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 in the baggage claim area, and continue to the arrival hall where your driver will greet you. Transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, walk to the Cathedral of Almudena where the group will celebrate Mass, followed by a tour of the Cathedral. We will continue our walking tour of Madrid and see the exterior of the Royal Palace. Walk through the Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol, and make a final stop at the Church of Saint James. Return to your hotel. Enjoy a nice meal before having a restful overnight in Madrid before your walking tour begins.

This morning, you will enjoy breakfast and transfer to Sarria. Sarria is located in the northwest of Spain and is well-known as the entry point to the oriental side of the region, Galicia. You will then begin your journey on foot from Foncebadon. In the eleventh century, this village was a common resting place for pilgrims on El Camino due to its hospitals, hospice, and church. Currently, the structures that have served so many are now in ruins. While in Foncebadon, you will walk to view the “Iron Cross.” This Cross is a place where pilgrims traditionally leave a stone at the foot of the Cross to symbolize a sin or burden that they are leaving behind. Your tour continues as you walk to O Cebreiro. Many pilgrims pause at this site to see the Eucharistic Miracle that occurred in the year 1300. Be sure to have your camera ready, as this village is suspended 1,300 meters in the air and provides a breathtaking panoramic view. Your first walking day culminates with a delicious meal and an overnight in Sarria.

Today is the day that your walking pilgrimage (El Camino) to Santiago de Compostela officially begins! With the guidance of Our Lord, and through the spirit of St. James the Apostle, you will become an authentic pilgrim by journeying along the physical road and the spiritual one. Your first official day of walking will culminate in Portomarin. This town dates back to the Roman Ages and it was an important stop during the Middle Ages. Due to the creation of a dam in 1962, the Old Portomarin is currently underneath the Mino River. As a result of the dam, many of the old buildings were moved, brick by brick. Among these buildings is the Church of St. John of Jerusalem. At Portomarin, you will enjoy dinner followed by an overnight.

This morning, you will enjoy breakfast at your hotel and journey from Portomarin, through the woods to the Palas de Rei. This was a noteworthy town in the Middle Ages, as it contained a Royal Hospital and the Church of St. Tirso. As the rugged walk continues, continue through fields, forests, and granaries. Additionally, you will see a prominent characteristic of the Galician Landscape: Los Cruceiros. These wayside crosses depict Christ and the Virgin Mary. Dinner and enjoy a restful overnight in Palas de Rei.

Begin the day with breakfast at your hotel. Your pilgrimage continues as you travel from Palas de Rei to the bustling small town of Arzua. Before arriving in Arzua, your group will stop at Melide. This town is a crucial point of El Camino because it is where the French and Oviedo routes converge. Upon arrival in Melide, you will notice the old roads that date back to the fourteenth century, which are some of the oldest in the region of Galicia. After lunch, you will leave the Lugo province and enter the province of A Coruna. As your group continues to Arzua, you will cross the beautiful, medieval bridge over the Iso River to Ribadiso. Following your visit to this Chapel, your day will culminate with the arrival in Arzua, where you will enjoy dinner and an overnight.

Today, you will take a break to rest your bodies and shake off any fatigue. After Mass, there will be time to reflect on the journey thus far and to spend at your leisure. Dinner and overnight will be provided in Arzua.

Your journey is almost over as you walk to the largest community before Santiago, Arca de O Pino! Upon walking this route, you will immerse yourself in the fragrant eucalyptus groves and experience the breathtaking scenery. At a point throughout your walk, you will stop and enjoy a picnic lunch. Following lunch, you will continue your journey and arrive in Arca de O Pino. As you explore this village, you will notice joy etched on the faces of the pilgrims. Although they have traveled a long distance, they are not weary. With God and St. James guiding their paths, excitement and anticipation continue for their arrival in Santiago.

Today, you will reach the culmination of the walking portion of your journey! Before arriving at your final destination, you will stop for Mass on what is known as Mount Joy (Monte del Gozo). You will know that you are approaching Santiago because, at this point, you will be able to see the spires of the Cathedral. Following lunch, you will complete your walking journey and arrive at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Upon arrival, feel free to say a small prayer in thanksgiving to Our Lord for keeping you safe throughout the walking pilgrimage. At this time, you will check in to your hotel and enjoy free time to explore Galicia’s capital, Santiago. This evening, you will enjoy a marvelous dinner, followed by a very restful overnight in Santiago de Compostela.

