France, Spain & Portugal Marian Shrines Pilgrimage
Date
Activity Level
Moderate – High
Book By
Group Limit
38
France, Spain & Portugal Marian Shrines Pilgrimage
Pilgrimage Overview
Join us on a Marian Shrines Pilgrimage to France, Spain & Portugal with Fr. Tien-Tri Nguyen
Book With Confidence
Book With Confidence
All new travel bookings automatically come with our Book with Confidence Travel Plan*—free of charge. This plan gives pilgrims the ability to move their booking to another destination or simply a different available departure date in our vast travel portfolio, no questions asked. They just need to let us know 120 days* before departure and we’ll waive all penalties and get them booked on a new pilgrimage.
*The Book with Confidence Travel Plan allows for any new booking made with Holy Land Travel Center to be changed to a different destination or to another available departure date. Notice of change in travel plans must be given 120 days before departure; standard cancellation penalties will apply for full cancellation without rebooking or changes made within 120 days to departure. Applicable price and eligible promotions for the new tour will apply; if new trip is less expensive, a future travel credit will be issued for the difference in price. Cannot be applied to Passion Play Pilgrimages. No cash value. Credit is fully transferable. Offer reliant on space availability. Effective 10.7.2020. May be withdrawn at any time. Additional restrictions may apply; see Travel Terms & Conditions for details.
Itinerary
Itinerary
DAY 1
Depart USA
Depart for your flights to Paris. Dinner on-board, relax, and anticipate your arrival the next day.
DAY 2
Paris
Upon arrival to Paris, we are greeted by our Holy Land Travel Center Representative and transfer to St. Vincent De Paul Church and Celebrate our First Mass in Paris before transferring to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 3
Paris
Today, you will enjoy a full sightseeing tour of Paris. After breakfast, you will visit and celebrate Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, where you will view the incorrupt body of St. Catherine Laboure. The Saint’s guardian angel led her to the chapel, where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to her. During apparitions, Our Lady repeatedly instructed the making and purpose of the Miraculous Medal, as well as the green scapular. According to the Blessed Virgin Mary, those who wear the Miraculous Medal and scapular will receive special protection and abundant graces. Following your prayerful and reflective experience at this elegant chapel, you will begin your sightseeing tour of Paris. After Mass, we will visit the Pantheon, built for the patron saint of Paris, Saint Genevieve. You will continue your day with a visit to the Notre Dame Cathedral, a perfect example of Gothic art. We will visit the Holy Chapel- A gem of Gothic style. Built in seven years, an impressive feat, the Sainte Chapelle was intended to house precious Christian relics, including Christ’s crown of thorns, acquired by Saint Louis. After we break for lunch, we will visit the Basilica of Sacre Coeur on Montmartre Hill. Then we will enjoy time at leisure at the Eiffel Tower before climbing up to the 2nd floor. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 4
Versailles / Chartres
We travel about 11 miles southwest of Paris to visit Versailles, best known as the site of the magnificent Palace of Versailles, built by King Louis XIV during the 1600’s and was the royal residence for more than 100 years. We then continue to Chartres to visit the Notre-Dame de Chartres (the Cathedral of Our Lady of Chartres). This Cathedral is considered one of the finest examples in all France of the Gothic style of architecture.
DAY 5
Lourdes
Today we take the TGV Fast Train from Paris to Lourdes. Upon arrival we will check into our hotel and enjoy some free time before we participate in the candlelight processional (dates and time permitting). Return to hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 6
Lourdes
This day we start with mass at the Grotto of Massabielle, where our Lady appeared to Bernadette in 1858. Later we take our official group photo in front of the Basilica, followed by our guided tour of Lourdes: The sanctuary of the Basilica of St. Pius X, the world’s largest underground church. The Basilica, The Baths, where thousands of miraculous cures have taken place is the most respected shrine and sanctuary in France. Also to be visited are sites associated with the life of Saint Bernadette, like the Boly Mill – where she was born; the Locale Mill – residence of her parents; the Cachot – formerly used as a jail where she lived at the time of the Apparitions; the Chapel – where she received her first Holy Communion; and the Parish Church – containing the baptismal font where she was baptized. We will then have some free time before returning to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 7
Andorra La Vella
After breakfast we depart Lourdes and drive over the Pyrenees to Andorra la Vella and view Romanesque churches and stone houses in the city’s quarter along with a visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of Meritxell. Continue on to Montserrat. Once we arrive, we check in at our hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 8
Manresa
Today we visit Montserrat, home to the Benedictine monastery dramatically set in the Montserrat mountain range. Pilgrims 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, much as it did Ignatius of Loyola in March of 1522. We pause here to visit the Black Madonna of Montserrat, probably Spain’s most fervent devotion to the Blessed Mother. We then continue to Manresa a place of profound conversion for Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). Here, in a cave on the banks of the Cardoner River, Ignatius received a vision that provided him with deep insights into spiritual life and altered the course of his own life. From the initial insights he received here, Ignatius went on to pen the Spiritual Exercises.” We enjoy an audiovisual presentation and tour of the museum at Manresa then celebrate Eucharist in the nearby cave. Afterwards, we continue to Barcelona.
