Marian Pilgrimage |
18 days / 19 nights
Day 1: Arrive Lisbon
Arrive at the airport and transfer to hotel for overnight
Day 2 Lisbon– Santarem (80km/1h)– Fatima (60km/1h)
Enjoy a brief city tour that will give you a great insight into Lisbon's lifestyle, history and culture. Visit the Rossio Square, the heart of both old and new Lisbon. Learn how the old city of Lisbon was destroyed in the 18th century and then totally rebuilt to become the city of today. Continue with a visit to the Church of San Antonio de Padua.Proceed to Santarem to visit the Church of
the Holy Miracle. It is one of the Portugal’s most visited Pilgrimage sites. In the evening transfer to Fatima for overnight
Day 3: Fatima
Morning tour of Fatima's Sanctuary, center of Christian faith and a place of world pilgrimage to visit the Basilica where the tombstone of Lucia, Jacinta and Francisco are, as well as the Chapel of Apparitions, heart of the shrine. Follow the Stations of the Cross along the Via Sacra (The Sacred Way) culminating in the Chapel of Calvary, which overlooks all of Fatima. Afternoon free time for private devotions. You may join the candlelight procession in the evening.
Day 4: Fatima – Salamanca ( 400km/6h) – Avila (110km/1h30min)
After breakfast, transfer to Salamanca for a short tour. Visit the Old Cathedral, also known as Catedral Vieja de Santa María, one of two cathedrals in Salamanca, the other being the New Cathedral of Salamanca. It was founded by Bishop Jerome of Périgord, in the 12th century and completed in Romanesque/Gothic style in the 14th century. Then onwards to Avila for check in and overnight
Day 5: Avila – Madrid (110km/2h)
In the morning short guided tour of Avila. On your journey, admires Avila´s most important monuments and sites with your personal tour guide. Listen as your guide illuminates your surroundings with tales of history and important people who shaped the city. Stop and take pictures whenever you like. See Avila’s Cathedral, the four posts, the wall of Avila and the basilica of San Vicente, amongst other points of interest. Proceed to Madrid. Upon arrival, your guide will show you all the different and most interesting areas of Madrid, from the city quarters that highlight the architecture of Old Madrid. Here we see the elegant squares of Oriente, Espana, Puerta del Sol, Cibeles, Parque del Retiro, Puerta de Alcala, Colon and Plaza Mayor, with its
great avenues such as Gran Via and Alcala. We pass by famous attractions, such as the Royal Palace, the Prado Museum, the memorial Retiro Park. Check in and overnight at hotel
Day 6: Madrid – Zaragoza(300km/4h)- Bacelona ( 300km/4h)
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Lourdes via Zaragoza visiting our Lady of Pillar. The Basilica venerates Blessed Virgin Mary, under her title Our Lady of the Pillar praised as Mother of the Hispanic Peoples by Pope John Paul II. It is reputed to be the first church dedicated to Mary in history. Then proceed to Barcelona.
Day 7:Barcelona - Montserrat – Barcelona ( 50km/1h)
A panoramic tour of Barcelona, the capital of Catalunya ( Catalonia ), exploring and enjoying the board avenues of this beautiful city and admiring its splendid building contrasts dating back nearly 2000 years. Visit of the Gothic Quarter that includes its Gothic Saint Eulalia Cathedral and its IV Century Roman Wall. Driving by the Columbus Statue and on the famous Ramblas Blvd. to Catalunya Square to the “Enxample”, admiring the architectural styles of Catalan’s most renowned architects- Bastilló, Milà and Gaudí. Proceeding towards the Holy Family Church, Gaudí’s masterpiece. In the evening transfer to Montserrat. Travelling to Montserrat, home of the Benedictine monastery dramatically set in the Montserrat mountain range. Pilgrims from around the world flock to this monastery to view its magnificent architecture. This shrine has attracted pilgrims for over 700 years, much as it did Ignatus in March of 1522. Visiting the Black Madonna of Montserrat, probably Spain’s most fervent devotion to the Blessed Mother.
