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 an early breakfast and heartfelt farewells, you will transfer to Lisbon 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.