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DAY 1 - Arrival in LISBON
Arrive today in the capital city of Lisbon. Settle in and relax. This evening, meet for a Welcome Reception with your travelling companions. Diner and overnight at the hotel. (Opcional Fado Shows with Dinner.)
DAY 2 - LISBON / / FÁTIMA
Breakfast at the Hotel. With a local guide, we will visit Lisbon Cathedral, Saint Anthony's Church, St. Jerome's Monastery, the Belem Tower, Discoveries Monument and 25 April Bridge. Our drive will also take us through the Marquis of Pombal Square, Basilica of the Star, Commerce Square and Rossio Square. Lunch. Arrive in Santarém for lunch and free time. All within a short walking distance are the Church of Marvila, Church of the Grace and Church of the Holy Miracle. Arrive in Fatima and join the evening procession. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
DAY 3 - FÁTIMA / TOMAR / ALJUSTREL / FÁTIMA
Breakfast at the Hotel. This morning is at your leisure in Our Lady of Fátima Sanctuary to attend Mass and for religious purposes. After lunch, head towards the town of Tomar to visit with a local guide, the Convent of Christ, considered world heritage by UNESCO and former headquarters of the Knights Templar in Portugal. Lunch. After the tour, drive to Aljustrel to visit the homes of the children and Valinhos, where the fourth apparition of Our Lady occurred. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
DAY 4 - FÁTIMA / BRAGA / SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
Breakfast at the Hotel. Depart Fátima to Braga and visit Bom Jesus do Monte. As we drive through the Portuguese countryside, you will see the holy cities of Coimbra and Braga. Coimbra is the site of the Monastery of St. Clare, which is the resting place of Queen Santa Isabel, patron saint of Portugal. Lunch. In Braga, see the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception of Portugal on Mt. Sameiro, and the Shrine of the “Good Jesus” on Mt. Espinho. Arrive at Santiago De Compostela, famed pilgrimage center since the Middle Ages and Spain’s holiest city. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
DAY 5 - SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
Breakfast at the Hotel. Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore Santiago de Compostela. Guided city tour, including the Cathedral, where Saint James’ tomb is and Plaza del Obradoiro. Lunch. Free afternoon. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
DAY 6 - SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA / RIAS BAIXAS / SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
Breakfast at the Hotel. Explore parts of Galicia on a full-day trip from Santiago de Compostela to the wine growing region of Rías Baixas. Stop off in various cities and towns, including Pontevedra, Combarro, A Lanzada, and Cambados. Lunch. Cruise along the Ría de Arousa and sample local mussels and wine. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
DAY 7 - SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA/ COVADONGA/ SANTILLANA DEL MAR/ SANTANDER
Breakfast at the Hotel. Depart for Covadonga where free time allows time for a visit to the shrine, the final resting place, of Pelayo, an 8th century warrior, as well as the Basilica of Covadonga, alongside the sacred cave where pilgrims venerate the statue of La Santina (Our Lady), is a place of worship and pilgrimage for the people of Asturias. Lunch. We explore medieval village of Santillana del Mar and the Collegiate Church which has its origins as a monastery dating from 870. Tradition has it that it was home to the relics of Santa Juliana. Finally, we visit Santander's Cathedral, composed of two Gothic churches, one above the other. The 14th-century upper church , off which is a 15th-century cloister, was extensively rebuilt after a 1941 fire. In the lower, 13th-century Iglesia del Santísimo Cristo, glass floors reveal excavated bits of Roman Santander. Displayed nearby are silver vessels containing the skulls of the early Christian martyrs San Emeterio and San Celedonio, Santander's patron saints. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. DAY
8 - SANTANDER / BILBAO / SAN IGNACIO DE LOYOLA / SAN SEBASTIAN
Breakfast at the Hotel. In Bilbao, we will tour into the Seven Streets, The Plaza of the Cathedral of Santiago, the church of San Anton, the Mercado de la Ribera, the tranquil Plaza Nueva and Guggenheim Museum. Enjoy the remainder of the afternoon to explore Bilbao before we leave for Loyola. Lunch. Arrive to the Sanctuary of Loyola to visit the shrine built in Baroque style around the birthplace of St Ignatius Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits and visit the house of Saint Ignatius as well. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
DAY 9 - SAN SEBASTIAN / LOURDES
Breakfast at the Hotel. In the morning, we make our way to Lourdes in France, where the Virgin Mary appeared 18 times to Bernadette Soubirous, a young peasant girl. Lunch. Spend the afternoon exploring Lourdes, you may wish to join the Torchlight Marian Procession, starting from the Grotto. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
DAY 10 - LOURDES
Breakfast at the Hotel. This morning you visit the Grotto of Apparitions, Rosary Basilica, Basilica of St. Pius X and Way of the Cross over the hillside. Attend the Blessed Sacrament Procession, the Blessing of the Sick and the famous Torchlight Procession. Lunch. Enjoy the remainder of the afternoon to explore Lourdes. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. DAY
Day 11 - LOURDES
Breakfast at the Hotel. Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore Lourdes. Lunch, dinner and overnight at the hotel.
