Portugal/Spain

Visit Europe's earliest pilgrimage site - St. James' Santiago Compostela.14 days.

Fatima - Hope Of The World
At Fatima everything is as unpretentious as the landscape of the surrounding highlands and fields. It was in this setting of simplicity and truth, that on May 13th, 1917 three little shepherds (Jacinto, Lucia & Francisco) were peacefully pasturing their sheep when they had their first astonishing vision. The message of Fatima, without any publicity, passed from mouth to mouth and crossed the frontiers of Portugal. The irresistible flow of pilgrims started almost immediately. Today, with multitudes which on one day alone may number about a million people, Fatima can be considered one of the world's most famous Marian Shrines. Fatima has become the Hope of the World, mysteriously united by the maternal summons of Mary.

Santiago De Compostela
According to popular tradition, St. James, Christ's apostle, preached in Spain. After returning to the Holy Land, St. James was martyred by Herod Agrippa who forbade the burial of his beheaded body. His followers rescued his body and sent it to Roman Galicia. In the ninth century, the Bishop of Iria discovered the remains of St. James with the help of a pious hermit who identified it by the appearance of a supernatural light. A church was built over the sepulchre. This started prodigies, miracles and visions that inspired all Christians. Pilgrims started to make their way to Santiago, where James had preached on several routes: the French Road, the northern route, the Silver Route and the Portuguese Road. Pope Nicholas excommunicated anyone who robbed or hurt the pilgrims. The pilgrim's rite begins at the Cathedral with the Portico of Glory, where one places one's hand on the hollow formed by thousands of earlier pilgrim's hands.

Day 1 - Canada / Lisbon
Depart on our overseas, overnight flight to Portugal.

Day 2 - Lisbon
Arrival at Lisbon airport. Meeting assistance and transfer to Fatima. Dinner and overnight in Fatima.

Day 3 - Fatima
After breakfast, visit the Shrine with a guide and tour the sites relating to Jacinto, Lucia & Francisco. Participate in the Procissao Das Velas (Procession) and Mass. Dinner and overnight in Fatima.

Day 4 - Fatima
Breakfast, followed by a full day at Fatima. Time for personal devotions and participating in the annual anniversary of Mary's appearance. We say goodbye to the Virgin Mary and return for dinner and overnight in Fatima.

Day 5 - Fatima / Tomar / Nazarz
Breakfast at hotel and departure to Tomar (visit Convento de Cristo) and proceeding to Mira D'Aire (visit of St. Antonio Caves). Continue to Batalha to visit the monastery and have time for lunch. After lunchtime proceed to Alcobaca to visit the Monastery, Obidos (visit) and arrival to Nazarz, a beautiful small city on the coast. Dinner and overnight in Nazarz

Day 6 - Nazarz / Oporto
Breakfast at hotel and departure to Oporto by Marinha Grande, Figueira da Foz, Aveiro and Vila Nova de Gaia (visit of Oporto wine seller) and crossing Rio Douro till Ribeira quarter (right bank of river) - time for lunch. After lunchtime, panoramic Oporto city tour ending at Matosinhos. Time at leisure at shopping center. Return to Oporto for dinner overnight.

Day 7 - Oporto / Santiago De Compostela
After breakfast at hotel, departure in direction of Spain by Viana do Castelo and Moncao. Continue to Vigo and Padron (visit and time for lunch). We cross into Spain and continue to Santiago De Compostela. Arrival at hotel, time at leisure. Dinner and overnight in Santiago De Compostela.

Day 8 - Santiago De Compostela
Breakfast at hotel. Morning city tour visiting Santiago De Compostela ending at the Cathedral in time for lunch. Afternoon at leisure for personal devotion and activities. Dinner and overnight in Santiago De Compostela.

Day 9 - Santiago / Braga / Guimaraes
After breakfast at hotel depart for Braga by Barcelos (visit). At Braga, visit of Cathedral and Sanctuary of Born Jesus. Time for lunch and proceed to Sameiro (visit of Sanctuary) and arrival at Gulmaraes (visit of Castel and old city). Dinner and overnight in Guimaraes.

Day 10 - Guimaraes / Coimbra / Lisbon
Breakfast at hotel and departure to Coimbra with visit to dos Pequeninos. Time for lunch, proceeding to Lisbon. Arrival at hotel, dinner and overnight in Lisbon.

Day 11 - Lisbon / Montegordo
Breakfast at hotel and departure for the South through Bridge 25 April, passing by Santiago do Casem, Sines and Lagos. Visit and time for lunch, continuing to Montegordo by Praia da Rocha, Vilamoura, Albufeira, Faro and Olaho. Dinner and overnight in Montegordo.

Day 12 - Montegordo / Lisbon
Breakfast at hotel and departure for Mertola, Beja and Evora (time for lunch and visit the Cathedral and St. Francisco Church). Proceeding to Lisbon crossing Vasco da Gama Bridge. Arrival at hotel, dinner and overnight in Lisbon.

Day 13 - Lisbon
Breakfast at hotel and panoramic city tour including entrances at St. Jerome Monastery, Tower of Belem, Cristo Rei Sanctuary and ending at Colombo Shopping Center. Lunch time. Afternoon departure to Sintra with stop at Cascais Shopping Center (time at leisure and return to the Hotel by Lisbon and Estoril Coast). Dinner and overnight in Lisbon.

Day 14 - Lisbon / Canada
Breakfast at hotel and time at leisure. Meeting, assistance and transfer from hotel to the airport for departure.