12 Day Pilgrimage to Fatima Lourdes, Madrid and Rome
Day 1: USA - Lisbon
Depart for our overnight in flight to Lisbon, Portugal. We are served dinner and breakfast aloft.
Day 2: Lisbon – Fatima
On arrival, if time allows, enjoy a panoramic drive through the new and old parts of Lisbon including Belem Tower, Monument of the Discoveries, Jeronimo's Monastery and the birthplace of the beloved St. Anthony. Continue on to Fatima, one of the most famous Marian shrines in the world for a visit to the Sanctuary. Check-in to your hotel close to the shrine area. You may join the Candlelight Procession after dinner.
Day 3: Fatima - Santiago
Enjoy a buffet breakfast at the hotel. Free time to participate in the Holy Mass at the main Church. A guided tour will include the Capelinha (Apparition Chapel),the Basilica which contains the tombs of the 3 visionaries, Bl. Jacinta, Bl. Francisco and Sr. Lucia, their homes and important sites where the apparitions of the Angel and Our Lady took place. In the afternoon leave northward to the Spanish city of Tui and then on to Santiago de Compostela, the city of the Apostle St. James. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 4: Santiago De Compostela - Burgos
Breakfast. Visit to the Cathedral and Holy Mass. Take a half day city tour of Santiago de Compostela. The remains of the Apostle Saint James were the origin of this city (9th c.) which soon became a center for pilgrimages and a holy city on par with Jerusalem and Rome. Medieval Santiago experienced centuries of scientific, artistic and literary interchange thanks to the large numbers of pilgrims arriving from all over Europe. The Pilgrim's Route to Santiago, together with the city of Santiago de Compostela, is today a World Heritage Site because of the historic and artistic nature of the route. Visit the Plaza del Obradeoiro which has important monuments, including the Cathedral of St. James. Its current Baroque facade gives way to a Romanesque doorway from the original building, the Portico de Gloria, created by master Mateo in the 12th century, Archbishop's Palace and Rajoy Palace. Walk the oldest streets of the city which date from the 12th century - Ruas Franco, Vilar and Nova. Then continue to Burgos following the Steps of the Apostle. Pass by Villafranca del Bierzo and Astorga. Arrive to Burgos for dinner and overnight. Night walk the middle-age quarter.
Day 5: Burgos – San Sebastian – Lourdes
Breakfast. Visit the Cathedral of Burgos and leave to San Sebastian for an orientation tour. Then to the French borders onto Lourdes. Check-in at your hotel. After dinner participation in the Torch Procession.
Day 6: Lourdes - Madrid
After breakfast, take a walking tour of Lourdes, a shrine that receives 5 million pilgrims from all over the world every year. The spirituality of the place touches everyone. From Lourdes, travel on to the capital city of Madrid (host to the World Youth Day in 2011), stopping en route at Jaca for a visit to the Cathedral of St. Peter. Arrive to Madrid. Dinner and overnight.
Day 7: Madrid
Breakfast and dinner. Panoramic City Tour of Madrid passing and viewing its major monuments: Plaza de España, Palacio de Oriente, Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, Museo del Prado etc. Afternoon at leisure.
Day 8: Madrid - Rome
After breakfast, enjoy a farewell city tour of Madrid before proceeding to the airport for your flight to Rome.
Arrive, meet, assist and transfer to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 9: Rome
Buffet breakfast, meet with your local guide to begin a full day tour to Christian Rome, starting with the Vatican Museums, Pigna Square, the Galleries of Roman Busts, the Candelabra, the Tapestries and the World Map Gallery. Then to the Immaculate Room, the Sistine Chapel with the Universal Judgment of Michael Angelo, the interiors of the Basilica of St. Peter with the statue of LA PIETA. The tour ends at Piazza St. Peter. Lunch in a typical restaurant. In the afternoon visit the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and St. John Lateran: The Cathedral of Rome and the Holy Steps (Santa Scale). Continue to visit St. Paul outside the walls and some of the catacombs near Via Apia. Back to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 10: Rome
Buffet breakfast. In the morning transfer to St. Peter's Square in order to participate to the Papal Audience (if the Pope is in Rome). Afternoon free. Dinner in a typical restaurant in the neighborhood of Trastevere.
Day 11: Rome – Assisi – Rome
Breakfast. In the morning departure to Assisi. Upon arrival, half day guided tour in English visiting St.Clare's and St. Francis’ Basilicas with the Tomb of the Saint and the frescoes of Giotto representing the life of St. Francis. Lunch in a typical restaurant. Time at leisure for personal visits. In the afternoon transfer to Rome
Day 12: Rome – USA
Breakfast and transfer to the airport for your flight back home.