Rome, Lisbon, Santarem, Fatima, Salamanca, Alba de Tormes, Burgos, Loyola, Lourdes, Paris, Lisieux, Nevers, Paray-le-Monial, Ars, La Salette, Lyon
YOUR TRIP INCLUDES: Round-trip air from New York (special Add-on Airfares from all US gateways) ALL AIRPORT TAXES & FUEL SURCHARGES! 17 nights at centrally located first class hotels as follows: (or similar)
3 nights: Hotel Cicerone or Quirinale, Rome
1 night: Marques de Pombal or Hotel Mundial, Lisbon, Portugal
2 nights: Santa Maria Jardim, Fatima, Portugal
1 night : Hotel Mercure, Nevers
2 nights: Hotel B4, Lyon Transfers as per itinerary Breakfast and Dinner daily
Wine with dinners Transportation by air-conditioned motor coach 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
Day 1 - Depart USA
Depart from New York, JFK or from your hometown for the overnight flight to Rome. Dinner and breakfast will be served on board.
Day 2 - Arrive 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 3 - 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 contains 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 in Rome.
Day 4 - 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. Today 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 centu-ries as tributes of faith. We'll cover The Tapestry Gallery, The Raphael Rooms and the most overwhelming Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo's Masterpiece, 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 5 - Rome - Lisbon
Depart for Rome Airport for our short flight to Lisbon. 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 6 - 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 contin-ue 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 7 - Fatima
Six times, from 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 candle-light procession to pray the rosary. Dinner and overnight in Fatima.
Day 8 - 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 9 - 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 10 - 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.
Days 11 & 12 - Lourdes
Today you will have 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 lived. Join your prayers with 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 Proces-sion before dinner. Your role in the universal church will have new meaning as you join the candlelight procession (April through October only) and group rosary.
Day 13 - 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 14 -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.
Day 15 - 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 religious structures built in the 20th-century. During our stay in Lisieux 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 16 - Paris - Nevers After breakfast we depart for Nevers by way of the picturesque Loire Valley. After taking the veil in 1867, St. Bernadette lived for 12 years as a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of Nevers. At least three times during her short life-time, she received the last Sacraments. In addition to asthma, she was gradually struck by other illnesses, among them was tuberculosis of the lung and a tubercular tumor in her right knee. St. Bernadette eventually died at the age of 35. See St. Bernadette's incorrupt body at the convent of St. Gildard, miraculously preserved since her death in 1879. Dinner and overnight in Nevers.
Day 17 - Nevers - Paray-le-Monial - Ars - Lyon
After breakfast we journey to Paray-le-Monial where we will visit the Chapel of the Visitation where Jesus exposed His Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque during a number of apparitions, Reliquary of St. Margaret containing her relics, located underneath a wax figure of the saint. We continue on to the pretty little town of Ars, best known for St. Jean-Marie Vianney, the patron saint of priests. There are several sights of special importance such as: Church (Église), a 12-century church where the saint preached; Basilica (Basilique), a newer basilica built next to the church that displays the saint‟s incorrupt body; Heart Chapel, which contains the saint‟s heart; Home of St. John Vianney preserved the way he left it; Underground Church constructed for pilgrim groups; La Providence, an orphanage founded by St. John Vianney. We continue to Lyon for dinner and overnight.
Day 18 - Excursion to La Salette After breakfast we depart for La Salette located in a high alpine pasture in the French Alps, La Salette is the site where the Virgin Mary appeared in 1846 to two shepherds, Melanie Matthew and Maximin Gird. Our Lady appeared to these shepherds crying, lamenting over the lack of observance of Sundays and the profaning of her Son's holy name. A spring forever marks the spot where the Virgin appeared and where millions of pilgrims come to in order to drink the fresh spring water and to pray. The stunning mountain scenery and lush mountain trails make La Salette one of the most spectacular pilgrimage site in France, with a beautiful Basilica built to honor the Virgin Mary. In 1996 La Salette celebrated the 150th anniversary of Our Lady's first appearance. We return to Lyon for dinner and overnight.
Day 19 - Lyon - USA
After breakfast you will depart for the airport for your flights home.
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Travel Dates
Land Only (no airfare)
*Air & Land
# of Pilgrims
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