Portugal Pilgrimage Tour |
6 days / 5 nights
Lisbon - Fátima - Coimbra - Tui - Pontevedra - Santiago de Compostela - Braga - Porto - Lisbon
Day 1 Lisbon
Arrival at the airport in Lisbon and transfer to Fatima.
Day 2 Fátima
Start the day with visiting the following places: the Basilic where are the tombs of Lucia, Francisco e Jacinta; the Chapel of the Apparitions the place where Our Lady appeared; the church of the Holy Trinity; the exposition “ Fatima Light and Peace” where are the offers left by the pilgrims. Possibility of celebrating mass. Later visit Aljustrel, the village where the shepherds where was born. Continue to Valinhos, visit the Stations of the Cross and the Calvary, the site of Our Lady's 4th apparition and the place where the children received the first and third visit of the “Angel of Peace”. After the visit follow to the Sanctuary 2 Our Lady of Ortiga” and to the Parish Church. Possibility of celebrating mass. The afternoon in free for visits or personal devotions. At the end of the day return to the hotel and overnight.
Day 3 Fátima – Coimbra (90km/1,30h) - Tui – Pontevedra (290km/4,30h)
Carry on to Coimbra. Coimbra stands on a hillside at the foot of which flows the Mondego river. Many poets, inspired by the romantic setting, have immortalized the charm of the city. Here have a visit to the Chapel of the Carmelite Convent of Saint Teresa. Visit Lucia's Museum. Continue with panoramic view through the city. Visit Santa Clara a Nova, the church that contains the tomb of Queen Saint Isabella, the patron Saint of this beautiful University city. Visit Church of Santo Antonio dos Olivais. Continue to Tui. Visit the convent, where Lucia entered to the Order of St. Dorothea, taking the habit and the name of Lucia Maria das Dores. Carry on to Pontevedra, visit the Convent where she lived, and where she had the vision of Our Lady and Jesus. Overnight.
Day 4 Pontevedra - Santiago de Compostela (60km/1h) – Braga (190km/3h) – Porto (60km/1h)
Departure to Santiago de Compostela, one the most famous Pilgrimage center for Christians with remarkable monuments: the Romantic cathedral and the University colleges. Free time to wander around the narrow streets. In the afternoon leave to Braga, known for its churches, magnificent 18th century houses and elaborate gardens and squares. Known, in the Roman era as “Bracara Augusta”, it was also the headquarters of the Portuguese bishopric in the XII century. Visit the Sanctuary “ Bom Jesus”, “Sameiro”. At the end of the visits continue to Porto. Overnight.
Day 5 Porto
Walk around the historic centre which is rich with monuments and churches, the centre of the medieval town is the Romanesque Cathedral of the 12th century. Modified during the 17th and 18th centuries, only the rose window and the façade’s two towers are left of the original Romanesque structure. The Torre dos Clerigos (Tower of Clerics) is a prominent monument and the symbol of Porto. Dating back to the 18th century, the 75.6m high tower has 225 steps that can be climbed to enjoy the views over the river and Vila Nova de Gaia. The Palacio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange) is a fine example of 19th century architecture with inside the patio de Naçoes, surrounded by arcades and covered by a glass dome, a main staircase in granite and wrought iron leading to the upper rooms where are the Tribunal in French Renaissance style, the Screams Room with outstanding inlayed wooden floors and the Arabic Room featuring laminate gold decorations and 16 columns, this room was modeled on parts of the Alhambra in Spain. See the Dom Luis I Bridge - dating back to the 19th century is on two levels, the lower part connects the Ribeira district on the south bank with the area of the wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia, while the upper bridge links the old town with the hill of Vila Nova de Gaia where the view from the monastery of Serra do Pilar over the city and the river is outstanding. The monastery dating back to the 17th century is dominated by a dome and has a circular cloister with 36 Ionic columns. Overnight.
Day 6 Porto – Lisbon (320km/5h)
Transfer to Lisbon airport for a final departure.