Make your way to your local airport, where you will board your overnight flight(s). Your meals will be served on board.

Upon arrival in Barcelona, collect your luggage in the baggage claim area, and then continue to the arrival’s hall, where you will be greeted by your tour guide and/or driver. You will be escorted to the vehicle for your transfer to your hotel. Upon arrival, you will check-in and have free time to rest and refresh or explore. This evening, you will enjoy a welcoming dinner, followed by an overnight in Barcelona.

This morning, your day will begin with breakfast and a sightseeing tour of Barcelona! Enjoy the stunning panoramic views of the Port of Barcelona, Montjuic, Plaza de España, and Plaza de Catalunya. The Port was created 2,000 years ago on the coastal area, in order to protect and provide access for ships and goods. Currently, it is home to numerous walking areas, businesses, cultural and sporting events. Plaza de España is right outside the center of town and was formerly known for its old bull-fighting ring. Presently, the Plaza is renowned for containing the Museum of Catalan art, situated on the side of Montjuic. Plaza de Catalunya is located in central Barcelona, and is known for its fountains and statues. Your day of touring will continue with a guided walk through the Gothic Quarter that contains remains from an ancient Roman village, including the Cathedral of Barcelona. We will continue to the Eixample Quarter to visit Antoni Gaudi’s stunning, but unfinished Roman Catholic Basilica, La Sagrada Familia. Dinner and overnight in Barcelona.

Following breakfast we will travel to Manresa, with a visit to the Sanctuary of Saint Ignatius of Loyola and the Holy Cave where St. Ignatius lived. Continue to Montserrat, home to the miraculous Black Madonna. Pending confirmation group will enjoy The Montserrat boys’ choir, made up of altar boys, is one of the oldest choirs of boys in Europe. Dinner and overnight in Montserrat.

After breakfast, we visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Montserrat, located on a rugged mountainside. According to Catholic tradition, St. Luke carved the statue of the Black Madonna around 50 A.D. and brought it to Spain. While in Spain, it was hidden from the Moor, and then later rediscovered by shepherds. In 880 A.D., the shepherds and the Bishop of Manresa were drawn to a grotto by a bright light and heavenly music. Upon discovery of the statue of the Black Madonna in the grotto, the Bishop of Manresa suggested that it be moved to Manresa. However, the status was too heavy that it could not be lifted. As a result, the Virgin remained in Montserrat and continued to be venerated there for centuries. As years progressed, a number of chapels were built upon the site and in the eleventh century, the abbot-bishop Oliba founded a monastery on Montserrat, next to one of these chapels. Dinner and an overnight in Montserrat.

This morning after breakfast you will 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. This evening following dinner, you will have an opportunity to attend the candlelight procession and the Rosary before a restful overnight.

Wake up in a small town that is nestled within the Pyrenees Mountains. This morning attend Mass at the Grotto. Following Mass we will walk in and meditate upon the footsteps of St. Bernadette. You 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. You may drink water from the miraculous spring that has healed many; and submerge yourself in the healing baths during your free time this afternoon. Before dinner we will have the opportunity to experience Christ’s unconditional love, as you meditate upon the “life size” Stations of the Cross that overlook the Grotto of Massabielle. Following dinner, you will have an opportunity to attend the candlelight procession and the Rosary before a restful overnight.

This morning, following breakfast, your group will depart for Zaragoza. While in Zaragoza, you will have the opportunity to visit the magnificent Basilica del Pilar that was built upon the site of where Our Lady appeared to St. James. In 44 A.D. St. James the Greater was spreading the Gospel in Spain, but, making very little progress and questioning his mission. According to Catholic Tradition, the Virgin Mary, who was still living in Jerusalem, bi-located and appeared to St. James the Greater to boost his morale. While inside the Basilica, you will view the pillar that was carried by angels and from where Our Lady appeared. Following your visit to the Basilica del Pilar, you will visit La Seo Cathedral (Cathedral of Zaragoza). Formally known as the Church of San Vicente during the Visigoth period, it contains architectural elements of Gothic, Mudejar, Renaissance and Baroque styles. In addition to the famous cathedral, Zaragoza is also known for its folklore and local gastronomy, both of which will be explored on your walking tour of the city. Dinner and overnight in Zaragoza.

