Marian Shrines in Portugal, Spain & France - St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church

Day 1, September 10: Departure from the USA
Depart today on board your overnight transatlantic flight to Lisbon, Portugal, arriving the following day. En-route,
enjoy dinner and personalized entertainment.

Day 2, September 11: Arrival in Lisbon - Fatima
Arrive at Lisbon Airport. After passing through immigration and customs, we will be greeted by our English-speaking Tour Manager and bus driver. Check-in at the hotel, dinner, and overnight.

Day 3, September 12: Lisbon - Fatima
After breakfast at the hotel, we will enjoy a panoramic city tour including St. Jeronimo’s Monastery, the Belem Tower, and the Basilica of St. Anthony of Padua marking his birthplace. In the afternoon, we will continue to Fatima where we will celebrate Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, and visit the Chapel of the Apparitions, the Basilica, and the tombs of Francisco, Jacinta, and Sr. Lucia. We will also visit the Monument to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In Aljustrel and Valinhos, we will see the two homes of the little shepherds and the site of the first and third visit of the “Angel of Peace”. Finally, we will stop at the Parish Church and the cemetery where Francisco and Jacinta were once buried. After dinner, we will join the nightly candlelight procession.

Day 4, September 13: Santiago de Compostela
In the morning, we will visit Monte Gozo which marks the last 3 kilometers of the El Camino. It's optional to walk the last few kilometers of El Camino. We will tour the historical center of Santiago to include a guided tour of the Cathedral and crypt holding the relics of St James the Apostle and the Porto de Gloria. Celebrate mass at the Cathedral. Lunch on your own. Afternoon at leisure. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 5, September 14: Santiago - Oviedo - Santander
Check out of the hotel, and depart for Oviedo which is the starting point of the Camino Primitivo to Santiago (the original way). There is a saying that illustrates the traditional importance of Oviedo as a pilgrimage destination: ‘Quien va a Santiago y no al Salvador, visita al criado pero no a su Señor,’ meaning ‘Those who go to Santiago and not to Salvador (Oviedo), visit the servant (St. James Apostle) and not the Lord (Jesus Christ)’. In Oviedo we visit the 9th-century Cathedral Holy Chamber is a UNESCO-listed monument and home to its most important relic: the Holy Shroud of Oviedo (Santo Sudario). The shroud is believed to have covered the face of Jesus after his crucifixion. Mass at the Cathedral. Lunch on your own. Precede to Santander, check into your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 6, September 15: Santander - Loyola - Lourdes
In the morning after check-out, we depart to Loyola to visit the birthplace of St. Ignatius, founder of the
Jesuit Order. St. Ignatius dedicated himself being a soldier of the Christian faith, and wrote the
ever-famous Spiritual Exercises. In Loyola, you will see the 17th-century Basilica dedicated to this
remarkable saint. Mass at the Shrine. Lunch on your own. Proceed to Lourdes where we will spend the next
two nights. Upon arrival in Lourdes, we check in, have dinner and stay overnight.

Day 7, September 16: Lourdes
As we wake up to the serene waters and quaint community of Lourdes, we visit the historical and spiritual sites associated with the visionary child Bernadette. We begin at the Grotto of the Apparitions and then continue on a guided walking tour visiting the Basilica of St. Pius X, Boly Mill, the Soubirous family home, the Basilica of the Rosary, the miraculous spring, and healing baths. Celebrate Mass. After dinner, we will join in the candlelight procession.

Day 8, September 17: Lourdes - Avignon
Early morning Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes. Following breakfast at the hotel we depart Lourdes to Avignon. Independent Lunch en route. In the afternoon we visit Avignon located along the Rhône River. It looks and feels like the backdrop of a medieval fairy tale. It was Pope Clemente V who put the town on the map when he built the 3–acre Papal Palace. We enjoy a guided tour of the palace followed by Mass at the Basilica of St Pierre, and enjoy some free time to stroll the old town streets. Check into your hotel. Dinner and overnight Avignon.

Day 9, September 18: Avignon - La Salette
This morning, we depart to the Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette nestled in the mountains amid stunning scenery making it one of the most beautiful sanctuaries in France. Independent lunch. This afternoon we visit the Shrine where on September 19, 1846, Our Lady of La Salette appeared to two young shepherds Melanie Mathieu and Maximin Giraud. Visit the Basilica where we celebrate Mass and have a drink of water from the spring that marks where Mary appeared. Check into the guest house at La Salette. Rest of the day for prayer and reflection. Dinner and overnight.

Day 10, September 19: La Salette - Ars - Nevers
This morning we depart for Nevers en route stopping at Ars. The little town of Ars has become famous through the holy life and labors of St. John Vianney, its beloved Cure. The story of John Vianney emphasizes how God uses simple people to confound those who are regarded as wise by the world. A man who was considered only marginally fit to be a priest and became a saint. Upon arrival, we visit the Shrine dedicated to St Jean Marie Vianney the patron saint of the priesthood, and celebrate Mass. Independent Lunch. Precede to Neveres where St Bernadette lived for twelve years as a member of the congregation of the Sisters of Neveres and died from severe illness at the age of 35. Check into your hotel. Dinner and overnight Neveres.

Day 11, September 20: Nevers - Paris
This morning we celebrate Mass at St. Golard Convent where St Bernadette of Lourdes lies in repose. Depart for Paris. Independent Lunch. This afternoon we visit the magnificent Sacre Coeur Basilica that stands atop Montmartre Hill. The Basilica, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, was originally built in 1914 as an act of penance for the infidelity that France was experiencing during that time. Visit the shrine seeing the remarkable artwork and architecture that forms the Basilica, the beautiful mosaic of the Risen Christ, and more. Mass. Time permitting, you may ascend a staircase to the Dome where you take in a breathtaking panoramic view of the city of Paris. Dinner and an overnight at your hotel in Paris.

Day 12, September 21: Paris
Today, you will enjoy a sightseeing tour of Paris. We start with Our Lady of Miraculous Medal, where we celebrate Mass, after which we will have to opportunity to 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. Precede to Saint Vincent de Paul Church, then continue the tour of Paris. Our panoramic tour will take us to the most recognizable symbol of the city of Paris: Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, Invalides, the L’Arch de Triomphe, and the Champ-Elysées, one of the world's most famous boulevards. We will make a stop at La Madeleine, the statue of Mary Magdalene carried to heaven by angels. Some free time to explore Paris. Then will end our day at Paris Seine River Dinner Cruise with Live Music by Diamond Blue. Overnight at your hotel.

Day 13, September 22: Depart Paris for the USA

Following breakfast at our hotel, we are met by our English-speaking concierge for our private transfer to Paris Airport. We fly home and arrive the same day.          

NOTE: The schedule is subject to change due to various factors and at your Tour Leaders’ and Guide’s discretion.