DAY 1: Fri., November 9 – New York / En Route
Depart from New York for your trans Atlantic flight to Lisbon. Meals will be served in flight.
 DAY 2: Sat., November 10 – Lisbon / Fatima B,D
Welcome to Portugal! Upon arrival you will be met at the airport, assisted with baggage, and escorted to your waiting deluxe motor coach. Transfer to Fatima.
Fatima: Here in 1917, Our Lady of the Rosary appeared to three simple shepherd children, Jacinta, Francisco, and Lucia. People journey from all over the world to be renewed in their faith.
DAY 3: Sun., November 11 – Fatima - B,D
AM: Half Day Walking Tour of Fatima: Your tour of Fatima includes the tombs of Jacinta and Francisco, and the house where Lucia lived. You will visit the Apparition sites of the Angel, the Blessed Virgin by the Well, and the Way of the Cross (with its stations descriptive of the events of Christ's crucifixion and death on the cross).
PM: Free for private devotions.
Evening: You may join the torchlight procession at dusk.
 DAY 4: Mon., November 12 - Fatima / Batalha / Nazare / Alcobaca / Lisbon - B,D
AM: Depart Fatima for Lisbon with several stops enroute. Batalha, your first stop is home to a magnificent Gothic Abbey. Nazare is a charming fishing village with white-washed houses and inhabitants who still dress in traditional clothing. Continue to Alcobaca with a stop in Santarem for Mass. Arrive in Lisbon in the late afternoon.
Lisbon - Lisbon's lovely hills luxuriate with mosaic sidewalks, picturesque alleyways, and the haunting sounds of "Fado." It is an elegant, old-fashioned city which combines the ancient with the cosmopolitan. One of its most famous sites is the Shrine of St. Anthony of Padua.
DAY 5: Tue., November 13 - Lisbon - B,D
Belem, an exquisite example of Manueline architecture, the nearby Monument of the Discoveries, and the Monastery of Jeronimos, a masterpiece of the Manueline style.
Continue to the 12th century Lisbon Cathedral, the oldest church in Lisbon and the Church of Santo Antonio da Se, said to mark the sight of the house in which St. Anthony of Padua was born. Mass will be held here (To be confirmed.)
Next drive to the elegant Restelo residential area, Black Horse Square, the Rossio, and the tropical Estela Gardens. Visit the ancient hilltop district of Alfama, where aristocratic old houses huddle close to humble dwellings. Visit the Museum of Royal Coaches with its rich collection of gilded and carved coaches.
 DAY 6: Wed., November 14 - Lisbon / Madrid - B,D
AM: Transfer to the airport for your short flight to Madrid. Upon arrival a sightseeing tour.
Madrid - A multi faceted city, the capital of a country that dazzled the world in its Golden Age, an exciting Castilian combination of past pageantry with today's modern outlook. It is geographically the heart of Spain, and culturally the heart of the nation!
PM: Sightseeing of Madrid: The Plaza Mayor is on your itinerary as is the Puerta del Sol, Cortes Square and the Neptune Fountain. Continue through Cibeles Square, Alcala Street, Gran Via, and Espana Square to the Royal Palace. Visit the Prado Museum, one of the world's finest museums where paintings by Spain's most important artists are displayed.
DAY 7: Thu., November 15 - Madrid / Escorial / Valley of the Fallen / Madrid - B,D
AM: Depart Madrid by private deluxe motor coach to visit San Lorenzo del Escorial. The magnificent monastery and Summer Palace was built by King Philip II. The austere, monumental domed church is surrounded by 44 chapels, each exquisitely decorated. The Royal Pantheon, of black marble contains the tombs of Spanish royalty and the halls house an art collection including works by El Greco, Bosch, Titian, and Tintoretto. The Library houses a rare collection of manuscripts and about 40,000 books. The rooms of Maderas Finas (fine woods) are known for their exquisite inlaid wood decorations.
Continue to the Valley of the Fallen which commemorates the Spanish Civil War dead with a 492 foot cross towering above the green valley. The cross, a crypt and chapel are carved nearly 900 feet into the granite mountainside. Return to Madrid.
 DAY 8: Fri., November 16 -Madrid / Avila / Segovia / Burgos - B,D
A very exciting day awaits. You see many interesting and inspiring sites.
