Religious
pilgrimages, faith-based vacations
and spiritual tours
Every
year, millions of pilgrims gather at two of the greatest Catholic sanctuaries
in Europe: Lourdes in France and Fatima in Portugal. Both places were the sites
of apparitions of the Virgin Mary to young children - 1858 in Lourdes and 1917
in Fatima. Since then, the attraction of these pilgrimage destinations has continued
to grow. People from all over the world come to pray and participate in religious
ceremonies in search of unique spiritual experiences and a deeper understanding
of the Christian faith.
There
are many more opportunities for religious pilgrimages and spiritual tours between
those two Catholic shrines. One of the oldest, dating back to the Middle Ages,
is the "Way of St James," with its famous shrine in Santiago de Compostela.
Another is Avila, where St. Teresa, the great mystic, spent her life and, among
several more, the Marian shrines to the Virgin Mary in Montserrat (near Barcelona)
and Guadalupe (near Caceres).
In
France, in addition to Lourdes there are numerous shrines throughout the country,
from Lisieux in Normandy to Ars-sur-Formans near Lyon.
These
faith-based vacations are designed to help groups of travelers experience first-hand
the spiritual atmosphere of holy sanctuaries. They also incorporate visits to
religious and non-religious places of cultural interest and great beauty, and
other recreational and social activities.
TYPICAL
ITINERARIES
The
following itineraries are "suggested" routes. The dates will be determined
by the requirements of your group. There are no scheduled departures. All tours
can be altered or combined with another itinerary to suit your specific interests.
The price will depend on the number of participants, dates, type of hotels and
other variables. Let
us know where and when you want to travel. We will create a custom program that
fits the needs of your group.
| 11
days | | 11
days |
| 11
days | | 11
days |
| 14
days | | 12
days |
MADRID
- SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
(11
days)
[maps]
Day
1: Departure from the U.S. Overnight flight arriving in Madrid the
next day.
Day
2: Madrid. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Orientation and rest
of the day at leisure.
Day
3: Madrid.
Panoramic tour of the city including the Plaza Mayor, the Royal Palace and the
Gothic Revival/Neoclassical Catedral de Nuestra Senora de la Almudena. Afternoon
guided tour of El Prado Museum.
Day
4: Madrid - Avila - Madrid.
Day trip to the birthplace of the great mystic St. Teresa. Tour of the fortified
city with its imposing medieval ramparts and 88 massive cylindrical towers. Visit
of the Romanesque St. Vincente Basilica; the Convent of Santa Teresa, where she
was born; the Santa Teresa museum; and the monastery of La Encarnacion to see
objects, relics, writings and souvenirs of the saint and her surroundings. Possible
stopover at the royal palace of El Escorial on the way back to Madrid.
Day
5: Madrid - Badajoz.
Begin the drive to Portugal with a stop at the sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Tour of the cloister's exquisite Mudejar architecture, the Gothic basilica and
the Museo de Bordalos displaying magnificent religious garments. Stop in Caceres,
the capital of Extremadura. Travel on for overnight in Badajoz.
Day
6: Badajoz - Lisbon.
Guided tour of the city, the Alfama, El Chido and La Baixa districts. Afternoon
visit of the Hieronymite Monastery, a large 16th-century religious complex, and
the nearby famous Tower of Belem, built in the unique lacy Manueline style (and
a World Heritage site).
Day
7: Lisbon - Fatima.
On the way to Fatima, Holy Mass at the famous Church of the Eucharistic Miracle
in Santerem, if possible. Then on to nearby Fatima. Visit of the shrine complex,
including the Chapel of Apparitions, and the hamlet of Aljustrel, the birthplace
of Francisco, Jacinta and Lucia, where some of the apparitions took place. Follow
the Stations of the Cross along the Via Sacra (the Sacred Way) ending at the Chapel
of Calvary. Possibility of celebrating or attending Holy Mass and, in the evening,
possibility of joining the Rosary and candlelight procession.
Day
8: Fatima - Coimbra - Porto.
