FATIMA, LOURDES & SHRINES OF SPAIN
12 DAY TOUR FROM LISBON TO BARCELONA
DETAILED ITINERARY
Vacation overview
Starting from picturesque Lisbon, visit some of the world’s most treasured Marian shrines, pilgrimage sites, and spiritual places of Portugal, Spain, and France. Hear about the apparition of the Blessed Virgin to the shepherd children in Fátima, learn about the journey taken by pilgrims from all over the world into Santiago de Compostela and visit Loyola and Manresa to get inspired by St. Ignacio’s Jesuit mission. In Braga, walk the monumental steps of the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte and in Burgos, marvel at the majestic Cathedral. Join the nightly Rosary and candlelight procession in Lourdes. Spend one night by the inspiring Montserrat Sanctuary, where you will also attend Mass. End in Barcelona with time to celebrate life, reflect, and rejoice.
Itinerary
Day 1 ARRIVE IN LISBON, PORTUGAL
Welcome to Portugal! Check into your hotel, and tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers.
Day 2 LISBON–SANTARÉM–FÁTIMA
On your guided sightseeing tour of the capital of Portugal, see the enormous monument dedicated to Henry the Navigator, as well as the 16th-century Belém Tower, the Moorish citadel, and impressive Black Horse Square. Visit the Cathedral La Sé, where St. Anthony was baptized, and St. Anthony’s Church, where it is said he was born. Admire the beauty of St. Mary of Belém Church, part of the Jeronimos Monastery complex. This building dates back to the mid-1400s, and was built as thanks to the Virgin Mary for Vasco de Gama’s successful voyage to India. Leaving Lisbon, head north and stop in Santarém to visit the Church of the Eucharistic Holy Miracle to then arrive in Fátima, home to one of the most famous Catholic shrines. Enjoy an orientation walk, and visit the Tomb of the Visionaries and the Chapel of the Apparitions, where the Virgin Mary repeatedly appeared to three shepherd children in 1917, culminating in her revelation of the Three Secrets of Fátima. This evening, join pilgrims from around the world for the Rosary and candlelight procession at the Our Lady of Fátima Basilica.
Today's Distance: 118 mi / 190 km
Day 3 FÁTIMA
Today, spend the day at the Sanctuary at leisure, or join an optional excursion to Tomar with a visit to the Monastery-Fortress of the Knights Templar. Upon return to Fatima, attend Mass at the Sanctuary of Our Lady with time to wander on your own. This evening, perhaps, join the Rosary once more.
Day 4 FÁTIMA–BRAGA–SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA, SPAIN
Journey north and stop in Braga, one of the oldest Christian cities in the world, and visit the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte, UNESCO World Heritage site and pilgrimage destination, where devout followers have walked the “Stations of the Cross” for contemplation and penance since 1811. See the unique zigzag stairway dedicated to the five senses: sight, smell, hearing, touch, and taste—and the three theological virtues: faith, hope, and charity. Continue into Spain and head for Santiago de Compostela, one of the most significant pilgrimage destinations since the Middle Ages. On arrival, an orientation walk introduces you to the old city center. This year, you will have the exceptional opportunity to celebrate the Holy Jacobean Year by walking through the Holy Door. The faithful believe their sins will be forgiven after praying in the Cathedral and attending Mass, in addition to having received the Sacrament of Confession within 15 days of their visit. Then, attend the Pilgrim Mass.
Today's Distance: 273 mi / 440 km
Day 5 SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
This morning, spend some time on your own or join an optional excursion to Cabo Finisterre, where pilgrims have traditionally completed their walk and burned their robes. Later, return to Santiago de Compostela, known throughout history for the key 9th-century pilgrimage route, the Camino de Santiago (or Way of St. James).
Day 6 SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA–BURGOS
Today, travel to Burgos, historic capital of Old Castile. Your visit takes you to the magnificent Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and burial place of Spain’s national hero, El Cid.
Today's Distance: 304 mi / 490 km
Day 7 BURGOS–LOYOLA–LOURDES, FRANCE
Travel through the Basque region toward Lourdes. En route, pause to reflect at the 17th-century Sanctuary of Loyola, built in honor of St. Ignacio of Loyola, founder of the Jesuit religious order. Cross into France and stay overnight in Lourdes, another world-famous place of pilgrimage. Join the nightly Rosary and candlelight procession for a memorable spiritual experience
Today's Distance: 298 mi / 480 km
Day 8 LOURDES
Today, a local spiritual expert will introduce you to this important Marian Shrine. You will see all the main sites and hear the story of how the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernadette in 1858. The afternoon is at leisure to further explore this little market town. According to the schedule, attend Mass at the Sanctuary either early in the morning or in the evening.
