9 Day Pilgrimage to Fatima, The Shrines of Spain & Lourdes

Day 1:  USA - LISBON.  Depart North America for our overnight flight to Lisbon, Portugal.  We are served dinner and breakfast aloft.

Day 2:  LISBON - FATIMA.  We arrive at the Lisbon Airport where we are met and given an orientation tour of Lisbon including Pombal square, Liberty Avenue, Rossio Square, Belem Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries on the bank of the Tagus.  We also stop at Lisbon's Romanesque Cathedral, the Sé.  Enroute to Fatima, we visit Santarem, the Church of Marvila and the site of the Eucharistic Miracle.  Time for mass if available.  We continue to Fatima and our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 3:  FATIMA.  Today, our morning is devoted to visiting the Basilica and Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima and the birthplaces of Francisco, Jacinta and Lucia to whom the Virgin appeared for the first time on May 13th, 1917.  Dinner and overnight at our hotel.  In the evening we join the Rosary and candlelight procession.

Day 4:  FATIMA - SANTIAGO de COMPOSTELA.  This morning, we depart Fatima and drive north to Santiago de Compostela.  We drive through the city of Coimbra with a stop for lunch on our own before we continue on to Spain.  Upon arrival, we check into our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 5: SANTIAGO de COMPOSTELA - PONTEVEDRA.  Morning Mass at St. James Cathedral.  Morning city walking tour, visiting the Cathedral with the Tomb of St. James the Apostle, the Museum and Church of Santa Maria del Sar.  Afternoon excursion to Pontevedre for a visit of the Sanctuary of the Pilgrim, the Plaza de la Ferreria and the Basilica of Santa Maria la Mayor.  Return to Santiago for dinner and overnight.

Day 6: SANTIAGO de COMPOSTELA - GARABANDAL - BILBAO.  This morning, we depart Santiago de Compostela and drive through the beautiful countryside to Bilbao.  Stop for a visit in Garabandal where the apparitions of our Blessed Mother came to four young girls.  Continue to Bilbao for dinner and overnight

Day 7:  BILBAO -  LOURDES.  This morning, we take a panoramic tour of Bilbao before continuing our drive to Lourdes.  Tonight, following dinner, we have the option of participating in the Torch light Procession.

Day 8:  LOURDES.  This morning, we begin with a visit to the Grotto.  Our walking tour  takes us to Boly Mill (the birthplace of St. Bernadette), the Cachot (the former jail, where she lived during the apparitions) and the local parish church.  The afternoon is free for personal devotions to Our Lady of Lourdes including, for those who wish, the legendary, healing waters of the miraculous Lourdes spring.  Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

Day 9:  LOURDES - TOULOUSE - USA.  Early departure from Lourdes to Toulouse  to the airport for our flight home - the end of a most enjoyable pilgrimage.