This morning, you will awaken in the beautiful city of Santiago de Compostela! Formed by Galician granite, the Cathedral is one of the finest architectural examples in Europe as it encompasses Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque styles. Additionally, the Cathedral contains numerous valuable pieces of art that truly captivate the eye. Upon entering the Cathedral, pilgrims traditionally hug the statue of St. James inside. You will then have the opportunity to descend into the crypt, which houses the tomb of St. James the Apostle. Following your visit, you will enjoy free time for lunch on your own before your sightseeing tour of the city. Some stops on your tour include Obradoiro Square, Fonseca Palace, Gelmirez Palace, Franco Street, and much more. Your evening will be free to spend at your leisure until dinner and a restful overnight.

This morning, enjoy a panoramic tour of Lisbon, which will include St. Jerome’s Monastery, built to give thanks to the Virgin Mary. We will drive by the Belem Tower and many landmarks including the 25th of April Bridge, the Basilica of the Star, and the Marquee of Pombal Square. Our last stop will be St. Anthony’s Church. The patron saint of lost things is best known as St. Anthony of Padua in Italy, but he was born and baptized here in Lisbon, Portugal. The Church where we will celebrate Mass was built upon the site of St. Anthony’s birth. Enjoy dinner and an overnight in Lisbon.

Today, we will head to Fatima. On the way, we will stop at St. Stephen’s Church in the town of Santarem to celebrate Mass and venerate a Eucharistic Miracle from the 13th century. Continue to Fatima. This hamlet of Aljustrel is the birthplace and home of the three shepherd children who witnessed apparitions of Our Lady. Dinner and overnight in Fatima.

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.

Depart Fatima and head to Salamanca, following a full breakfast at the hotel. Salamanca is a city in the Castilla y Leon region known for its large university. It is the oldest university in Spain that is still active. Our walking tour will take us to many famous sites. Visit the grand Plaza Mayor, an iconic square filled with food, shopping, and city events. See La Clerecia, a church and college of the Jesuit Order that was constructed in the 17th century. Next, visit La Casa de las Conchas, which is currently a public library and a monument decorated with shells, which symbolizes the ever-famous pilgrimage to Santiago (El Camino). Walk by the University of Salamanca, the oldest University in Spain and the third oldest in Europe. Walk across the Roman Bridge, which extends along the River Tormes and is a national monument. See La Iglesia de San Marcos, which is constructed in the Romanesque style and contains breathtaking paintings that portray many scenes of Our Lady’s life. You will also see La Iglesia de San Martin, a Church devoted to St. Martin of Tours, the patron saint of beggars and those most in need. Visit the inside of the two joint Salamanca Cathedrals (old and new). The first is a Romanesque style, and the other is a Gothic style. Following this eventful day, you will return to your hotel for a delicious meal with your group and an overnight at your hotel in Salamanca.

This morning, after breakfast, you will board the bus and enjoy a short transfer to the village of Alba de Tormes. This town is home to the Carmelite Monastery that Saint Teresa founded in 1571. Upon arrival in Alba de Tormes, your group will celebrate Mass at this Monastery where the Saint died and is buried. Following Mass, you can visit the museum dedicated to St. Teresa of Avila, which also holds her incorrupt heart and left arm. Your group will enjoy free time for lunch on your own before continuing to the medieval city of Avila. Upon arrival, you will immediately notice the perfectly preserved 11th-century walls surrounding the old town. The conservation of architecture in this city, to which St. Teresa was born, deems its shrines, convents, and churches necessary to visit on any Catholic pilgrimage. The Cathedral de Avila encompasses the Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance styles of its time within 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 Therese 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. After walking in the footsteps of St. Teresa, continue your journey to Burgos. Upon arrival in the historic capital of Old Castile, enjoy dinner. Following dinner, you will have the opportunity to explore the city of Burgos and admire its magnificent limestone Gothic-style cathedral. Late this evening, you will return to your hotel for a restful overnight.

Following breakfast, transfer from Burgos to Loyola to visit the birthplace of St. Ignatius, founder of the Jesuit Order. St. Ignatius dedicated himself to becoming a soldier of the Christian faith, and as a result of many tribulations, he wrote the ever-famous Spiritual Exercises. You will see the 17th-century Basilica dedicated to this remarkable Saint in Loyola. The Basilica is part of a series of buildings surrounding the “Holy House,” the birthplace of St. Ignatius. When you visit these Holy places, you will also have the opportunity to pray in the most venerated room, where St. Ignatius prayed and began his conversion. After meditating on the life of this founder of the Jesuit Order, you will enjoy free time for lunch and 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 and peaceful overnight.

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.

After an early breakfast and heartfelt farewells, leave by motorcoach 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.