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 Madrid, collect your luggage at baggage claim. Continue to the arrival hall, where you will be greeted by your tour guide and/or driver. You will be escorted to the bus where your group will transfer to your hotel. You will have free time before dinner and then retire for the evening.

This morning, you will awaken in the capital city of Spain! Following breakfast, you will enjoy a tour of Madrid that includes the Royal Palace and the Plaza Mayor. Both sites are iconic in Madrid, as the Palace hosts state ceremonies and events, and the Plaza Mayor is the geographic and social center of Madrid. This afternoon, you will depart for Toledo. It is known as the City of Three Religions or Cultures because the Christians, Jews, and Moors have lived peacefully in this city for centuries. Your tour includes the glorious Gothic Cathedral, which was built upon the ruins of the Great Mosque of Toledo. Visit La Iglesia de Santo Tome, best known for housing El Greco’s most famous painting, and the Sinagoga del Tránsito, known for its impeccable stucco inscriptions. Additionally, you will visit several monuments, including La Puerta de Bisagras, La Puerta del Cambron, and La Puerta del Sol, among others. Your day will culminate with a return transfer to Madrid, where you will enjoy dinner and an overnight stay.

Today, you will depart Madrid and head towards the city of Santiago de Compostela. On the way, you will make a stop in Astorga. Visit the Bishop’s Palace built by Antonio Gaudi, which houses the Museum of El Camino. Later this afternoon, you will enter Galicia by way of the city of Lugo. Your first stop will be O Cebreiro, where you can view the iconic palloza-style houses and the site of a Eucharistic Miracle that occurred in 1300. In the evening, you will proceed to Santiago de Compostela for dinner and overnight.

This morning, join the walking pilgrims at Monte del Gozo from which the spires of the iconic Cathedral in Compostela are visible. You will walk the last few miles of El Camino and then attend the International Pilgrim Mass at the Cathedral of St. James. Formed by Galician granite, this Cathedral encompasses Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque styles. Additionally, the Cathedral contains numerous valuable pieces of art. Upon entering the Cathedral, pilgrims traditionally hug a statue of St. James. Following this intimate embrace, you will descend into the crypt where the Patron Saint of Pilgrims’ relics are kept. Following your visit, enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city. Some stops on your tour include Obradoiro Square, Fonseca Palace, Gemerez Palace, Franco Street, and many 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 travel to Lisbon. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by your tour guide and/or driver and transferred to your hotel in time for dinner and overnight.

Today, we will travel 45 miles north to the old city of Santarem. In Santarem, visit and attend Mass at the Church of St. Stephen, which holds a 13th-century Eucharistic Miracle.

The Miracle occurred when a woman yearned to change the ways of her unfaithful husband and consulted a sorceress. The sorceress agreed that she would cure the husband’s infidelity in exchange for a consecrated Host. The woman committed the sacrilege, but when she exited the church, the Host began to bleed. It bled so much that her fellow parishioners thought she had cut her hand. The woman ran home and hid the bleeding Host in a trunk. When her husband arrived home, the wife told him what she had done, and later that night there was a light emanating from the trunk. She and her husband began to kneel before the trunk. The following morning, the husband and wife brought the Host to the Parish Priest. It was then moved to the Church of St. Stephen where another miracle occurred; the miraculous Host was originally put in a wax container, however, when the Priest opened the tabernacle to view the Host, the container was found broken, and the Host was found enclosed in a crystal pyx.

From Santarem, we depart to Fatima. On the way, you will pay a visit to the Hamlet of Aljustrel which was the home of the three shepherd children. Visit the Parish Church and Fatima Parish Cemetery before reaching your hotel for dinner and an overnight.

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.

After breakfast, we will depart for the city of Salamanca. Salamanca is one of the most beautiful cities in Spain. For four centuries, it was the home of the most prestigious universities in the world. We will have the chance to see many of the city’s famous sites including the grand Plaza Mayor, 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, and more. Enjoy a delicious dinner at a local restaurant before continuing to our hotel for a restful overnight.

After breakfast, we will depart for the quaint village of Alba de Tormes. Here we will visit and celebrate Mass at the Carmelite Monastery, where Saint Teresa died in 1582 A.D. and is buried. At the monastery’s museum, we will be able to see the incorrupt heart and left arm of St. Teresa. Enjoy free time for lunch before we continue our journey to Ávila. This medieval city is best known for its perfectly preserved eleventh-century walls and the mystic writer, Saint Teresa, who was born here! She was the first woman to be named a Doctor of the Church. During our tour of Ávila, we will visit the Cathedral and the Church of San Vicente. We will visit the Incarnation Convent, where St. Teresa became a nun, and visit a museum dedicated to her life. We also visit La Santa Monastery, built on the site of the house where she was born, and San José Convent, the first monastery founded by the Saint. After walking in the footsteps of St. Teresa, we depart for Burgos, the historic capital of Old Castile. After dinner, you will have free time to explore Burgos and admire the magnificent limestone Cathedral.

