Marian Shrines of Europe

Day 1
Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2 Arrival in Lisbon, Portugal
Transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day is at leisure. At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director, then enjoy this evening's welcome dinner with your traveling companions. (D)

Day 3 Lisbon - Santarém - Fatima
Sightseeing with a Local Guide features visits to JERONIMOS MONASTERY and the CHURCH OF ST. ANTHONY. Afterwards, depart for Fatima, and while en route, visit the CHURCH OF THE HOLY MIRACLE in Santarém, site of a famous Eucharistic Miracle. Then, visit OUR LADY OF FATIMA SHRINE and the CHAPEL OF THE APPARITIONS, where the Virgin Mary appeared to three children in 1917. Join this evening's rosary and candlelight procession at the Our Lady of Fatima Shrine. (B,D)

Day 4 Fatima
Morning orientation features the Parish Church where the visionaries were baptized, as well as their homes and their tombs. Afternoon at leisure. Join this evening's rosary and candlelight procession. (B)

Day 5 Fatima - Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Enjoy guided sightseeing in Santiago de Compostela, one of the top pilgrimage destinations during the Middle Ages along with Rome and Jerusalem. Visit the CATHEDRAL where behind the high altar lie the relics of St. James the Apostle, the brother of St. John the Evangelist. (B)

Day 6 Santiago de Compostela - Burgos
Travel along the ancient "Way of St. James" to Burgos, the historic capital of Old Castile. Sightseeing with a Local Guide includes a visit to the magnificent CATHEDRAL. (B,D)

Day 7 Burgos - Lourdes, France
Continue along the Basque coast and arrive in Lourdes, home to one of the world's most famous places of pilgrimage. Your guided walking tour includes visits to the GROTTO where the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernadette in 1858, the OUR LADY OF LOURDES SHRINE, the BIRTHPLACE OF ST. BERNADETTE, and her FAMILY HOME during the time of the apparitions. Join this evening's memorable rosary and candlelight procession. (B,D)

Day 8 At Leisure in Lourdes
Why not bathe in the healing waters and attend the "Blessing of the Sick?" Tonight, you may wish to join this evening's rosary and candlelight procession again. (B)

Day 9 Lourdes - Saragossa, Spain
Cross the Pyrenees Mountains to Saragossa. Enjoy sightseeing with a Local Guide and visit Spain's most famous Marian Shrine - the BASILICA OF OUR LADY OF THE PILLAR - home to a miraculous image of the Virgin Mary. According to local tradition, on January 2 of the year 40, the Mother of God appeared upon a pillar to the Apostle St. James the Greater while he was preaching the Gospel. The pillar is conserved and venerated within the basilica today. (B,D)

Day 10 Saragossa - Madrid
Journey to Madrid, where guided sightseeing includes the Puerta del Sol, Plaza de España with its monument to Cervantes, the Parliament, the Cibeles Fountain, elegant Calle Alcala, and Paseo de Castellana. Today's highlight: a visit to the PRADO MUSEUM with its priceless art treasures. Balance of the day is at leisure. Tonight you may wish to join an optional dinner excursion. (B)

Day 11 At Leisure in Madrid
A full day to explore on your own or to just relax. Enjoy this evening's farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)

Day 12
Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)