In Coimbra, visit of the oldest university in Portugal, dating back to the 13th
century, with its ornate library and Romanesque cathedral. Stroll down to the
Carmelite convent where Lucia, one of the three seers of Fatima, lived for many
years, and died in February 2005. In the afternoon, travel on to Porto, the world
capital of port wine. Panoramic tour of the city, including a visit of the astoundingly
sumptuous St.Francis church.
Day
9: Porto - Braga - Santiago de Compostela.
On the way to our final destination, stop at two of Portugal's most important
shrines: Monte Sameiro, dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, and Bom Jesus
do Monte, dedicated to "the good Jesus of the mountain." The latter
is particularly notable for its long, Baroque outdoor staircase leading up the
mountain to the sanctuary.
Day 10: Santiago de
Compostela. This holy shrine, dedicated to St. James, has been one
of the most popular spiritual destinations in the world (after Jerusalem and Rome)
ever since the Middle Ages. Millions of pilgrims come every year the easy way
- by plane or motor vehicle - but some go the old-fashioned way: they walk and
ride bikes or horses from great distances in France, Spain and Portugal to gain
indulgences and atone for their sins. The resplendent cathedral was built over
several centuries and is a masterwork of Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, Plateresque
and Neoclassical styles. Visit of the Cathedral, with possibility of attending
Holy Mass, and tour of the Old City.
Day
11: Transfer to Santiago airport
and return to the U.S.
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BARCELONA
- MADRID (11
days)
[maps]
Day
1: Departure from the U.S.
Overnight flight arriving in Barcelona the next day.
Day
2: Barcelona.
Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Orientation and rest of the day at leisure.
Day
3: Barcelona.
Panoramic tour of the city, including Gaudi's Sagrada Familia (the "expiatory
temple of the Holy Family") a most impressive avant-garde church building
started in 1882 and still under construction today. Afternoon tour of the Gothic
District, in the historical center, and fascinating Park Guell, also designed
by Antoni Gaudi in the "modernista" style.
Day
4: Barcelona - Montserrat - Zaragoza.
On the way out of Barcelona, visit of the medieval Marian shrine of Our Lady of
Montserrat. This spiritual destination is famous for its medieval black virgin
(La Moreneta). Tour of the monastery and the basilica with possibility of attending
Holy Mass.
Day
5: Zaragoza - Lourdes.
Zaragoza is the capital of the ancient kingdom of Aragon and the birthplace of
the famous Spanish painter Goya. This city has important religious monuments,
most notably the Pilar Basilica, which commemorates the apparitions of the Virgin
Mary to St. James the Apostle in 40 AD. Possibility of celebrating or attending
Holy Mass. In the afternoon, departure for Lourdes over the majestic Pyrenees
mountains.
Day
6: Lourdes.
Spend the whole day today in devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes. Visit the Grotto,
the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, the Basilica of the Rosary, the underground
Basilica, and the Via Crucis (Way of the Cross). See the Boly Mill, where Saint
Bernadette was born, and the former prison where her poverty-stricken family lived.
Participate in the healing water ritual at the miraculous spring and attend Holy
Mass. At night, you can join the torchlight procession.
Day
7: Lourdes - Bilbao.
Departure for Bilbao, the capital of the Basque Country. Visit of the Santiago
Cathedral, dedicated to St. James and an important stop on the Camino de Santiago
(the Way of St James), which crosses northern Spain on its way to Santiago de
Compostela in Galicia. And, possibility of visiting a "shrine" of a
totally different kind: the famous ultra-modern Guggenheim Museum of contemporary
art designed by American architect Frank Gehry (and the pride and joy of Bilbao).
Day
8: Bilbao - Burgos.
With its magnificent cathedral, a World Heritage site, Burgos offers one of the
purest examples of Gothic architecture in all of Europe. A walk through the historical
center brings back memories of El Cid and Isabella, queen of Castile. Possibility
of attending or celebrating Holy Mass.
Day
9: Burgos - Madrid.
Arrival in Madrid and panoramic tour of the capital city including Plaza Mayor,
the Royal Palace and the Gothic revival/Neoclassical Catedral de Nuestra Senora
de la Almudena.
Day 10: Madrid - Avila - Madrid.
