12 Day Spain and Portugal Shrines

*** DAILY MASS INCLUDED ***

DAY 1: NORTH AMERICA / LISBON. Depart North America for our overnight flight to Lisbon, Portugal. We will be served dinner and breakfast aloft.

DAY 2: LISBON / FATIMA. We arrive at the Lisbon Airport where we will be met and given an orientation tour of Lisbon including Pombal square, Liberty Avenue, Rossio Square, Belem Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries on the bank of the Tagus as well as a stop at Lisbon's Romanesque Cathedral, the Sé.  Enroute to Fatima we will visit Santarem, the Church of Marvila and the site of the Eucharistic Miracle. Time for mass at the church of SS Milagre. We continue to Fatima and our hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 3:  FATIMA / SANTIAGO de COMPOSTELA.  This morning, we depart Fatima and drive north to Santiago de Compostela.  We drive through the city of Coimbra with a stop for lunch on our own before we continue on to Spain.  Upon arrival we check into our hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 4:  SANTIAGO de COMPOSTELA / PONTEVEDRA.  Morning Mass at St. James Cathedral.  Morning city walking tour visiting the Cathedral with the Tomb of St. James the Apostle, the Museum and Church of Santa Maria del Sar.  Afternoon excursion to Pontevedre for a tour to visit the Sanctuary of the Pilgrim, the Plaza de la Ferreria and the Basilica of Santa Maria la Mayor.  Return to Santiago for dinner and overnight.

DAY 5:  SANTIAGO de COMPOSTELA / LEON / SALAMANCA.  Breakfast and early departure to Leon.  Brief stop to see the Cathedral and on to Salamanca for dinner and overnight.

DAY 6:  SALAMANCA / AVILA / MADRID.  We start with the walking tour visiting the Old and New Cathedrals.  Then depart to Alba de Tormes to visit the Church where St. Teresa is buried.   Continue our drive to Avila. See this walled medieval city and enter the Convent of St. Teresa, erected in the place she was born.  Today, the Convento de la Encarnación houses a museum dedicated to St. Teresa. Also the Cathedral , dedicated to San Salvador, Ávila Cathedral is truly a cathedral-castle, with battlements and sentry walks incorporated into the structure. It's not just for looks, either - in the 12th century, Bishop Sancho protected the young Alfonso IX here until he became king.  On to Madrid for dinner and overnight.

DAY 7:  MADRID / TOLEDO.  Today we have a city tour including the Alcala Gate, Cibeles Square, Recoletos Boulevard, Discovery Square with the monument to Columbus, outside of Royal Palace, Mayor Street, Plaza de la Villa with former City Hall, Plaza Mayor and Neptune Square.   This afternoon we visit the "Museum City." Toledo was once the capital, spiritual, and intellectual center of Spain. Here, in one of Europe's oldest cities, enjoy a walking tour among its most famous monuments, including visits to the Cathedral, St. Tome Church (housing El Greco's The Burial of Count Orgaz), and the Santa Maria la Blanca Synagogue. Also admire the city's famous handcrafted work, the Damasquinado." Celebrate mass at a local church.   Return to Madrid for overnight.

DAY 8:  MADRID / ZARAGOZA.   This morning we drive to Zaragoza.  This city was also the birthplace of Goya, whose works grace many of the sites we will visit.  The #1 Marian shrine of Spain - the Pilar Basilica - commemorates apparitions of Our Lady the Pillar to St. James in 40 AD, and here we will celebrate Mass.  Then,  visit the Palacio de Aljaferia.  Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

DAY 9: ZARAGOZA / BARCELONA. This morning, we drive to Huesca and on to Barbastro—Torreciudad to visit the Opus Dei.   Then to Espluga de Francoli to visit the Poblet Monastery.   Continue to Barcelona. Upon arrival, we check into our hotel and have time at leisure for activities on our own. Dinner and overnight at ourhotel.

DAY 10: BARCELONA. Today, we enjoy a Classic Barcelona City Tour. We drive via Layetana and view the Cathedral, Gothic Quarter and Plaza Sant Jaume en route to visit the Port and Olympic Village. Continue to Montjuic (Hill of the Jews) for panoramic views of the city and port, and tours of the Olympic Stadium and Sant Jordi Palace. Also visit the "Poble Espanol" (Spanish Village) to observe its regional architecture characteristic of early Spain. Overnight at our hotel.

DAY 11:  BARCELONA / MONTSERRAT.  After breakfast we enjoy a relaxing drive along the picturesque villages of the province to reach Montserrat Mountain.  On arrival, visit the Royal Basilica, where you will see the famous 12th-century Romanesque sculpture of "Virgen Moreneta."  Upon your return, enjoy a stop at the harbor area to see the complex with traditional Spanish restaurants and shops.  Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

DAY 12: BARCELONA - NORTH AMERICA. An early breakfast and then transfer to the airport for our flight home—the end of our Pilgrimage.