13 Day Spain & Morocco Pilgrimage
Day 1 – Madrid
Arrival Madrid International airport, meeting and assistance. Panoramic tour of Madrid the Spanish capital known for its elegant squares, stately architecture, leafy boulevards and world-class art museums. Check into your hotel. Time permitting, we take a stroll along the elegant Retiro Park a historic garden in the heart of Madrid seeing the statue of Alfonso XII, the Crystal Palace, the Great Pond, the Parterre, the Felipe IV Gate, the Royal Astronomical Observatory, and the Artichoke Fountain along the way. Dinner & Overnight Madrid (D)
Day 2 – Madrid – Avila – Segovia – Madrid
After breakfast we depart for Segovia visiting the Monastery if St John of the Cross where we pay homage at his tomb. We precede to Avila. Lunch on your own. This afternoon we celebrate mass at the birthplace of St Teresa followed by a tour of Avila, surrounded by the 11th century walls did not change so much since the time of Santa Teresa, the first woman to be named Doctor of the Church and to whom the city is dedicated. During our visit to Ávila we will see the Cathedral, visit the “Convento de la Encarnación” (entrance fee included) where Saint Teresa became a nun and is now the most complete museum dedicated to her life. We will also visit the Monastery, built on the site of the house where Teresa was born, and also the Convent of “San Jose” (entrance fee included), the first that she founded. Return to Madrid for Dinner and Overnight. (B,D)
Day 3 – Madrid – Toledo – Seville
After open buffet breakfast and check out, we depart to the legendary land of Andalucía, it is said that at every corner there is a story to tell. Our first stop will be at Toledo the most popular example of past cultural mixtures “Catholic, Jewish and Moslem Moorish”. Enjoy a guided tour along the narrow cobblestone streets of Toledo, visiting St. Tome Church that contains the painting “The Burial of the Count of Orgaza” by El Greco, the Gothic Cathedral, Mass, and the Synagogue of St Mary the white. Lunch on your own with some free time. perhaps you wish to visit the El Greco Museum. This afternoon we precede to Seville. Check into your hotel, Dinner & Overnight Seville. (B,D)
Day 4 – Seville
Open buffet breakfast. This morning enjoy this beautiful city flavored as much by the sounds of flamenco and the smell of orange blossoms. Start the day with visit to Basilica & the Shrine de la Macarena. Mass. then precede to visit the world's largest Gothic cathedral (which contains the tomb of Christopher Columbus), explore the charming Santa Cruz neighborhood, and tour the gardens, spectacular Mudejar-style architecture, carved stuccowork and tile-covered rooms of the Real Alcazar, a Moorish palace. Lunch on your own. Afternoon at leisure, explore on your own the Plaza de España, the modern Metropol Parasol, and other historic palaces filled with azulejo tiles and decorative arts. This evening will enjoy dinner and Flamenco show. Overnight Seville (B,D)
Day 5 – Seville – Cordoba – Granada
After open buffet breakfast and check out, we depart for Cordoba, a capital under the Romans and the Moors. Will explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic center to see highlights such as the incredible Cathedral-Mosque, the Roman bridge, and the narrow backstreets and whitewashed buildings of the former Jewish Quarter. Mass in Cordoba Cathedral or local Church. Lunch on your own. Continue to Granada, one of the richest and most populous cities during Moorish rule. Check into your hotel. Dinner tonight will be at the Albayzín hill enjoying the views of Alhambra. overnight Granada. (B,SD)
Day 6 – Granada
Open buffet breakfast, this morning we tour the Alhambra palace and garden complex famous for its intricate Moorish architecture, lush gardens, and a rich history spanning centuries. We carry on to the old town visiting Granada Basilica of St John of God, his relics are held in the Basilica. Mass & the Church of Our Lady of the Victories where he was first buried. Lunch on your own. Rest of the day at leisure exploring the old town of Granada. Dinner and overnight at hotel. (B,D)
Day 7 – Granada – Malaga – Tarifa – Tangier
After open buffet breakfast and check out, we depart for Malaga where upon arrival we will celebrate mass at the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Victory. The church is a Marian centre dedicated to Our Lady Virgen de la Victoria, Patron Saint of Malaga with origins that go back to the time of the Catholic Monarch's siege of Malaga. On to Tarifa nearby the straights of Gibraltar where we take an hour ferry crossing from Europe to Africa, bidding “Adios” to Spain and saying Marhaba to Morocco. Upon arrival Morocco will be met by our Moroccan tour guide and driver for a panoramic tour of Tangier to include the Kasbah district and the old Medina. Tangir is known for its first Christian Martyr St Marcellus who is now known as the Patron city of Leon in Spain. Check into our hotel. Dinner and Overnight Tangier. (B,D)
Day 8 – Tangier – Chefchaouen – Fez
Open buffet breakfast and Check out from hotel. Start the day with Mass at the Church of the Assumption of Our Lady. We depart to Chaouen (Chefchaouen in Berber) located on the rift of the mountainous region between the Mediterranean and the Iberian Peninsula. Tour of Chefchaouen known for its shady alleys, whitewashed and turquoise homes, wrought iron windows, colorful tile roofs, and fascinating souks. Discover the charm in Outa-el – Hammam Square, a cobblestone medina at the foothills of a rugged mountain that is popular amid the locals, see the Tarik-ben-Ziad Mosque whose octagonal minaret is inspired by the Torre de Oro in Seville. Lunch on your own. Proceed to Fez. Check into your hotel. Dinner & overnight in hotel. (B,D)
Day 9 – Fez
Open buffet breakfast. We start the day with mass at the Church of St Francis of Assisi. On visiting Fez, a town frozen in time is best way to describe Fez. It’s considered to be one of the imperial cities beside being the cultural and religious center of Morocco. Tour of the city to include the Royal Palace gates, the medieval Medina ‘city old town” to include Bab Boujloud, Medrasa Bounania, the Najjarine fountain, the Tanneries, and the Quaraouin mosque and University considered to be one of the oldest in the world. Lunch on your own. Free afternoon. Dinner & overnight in hotel. (B,D)
Day 10 – Fez – Rabat – Marrakesh
Open buffet breakfast and check out. Depart to the Moorish city of Rabat, capital of Morocco, to visit the Mohammed V Mausoleum, dedicated to the founder of modern Morocco, grandfather of the current king. View the Mauresque-style Hassan Tower and Oudaya Kasbah. We celebrate mass at the Church of St Peter. Lunch on your own. precede to Marrajech. Check into your hotel. Dinner and Overnight at hotel. (B,D)
Day 11 – Marrakesh
Open buffet breakfast. Start the day with mass at the Church of Holy Saints Martyrs. On Full day visit of Marrakech, the second oldest imperial city “the Ochre city". The historical visit includes the Menara Garden, the Bahia Palace, the Koutoubia and Dar Si Said Museum. Lunch on your own. Afternoon visit of the souks, handicraft quarters and the famous Jemaa El-Fna Square with its non-stop entertainment. Dinner with show. Overnight in hotel. (B,SD)
Day 12 – Marrakesh – Casablanca
After breakfast, departure to Casablanca, Short visit of the Economic Capital: the Habous district, the Royal Palace, the Mohamed V square, the residential area of Anfa and the outside of the Mosque Hassan II. Our last mass would be celebrated at the church of Notre dame de Lourdes. Dinner and overnight at hotel. (B,D)