Day trip to the birthplace of the great mystic St. Teresa. Tour of the fortified
city with its imposing medieval ramparts and 88 massive cylindrical towers. Visit
of the Romanesque St. Vincente Basilica; the Convent of Santa Teresa, where she
was born; the Santa Teresa museum; and the monastery of La Encarnacion to see
objects, relics, writings and souvenirs of the saint and her surroundings.
Day
11: Transfer to Madrid Barajas airport
and return to the U.S.
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MADRID
- LISBON
(11
days)
[maps]
Day
1: Departure from the U.S.
Overnight flight arriving in Madrid the next day.
Day
2: Madrid.
Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Orientation and rest of the day at leisure.
Day
3: Madrid.
Panoramic tour of the city including the Plaza Mayor, the Royal Palace and the
Gothic revival/Neoclassical Catedral de Nuestra Senora de la Almudena. Afternoon
guided tour of El Prado Museum.
Day
4: Madrid - Burgos.
With its magnificent cathedral (a World Heritage site), Burgos offers one of the
purest examples of Gothic architecture in all of Europe. A walk through the historical
center brings back memories of El Cid and Isabella, queen of Castile. Possibility
of attending or celebrating Holy Mass.
Day
5: Burgos - Leon.
The cathedral of Leon is another example of pure Gothic style to rival the best
in France, including Chartres, Reims and Notre Dame de Paris. Visit of the San
Isidro Basilica displaying wonderfully preserved medieval paintings of biblical
scenes on its walls and vaults (sometimes referred to as "the Sistine Chapel
of the Romanesque period"). Visit of the former hospital of San Marcos, an
elaborately decorated building in the Plateresque style now being used as a luxury
five-star Parador hotel.
Day
6: Leon - Santiago de Compostela.
This holy shrine, dedicated to St. James, has been one of the most popular spiritual
destinations in the world (after Jerusalem and Rome) ever since the Middle Ages.
Millions of pilgrims come every year the easy way - by plane or motor vehicle
- but some go the old-fashioned way: they walk and ride bikes or horses from great
distances in France, Spain and Portugal to gain indulgences and atone for their
sins. The resplendent cathedral was built over several centuries and is a masterwork
of Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, Plateresque and Neoclassical styles. Visit of
the Cathedral (with possibility of attending Holy Mass) and tour of the Old City.
Day
7: Santiago - Braga - Porto.
On the way to Porto, the world capital of port wine, stop at two of Portugal's
most important shrines: Monte Sameiro, dedicated to the Immaculate Conception,
and Bom Jesus do Monte, dedicated to "the good Jesus of the mountain."
The latter is particularly notable for its long, Baroque outdoor staircase leading
up the mountain to the sanctuary. In the afternoon, panoramic tour of Porto, including
a visit of the astoundingly sumptuous St. Francis church.
Day
8: Porto - Coimbra - Fatima.
In Coimbra, tour of the oldest university in Portugal, dating back to the 13th
century, with its ornate library and Romanesque cathedral. Stroll down to the
Carmelite convent where Lucia, one of the three seers of Fatima, lived for many
years and died in February 2005. Arrival in Fatima.
Day
9: Fatima. Visit
of the shrine complex, including the Chapel of Apparitions, and the hamlet of
Aljustrel, the birthplace of Francisco, Jacinta and Lucia, where some of the apparitions
took place. Follow the Stations of the Cross along the Via Sacra (The Sacred Way)
ending at the Chapel of Calvary. Possibility of celebrating or attending Holy
Mass and, in the evening, possibility of joining the Rosary and candlelight procession.
Day
10: Fatima - Lisbon. Guided
tour of Lisbon, including the Alfama, El Chido and La Baixa districts. Afternoon
visit of the Hieronymite Monastery, a large 16th-century religious complex, and
the nearby famous Tower of Belem, built in the unique lacy Manueline style (and
a World Heritage site).
Day 11: Transfer to Lisbon
airport and return to the U.S.
[top]
LISBON
- LOURDES (11
days)
[maps]
Day
1: Departure from the U.S.
Overnight flight arriving in Lisbon, Portugal the next day.
