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

Upon arrival in Spain, collect your luggage in the baggage claim area and continue to the arrival hall, where you will be greeted by a tour escort and/or driver. You will make your way to the bus and transfer to your hotel. As you drive through the scenic countryside of Cantabria, Spain, enjoy seeing the lush green mountains before arriving in Santander. Check into your hotel for dinner and an overnight.

After breakfast, spend the day in Garabandal. Little has changed in this rural town since June 18, 1961, when four children had an apparition of an Angel, sent to prepare them for a visit from the Blessed Virgin Mary. From July 2, 1961, until November 13, 1965, Our Lady appeared to the children and confided secrets of future events. The children reported a promised future miracle at the grove of pine trees on a bluff overlooking the village of Garabandal. It will be on the feast day of a little-known martyr of the Eucharist and coincide with an event in the Church. In the afternoon, travel to Santo Toribio de Liebana Monastery. The monastery was founded before the 6th century. According to tradition, the monastery venerates the largest piece of the Lignum Crucis (the True Cross) discovered in Jerusalem by Saint Helena of Constantinople and brought from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre by Saint Turibius of Astorga. The left arm of the True Cross is kept in a gilded silver reliquary. The monastery was initially dedicated to St. Martin of Tours, but its name was changed in the 12th century. On April 16, 1961, the Franciscan friars, custodians of the Holy Places, were entrusted with the safekeeping of the relic and with promoting devotion to the Holy Cross. You will return to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

After breakfast, depart for Covadonga and visit the Covadonga Sanctuary. This Shrine gained popularity following the Battle of Covadonga in 722, which marked the defeat of the Moors’ first attempted invasion of Spain. A statue of the Virgin Mary, secretly hidden in one of the caves, was believed to have faithfully supported the Christian victory. Covadonga is the site where the conquest began under King Pelayo, whose remains are buried in the cave alongside the statue of Our Lady of Covadonga. Covadonga is the gateway to the Picos de Europa National Park. Pilgrims venerate the state of Our Lady within the cave, and there is also a Basilica nearby. The Basilica is built in the neo-Romanesque style, with two high towers flanking the main entrance. Inside, there are great works of art, such as a canvas by Madrazo. The statue of King Pelayo is located in the square adjacent to the Basilica. The statue of Our Lady of Covadonga, the tomb of King Pelayo, and that of King Alfonso I are in the Holy Cave, which pilgrims can access via a large staircase. A spring flows out of the cave, and below this, there is a fountain with seven spouts. On the altar, a gold panel represents the Battle of Covadonga. We will leave Covadonga and depart for the great city of Santiago de Compostela, where we will have dinner and a restful overnight.

This morning, you will walk a few miles of El Camino, immerse yourselves in the fragrant eucalyptus groves, and experience the breathtaking scenery. Later this morning, join in celebrating the International Pilgrim Mass at the Cathedral of St. James. After Mass, there will be free time for lunch, followed by a visit to the Cathedral of Santiago. The Cathedral is made of Galician granite, one of the finest examples of architectural design in Europe, as it encompasses Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque styles. Additionally, it contains numerous valuable pieces of art that truly captivate the eye. Pilgrims traditionally hug the state of St. James as they enter the Cathedral. Descend into the crypt where the Patron Saint of Pilgrims relics is displayed. Following your visit, enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city. Some stops on your tour include the 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, you will transfer to Lisbon. Following your orientation drive through Lisbon, you will visit St. Anthony’s Church. Although this patron Saint of lost things is known as St. Anthony of Padua (Italy), he was born in Lisbon, Portugal. This Church was built on the site of St. Anthony’s birth. This evening, you will enjoy dinner and an overnight in Lisbon.

Today, your group will travel north to the old city of Santarem. In Santarem, your group will visit and attend Mass at the Church of St. Stephen, which holds a Eucharistic Miracle dating back to the 13th century. The miracle occurred when a woman yearned to change her unfaithful husband’s ways and consulted a sorceress. The sorceress agreed to 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. Later that night, a light emanated from the trunk, and the woman and her husband knelt before it in prayer. The following morning, they brought the Host to the parish priest. It was then moved to the Church of St. Stephen, where another miracle occurred. The miraculous Host had initially been placed in a wax container. However, when a priest opened the tabernacle to view the Host, the container was found to be broken, and the Host was enclosed in a crystal pyx.

Following your visit to this miraculous site, your group will board the bus and transfer to Fatima. You will arrive in time for dinner at your hotel, followed by a restful overnight.

Today will surely be a memorable experience as you pray and meditate at 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. Our Lady’s most prominent message during this time was to pray for world peace. Our profoundly reflective day begins with Mass at the Little Chapel of the Apparitions. This simple yet modern chapel is the site where the Virgin Mary first appeared on May 13, 1917. Following Mass, your tour of Fatima begins at the stunning neoclassical church: the Basilica of Our Lady of Fatima. This Sacred space contains the tombs of Francisco and Jacinta, as well as a Monument that commemorates the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This Basilica also features fifteen altars that are dedicated to the fifteen mysteries of the Rosary. Following this visit, your tour will continue to the Hamlet of Aljustrel, which was the home of the three shepherd children. You will also visit Valinhos, which was the site of Our Lady’s August 1917 apparition. Experience Christ’s unconditional love by participating in the Stations of the Cross along the Via Sacra. This “Sacred Way” marks the path taken by the shepherd children of Fatima to their first apparition of the Virgin Mary. It is composed of fourteen small chapels in commemoration of the Passion of Our Lord. The fifteenth station, the Resurrection, is dedicated to St. Stephen of Hungary. Your night will conclude with private devotions and a candlelight procession as requested by Our Lady. Enjoy dinner and a comfortable night’s rest in Fatima.

After breakfast, we depart for the city of Salamanca. Salamanca is one of Spain’s most beautiful cities. For four centuries, it boasted one of the most prestigious universities in the world. We will have a chance to see many of the city’s sights 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. We will 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. We will celebrate Mass at the Carmelite Monastery where Saint Teresa died in 1582 A.D. and is now buried. See her incorrupt heart and left arm. Enjoy time for lunch before continuing our journey to Ávila. Two things distinguish Ávila: the perfectly preserved eleventh-century walls that surround the old town, and the mystic writer Santa Teresa, who was born here. 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. 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 walk through 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. Enjoy a restful overnight.

After breakfast, we will depart Burgos for Loyola which is the birthplace of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuit Order. See the 17th-century Basilica dedicated to St. Ignatius. We will also visit his family’s home located behind the sanctuary. See the room where St. Ignatius experienced his conversion following a serious injury at the Battle of Pamplona. After time for lunch, we will drive through the spectacular Pyrenees Mountains to Lourdes. Lourdes was the site of Our Lady’s apparitions to St. Bernadette in 1858 near the Grotto of Massabielle. We will arrive in time for dinner at our hotel before retiring for a restful night’s sleep.

During your time in Lourdes, you will pray and meditate at a site of Our Lady’s apparitions. Our Lady first appeared to Bernadette in 1858 and announced herself as “The Immaculate Conception”. During the first two apparitions, little Bernadette prayed the Rosary with Our Lady, and neither spoke a word. 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 participate in a number of spiritual activities. Attend Mass at the Grotto where Our Lady appeared to Bernadette. Watch a video presentation that explains the story of Lourdes in detail. Wash your face and hands in the miraculous spring. 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 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. After dinner, you will have the opportunity to attend a candlelight procession and pray the Rosary, followed by a restful overnight stay.

After an early breakfast and heartfelt farewells, your group will leave by motor coach and transfer to Toulouse, Pau or Lourdes 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.