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 continue to the arrival hall, where you will be greeted by your tour guide and/-or driver. Make your way to the vehicle for your transfer to your hotel. Upon arrival, check-in and have free time to rest, refresh, or explore. This evening, 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. This port was established over 2,000 years ago to protect and provide access for ships carrying goods. Currently, it is home to numerous walking regions, businesses, cultural and sporting events. Plaza de España is right outside the center of town, 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 the heart of Barcelona and is famous for its fountains and statues. Your day of touring will continue with a guided walk through the Gothic Quarter, containing remains from an ancient Roman village, including the Cathedral of Barcelona. We will continue to the Eixample quarter to visit Antoni Gaudi’s stunning, unfinished Roman Catholic Basilica, La Sagrada Familia. In the afternoon, we will travel to Manresa to visit the Sanctuary of Saint Ignatius of Loyola and the Holy Cave where St. Ignatius lived. Continue to Montserrat, home to the miraculous Black Madonna. Arrive in time for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, we visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Montserrat, located on a rugged mountainside. According to Catholic tradition, circa 50 A.D., St. Luke is said to have carved the statue of the Black Madonna and brought it to Spain. While in Spain, it was kept hidden from the Moors and later was discovered by shepherds. In 880 A.D., shepherds and the Bishop of Manresa were drawn to a grotto by a bright light and heavenly music. Upon discovering the Black Madonna statue, the Bishop of Manresa suggested moving it to Manresa. However, the statue was too heavy and could not be lifted. As a result, the Virgin remained in Montserrat and continued to be venerated there for centuries. As the years progressed, several chapels were built on the site. In the eleventh century, the abbot-bishop Oliba founded the Monastery on Montserrat next to one of these chapels. Dinner and overnight.

This morning, following breakfast, depart for Zaragoza. While in Zaragoza, you will have the opportunity to visit the magnificent Basilica del Pilar, built upon the site where Our Lady appeared to St. James. In 44 A.D., St. James the Greater was spreading the Gospel in Spain. He was discouraged due to the fact that he was 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 carried by angels, and from atop Our Lady appeared. After visiting the Basilica del Pilar, continue to La Seo Cathedral (Cathedral of Zaragoza), formerly known as the Church of San Vicente. The Visigoth period contains architectural elements of Gothic, Mudejar, Renaissance, and Baroque styles. In addition to its famous Cathedral, Zaragoza is renowned for its rich folklore and local gastronomy. Enjoy a walking tour of the city before dinner and a restful overnight.

After breakfast, we will embark on a tour of Madrid, which includes visits to the Royal Palace and Plaza Mayor. A visit to Toledo will be next. Toledo is situated on a rocky mound, isolated on three sides, adjacent to a looping gorge of the Río Tajo. Every available inch of this outcrop has churches, synagogues, mosques, and houses heaped upon one another in a haphazard spiral, which the cobbled lanes infiltrate as best they can. Toledo is known as the city of the Three Religions or Cultures. For many centuries, Christians, Moors, and Jews lived together in relative equality and peace. The city, surrounded by walls, hides many treasures, including the Church of Santo Tomé, the Tránsito Synagogue, Santa María la Blanca Synagogue, the Church of San Juan de los Reyes, the Puerta de Bisagras, the Puerta del Cambrón, and the Puerta del Sol, among others. We return to Madrid for dinner and an overnight stay.

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

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 a final dinner with your group. You will spend your last overnight in Santiago de Compostela.

You will have an early morning transfer from Santiago de Compostela to board your flight(s) to Medjugorje. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by your tour guide and/or driver, who will take you on the 2.5 hour drive to the village of Medjugorje. Dinner and an overnight.

The most beautiful features of Medjugorje are its simplicity and peace. A local guide will accompany your group throughout your stay in the village.

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 Mass (English-speaking). At the end of each Mass, regardless of language, there is a blessing of the religious articles that you have with you.

On Feast Days, and Sundays, English Mass is at 12 PM.

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 it is said Our Lady appeared to the children while they hid from the communist police in the early days of the alleged apparitions. While climbing, your group is invited to recite the Rosary, pausing five times for each decade. At the top of the hill, you will witness the exact location of the first alleged apparition of Our Lady to the visionaries. Enjoy private time for prayer.

Climb Mt. Krizevac (Cross Mountain): In 1933, the villagers built a 30′ high cross atop a mountain to commemorate Jesus’ passion and death on the cross. Your group will have the opportunity to climb this mountain and venerate that very cross. While climbing, your group is invited to pray the Stations of the Cross (to meditate on Jesus’ suffering on the Road to Calvary), pausing fifteen times for each Station.

Apparitions: Each evening at 5:00 PM (or 6:00 PM depending on Daylight Savings Time), your group can join the villagers and fellow pilgrims of Medjugorje at either St James Church or Apparition Hill to commemorate the time Our Lady appears to the Visionaries. There you can pray the Rosary, as you all await that time: 5:40 PM (or 6:40 PM during Daylight Savings Time).

*Afterward, Croatian Mass is held at St. James Church and all may attend. It is simultaneously broadcasted by radio in order to translate the services from Croatian into many languages. Following the Croatian Mass, there is a Blessing of the Sick.
**For details about the Visionaries, please visit: http://www.206tours.com/visionaries

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: Our Lady has always called us to be close to her Son. You will have the opportunity to adore the Blessed Sacrament at the altar outside of St. James Church. Adoration is held on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Veneration of the Cross is held 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.

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. Many pilgrims sit and pray on the benches surrounding this peaceful statue. This statue miraculously seeps droplets of water out of Christ’s right knee.

* Please be advised that there will not be a spiritual director with you throughout your stay in Medjugorje. Daily Mass in English and English confessions are available at St. James Church in Medjugorje.

After an early breakfast and heartfelt farewells, your group will leave by motor coach for Dubrovnik, Split or Sarajevo Airport for your return flights 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.