Day
2: Lisbon - Fatima.
Arrival in Lisbon and transfer to the hotel in Fatima. Orientation and rest of
the day at leisure. Possibility of joining the Rosary and candlelight procession
in the evening.
Day
3: Fatima.
Visit of the shrine complex, including the Chapel of Apparitions, and the hamlet
of Aljustrel, the birthplace of Francisco, Jacinta and Lucia, where some of the
apparitions took place. Follow the Stations of the Cross along the Via Sacra (The
Sacred Way) ending at the Chapel of Calvary. Possibility of celebrating or attending
Holy Mass and, in the evening, possibility of joining the Rosary and candlelight
procession.
Day
4: Fatima - Coimbra - Guarda.
In Coimbra, tour of the oldest university in Portugal, dating back to the 13th
century, with its ornate library and Romanesque cathedral. Stroll down to the
Carmelite convent where Lucia, one of the three seers of Fatima, lived for many
years and died in February 2005. Overnight in the small provincial town of Guarda.
Day
5: Guarda - Salamanca - Alba de Tormes.
Travel to Salamanca, Spain, today and take a stroll around this ancient university
town. Time to indulge in the medieval atmosphere of its historical center and,
more specifically, the magnificent Plaza Mayor. Afternoon excursion to Alba de
Tormes, just outside the city, where St. Teresa of Avila died and is buried.
Day
6: Salamanca - Avila.
On to Avila, the birthplace of St. Teresa. Tour of the fortified city with its
imposing medieval ramparts and 88 massive cylindrical towers. Visit of the Romanesque
St. Vincente Basilica; the Convent of Santa Teresa, where she was born; the Santa
Teresa museum; and the monastery of La Encarnacion to see objects, relics, writings
and souvenirs of the saint and her surroundings.
Day
7: Avila - Segovia - Burgos.
Stop in Segovia on the way to Burgos. Tour of the imposing Roman aqueduct, the
Gothic cathedral and the medieval citadel. Visit of the Fuencisla Sanctuary, the
burial site of St. John of the Cross. Today's final destination is Burgos. With
its magnificent cathedral (a World Heritage site), Burgos offers one of the purest
examples of Gothic architecture in all of Europe. A walk through the historical
center brings back memories of El Cid and Isabella, queen of Castile. Possibility
of attending or celebrating Holy Mass.
Day
8: Burgos - Bilbao.
Departure for Bilbao, the capital of the Basque Country. Visit of the Santiago
Cathedral, dedicated to St. James, and an important stop on the Camino de Santiago
(the Way of St. James), which crosses northern Spain on its way to Santiago de
Compostela in Galicia. Also, possibility of visiting a "shrine" of a
totally different kind: the famous ultra modern Guggenheim Museum of contemporary
art designed by American architect Frank Gehry (and the pride and joy of Bilbao).
Day
9: Bilbao - Azpeitia - Lourdes.
On the way to the beautiful resort city of San Sebastian, stop in Azpeitia, where
St. Ignacius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuit order, was born. His room has
been converted into a chapel. Cross the border into France and reach Lourdes in
the afternoon. Possibility of joining the torchlight procession this evening.
Day
10: Lourdes.
Spend the whole day today in devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes. Visit the Grotto,
the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, the Basilica of the Rosary, the underground
Basilica, and the Via Crucis (Way of the Cross). See the Boly Mill, where Saint
Bernadette was born, and the former prison where her poverty-stricken family lived.
Participate in the healing water ritual at the miraculous spring and attend Holy
Mass. At night, you have the option of again joining the torchlight procession.
Day 11: Transfer to Toulouse airport and
return to the U.S.
[top]
LISBON
- MADRID
(14
days)
[maps]
Day
1: Departure from the U.S.
Overnight flight arriving in Lisbon the next day.
Day
2: Lisbon. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Orientation meeting with
your tour escort and rest of the day at leisure.
Day
3: Lisbon.
Guided tour of the city, the Alfama, El Chido and La Baixa districts. Afternoon
tour of the Hieronymite Monastery, a large 16th-century religious complex, and
the nearby famous Tower of Belem, built in the unique lacy Manueline style (and
a World Heritage site).