After breakfast, we depart from Burgos for Loyola, which was the birthplace of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits. Here, we will see the 17th-century Basilica dedicated to St. Ignatius. We will also visit his family’s home, located behind the sanctuary. We will have time to pray at the most venerated room where Ignatius recovered after he sustained severe wounds at the Battle of Pamplona. After a break for lunch, we will drive through the spectacular Pyrenees Mountains. Nestled in the mountains stands Lourdes, the birthplace of St. Bernadette. Our Lady appeared to St. Bernadette in 1858 near the Grotto of Massabielle. We will arrive in time for dinner at our hotel before retiring to our rooms for a restful night’s sleep.

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.

Today, you will enjoy breakfast before departing for Pau or Lourdes Airport for your short flight to Paris. Upon arrival in Paris, attend Mass at the magnificent Sacre Coeur Basilica atop Montmartre Hill. The Basilica, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, was originally built in 1914 as an act of penance for infidelity that France experienced during that time. See the beautiful mosaic of the Risen Christ and the remarkable Grand Organ. Celebrate Mass at the Crypt, which contains the Tombs of many notable Cardinals. Time permitting, you may have the opportunity to ascend a staircase to the Dome, where you will take in a breathtaking panoramic view of Paris. Following this visit, you will enjoy lunch on your own and then depart for Lisieux. According to Pope Pius X, St. Therese of Lisieux was the “greatest saint of modern times.” Her extraordinary love for God and service to humanity will come alive as you walk in the great Saint’s footsteps. During your visit, you will see the beautiful Basilica of St. Therese and its magnificent mosaics and stained glass windows. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Lisieux.

Upon waking up in Lisieux, enjoy breakfast, and then your group will celebrate Mass. After Mass and following a visit to the Basilica, you will have the opportunity to view relics, clothing, and personal objects that belonged to St. Therese when you visit her family home, Les Buissonnets. Additionally, you will tour the Carmelite Convent, which she entered in 1888 and where she is now buried. This afternoon, you will transfer to the Normandy Landing beaches. The Normandy landings were the landing operations, which took place on Tuesday, June 6, 1944 (termed D-Day) by the Allies of Normandy during World War II. As the largest seaborne invasion in history, the operation began the liberation of German-occupied northwestern Europe from Nazi control and contributed to the Allies’ victory on the Western Front. Continue to visit The Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, a World War II cemetery and memorial in Colleville-Sur-Mer, Normandy, France, honoring the American troops that died in Europe during World War II. Many of the brave American soldiers of World War II are buried here, and it is encouraged to say a prayer in thanksgiving for their courage. Return to Lisieux for dinner and overnight.

This morning, your day begins with an early breakfast before we depart for Chartres, known worldwide for its massive Cathedral Notre Dame and incredible stained-glass windows from the 12th and 13th centuries. The Cathedral is a World Heritage site that UNESCO calls “the high point of French Gothic art” and a “masterpiece”. You will have some free time for lunch in the quaint town of Chartres. After lunch, we will continue to Paris to check into your hotel, followed by some free time before a delicious dinner and overnight.

We will begin our tour of Paris at the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. After celebrating Holy Mass, we will have the opportunity to view the incorrupt body of St. Catherine Laboure. The Saint’s guardian angel led her to the chapel where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to her. During the apparitions, Our Lady repeatedly instructed the making and purpose of the Miraculous Medal. According to the Blessed Virgin Mary, those who wear the Miraculous Medal will receive special protection and abundant graces. Following this prayerful and reflective experience, we will walk to Saint Vincent de Paul Church. Next, on our tour of Paris, we will visit one of the most incredible churches in the world: Notre Dame Cathedral. The Cathedral has recently been re-opened to visitors. Guided group tours are scheduled to resume in June 2025. Board a bus tour and see some of the most recognizable symbols of Paris, including the Eiffel Tower, the Invalides, the L’Arch de Triomphe, and the Champ-Elysees, the world’s most famous boulevard. We will stop at La Madeleine, with the statue of St. Mary Magdalene carried to heaven by angels. Your busy day ends with a lovely meal and a comfortable overnight.

After an early breakfast and heartfelt farewells, your group will leave by motor-coach and transfer to the Paris airport for 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.