rome in 1377; St. Paul Outside the Walls, which houses the remains of St. Paul under its main altar; the Appian Way, the oldest road from Roman times; the famous Domino Quo Vadis Chapel; the ancient Baths of Caracalla; Arch of Drusus; Tomb of Celilia Metella; and the catacombs of St. Callixtus where the early Christians hid themselves to escape persecution. We will also enjoy a visit to the Trevi fountain. Dinner and overnight.
Day 15 - Rome (Papal Audience and Vatican Museum Tour)
Wake up in Eternal City, one of the greatest centers of Western Civilization and the first truly cosmopolitan city on earth! It is also spiritual capital for all the Catholics around the world. To-day is truly a day we will have in our minds for many years to come. This morning we go to Vatican City to attend the weekly
Papal Audience or Blessing given by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI (pending papal schedule). Following the audience visit of the Vatican Museums, a group of most impressive edifices with hundreds of galleries filled with art treasures. See awe-inspiring relics and works of art donated throughout centuries as tributes of faith. We'll cover The Tapestry Gallery, The Raphael Rooms and the most overwhelming Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo's Mas-terpiece, restored mural of the Last Judgment. Later, enter the largest church in Christendom St. Peter's Basilica, built on the site where St. Peter was martyred. Unsurpassed in beauty, a monument to the long history of the Catholic Church, to which pilgrims come from around the world, St. Peter's is the grandest of the world's churches. Marvel Pieta and Bernini's amazing bronze canopy. We will also visit the grave of Pope John Paul II located at the Vatican. Before dinner, we'll have some time at leisure, to explore your own paths, to shop, or just to sit in one of the outside cafes and watch the world go by.
Day 16 - Rome - Medjugorje
Early morning departure from Fatima for your flights to Medjugorje. Upon arrival, you'll be greeted by a tour guide and/or driver who will then take you on the 2 1/2 hour drive by private coach to the village of Medjugorje. Once there, you'll be introduced to your host family in whose modern and comfortable house you will be staying for the next seven nights.
Days 17 to 22 - Medjugorje
During your stay in Medjugorje you will have the opportunity to share faith with pilgrims from all over the world. Our local guide will accompany us throughout your stay. Here are some of the activities you'll be sharing with our fellow pilgrims: Each morning at 10:00 am we assemble at St. James Church for the English language Mass (Feast days and Sundays English Mass is at noon). Follow the path up Apparition Hill where the visionaries first encountered Our Lady. Touch and pray before the cross that commemorates the spot where Mary first appeared to the visionaries. Each evening at 5:00 pm or 6:00 pm daylight savings time, we will join the villagers and pilgrims to pray the rosary. The apparition takes place at 5:40 pm or 6:40 daylight savings time, and then stay on for Croatian Mass. Don‟t miss Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Tuesdays and Saturdays and Veneration of the Cross on Fridays in the Church. Each evening during Croatian Mass there is the Blessing of the Sick and blessing of the items you have with you. Our guide will arrange meetings with the visionaries at their own homes, provided that they are in Medjugorje during your trip, and pending their availability. We will have the opportunity to climb Krizevac Mountain, where in 1933 the villagers built a 30' high cross on the anniversary of Jesus' crucifixion. Visit and pray at "Blue Cross," which is a place of great healings and grace near the base of Apparition Hill. We will visit the Community Cenacolo.
* The balance of your trip in Medjugorje is meant to provide you with time for a personal retreat. As such, your time in Medjugorje is not designed to be a “tour”, but rather to provide you with time to pray, reflect, and explore on your own as you feel called. On arrival, you will have an orientation tour after which a representative of 206 Tours will be available should you have any questions or requests, however, you will not have a guide with you throughout your stay. Please note that there will not be a Spiritual Director with you during this time, however Daily Mass in English, as well as English confessions are available at St. James Church. During your stay in Medjugorje you will have full discretion over how your time is spent, in order to have the fullest spiritual experience possible. If you would prefer our traditional pilgrimage/tour of Medjugorje, we would recommend you consider our Tour #1 (www.206tours.com/tour1) which provides a tour escort and spiritual leader throughout your stay
Day 23 - Medjugorje - USA
After an early breakfast, we leave by motor coach for Dubrovnik Airport (Split or Sarajevo) for return flights home.
Any questions? Call 800-206-TOUR (8687) or Email Us Why travel with 206 Tours? Click here to read letters from our clients
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Travel Dates
Land Only (no airfare)
*Air & Land
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Single Supplement/Private Room
$1,599
Land with Inter-European Flights (no international airfare or arrival/departure transfers are included)
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