The morning begins with a sense of wonder at the Aljafería Palace, the breathtaking 11th-century Moorish fortress whose intricate Mudéjar architecture that comes alive when seen in person. Following visit enjoy a pleasant stroll across the Puente de Piedra, where sweeping views of the Basilica and the Ebro River offer a perfect moment to simply take in Zaragoza’s beauty. Enjoy lunch on your own and afternoon free for prayer, reflecting on connections to Ignatian spirituality within Zaragoza itself, or finding a quiet corner in the Basilica for contemplation and prayer. Dinner and overnight in Zaragoza.

Depart Zaragoza and head to Segovia, two-Millenium-old Castillian city where St. Teresa founded her ninth order. This city is enhanced by spiritual qualities of undeniable value. Here, Saint John of the Cross, friend of Saint Theresa, theological scholar and one of the greatest poets of the Spanish language is buried in a convent. The bodily remains of Saint Domingo of Guzman, founder of the Dominican Order, and to whom the Catholic Church historically attributes the creation of the holy rosary, are sepulchred in a monastery just outside the city.You will also visit Alcazar, a royal place built in the 11th century where Queen Isabel agreed to fund Christopher Columbus’ exploration. Stroll through the Old Quarter of Segovia, seeing the Roman Aqueduct and Cathedral. Proceed to Avila, the city of Kings and Saints and the birthplace of St. Teresa, one of the greatest mystics for dinner and overnight.

We continue our visit of walled city of Ávila today – home of St. Teresa, one of four female Doctors of the Church. The conservation of architecture in this city, to which St. Teresa was born, deems its shrines, convents, and churches necessary to visit any Catholic pilgrimage. The Cathedral de Avila encompasses the Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance styles of its time with 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 Teresa 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. Dinner and overnight in Avila.

Today, you will depart Avila and head towards the city of Santiago de Compostela. While in route, you will make a stop in Astorga, with a visit to the Bishop’s Palace built by Antonio Gaudi, which holds the Museum of El Camino. Later this afternoon, you will enter Galicia, by way of the city Lugo. Your first stop will be to O Cebreiro, the first village in the region of Lugo and nestled in the mountains at an altitude of 1,300 meters. While in O Cebreiro, you will have the opportunity to view the iconic palloza styles houses, and the site of a Eucharistic Miracle that occurred in the year 1300. In the evening, you will proceed to Santiago de Compostela for your dinner and overnight.

This morning, you will walk a few miles of El Camino, and immerse yourselves in the fragrant eucalyptus groves and experience the breathtaking scenery. Later this morning attend the International Pilgrim Mass at the Cathedral of St. James. After Mass, there will be free time for lunch and visit the Cathedral of Santiago. Formed by Galician granite, this Cathedral is one of the finest architectural examples in Europe as it encompasses Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque styles. Additionally, the Cathedral contains numerous and valuable pieces of art that truly captivate the eye. Upon entering the Cathedral, tradition will lead as you hug the dazzling statue of St. James. Following this intimate embrace, you will descent into the crypt where the Patron Saint of Pilgrims’ relics are kept. After that, you will enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city. Some stops on your tour include the Obradoiro Square, Fonseca Palace, Gemirez Palace, Franco Street, and much more. Your evening will be free to spend at your leisure until a final dinner with your group. You will spend a final overnight in Santiago de Compostela.

Today you will enjoy an early morning breakfast, and say farewell to your fellow pilgrims and a pilgrimage that will be embedded in your hearts forever. You will transfer to Santiago or La Coruna 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.