Depart the USA for your overnight flight to Spain. Dinner and breakfast will be served on board.

Upon arrival, you will be met by your tour guide and/or driver. They will bring you to your hotel in the historic city of Santiago de Compostela. Enjoy dinner and an overnight.

This morning, you will awaken in the beautiful city of Santiago de Compostela! Formed by Galician granite, the city’s Cathedral is one of the finest architectural structures in Europe as it encompasses Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque styles. Additionally, the Cathedral contains numerous valuable pieces of art that truly captivate the eye. Upon entering the Cathedral, pilgrims traditionally hug the statue of St. James. You will then descend into the crypt where the Patron Saint of Pilgrims’ relics is kept. Following your visit, enjoy free time for lunch on your own before your sightseeing tour of the city. Some stops on the tour include Obradoiro Square, Fonseca Palace, Gelmirez Palace, Franco Street, and much more. Your evening will be free to spend at your leisure until dinner and an overnight.

Today, we will head to Fatima. On the way, we will stop in the town of Santarem for Mass at St. Stephen’s Church. Here you will have the opportunity to venerate a 13th-century Eucharistic Miracle. Continue to Fatima, a Hamlet of Aljustrel, the birthplace and home of the three shepherd children. Dinner and overnight in Fatima.

Today will be a memorable experience as you pray and meditate upon one of Our Blessed Mother’s apparition sites. Our Lady appeared to three shepherd children: Lucia (age 10), Jacinta (age 7), and Francisco (age 9). These apparitions occurred monthly from May until October of 1917. Historically, as the entire world was in turmoil, Our Lady’s most prominent message was to pray for world peace. The destruction of the world at that point in history was also mentioned by Our Lady, particularly in her second secret to the children. Our profoundly reflective day begins with a visit to the Little Chapel of the Apparitions. This simple yet modern chapel is where the Virgin Mary first appeared on May 13, 1917. Next, you will see the stunning neoclassical church, the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary. This Sacred space contains the tombs of Blessed Francisco, Blessed Jacinta, and Sister Lucia. View the monument that commemorates the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the square. In honor of Our Lady’s requests to pray the Rosary, the Basilica also features fifteen altars each dedicated to a mystery of the Rosary. Visit the Museum with the “Fatima: Light and Peace” exhibition. Continue with a visit to the Holy Trinity Basilica. After free time for lunch, we will experience Christ’s unconditional love by participating in the Stations of the Cross along the Via Sacra. The “Sacred Way” marks the path taken by the shepherd children of Fatima to their first apparition with Our Lady. It is composed of fifteen small chapels commemorating the Passion of Our Lord. The fifteenth station, the Resurrection, can be found close to the Chapel of Calvary, dedicated to St. Stephen, King of Hungary. Ending the day with a visit to Valinhos, the site of Our Lady’s August 1917 apparition and the first and third apparition of the Angel. Your night will conclude with private devotions and a candlelight procession, as requested by Our Lady in 1917. Enjoy dinner and a comfortable night’s rest in Fatima.

Depart Fatima and head to Salamanca, following a full breakfast at the hotel. Salamanca is a city in the Castilla y Leon region known for its large university. It is the oldest university in Spain that is still active. Our walking tour will take us to many famous sites. Visit the grand Plaza Mayor, an iconic square filled with food, shopping, and city events. See La Clerecia, a church and college of the Jesuit Order that was constructed in the 17th century. Next, visit La Casa de las Conchas, which is currently a public library and a monument decorated with shells, which symbolizes the ever-famous pilgrimage to Santiago (El Camino). Walk by the University of Salamanca, the oldest University in Spain and the third oldest in Europe. Walk across the Roman Bridge, which extends along the River Tormes and is a national monument. See La Iglesia de San Marcos, which is constructed in the Romanesque style and contains breathtaking paintings that portray many scenes of Our Lady’s life. You will also see La Iglesia de San Martin, a Church devoted to St. Martin of Tours, the patron saint of beggars and those most in need. Visit the inside of the two joint Salamanca Cathedrals (old and new). The first is a Romanesque style, and the other is a Gothic style. Following this eventful day, you will return to your hotel for a delicious meal with your group and an overnight at your hotel in Salamanca.

This morning, after breakfast, you will board the bus and enjoy a short transfer to the village of Alba de Tormes. This town is home to the Carmelite Monastery that Saint Teresa founded in 1571. Upon arrival in Alba de Tormes, your group will celebrate Mass at this Monastery where the Saint died and is buried. Following Mass, you can visit the museum dedicated to St. Teresa of Avila, which also holds her incorrupt heart and left arm. Your group will enjoy free time for lunch on your own before continuing to the medieval city of Avila. Upon arrival, you will immediately notice the perfectly preserved 11th-century walls surrounding the old town. The conservation of architecture in this city, to which St. Teresa was born, deems its shrines, convents, and churches necessary to visit on any Catholic pilgrimage. The Cathedral de Avila encompasses the Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance styles of its time within its artwork and architecture. La Basilica de San Vicente in Avila stands on the site of the martyrdom of St. Vincent. Visit the Incarnation Convent, where St. Teresa became a nun. Saint Therese convinced Saint John of the Cross to reform the male Carmelite order, the reform she started when she met Saint John in Medina del Campo. After walking in the footsteps of St. Teresa, continue your journey to Burgos. Upon arrival in the historic capital of Old Castile, enjoy dinner. Following dinner, you will have the opportunity to explore the city of Burgos and admire its magnificent limestone Gothic-style cathedral. Late this evening, you will return to your hotel for a restful overnight.