Day
4: Lisbon - Fatima. Morning departure for Fatima. Visit of the shrine
complex, including the Chapel of Apparitions, and the hamlet of Aljustrel, the
birthplace of Francisco, Jacinta and Lucia, where some of the apparitions took
place. Follow the Stations of the Cross along the Via Sacra (The Sacred Way) ending
at the Chapel of Calvary. Possibility of attending Holy Mass and, in the evening,
possibility of joining the Rosary and candlelight procession.
Day
5: Fatima - Porto. Morning departure for Porto. Afternoon panoramic
tour of Porto, including a visit to the sumptuous St. Francis church and a port
wine tasting.
Day
6: Porto - Santiago de Compostela.
Morning departure for Santiago de Compostela. This holy shrine, dedicated to St.
James, has been one of the most popular spiritual destinations in the world (after
Jerusalem and Rome) ever since the Middle Ages. Millions of pilgrims come every
year the easy way - by plane or motor vehicle - but some go the old-fashioned
way: walking or riding bikes or horses from great distances in France, Spain and
Portugal to gain indulgences and atone for their sins. The resplendent cathedral
was built over several centuries and is a masterwork of Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque,
Plateresque and Neoclassical styles. Visit of the Cathedral (with possibility
of attending Holy Mass) and tour of the Old City.
Day
7: Santiago - Leon - Burgos. Morning departure for Leon. The cathedral
of Leon is an example of pure Gothic style to rival the best in France, including
Chartres, Reims and Notre Dame de Paris. Visit of the San Isidro Basilica displaying
wonderfully preserved medieval paintings of biblical scenes on its walls and vaults
(sometimes referred to as "the Sistine Chapel of the Romanesque period").
Visit of the former hospital of San Marcos, an elaborately decorated building
in the Plateresque style now being used as a luxury five-star Parador hotel. Continue
on to Burgos.
Day
8: Burgos - Bilbao.
With its magnificent cathedral (a World Heritage site), Burgos offers one of the
purest examples of Gothic architecture in all of Europe. A walk through the historical
center brings back memories of El Cid and Isabella, queen of Castile. Departure
for Bilbao, where you'll enjoy a guided tour of the capital of the Basque Country.
Visit of the Santiago Cathedral, dedicated to St. James and an important stop
on the Way of St James, which crosses northern Spain on its way to Santiago de
Compostela in Galicia. Afterwards, visit to a "shrine" of a totally
different kind: the famous ultramodern Guggenheim Museum of contemporary art designed
by American architect Frank Gehry.
Day
9: Bilbao - Lourdes. Morning departure for Lourdes. Spend the whole
day today in devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes. Visit the Grotto, the Basilica of
the Immaculate Conception, the Basilica of the Rosary, the underground Basilica,
and the Via Crucis (Way of the Cross). See the Boly Mill, where Saint Bernadette
was born, and the former prison where her poverty-stricken family lived. Participate
in the healing water ritual at the miraculous spring and attend Holy Mass. At
night, you can join the torchlight procession.
Day
10: Lourdes - Montserrat - Barcelona.
Departure for Spain over the majestic Pyrenees mountains. On the way to Barcelona,
visit the medieval Marian shrine of Our Lady of Montserrat. This spiritual destination
is famous for its medieval black virgin (La Moreneta). Tour of the monastery and
the basilica.
Day
11: Barcelona.
Morning panoramic tour of the city, including viewing the outside of Antoni Gaudi's
Sagrada Familia (the "expiatory temple of the Holy Family") a most impressive
avant-garde church building started in 1882 and still under construction today.
Continue on to Gaudi's fascinating Park Guell. Afternoon guided tour of the Gothic
District, in the historical center, and the cathedral.
Day
12: Barcelona - Madrid.
Morning departure for Madrid.
Day
13: Madrid.
Orientation tour of the capital city with your tour escort with a stop at the
Plaza Mayor and the Gothic revival/Neoclassical Catedral de Nuestra Senora de
la Almudena. Afterwards, enjoy the rest of the day on your own to visit El Prado
or one of the other fine museums, tour the Royal Palace, stroll through Retiro
Park, do some shopping or just relax.
