DAY 1 – DEPART USA
We depart en route to Spain with complimentary meals and beverages served aloft.
DAY 2 – ARRIVE MADRID
Upon arrival in Madrid we meet our Catholic Travel Centre tour escort who will accompany us throughout our journey. We are shown our private air-conditioned motor coach and we transfer to our centrally located hotel for dinner and the evening. (D)
DAY 3 – MADRID: VISIT OF THE CITY
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 4 – MADRID / GUADALUPE / CACERES
We depart today towards Guadalupe, traveling on our comfortable motorcoach by the charming mountain landscapes. We will arrive at the Monastery of Guadalupe, which holds some of the finest artistic treasures of Spain. Numerous pilgrims have gathered here since the XIV century, when a shepherd discovered a miraculous image of the Virgin, which according to tradition was sculptured by Saint Luke. It was precisely with the name of Guadalupe that the Spanish conquistadors embarked to discover the New World. After our Mass and our visit at Guadalupe, we will continue towards the west to the Shrine of the Montaña. From there we will l
overview the city of Caceres, near Merida, the ancient capital of the Roman Caesars, where we will spend the night. Dinner at our hotel. (B, D)
DAY 5 – CACERES / EVORA / FATIMA, PORTUGAL
Our motorcoach will take us across the Extremadura landscapes, the land from which many conquistadors departed en route to the Americas. We will cross the symbolic border with Portugal, a member – like Spain – of the European Union. Our trip with a brief stop in Evora to see the immense olive and cork trees (Portugal is the first producer of cork in the world.) 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 6 – FATIMA / LISBON
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.
This afternoon we depart for Lisbon and enjoy a panoramic tour of the city before checking into our hotel for the evening. Tonight we gather for a farewell dinner. (B, D)
DAY 7- RETURN USA
After breakfast we transfer to the airport for our return flight to the USA.
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.