Full Day Excursion to Avila & Segovia: Stop in Avila, a wonderfully well-preserved, middle-age walled city, enthroned on a hilltop. Fine Romanesque churches, Gothic cathedrals and the ruins of still proud and challenging castles are Avila's landmarks. Most notably, Avila is the city of St. Teresa. It is where she was born, lived much of her life, and where she began the Order of the Discalced Carmelites.
Next is Segovia, a picturesque city filled with history. This 2,000 year old city was accorded the "World Heritage" recognition by UNESCO. The center of town is traversed by the magnificent Roman Aqueduct, probably built in the 1st century. This is still in use today and rests on over 100 magnificent arches of granite blocks all laid without mortar or metal cramps. Afterwards motorcoach to Burgos.
 DAY 9: Sat., November 17 - Burgos / Lourdes - B,D
AM: Orientation tour of Burgos: Burgos is the home of the Spanish national hero, El Cid, whose name means “The Lord” in Arabic. Founded in 884 A.D., a wealth of medieval architecture characterizes Burgos, along with its numerous Romanesque fortifications and Gothic Church.
PM:Depart for Lourdes.
Lourdes - Most people have a mental image of Lourdes, which dissolves the instant they see the town. The town itself is dominated by a picture-book castle, and the Grotto, where the "Beautiful Lady" appeared to Bernadette, is dramatic and large. The people of Lourdes are the most amazing part of the experience. They seem possessed of a loving spirit which sends electricity through the air.
DAY 10: Sun., November 18 - Lourdes - B,D|
AM: Walking tour of Lourdes: Your Christian guide takes you through this holy town. You visit the Grotto where, more than 100 years ago, the Blessed Virgin appeared to Bernadette. You also visit the house where Bernadette was born, the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, the Miraculous Spring, the Shrine of Bernadette and the 12th Century Castle. Mass will be offered at the Shrine.
Tonight you may want to join the daily procession which starts from the grotto and ends up at the Place du Rosaire.
 DAY 11: Mon., November 19 - Lourdes / Paris - B,D
AM: Transfer to the airport in Lourdes for a brief flight to Paris. Upon arrival in Paris, a sightseeing tour of one of Europe's most beautiful cities.
Paris: The city of Light and Romance is quite an experience. There are a million things to see and do, from strolling the boulevards, to seeing the museums and art galleries, the parks and lovely gardens of this city famed for its beauty, charm, and traditions.
PM: Sightseeing of Historical Paris: Enjoy the historical highlights of this great city. See the Sainte Chapelle, before driving past the Latin Quarter and Palais de Luxembourg. Visit the Cathedral of Notre Dame, one of the outstanding examples of Gothic architecture. Continue to Clichy, where Vincent de Paul served as pastor, before going on to Sacré Coeur, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on Montmartre.
DAY 12: Tue., November 20 - Paris - B,D
AM: Visit the Miraculous Medal Chapel on Rue du Bac followed by some sightseeing.
Tour of the Churches of Paris: See those Churches which are the main landmarks of the history of Catholicism in France. Start with the famed Notre Dame, "the Cathedral of Cathedrals,” jewel of gothic art. Inside, enjoy the beauty of stained glass from the Middle Ages including the nearly 30 foot Rose Window and admire the 7,800 pipes of the recently renovated 11th century organ. Built in the 13th century it is considered to be the most beautiful cathedral in the city. Then visit the Saint Chapel with its beautiful stained glass.
PM: Visit The Cathedral at Chartres: The cathedral of Notre Dame (Our Lady) is famous for its innovative architecture, sculptures, and stained glass. The more than 150 stained-glass windows, most of which are original, date back from about 1210. More than 2000 sculpted figures decorate the cathedral, including several in the only surviving section of the pre-1194 building, an area surrounding three doorways at the lower west front. Most of the sculpture in this entryway, called the royal portal, was carved between 1145 and 1170.
DAY 13: Wed., Nov. 21 - Paris / New York
AM: Transfer to the airport for your return flight home. You'll be bringing back marvelous memories of your pilgrimage to Fatima, Lourdes, and Spain.
B=breakfast; D=dinner
A Mass schedule will be provided at a later date.
TOTAL COST P/PERSON FROM NEW YORK:
$3299.00 double occupancy
$ 799.00 single room supplement
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