Day 9 LOURDES–CARCASSONNE–MONTSERRAT, SPAIN
Head for the France/Spain border. Stop to visit the fortified citadel of Carcassonne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See the ramparts, castle walls, and drawbridges that are still well preserved from the Middle Ages. Stay overnight at the Catalan impressive location of the Marian shrine of Montserrat.
Today's Distance: 367 mi / 590 km.
Day 10 MONTSERRAT–MANRESA–BARCELONA
Visit the Sanctuary of Montserrat this morning, and attend Mass. Continue to the town of Manresa, known for its Basilica of Saint Mary of Seo, but more importantly for Pont Vell, a bridge associated with the worship of St. Ignacio of Loyola. See the architectural compound of Santa Cova, the sanctuary home of St. Ignacio of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, when he stayed in the city. Later, reach Barcelona, the lively capital of Catalonia.
Today's Distance: 56 mi / 90 km
Day 11 BARCELONA
Get to know the city on a guided sightseeing tour including a drive around Montjuïc to see the Olympic Stadium for a great panoramic view of the port and city. Continue to the city center’s Plaza Catalunya and Paseo de Gracia to admire Gaudi’s eccentric Houses Batlló and Milà, as well as his Sagrada Familia, an unfinished architectural masterpiece that is still a consecrated expression of the Catholic faith. Celebrate Mass (M), then, this evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant to celebrate faith, life, and friendship.
Day 12 BARCELONA
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Vacation Highlights
Headsets throughout the tour.
Mass services may be in local language and venues are subject to change
February 4 departure anniversary of the first apparition in Lourdes (11 February)
May 11 departure feast of Our Lady of Fatima (13 May)
July 21 departure Feast of St James in Santiago (July 25)
October 11 departure anniversary of the last apparition in Fatima (13 October)
December 23 departure Christmas in Fatima
Meals
Buffet breakfasts daily, 7 dinners including dinner at a local restaurant in Barcelona
Starting from picturesque Lisbon, visit some of the world’s most treasured Marian shrines, pilgrimage sites, and spiritual places of Portugal, Spain, and France. Hear about the apparition of the Blessed Virgin to the shepherd children in Fátima, learn about the journey taken by pilgrims from all over the world into Santiago de Compostela and visit Loyola and Manresa to get inspired by St. Ignacio’s Jesuit mission. In Braga, walk the monumental steps of the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte and in Burgos, marvel at the majestic Cathedral. Join the nightly Rosary and candlelight procession in Lourdes. Spend one night by the inspiring Montserrat Sanctuary, where you will also attend Mass. End in Barcelona with time to celebrate life, reflect, and rejoice.
Itinerary
Day 1 ARRIVE IN LISBON, PORTUGAL
Welcome to Portugal! Check into your hotel, and tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers.
Day 2 LISBON–SANTARÉM–FÁTIMA
On your guided sightseeing tour of the capital of Portugal, see the enormous monument dedicated to Henry the Navigator, as well as the 16th-century Belém Tower, the Moorish citadel, and impressive Black Horse Square. Visit the Cathedral La Sé, where St. Anthony was baptized, and St. Anthony’s Church, where it is said he was born. Admire the beauty of St. Mary of Belém Church, part of the Jeronimos Monastery complex. This building dates back to the mid-1400s, and was built as thanks to the Virgin Mary for Vasco de Gama’s successful voyage to India. Leaving Lisbon, head north and stop in Santarém to visit the Church of the Eucharistic Holy Miracle to then arrive in Fátima, home to one of the most famous Catholic shrines. Enjoy an orientation walk, and visit the Tomb of the Visionaries and the Chapel of the Apparitions, where the Virgin Mary repeatedly appeared to three shepherd children in 1917, culminating in her revelation of the Three Secrets of Fátima. This evening, join pilgrims from around the world for the Rosary and candlelight procession at the Our Lady of Fátima Basilica.
