pilgrimage
12 days 11 nights Barcelona - Montserrat - Loudres - San Sebastian - Covadonga - Oviedo - La Coruna
Join us on a fantastic pilgrimage to the important holy sites in Spain, France and Portugal
Day 1
Barcelona
Arrival at Barcelona Airport, transfer to the hotel.
Day 2
Barcelona
A panoramic tour of Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, exploring and enjoying the broad avenues of this beautiful city and admiring its splendid building contrasts dating back nearly 2000 years. Visit of the Gothic Quarter that includes Saint Eulalia Cathedral and its IV Century Roman Wall. Drive by the Columbus Statue and on the famous Ramblas Blvd. to Catalonia Square to the Eixample district, admire the architectural styles of Catalan’s most renowned architects- Bastilló, Milà and Gaudí. Proceed towards the Holy Family Church, Gaudí’s masterpiece. Continue on to Tibidabo Hill. A statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus with his extended arms overlooking Barcelona below reminds the one of Rio de Janeiro.
Day 3
Barcelona - Montserrat (400km/4h) - Lourdes ( 410km/4h)
Travel 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. Visit the Black Madonna of Montserrat, probably Spain’s most fervent devotion to the Blessed Mother. Continue on to Lourdes.
Day 4
Lourdes
Participate in morning Mass. Enjoy a walking tour “In the Footsteps of Bernadette”. Visiting the Cachot ( former jail cell that once served as the Soubirous family’s home ); the parish church; Fr. Peyramale’s Presbitery; the Hospice and the Boly Mill. At 4:30 PM in the afternoon, take part in the Procession of the Blessed Sacrament and the Blessing of the Sick.
Day 5
Lourdes - San Sebastian (200km/2h)- Covadonga (320km/4h)
Journey to the beautiful seaside city of San Sebastian on the Gulf of Vizcaya. Continue to Covadonga and pay a visit to Our Lady of Covadonga and overnight.
Day 6
Covadonga
Covadonga combines the history of the Spanish Christians first victory over the Moors with the beauty of one of Spain’s most dramatic National Parks. It is the scene of the Spanish Christian army’s first victory against the Moors. A battle here about 718 A.D. pitted a ragged band of Christian Visigoths against a small band of Muslims. The resulting victory established the first niche of Christian Europe in an Iberia controlled by the Moors. One of the town’s most important monuments is La Santa Cueva, a cave shrine containing the sarcophagus of Pelayo, king of the Visigothic Christians, and an enormous Neo- Romanesque basilica commemorating the Christianization of Spain. In the country, there are more than 15 Virgins of the Cave. One of the most famous ones " Our Lady of Covadonga" is also included in the visit.
Day 7
Covadonga- Oviedo (120km/1h30 min )- La Coruna (300km/3 h30min)- Santiago de Compostela (75km/1h)
Participate in Mass, then depart for Santiago and enjoying a scenic ride through the region of Galucia. Stopping at the University town of Oviedo and the coastal town of La Coruna. Continue to Santiago.
Day 8
Santiago de Compostela
A full day of sightseeing in the city of Spain’s patron Saint. “Compostela”, from the Latin “field of the star”, was named after the tradition of St. James ( Santiago ), the Patron Saint of Spain. This city has been the third major site visited by Christian pilgrims and visitors ( after Jerusalem and Rome ) and is the present capital of Galicia. Take part in a walking tour of this medieval city through labyrinthine cobbled streets. Santiago remains virtually intact, since no man or natural upheavals have produced any damage to the city. It’s a truly national monument with its buildings built with practically indestructible granite stone. Visit the Plaza del Obradoiro and the great Cathedral that dominates the town. Its main entrance is two stories above the plaza. The statue of St. James smiles benignly down upon the faithful, the towers soar into the sky. The Portico de la Gloria, designed by Maestro Mateo and completed in 1188, is the finest example of a Romanesque sculpture. Celebrate Mass. Inside the Cathedral there are more pieces of priceless architecture, statues and religious treasures. Behind the silver and gold main altar are the sarcophagi of St. James and two of his disciples. A statue of St. James towers above and is surrounded by an elaborate display of drapery and sculpture. Free time to browse through the quaint narrow streets and plazas, admiring such buildings as the Neoclassical Rajoy Palace, now the city hall, the Romanesque Colegio de San Jeronimo, and the stunning Parador de Los Reyes Católicos- all buildings which surround the other three sides of this magnificent plaza.
Day 9
Santiago de Compostela- Coimbra (340km/3h40min)- Fatima ( 90km/1h)
Visit for orning Mass then board a motor coach for a scenic drive to the University Town of Coimbra. Visit the monastery where Sr. Lucy still lives, the sole surviving visionary. Continue to Fatima.
Day 10
Fatima
The day begins with a Mass, than a visit of the Tombs of Francisco and Jacinto; the Aljustrel where the children lived; and Valinhos, where Our Lady appeared after the children’s return from prison. An option of praying the Stations of the Cross, time for devotions.
Day 11
Fatima- Lisbon (130km/1h30min)
Travel to Lisbon, enjoy a panoramic city tour, including the Cathedral with the baptismal font of St. Anthony. Leisure time.
Day 12
Lisbon
Transfer to Lisbon Airport, departure.
