November 5, Day 1, Saturday:
DEPART FROM USA
We depart on an overnight flight to Lisbon, Portugal. Dinner and breakfast will be served on the plane. Add-on airfare from most major cities as well as premium economy, and business class upgrades are available upon request.
November 6, Day 2, Sunday:
WELCOME TO PORTUGAL
We arrive in the capital city of Lisbon and are met by our Portuguese English-speaking guide who will assist us to the coach. Our panoramic tour of Lisbon includes some of the most famous and historic sites in the city including, St. Jerome’s Monastery, built to give thanks to the Blessed Mother, the Belem Tower, the Navigation Monument, and many other landmarks. We celebrate Mass at St. Anthony’s Church. Patron Saint of lost things is best known as St. Anthony of Padua (Italy), but he was born and baptized here in Lisbon, Portugal. The Church is built upon St. Anthony’s birthplace. Welcome dinner at the hotel and overnight in Lisbon. (D)
November 7, Day 3, Monday:
SANTAREM – FATIMA
Departing Lisbon we drive to the Church of the Holy Miracle (formerly known as the Church of St. Stephen) in Santarem to venerate the 13th century Miracle of the Eucharist and celebrate Mass. In the afternoon we arrive in Fatima, settle into our hotel, and walk across the street to visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima. Dinner at the hotel in Fatima. (B.D.)
November 8, Day 4, Tuesday:
OUR LADY OF FATIMA
Today will surely be a memorable experience, as we explore one of Our Blessed Mother’s most important apparition sites. Our Lady appeared to three shepherd children; Lucia (age 10), Jacinta (age 7), and Francisco (age 9). These apparitions occurred monthly from May until October of 1917. Historically, as the entire world was in true turmoil, Our Lady’s most prominent message during this time was to pray for world peace. Our first stop is the Little Chapel of the Apparitions. This simple, yet modern chapel is the site where the Virgin Mary first appeared on May 13, 1917. Continue with a visit to the stunning neoclassical church, the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, which contains the tombs of St. Francisco, St. Jacinta, and Sister Lucia. View the monument that commemorates the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the square. Due to Our Lady’s consistency in Her messages to pray the Rosary, this Basilica also features fifteen altars, dedicated to the fifteen mysteries of the Rosary. Visit the Museum with the exhibition: Fatima - Light and Peace. Continue with a visit to the Holy Trinity Basilica. After lunch, we pray the Stations of the Cross along the Via Sacra. The “Sacred Way” marks the path taken by the shepherd children of Fatima to their first apparition with Our Lady. It is composed of fifteen small chapels in commemoration of the Passion of Our Lord. The day ends with a visit to Valinhos, the site of Our Lady’s August 1917 apparition and the first and third apparition of the Angel. Mass will be celebrated. Our night will conclude with private devotions and a candlelight procession, requested by Our Lady (1917). Enjoy dinner and a comfortable night’s rest in Fatima. (B.L.D.)
November 9, Day 5, Wednesday:
FATIMA – PORTO – WOW
Following Mass and time for shopping in Fatima, we drive to the small town of Aveiro also known as Venice of Portugal, where we stroll along the city canals and can enjoy a gondola ride. Continue to Porto, the capital of the wine-making region of Portugal known for its Port wine. Porto, built on staggered hills along the river, invites you to stroll through its labyrinthine streets and stairways, medieval alleys, Baroque churches, fountains and bell towers, BeauxArts buildings, and bohemian neighborhoods. Enjoy exploring Porto and the incredible newly opened World of Wine Experience (WOW)* which is housed in an immense area of old wine cellars and includes all things wine. True to its name, the project is a wine lover’s dream, and its location is already in an area that brings in oenophiles from across the globe each year. Vila Nova de Gaia, which is in the Porto district, is historically a port wine town and home to wineries famous for producing fortified wine. Overnight Porto. (B) *Admission fee to WOW not included in package price.
November 10, Day 6, Thursday:
PORTO - BRAGA - BOM JESUS
Since the 18th century, when Portuguese vintners created a sweet fortified wine – now famous as Port – that could make the long sea voyage to Britain without spoiling, the Douro Valley has been the only supplier of Port to the world and the oldest demarcated wine region. We travel into the Douro Valley today toward Braga, where we celebrate Mass at the spectacular Sanctuary of Our Lady of Sameiro (Santuário de Nossa Senhora do Sameiro), the country’s second-largest shrine dedicated to the Virgin Mary, where we see the golden rose. Our visit continues with the exploration of the Shrine of Good Jesus of the Mountain (Santuário Bom Jesus do Monte), a magnificent hilltop shrine surrounded by a lush forest. We explore the grounds, perhaps walking all the way up the Baroque double stairway to the top (381 feet) or taking the funicular which dates back to the end of the 19th century, and have lunch at a restaurant with a magnificent view of the Douro Valley. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B.L.D.)
November 11, Day 7, Friday:
PORTO - AVEIRO - LISBON
Our bus tour includes the town’s historic center and the Ribeira, the riverfront district. It’s hard to take a bad picture in Porto, where houses are clad in painted tiles and fascinating, eclectic architecture awaits us around every corner. We visit a Port making winery to learn about port production and have a taste before we drive back to Lisbon* Enroute we may stop at a small town of Aveiro also known as Venice of Portugal, where we stroll along the city canals and enjoy a cup of coffee and some amazing Portuguese pastries. Mass will be celebrated. Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner with locally produced wine. Overnight in Lisbon. (B. Special dinner) *Those continuing on the extension will overnight in Porto instead of continuing on and enjoy the afternoon, evening, and dinner at leisure
November 12, Day 8, Saturday:
RETURN TO USA
We are at the end of our remarkable week in Portugal. Transfer to the airport and the flight home. (B.)
OPTIONAL EXTENSION TO SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
November 12, Day 8, Saturday:
SPANISH FOOD AND WINE – PONTEVEDRA – SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
We travel across the border from Portugal to Spain to Pontevedra, the largest Marian Shrine in the country, where we celebrate Mass. We learned about Portuguese wines during our cruise but today we have a taste of Spanish food and wine. In Combados we visit a Spanish winery and enjoy tasting Albarino wine with lunch. We arrive at O Grove for a boat ride along the Ria de Arousa to learn about the mussels production which this area is known for. Our final stop for the day is the famous city of Santiago, where all pilgrimage roads lead. Dinner and overnight in Santiago. (B.Special lunch.D.)
November 13, Day 9, Sunday:
WALKING THE CAMINO – SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
This morning choose to join pilgrims from all over the world in walking the last few miles of the El Camino ( 11 Km approximately, 2-3 hours walking time) or you may choose to visit a local monastery garden that this area is famous for. Both groups will congregate at the Monte del Gozo from which the spires of the magnificent Cathedral of St. James are visible. Formed by Galician granite, this Cathedral is one of the finest architectural examples in Europe as it encompasses Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque styles. The Cathedral* contains numerous, valuable pieces of art that truly captivate the eye. It is traditional to hug the statue of St. James upon entering the Cathedral. Our private guided walking tour takes us into the crypt where the relics of the Patron Saint of Pilgrims’ are kept. We celebrate Mass before our farewell dinner tonight at the Catholic Pilgrimage House across the street from the Cathedral. Overnight in Santiago. (B. Special dinner) *Cathedral of St. James is under renovation and some portions may not be accessible
November 14, Day 10, Monday:
RETURN TO USA
After breakfast, we are transferred to the airport for our flight home. (B.)
BAGGAGE CHARGES NOT INCLUDED IN TRIP COST:
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