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 Religious Tours
Portugal, Spain France

Santiago De Compostella & Marian Sanctuaries

On occasion of the celebration of Holy Year Xacobeo 2010 in Santiago de Compostela,
we would like to suggest a spiritual journey to visit some of the main Marian Sanctuaries in Europe such as Fátima (Portugal), Lourdes (France) and Montserrat (Spain) as well as highlights along the Pilgrims’ Path of Saint James like Burgos and León with their impressive Gothic Cathedrals.

The Holy year Jubilaire (Xacobeo) occurs each time the festival of the Apostole Saint James falls on Sunday, which occurs four times every twenty-eight years, 14 in each century . They were 1999, 2004, they will be to it also 2010 and 2021.

The journey to the end of the Path of Saint James in the amazing town of Santiago de Compostela continues to seduce the eager traveler time and again because of its religious nature, its historical continuity, its large cultural heritage ubiquitous throughout cities, towns, villages, convents, bridges and chapels.
We will enjoy its varied landscapes and cultures accompanied by the perennial presence of contemporary pilgrims.
Participating in Holy Mass and possibly enjoying walks on the Path will help us better appreciate this phenomenon and understand the endurance of this centuries old tradition.

Day 01     LISBON – FÁTIMA
Upon our arrival in Lisbon, we will have the chance to discover the different districts of Portugal’s capital, such as Alfama, Chiado and Baixa with its urban development subsequent to the 1755 earthquake. We will also visit Belem with the Hieronymites Monastery -pantheon to both the Royal family and Vasco da Gama- in the Manuelino style from the early 16th century. With every step Portuguese history comes alive in our minds and can be easily understood at the Monument of the Discoveries. Travel to Fátima for overnight.
Possibility of celebrating or attending Holy Mass as well as participating in the religious activities and evening procession

Day 02   FÁTIMA, VALINHOS & ALJUSTREL
The appearance of Our Lady in 1917 transformed the small town of Fátima into the destination of the millions of believers who make the pilgrimage every year and gather on the great esplanade outside the great Neo-Baroque basilica with its colonnades and Chapel of Apparitions. In the afternoon we will visit Aljustrel with the homes of the three shepherds and Valinhos, where Lady appeared after the children's return from prison.
Possibility of celebrating or attending Holy Mass as well as participating in the religious activities and evening procession
Overnight in Fátima.

Day 03   FÁTIMA – COIMBRA – SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
Coimbra, the former capital city for more than one hundred years, boasts the oldest university of Portugal. We will visit the university’s library and Romanesque Cathedral, prior to strolling down the narrow streets to the Carmelite convent where Sor Lucía, one of the Fátima shepherds lived and died.
Possibility of celebrating or attending Holy Mass
In the afternoon we will leave Portugal and continue our journey to Spain.
Possibility of walking along the Pilgrims’ Path of Saint James, “Camino de Santiago”  before we reach Santiago de Compostela.
Overnight in Santiago.

Day 04   SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
A walk through the narrow streets of the historical district will lead us to the Cathedral of Santiago that, since its construction, has been the object of almost all the Christian pilgrimages, and the monumental Plaza del Obradoiro, surrounded by granite works of art as well as the charming Medieval old quarter.
Possibility of celebrating or attending the Pilgrim’s Holy Mass and t
he offering of the “Botafumeiro” (swing of the incense)
Overnight in Santiago.

Day 05   SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA – LEÓN - BURGOS
As one of the capitals of Medieval Spain, León offers Romanesque style works of art in painting, sculpture and architecture in San Isidoro, and one of the most important collections of stained glass in its Gothic Cathedral. We cannot leave without first contemplating the beautiful façade of the former pilgrimage hospital of San Marcos, nowadays a luxurious Parador.
Possibility of celebrating or attending Holy Mass
Possibility of walking along the Pilgrims’ Path of Saint James, “Camino de Santiago”

In the early evening we will continue our journey towards Burgos for overnight.

Day 06   BURGOS - LOURDES
Burgos still preserves important vestiges of its medieval splendour. The city, which was the capital of the unified kingdom of Castilla-Leon for five centuries, boasts a masterpiece of Spanish Gothic architecture: the cathedral of Burgos, declared World Heritage and one of the most important stops on the Path of Saint James.
Possibility of celebrating or attending Holy Mass
Possibility of walking along the Pilgrims’ Path of Saint James, “Camino de Santiago”

In the afternoon we will leave Spain and continue our journey to France.
Overnight in Lourdes.
Possibility of participating in the religious activities and evening procession

Day 07   LOURDES
In the 19th century, a sanctuary was created in this lovely Pyrenean valley surrounding the Grotto where Our Lady appeared to Bernadette in 1858. We will have an opportunity to visit the Neo-Gothic Basilica, the Rosario Church, the underground Basilica, the Via Crucis and Saint Bernadette’s home. The day ends with a torch-led procession. Overnight in Lourdes.
Possibility of celebrating or attending Holy Mass as well as participating in the religious activities and evening procession

Day 08   LOURDESANDORRAMONTSERRAT
In the morning we will travel along the French Pyrenean valleys, crossing the mountain range by way of Andorra. This tiny country has turned into a small commercial enclave. 
We will enter Spain and will arrive -in the very heart of Catalonia- at Montserrat, a peculiar geological formation, declared a natural park, picturesque from any angle. Here we will find the Marian Sanctuary of Montserrat with “La Moreneta”.
Overnight in Montserrat.
Possibility of celebrating or attending Holy Mass as well as renewing wedding vows

Day 09   MONTSERRAT / Excursion BARCELONA
Travel to Barcelona and enjoy a scenic tour visiting the grand avenues of the Eixample district with its modernist buildings -notably the homes on the Paseo de Gracia such as
Lleó Morera, Amatller, Batlló and Milá- and the Sagrada Familia, masterpiece of architect Gaudí.
Possibility of organizing a tapas lunch in Barcelona
Following a stop in another of his better known works, the Güell Park, we will arrive at the top of Montjuich with its magnificent views of the city and the coast. We will explore the vast historical district on foot and visit Santa María del Mar, the Gothic Quarter “Barrio Gótico”, the Cathedral and Las Ramblas, the emblematic pedestrian walkway.
Return to Montserrat for overnight.

Day 10   MONTSERRAT – BARCELONA / Departure
Transfer to the Barcelona Airport 

 NET PRICES  in Euros Include:
 

  • 09 OVERNIGHTS with HALF BOARD in 3*/4* HOTELS drinks are not included

  • DELUXE FULLY EQUIPPED MOTOR COACH as per program with driver's expenses

  • 1 FREE PLACE in double room after each 20 paying participants


    30 + 1 FREE      €
    880 / PERSON in double room

€ 270 / PERSON / Single room supplement

For less than 30 people in your party, please inquire about rates

 

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