Day
14: Transfer to Madrid airport and return to the U.S.
[top]
PARIS
- LOURDES
(12
days)
[maps]
Day
1: Departure from the U.S.
Overnight flight arriving in Paris the next day.
Day
2: Paris. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Afternoon panoramic tour
of the capital city, including the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs-Elysées,
and the Eiffel Tower.
Day
3: Paris. In the morning, visit Montmartre and the Sacré Coeur
(Sacred Heart) Basilica. After lunch, visit Notre Dame Cathedral, which houses
various relics of the Passion, including a piece of the Cross, a nail of the Passion
and the Holy Crown of Thorns. Continue on to visit the Gothic Sainte Chapelle,
built by Saint Louis (King Louis IX), with its beautiful stained-glass windows.
Afterwards, visit the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, where the Blessed
Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Cath-erine Labouré.
Day
4: Paris - Lourdes. Morning departure for Lourdes via the TGV (high-speed
train). Arrive mid-afternoon, in time to participate in the evening rosary and
torchlight procession if you wish.
Day
5: Lourdes.
Spend the whole day today in devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes. Visit the Grotto,
the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, the Basilica of the Rosary, the underground
Basilica, and the Via Crucis (Way of the Cross). See the Boly Mill, where Saint
Bernadette was born, and the former prison where her poverty-stricken family lived.
Participate in the healing water ritual at the miraculous spring and attend Holy
Mass. At night, you have the option of again joining the torchlight procession.
Day
6: Lourdes - Carcassonne.
Morning departure by motor coach for Carcassonne, a completely restored picturesque
medieval walled town and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Day
7: Carcassonne - Nîmes - Arles - Avignon.
Morning departure for Nîmes, where you can see the well-preserved Roman
amphitheater and the Maison Carreé, a temple that rivals Rome's Pantheon.
On to Arles, which has a fascinating Ancient History Museum in addition to its
own amphitheater and an outdoor theater also dating to Roman times.Continue to
Avignon, where you can visit the famous bridge and the cathedral. The bridge was
built in the late 12th century at the urging of Saint Bénézet, a
local shepherd boy who, according to tradition, was commanded by angels to build
a bridge across the river. It originally had 22 arches and was nearly 3000 feet
long. However, over the centuries, most of the bridge was destroyed by floods,
and today only 4 arches remain.
Day
8: Avignon - Ars-sur-Formans - Cluny.
Visit the Palace of the Popes in Avignon before leaving for Ars-sur-Formans, a
small town made famous by Saint John Baptist Mary Vianney, the patron saint of
parish priests, who was known for his devotion to hearing the confessions of both
local people and pilgrims. During the last years of his life, it is said that
the saintly "Curé d'Ars" or priest of Ars spent up to 16 to 18
hours a day hearing confessions. Visit the basilica where his body lies and the
chapel containing his heart. On to Cluny, home of what was once the largest monastery
in Europe.
Day
9: Cluny - Paray-le-Monial - Nevers.
Morning visit of the remains of the Benedictine Abbey of Cluny and departure for
Paray-le-Monial, where Jesus revealed his Sacred Heart to Saint Margaret Mary
Alacoque. Visit of the Sacred Heart Basilica and the Chapel of the Apparitions.
Continue to Nevers, where St. Bernadette of Lourdes lived the last years of her
life until her death in 1879.
Day
10: Nevers - Chartres - Paris.
Morning mass and visit of the Espace Bernadette, where you can see the remains
of Saint Bernadette in a gold and crystal reliquary. Departure for Chartres, with
lunch en route, to visit one of the greatest Gothic cathedrals in France. Back
to Paris.
Day
11: Paris - Lisieux - Paris.
Day trip to Lisieux. Visit various sites related to Saint Thérèse
of the Infant Jesus and the Holy Face: the Basilica of Saint Thérèse,
Saint Peter's Cathedral, her family home, and the convent where she lived as a
nun.
Day
12: Transfer to Paris airport
and return to the U.S.
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