Following breakfast, transfer from Burgos to Loyola to visit the birthplace of St. Ignatius, founder of the Jesuit Order. St. Ignatius dedicated himself to becoming a soldier of the Christian faith, and as a result of many tribulations, he wrote the ever-famous Spiritual Exercises. You will see the 17th-century Basilica dedicated to this remarkable Saint in Loyola. The Basilica is part of a series of buildings surrounding the “Holy House,” the birthplace of St. Ignatius. When you visit these Holy places, you will also have the opportunity to pray in the most venerated room, where St. Ignatius prayed and began his conversion. After meditating on the life of this founder of the Jesuit Order, you will enjoy free time for lunch and board the bus for the next destination. We will continue to Lourdes with a spectacular view of the Pyrenees Mountains. Upon arrival in Lourdes, you will check in to your hotel and enjoy a splendid dinner and peaceful overnight.

Over the next two days, you will stay in a small town in the Pyrenees Mountains. During your time in Lourdes, you will pray and meditate at the site of Our Lady’s apparitions. Our Lady first appeared to Bernadette in 1858 and announced herself as “The Immaculate Conception” near the Grotto of Massabielle. During the first two apparitions, little Bernadette prayed the Rosary with Our Lady and left without exchanging words. During the following apparitions, Our Lady emphasized God’s love for us and the necessity of performing acts of penance for sinners. Throughout your time in Lourdes, you will have the opportunity to attend Mass at the Grotto, where Our Lady appeared to Bernadette. Watch a video presentation that explains the story of Lourdes. Wash your hands, wash your face, and drink the water of the miraculous spring. Finish with a short prayer: “Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. St. Bernadette, pray for us. O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.” Experience Christ’s unconditional love as you meditate upon the “life-size” Stations of the Cross that overlook the Grotto of Massabielle. In Lourdes, you will walk in and meditate upon the footsteps of St. Bernadette. Your group will have the opportunity to see Boly Mill, the birthplace of St. Bernadette, and the “Cachot,” an abandoned prison where Bernadette’s impoverished family lived. Each evening, following dinner, you can attend the candlelight procession and pray the Rosary before a restful overnight.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Lourdes airport 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 2.5-hour drive by private coach to the village of Medjugorje. A tour guide will be with you throughout your stay. Upon arrival, you’ll meet your fellow pilgrims, spiritual leader, and be introduced to your host family in whose comfortable yet modest house (inn) you will be staying.

The most beautiful features of Medjugorje are its simplicity and peace. While in Medjugorje, you will have the opportunity to deepen your faith and share in the spiritual journey of pilgrims from around the world.

Some activities that will accompany you in your spiritual journey:

Attend Daily Mass: Each morning at 10:00 AM, your group will assemble at St. James Church for Holy Mass (English-speaking). At the end of each Mass, regardless of language, there is a blessing of religious articles for pilgrims.

Climb Apparition Hill: This mountainous hill is where the visionaries first encountered Our Lady. At the base of this hill is a Blue Cross, where Our Lady appeared to the children while they hid from the communist police in the early days of the apparitions. Mirjana also had public apparitions at this holy site on the second of every month. While climbing to the top of Apparition Hill, pilgrims are invited to recite the Rosary, pausing five times to pray each decade of the Rosary in front of the large bronze reliefs depicting each mystery. At the top of the hill, there is a statue of Our Lady in the exact location of her first apparition. Enjoy private time for prayer in this holy place.

Climb Mt. Krizevac (Cross Mountain): In 1933, the Medjugorje villagers built a 30-foot high cross atop the mountain to commemorate Jesus’ passion and death on the cross. You will have the opportunity to climb this mountain and venerate that very cross. While climbing, pilgrims pray the Stations of the Cross to meditate on Jesus’ suffering, pausing fourteen times for each station at the large bronze reliefs. Take private time at the top of the mountain before the cross for prayer in this holy place.

Apparitions: Each evening at 5:00 PM (or 6:00 PM from June 1st – until September 1st), you and fellow pilgrims will join Medjugorje villagers in saying the Rosary, to celebrate Our Lady’s apparitions at 5:40 PM (6:40 PM). After the Rosary, you can stay to attend the Croatian Mass. Following the Croatian Mass, there is a Blessing of the Sick.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: Our Lady has always called us to be close to her Son. In response to her call, pilgrims will have the opportunity to adore the Blessed Sacrament at the altar outside of St. James Church. Adoration is on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Veneration of the Cross is on Fridays inside the church. Additionally, there is an Adoration Chapel on the grounds of St. James Church, where Adoration is held in the afternoon hours. Eucharistic Adoration is one of the most memorable experiences in Medjugorje. God’s grace is so tangible that one feels as though they can touch the Holy Spirit. During the service, the outside altar is surrounded by several thousand pilgrims and locals, as everyone rests in deep prayer.

Visit the Community of Cenacolo: Pilgrims will have the opportunity to visit the Community of Cenacolo, founded by Sr. Elvira Petrozzi, for young men and women who have taken the wrong path and are on the road to recovery. You will be able to listen to their inspirational testimonies about their journeys back to Jesus Christ.

Prayer at the Statue of the Risen Christ: The bronze statue of the Risen Christ is located on the grounds of St. James Church. This statue miraculously seeps droplets of water out of Christ’s right knee. Many pilgrims sit and pray on the benches surrounding this statue.

After an early breakfast and heartfelt farewells, we leave by motor coach for Dubrovnik (Split or Sarajevo) Airport for your return flight(s) home.

*206 Tours Disclaimer:
Occasionally local religious and national holidays, weather, traffic conditions and other events may necessitate changes in the sequence of events or the missing of certain events/places. Though every effort will be made to follow the itinerary, it should be considered as an indication, rather than a contract of events and places to be visited.