DAY 1: DEPART USA
We depart the USA en route to Barcelona, with complimentary meals and beverages served aloft.
DAY 2: BARCELONA
Upon arrival in Barcelona we will be welcomed by our Catholic Travel Centre representative, who will accompany us throughout the tour, and transfer to our hotel. The rest of our day is at leisure. Dinner is at our hotel. (B, D)
DAY 3: BARCELONA: CITY VISIT
We enjoy a half-day’s tour of Barcelona. We begin with a visit to the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia. We continue to the Gothic Quarter, where we celebrate Mass. After Mass, we tour the city by motorcoach to visit the ‘Spanish Village’ with reproductions of the most typical buildings in Spain. Our motorcoach will return us to our hotel, but you might be interested is stopping off on your own at the famous Ramblas Boulevard. Las Ramblas Boulevard is one of the most upbeat, striking boulevards in all of Europe, with many cafes and shops. The afternoon is on our own for shopping or perhaps for a visit to the Miro Museum. (B, D)
DAY 4: BARCELONA / MONTSERRAT / ZARAGOZA
We make our way to the spiritual heart of the Catalonia region, Montserrat, home to the Benedictine monastery dramatically set in the Montserrat mountain range. Tourists from around the world flock to this monastery to view its magnificent architecture in such a striking setting. This shrine has attracted pilgrims for over 700 years. We pause here to visit the Black Madonna of Montserrat, probably Spain’s most fervent devotion to the Blessed Mother. Here we celebrate Mass in the monastic chapel. We continue to Zaragoza for dinner and the evening. (B, D)
DAY 5: ZARAGOZA / MADRID
We will visit this beautiful city, the capital of Aragon, in the morning. Zaragoza is the site of the impressive and beautiful basilica of the Virgin of the Pilar, whose construction started in the 12th century. Here we celebrate Mass. In the afternoon we will proceed towards Madrid, Spain’s capital. Dinner at the hotel. (B, D)
DAY 6: MADRID: PRADO MUSEUM
This morning we will visit the famous Prado Museum that contains the most impressive collection of classical paintings in the entire world. This morning we will also visit the Royal Palace of the Bourbons, which has over 2,000 rooms, including outstanding rooms such as the “Room of the Throne.” After our Mass at a local church, the rest of the day is at leisure as we enjoy the pulsating atmosphere of this impressive city, strolling as we do through the ever-charming streets of Madrid. Mass today will be at the Cathedral. Dinner at our hotel. (B, D)
DAY 7: MADRID: EXCURSION TO TOLEDO
This morning we embark to the city of Toledo,a magical walled town about an hour or so from Madrid. Here we visit the stunning cathedral and the house of the famous painter, El Greco. We also take in the Monastery of St. John of the Kings. The outside walls of this edifice are adorned with chains once worn by Christian slaves of the Moors. After Mass, we take some time for shopping, we return to Madrid for the balance of the afternoon to rest before our dinner this evening. Lunch is at a restaurant overlooking Toledo. (B, L)
DAY 8: MADRID / AVILA / SALAMANCA
We depart en route to Avila, where we stop to visit the Monastery of the Incarnation, where St. Theresa of Avila spent most of her life. After a short walking tour of the town, we make our way to the University Town of Salamanca where we enjoy dinner and the evening. Dinner at our hotel. (B, D)
DAY 9: SALAMANCA / FATIMA, PORTUGAL
We begin with Mass and a short visit of Salamanca. Then, our motorcoach will take us across the border toward Fatima. We will arrive in Fatima at mid-afternoon for Mass and to enjoy a walk to the prominent shrine of Our Lady of Fatima. Dinner at our hotel. (B, D)
DAY 10: FATIMA: VISIT TO SHRINE
This morning we celebrate Mass and visit the Basilica to see the Tombs of the visionaries Francisco, Jacinto, and Lucia. Then we board our motorcoach and make our way to the Aljustrel, where the children lived, and the Valinhos, where Our Lady appeared after the children’s return from prison. We will pray the Stations of the Cross, plus we have time for our own devotions. Dinner at our hotel. (B, D)
DAY 11: FATIMA / LISBON
We depart to the seaside village of Nazare (Nazareth), a charming seaside town with friendly pedestrian areas, fresh air, and good shopping. Our focus here is a tiny church with a statue of devotion to Our Lady of Nazare. After our Mass here, we take some time to enjoy the natural beauty. We continue to the city of Lisbon, to visit the magnificent Cathedral of Lisbon, place of the baptismal of Saint Anthony of Padua, the Patron Saint of Portugal. Time permitting; we visit the Jeronimos Monastery, stopping atop the walled hill to delight ourselves with the view of the city. Tonight we gather for a farewell dinner. (B, D)
DAY 12: RETURN USA
We transfer to the airport for our return flight to the USA. (B)
NOTE: While no changes are anticipated, there might be occasions when certain alterations become necessary to this itinerary due to changes in airline schedules or for other reasons. All Masses are subject to final church schedules.