Day 8: Barcelona – Lourdes ( 560km/8h)
Long drive to Lourdes
Day 9: Lourdes
The highlight of the tour is the sanctuary; the Basilica of St Pius X, and the baths where hundreds of miraculous cures have taken place. See Boly Mill where St Bernadette was born and the "Cachot," an abandoned prison where Bernadette's impoverished family lived. You may also attend the evening procession in honor of Our Lady. The whole afternoon will be free
Day 10: Lourdes – Paris ( TGV Train)
Transfer to Trian Station. Take 2nd class TGV Train to Paris. Upon arrival meet with your assistance and transfer to hotel for check in and overnight.
Day 11: Paris
After breakfast, city orientation of Paris will follow. Your local guide will show you the highlights of the city with an outside view of Notre Dame Cathedral, photostop at the Louvre Museum, Champs Elysees, Arch of Triumph, The Opera, Concorde Square, Vendome Square and to top it all. In the afternoon have guided tour of Sacre Coure and Miraculouse Medal Basilica.
Day 12: Paris – Never (240km/3h30min)– Paray Le Monial ( 120km/2h)
Breakfast inside the hotel and you will proceed to Nevers to visit St. Cyr and St. Judith Cathedral. Proceed to Paray Le Monial for another tour.
Day 13: Paray Le Monial – Turin (450km/6h)
After breakfast, transfer to Turin, the capital of the Piemonte region of northwest Italy in which sports cars and chocolates are a matter of pride. The city is also home to the Museo Egizio, one of the most impressive collections of Egyptian artifacts in the world. A stroll around Piazza Castello and along the Via Roma encompasses many of the must-see sights. Valentino Park houses an 18th-century castle, botanic garden and medieval village. When you've worked up an appetite, sample casual trattorias for pastas, regional wines and coffees.
Day 14: Turin – Pisa ( 320km/4h) – Florence ( 100km/1h30min)
Transfer to Pisa, See the famous Leaning tower and have some free time, then proceed to Florence for check in and overnight
Day 15: Florence – Assisi ( 170km/2h30min)
Sightseeing tour of this renaissance city with a local guide. This is the city of names like Dante Alighieri, Michelangelo, Machiavelli. The visitors can admire the outstanding work of Bruneleschi, the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Right next to it is the baptistery with “the Gates of Paradise”. Another interesting place is the market place by the river Arno and the famous bridge full of goldsmith shops. Crossing the river to the top of Michelangelo Square, where there is a wonderful overview of the city. Departure to Assisi- the city of the patron saint of S. Francis. Before that, visiting the basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli. There can be found the Porzuincula, a little chapel with old frescos where Jesus spoke to S. Francis and also the place where the saint died. Arriving to Assisi, a city built of rose stone. In one end the visitor can see the two basilicas. Time seems not to have passed or touched this place. Visiting the church of St. Claire, her tomb and the two basilicas of S. Francis, full of wonderful frescos on their walls.
Day 16: Assisi – Loreto (140km/2h)- Lanciano(180km/2h30min) – San Giovanni Rotondo (150km/2h)
Depart for Loreto, short stop at main Pilgrimage spots.Taking the road to Lanciano, the city where took place the first Eucharistic miracle ( very similar to the one that happened in Santarém, Portugal ). Heading to San Giovanni Rotondo. Enjoy walking tour to the Capuchins convent where Padre Pio spent most part of his days, in particular to the crypt where is his tomb with his body exposed in the church of Our Lady of Grace. Visiting the most recent church built by Renzo Piano to receive a great number if pilgrim that demand S. G. Rotondo. It’s estimated that over 5 milion people come over to S. G. R. per year. Going to Monte Sant’Angelo through winding roads of the Gargano area. From the top of the village there is a wonderful view over the Adriatic sea. The visitor can see a very original church because inside of it there is a grotto at 70 meters deep. This was the place of the first pilgrimage of S. Francis. Check in and overnight at hotel
Day 17: San Giovanni Rotondo – Montecasino ( 240km/4h) – Rome ( 140km/2h)
Transfer ot Rome with stop for guided tour of Montecasino Abbey. In the late evening arrive and check in at hotel in Rome
Day 18: Rome
After breakfast, full day tour of Rome includes: the 4 major Basilicas of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, St. Mary major built 432 AD, St. John in Lateran - original Papal residence and St. Paul's
outside the wall. Includes the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel. Also, sightseeing tour of Rome with guide, seeing Coloseum, Trevi fountain, Spanish steps.
Day 19: Rome Departure
Departure transfer to airport