Today's Distance: 118 mi / 190 km
Day 3 FÁTIMA
Today, spend the day at the Sanctuary at leisure, or join an optional excursion to Tomar with a visit to the Monastery-Fortress of the Knights Templar. Upon return to Fatima, attend Mass at the Sanctuary of Our Lady with time to wander on your own. This evening, perhaps, join the Rosary once more.
Day 4 FÁTIMA–BRAGA–SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA, SPAIN
Journey north and stop in Braga, one of the oldest Christian cities in the world, and visit the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte, UNESCO World Heritage site and pilgrimage destination, where devout followers have walked the “Stations of the Cross” for contemplation and penance since 1811. See the unique zigzag stairway dedicated to the five senses: sight, smell, hearing, touch, and taste—and the three theological virtues: faith, hope, and charity. Continue into Spain and head for Santiago de Compostela, one of the most significant pilgrimage destinations since the Middle Ages. On arrival, an orientation walk introduces you to the old city center. This year, you will have the exceptional opportunity to celebrate the Holy Jacobean Year by walking through the Holy Door. The faithful believe their sins will be forgiven after praying in the Cathedral and attending Mass, in addition to having received the Sacrament of Confession within 15 days of their visit. Then, attend the Pilgrim Mass.
Today's Distance: 273 mi / 440 km
Day 5 SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
This morning, spend some time on your own or join an optional excursion to Cabo Finisterre, where pilgrims have traditionally completed their walk and burned their robes. Later, return to Santiago de Compostela, known throughout history for the key 9th-century pilgrimage route, the Camino de Santiago (or Way of St. James).
Day 6 SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA–BURGOS
Today, travel to Burgos, historic capital of Old Castile. Your visit takes you to the magnificent Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and burial place of Spain’s national hero, El Cid.
Today's Distance: 304 mi / 490 km
Day 7 BURGOS–LOYOLA–LOURDES, FRANCE
Travel through the Basque region toward Lourdes. En route, pause to reflect at the 17th-century Sanctuary of Loyola, built in honor of St. Ignacio of Loyola, founder of the Jesuit religious order. Cross into France and stay overnight in Lourdes, another world-famous place of pilgrimage. Join the nightly Rosary and candlelight procession for a memorable spiritual experience
Today's Distance: 298 mi / 480 km
Day 8 LOURDES
Today, a local spiritual expert will introduce you to this important Marian Shrine. You will see all the main sites and hear the story of how the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernadette in 1858. The afternoon is at leisure to further explore this little market town. According to the schedule, attend Mass at the Sanctuary either early in the morning or in the evening.
Day 9 LOURDES–CARCASSONNE–MONTSERRAT, SPAIN
Head for the France/Spain border. Stop to visit the fortified citadel of Carcassonne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See the ramparts, castle walls, and drawbridges that are still well preserved from the Middle Ages. Stay overnight at the Catalan impressive location of the Marian shrine of Montserrat.
Today's Distance: 367 mi / 590 km.
Day 10 MONTSERRAT–MANRESA–BARCELONA
Visit the Sanctuary of Montserrat this morning, and attend Mass. Continue to the town of Manresa, known for its Basilica of Saint Mary of Seo, but more importantly for Pont Vell, a bridge associated with the worship of St. Ignacio of Loyola. See the architectural compound of Santa Cova, the sanctuary home of St. Ignacio of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, when he stayed in the city. Later, reach Barcelona, the lively capital of Catalonia.
Today's Distance: 56 mi / 90 km
Day 11 BARCELONA
Get to know the city on a guided sightseeing tour including a drive around Montjuïc to see the Olympic Stadium for a great panoramic view of the port and city. Continue to the city center’s Plaza Catalunya and Paseo de Gracia to admire Gaudi’s eccentric Houses Batlló and Milà, as well as his Sagrada Familia, an unfinished architectural masterpiece that is still a consecrated expression of the Catholic faith. Celebrate Mass (M), then, this evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant to celebrate faith, life, and friendship.
Day 12 BARCELONA
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Vacation Highlights
Headsets throughout the tour.
Mass services may be in local language and venues are subject to change
February 4 departure anniversary of the first apparition in Lourdes (11 February)
May 11 departure feast of Our Lady of Fatima (13 May)
July 21 departure Feast of St James in Santiago (July 25)
October 11 departure anniversary of the last apparition in Fatima (13 October)
December 23 departure Christmas in Fatima
Meals
Buffet breakfasts daily, 7 dinners including dinner at a local restaurant in Barcelona
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