DAY 12 - LOURDES / ZARAGOZA
Breakfast at the Hotel. Depart Lourdes and make our way to Zaragoza, where a local guide will show you around the main square and the Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar, considered a jewel of Aragonese Baroque art. Lunch. Have free time to see other top Zaragoza sites such as the La Seo Cathedral and the Aljaferia Palace. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. DAY 13 - ZARAGOZA / MONSERRAT / BARCELONA Breakfast at the Hotel. Depart Zaragoza for Montserrat. This Marian shrine has attracted pilgrims for over 700 years. Visit the Black Madonna of Montserrat. Lunch. Depart to Barcelona. On arrival, take an orientation drive along Passeig de Gràcia, past Gaudí’s “house of bones”, pass Plaça d’Espanya and the soaring monument to Christopher Columbus. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
DAY 14 - BARCELONA
Breakfast at the Hotel. Enjoy the morning with a guided walk of Barcelona in the city center, visiting the gothic Cathedral, and Ramblas. Lunch. Visit Antonio Gaudi's La Sagrada Família church. Take an orientation drive at Montjuïc, where the 1992 Olympic Games took place, and stroll Mirador de l'Alcalde Park. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (Opcional: In the evening, experience the dramatic art of flamenco dancing, one of Spain’s most celebrated traditions. Expressive and colorful, this Andalucian style of dance combines guitar playing (toque), song (cante) and rhythmic.)
Day 15 - BARCELONA /
Breakfast at the Hotel. Transfer to the airport for your flight home or continue on to explore Barcelona.
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THE PRICE INCLUDES:
- Tourism Coach (1st Class) for the tour with all fees and driver expenses included
- Accommodation at the following hotels - Lisboa Hotel Altis Park****, or similar - Fátima Hotel Estrela de Fátima****, or similar - Santiago de Compostela Hotel Hesperia Peregrino****, or similar - Santander Hotel Santemar****, or similar - San Sebastian Hotel Zenit San Sebastián****, or similar - Lourdes Hotel Alba****, or similar - Zaragoza Hotel Sercotel Boston****, or similar - Barcelona Hotel Expo Barcelona****, or similar
- Full Board from Dinner of the first day to the Breakfast of the last day
- Official Tour Escort for the whole tour
- Local guide in: Lisboa (HD), Tomar (HD), Santigo de Compostela (HD), Santander (HD), Zaragoza (HD), Barcelona (FD)
- Entrance fees: Convent of Christ (Tomar), Cathedral of Saint James, House of Saint Ignatius (Loyola), Barcelona Cathedral, Sagrada Família Church
- Accommodation tax
- Cruise in Ria de Arousa
- Baggage handling in the hotels (1 bag per person) NOTE: The frees are assigned to the minimum number of paying adults in 1/2 Double/Twin
THE PRICE DOESN'T INCLUDE:
- Personal expenses
- Flights
- Beverage
- Entrance fees in monuments not listed as included entries