Day 1 New York, NY
We depart on an overnight flight to Lisbon. Dinner and
breakfast are served on board the flight.
Day 2 Fatima
Arriving in Lisbon, we meet our escort and enjoy a brief
panoramic tour of the charming Portuguese capital. We see the fanciful Belem
Tower built in the Manueline style, Jeronimos Monastery, dedicated to the Virgin
Mary, the Monument to the Discoveries, celebrating Portugal's age of exploration
and (time permitting) the Basilica of St. Anthony. Our coach then departs for
Fatima with a stop in Santarem to take in the Eucharistic Miracle of the
Bleeding Host. As available during our stay in Fatima, join in the moving
Candlelight Rosary Procession beginning in the Chapel of the Apparitions
(Capelinha). Overnight in Fatima. (D)
Day 3 Fatima
We begin our day with a visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of
Fatima, starting at the pristine Basilica that holds the tombs of Jacinta and
Francisco, who were beatified in 2000, and Sr. Lucia. Continue to the Capelinha,
where Our Lady appeared to the three shepherd children in 1917 with her message
of redemption. Later there is time for private prayer, to light a candle near
the shrine, walk the lovely grounds or shop for religious articles nearby. After
dinner we can once again experience the Rosary Candlelight Procession. Overnight
in Fatima. (B, D)
Day 4 Burgos
We depart Fatima after breakfast and take in the rustic beauty
of the Portuguese countryside before crossing the border into Spain. After
arriving in the city of Burgos, founded in the 9th century, we have an
orientation tour highlighted by a visit to the imposing Gothic Basilica, one of
Spain's largest and most beautiful churches. Dinner and overnight in Burgos. (B,
D)
Day 5 Lourdes
We depart Burgos after breakfast, enjoying the scenic ride
through the rugged Pyrenees Mountains and travel into neighboring France. We
arrive in the afternoon and visit the beloved Shrine of Lourdes, where in 1858
Our Lady appeared to the 14-year-old Bernadette Soubirous calling herself the
"Immaculate Conception." We are invited to take part in the evening Candlelight
Procession and International Rosary, if available. Dinner and overnight in
Lourdes. (B, D)
Day 6 Lourdes
This morning we take part in a walking tour tracing the life of
St. Bernadette, which includes visits to the Boly Mills, where Bernadette was
born; the Locale Mill, residence of her parents; the "Cachot," formerly used as
a jail, where she lived at the time of the Apparitions; the Chapel where she
received her First Holy Communion; and the Parish church containing the Font,
where she was baptized. This evening we have the chance to experience the
Candlelight Rosary Procession, if available. Dinner and overnight in Lourdes.
(B, D)
Day 7 Lourdes
Today is free to explore Lourdes on our own. Visit the Grotto,
where the Virgin appeared 18 times, the underground Basilica, which can hold
20,000 worshipers and is one of the world's largest churches, the magnificent
life-sized Stations of the Cross behind the Grotto, the "Miraculous" Baths. We
may also take part in the Blessing of the Sick or any of the variety of
spiritual exercises available throughout the day. Once again, consider
participating in the Candlelight Rosary Procession after dinner. (B, D)
Day 8 Zaragoza
After breakfast we depart Lourdes for Zaragoza, once the seat
of the ancient kingdom of Aragon and today a vibrant university town. Upon
arrival in Zaragoza, we visit one of the world's largest Marian Shrines, Our
Lady of the Pillar. The pillar, given by Our Lady to St. James, Spain's patron
saint, gives off an extraordinary fragrance. This place visited by Our Lady
before her Assumption, offers visitors a glimpse of the Holy Land. We have time
this afternoon to discover the charms of Zaragoza on our own. Dinner and
overnight in Zaragoza. (B, D)
Day 9 Madrid
We depart Zaragoza for Madrid after breakfast. After checking
into our hotel, we are introduced to some of the best-loved sites of this
cosmopolitan Spanish capital, during a panoramic city tour. From the motorcoach,
we enjoy views of historic places including the famed museum, the Prado, which
is home to almost 7,000 works of art, and the 2,000-room Royal Palace, dating
from the 1700s. Dinner and overnight in Madrid. (B, D)
Day 10 Madrid
Today we are free to discover
Madrid on our own. We can explore some of the many museums, visit chic shops or
choose an optional excursion (at additional cost) to Avila, a medieval walled
city that was the home of St. Teresa . It was in this ancient town, which is
today a national monument, that Teresa was born in 1515. Here we delve into the
world of this inspiring saint and mystic, as we visit the places that speak of
her life, struggles and her calling. Later we return to Madrid for some leisure
time. Dinner and overnight in Madrid. (B, D)
Day 11 New York, NY
Depart for Madrid's airport after breakfast for our flight
home. (B)