DAY 9
Barcelona
This morning we head to the most famous Holy family church, La Sagrada Familia. La Sagrada Familia is an unfinished Catholic Basilica in Barcelona designed by the celebrated Art Nouveau architect Antoni Gaudi. We enjoy a full guided tour of the Basilica before we celebrate Mass. We will then continue on to Park Guell before we head to La Rambla for free time and shopping before we return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 10
Zaragoza
This morning we depart Barcelona and head towards Zaragoza. While in Zaragoza, you will have the opportunity to visit the Magnificent Basilica del Pilar that was built upon the site of where Our Lady appeared to St. James. In 44 A. D. St. James the Great was spreading the Gospel in Spain, but, making very little progress and questioning his mission. According to Catholic Tradition, the Virgin Mary, who was still living in Jerusalem, bi-located and appeared to St. James the Great to boost his morale. While inside the Basilica, you will view the pillar that was carried by angels and from where Our Lady appeared. Following your visit to the Basilica del Pilar, you will visit La Seo Cathedral (Cathedral of Zaragoza). Formally known as the Church of San Vicente during the Visigoth period, it contains architectural elements of Gothic, Mudejar, Renaissance and Baroque styles. In addition to the famous cathedral, Zaragoza is also known for its folklore and local gastronomy, both of which will be explored on your walking tour of the city.
DAY 11
Madrid
Today we transfer from Zaragoza to Madrid. Upon arrival we have a short orientation tour before a free afternoon to explore Madrid on our own.
DAY 12
Toledo
Following breakfast, we will leave Madrid for the Imperial City of Toledo, where Saint John of the Cross was imprisoned by the Inquisition in a monastery just below the Muslim Alcazar and later nursed back to health by St. Teresa. Toledo, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is picturesquely perched on a rocky mound, isolated on three sides by a looping gorge of the Río Tajo. Known as the City of the Three Religions, it is a maze of cobblestone streets winding among churches, synagogues, mosques, houses and buildings preserved from its rich history. For many centuries the Christians, Moors and Jews lived here together in relative equality and peace. The city, surrounded by walls, hides great treasures such as its awesome Cathedral, the Santa María La Blanca Synagogue which also served as a Catholic church, the superb Church of San Juan de los Reyes, and the Church of Santo Tomé, with its famous el Greco masterpiece, where we will celebrate Mass. Following Mass, we will have some free time and be able to sample the famous local pastry created by the Catholic Sisters here, Marzipan. Return to Madrid for dinner and overnight.
DAY 13
Avila
After breakfast, we travel to the city of Avila, a UNESCO World Heritage site, surrounded by the best-preserved medieval walls in Europe. Here the atmosphere has changed very little since the days of St. Teresa, to whom the city is dedicated. St. Teresa, a great mystic, was the first woman to be named a Doctor of the Church. We will view the Cathedral and visit the Convent of St. Teresa, built on the site where she was born, and the Monastery of the Incarnation, where St. Teresa lived, wrote and had many mystical experiences. Here we will celebrate Mass and have time for reflection and to visit the comprehensive museum dedicated to her life. On a hill outside the city walls, we will visit the Cuatro Postes (four columns) monument where St. Teresa, at the age of seven, was found by her father after attempting to run away with her brother to die as martyrs in the land of the Moors. After our tour and lunch, we will head for Alba de Tormes, where Saint Teresa died in 1582 and is buried. The museum of the Carmelite Convent of the Annunciation here contains her incorrupt heart and left arm. We then transfer to Fatima for overnight.
DAY 14
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 15
Return Home
Today we board our return flights home with memories and keepsakes that will last a lifetime.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- 4-5 Star Hotels
- Excursions as per itinerary
- Roundtrip Flights
- Air-conditioned Motor Coach
- Accommodations (based on double occupancy)
- All Meals per Itinerary
- Whisper Headsets
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
- Passport and Visas (Refer to the section below for Passports or Visas help)
- Gratuities
TRAVEL INSURANCE
We recommend that all travelers purchase a travel protection plan to help protect themselves and their trip investment. Travel protection plans can provide coverage for trip cancellation, trip interruption, emergency medical expenses and emergency evacuation/repatriation, trip delay, baggage delay, and more. Please go to the link below to learn more Click here for Travel Insurance Details.
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