A spiritual journey
to visit
some of the main Marian Sanctuaries in Europe such as Fatima (Portugal),
Lourdes (France) and Montserrat (Spain) as well as Santiago de Compostella
with highlights along the
Pilgrims Path of Saint James like Burgos and Len 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, 2010 and
the next one will be in 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
FTIMA
Upon our arrival in
Lisbon, we will have the chance to discover
the different districts of
Portugals 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 Ftima for overnight.
Possibility of celebrating or attending Holy Mass as well as participating
in the religious activities and evening procession
Day 02 FTIMA, VALINHOS & ALJUSTREL
The appearance of Our Lady in 1917 transformed the small town of
Ftima 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 Ftima.
Day 03
FTIMA
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 universitys library and Romanesque Cathedral, prior to
strolling down the narrow streets to the Carmelite convent where Sor Luca,
one of the Ftima 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 Pilgrims Holy Mass and the
offering of the Botafumeiro (swing of the incense)
Overnight in
Santiago.
Day 05 SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA LEN - BURGOS
As one of the capitals of Medieval Spain, Len 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
faade 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
Bernadettes 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
LOURDES
ANDORRA
MONTSERRAT
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
Spainand 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
Lle Morera, Amatller, Batll
and Mil- and the Sagrada Familia, masterpiece of architect Gaud.
Possibility of organizing a tapas lunch in
Barcelona
Following a stop in another of his better known works, the
Gell
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 Mara del Mar, the Gothic Quarter Barrio Gtico, the Cathedral and
Las Ramblas, the emblematic pedestrian walkway.
Return to
Montserrat for overnight.
Day 10
MONTSERRAT
BARCELONA / Departure
Transfer to the
Barcelona
Airport
Price
on Application: info@allegroholidays.com
