Reaffirm and celebrate your faith on this Portugal, Spain, and France tour with overnights in Lisbon, Fátima, Santiago de Compostela, Burgos, Lourdes, and Barcelona. Along the way, you'll visit some of the world's most famous shrines, pilgrimage sites, and spiritual places. Santiago de Compostela has been known as a pilgrimage site since the 9th century. You'll spend two nights here and visit St. James’ Cathedral, home to the remains of the Apostle James.
You'll even have the opportunity to attend Mass. You’ll also attend Mass in Fátima, home to one of the most famous Catholic shrines, and you’ll join pilgrims for the Rosary and candlelight procession at Our Lady of Fátima Basilica. In Lourdes, another of the world’s most famous pilgrimage places, you’ll spend two nights, join the nightly Rosary and candlelight procession, and enjoy a guided walking tour that includes the grotto where the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernadette in 1858. Other highlights of this faith-based tour are visits in Lisbon to the Cathedral La Se’, where St. Anthony was baptized in 1195, and Jeronimos Monastery, which dates to the mid-1400s. In Carcassonne, visit the medieval fortified citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you’ll marvel at the ramparts, castle walls, and drawbridges. In Burgos, visit the cathedral where El Cid is buried. In Barcelona, guided sightseeing includes a visit to the Sagrada Familia, Gaudi’s masterpiece that is still a consecrated expression of the Catholic faith. In Braga, one of the oldest Christian cities in the world, visit Bom Jesus du Monte Sanctuary, where devout followers have walked the “Stations of the Cross” since 1811.
FATIMA, LOURDES AND SHRINES OF SPAIN
Destinations
- SIGHTSEEING
Visits to Santarem Church, the sanctuaries of Fatima and Braga, Santiago de Compostela, Burgos, the sanctuary of San Ignacio de Loyola and Carcassonne's Medieval fortified citadel, Sagrada Familia, Barcelona. - SCENIC HIGHLIGHTS
The Pyrenees. - GUIDES
Local Guides for city sightseeing in Lisbon, Lourdes, Barcelona; services of a professional Tour Director while touring. - TRANSPORTATION
Touring by private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach. - HOTELS
Includes rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, porterage, tips, and service charges. - MASS
Fatima, San Ignacio de Loyola, Santiago de Compostela (subject to change), Lourdes. - HEADSETS
Throughout your tour. - INSIDE VISITS and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges where applicable.
- MYACCOUNT
Personalise your tour ahead of time with additional excursions. Visit our website for details and conditions. - MASS
Fatima, San Ignacio de Loyola.
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
11
0
6
Buffet breakfasts (B) daily
6 dinners (D), including a dinner at a local restaurant in Barcelona.- SIGHTSEEING
Day1 ARRIVE IN LISBON, PORTUGAL.
Welcome to Portugal! Check into your hotel, and tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers.
Day2 LISBON-SANTAREM-FATIMA.
On your guided sightseeing tour of the capital of Portugal, see the enormous monument dedicated to Henry the Navigator, as well as the 16th-century Belem Tower, the Moorish citadel, and impressive Black Horse Square. Visit the CATHEDRAL LA SE', where St. Anthony was baptized, and JERONIMOS MONASTERY, which dates back to the mid-1400s and was built in thanks to the Virgin Mary for Vasco de Gama's successful voyage to India. Head north for a stop in Santarem to visit the CHURCH OF THE EUCHARISTIC HOLY MIRACLE. Arrive in Fatima, home to one of the most famous Catholic shrines. Enjoy an orientation walk and visit the TOMB OF THE VISIONARIES and the CHAPEL OF THE APPARITIONS made famous by the Virgin Mary's 1917 appearances to three shepherd children, which culminated in the revelation of the Three Secrets of Fatima. This evening, join pilgrims from around the world for the Rosary and candlelight procession at the Our Lady of Fatima Basilica. (B,D)
Day3 FATIMA
Today, join an optional excursion to Tomar with a visit to the Monastery-Fortress of the Knights Templar. This afternoon attend Mass at the Sanctuary of Our Lady with time to wander on your own. This evening, perhaps join the Rosary. (B,D)
Day4 FATIMA-BRAGA-SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA, SPAIN.
Journey north this morning and stop in Braga, one of the oldest Christian cities in the world and nicknamed the "Portuguese Rome." Visit the BOM JESUS DO MONTE SANCTUARY, an important pilgrimage site, where devout followers have walked the "Stations of the Cross" for contemplation and penance since 1811. See the unique zigzag stairway dedicated to the five senses: sight, smell, hearing, touch, and taste-and the three theological virtues: faith, hope, and charity. Continue into Spain and head for Santiago de Compostela, one of the top pilgrimage destinations since the Middle Ages. On arrival, an orientation walk introduces you to the old city centre. Then, attend the Pilgrims Mass in ST. JAMES' CATHEDRAL, which houses the Apostle James' remains beneath the high alter, followed by the famous Botafumeiro to close the celebration. (B,D)
Day5 SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA.
This morning, join an optional excursion to Cabo Finisterre, where pilgrims have traditionally completed their walk and burned their robes. Later, return to Santiago de Compostela, known throughout history for the key 9th-century pilgrimage route, the Camino de Santiago (or Way of St. James) with time to explore on your own. (B)
Day6 SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA- BURGOS.
Today, travel to Burgos, historic capital of Old Castile. Your visit takes you to the magnificent CATHEDRAL, a masterpiece of gothic architecture and burial place of Spain's national hero, El Cid. (B)
Day7 BURGOS-SAN IGNACIO DE LOYOLA-LOURDES, FRANCE.
Travel through the Basque region toward Lourdes. En route, pause to reflect and attend Mass at the 17th-century SANCTUARY OF LOYOLA, built in honor of San Ignacio de Loyola, founder of the Jesuit religious order. See its spectacular dome and marble and jasper main altarpiece. Cross into France and overnight in Lourdes, home to another of the world's most famous places of pilgrimage. Join the nightly Rosary and candlelight procession for a memorable spiritual experience. (B,D)
Day8 LOURDES.
Today's guided walking tour includes the GROTTO, where the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernadette in 1858, Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine, BERNADETTE'S BIRTHPLACE, and her family home. The afternoon is at leisure to further explore this little market town and to attend Mass, if you like. (B,D)
Day9 LOURDES-CARCASSONNE- BARCELONA, SPAIN.
This morning, head for the France/Spain border. En route, visit the FORTIFIED CITADEL of Carcassonne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See the ramparts, castle walls, and drawbridges that are still well preserved from the Middle Ages. Overnight in Catalonia's lively and beautiful capital, Barcelona. (B)
Day10 BARCELONA.
Today's guided sightseeing includes a drive around Montjuic to see the Olympic Stadium and a great panoramic view of the port and city. Continue to the city centre's Plaza Catalunya and Paseo de Gracia to admire Gaudi's eccentric Houses Batllo and Mila, as well as his SAGRADA FAMILIA, an unfinished architectural masterpiece that is still a consecrated expression of the Catholic faith. (B)
Day11 BARCELONA.
Today is at leisure to explore as you like. Maybe join the optional excursion to the pilgrimage site of Montserrat and its countryside. Situated 4,055 feet (1236 metres) above sea level in a mountain range composed of striking pink conglomerate, a form of sedimentary rock, this is the site of the Benedictine abbey that hosts the Black Virgin of Montserrat Sanctuary, patron saint of Catalonia. This evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)
Day12 BARCELONA.
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)