Charles Marian Shrines Pilgrimage 12 days

Europe
Albania
Andorra
Armenia
Austria
Belarus
Belgium
Bosnia and Herzegowina
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Faroer
Finland
France
Germany
Great Britain
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Kosovo
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Malta
Moldavia
Monaco
Montenegro
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
San Marino
Serbia
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Ukraine

Created: 28.12.2014

Monday,  June 15 Day 1 - DEPART USA - We depart our home airport to connect with our overnight flight with dinner arriving in Paris the next day. We enjoy in-flight movies, dinner and breakfast aloft. Tuesday,  June 16 DAY 2 - LISBON/FATIMA - We arrive in ______ and transfer to our flight to Lisbon Airport, where we are met and given a short orientation tour of Lisbon before the drive to Fatima. If possible, we celebrate Mass at the Church of the famous Eucharistic Miracle at Santerem. Balance of the day at leisure.  Dinner and overnight at our hotel. In the evening, we join the International Rosary Procession.   Wednesday,  June 17 DAY 3 - FATIMA - This full day (the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima) 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.  In the evening, we once again join the International Rosary Procession.  Dinner and overnight at our hotel. Thursday,  June 18 DAY 4 ??? FATIMA/VALLADOLID - This morning, following Mass at the Shrine, we depart Fatima.  We travel through the Spanish countryside and arrive in the thriving city of Valladolid for dinner and overnight at our hotel.  Friday,  June 19 DAY 5 ??? VALLADOLID/BURGOS/LOURDES ??? This morning, following Mass in Valladolid, we depart for ancient Burgos, once the capital of Spain and the home of the famous El Cid.  On arrival we visit the beautiful Gothic Cathedral, the third largest in Spain after Seville and Toledo. Following our visit we continue northeastward along the Basque coast and cross the border into France.  In late afternoon, we arrive in Lourdes for dinner and overnight at our hotel. In the evening, we join the Torchlight Marian Procession.   Saturday,  June 20 DAY 6 - LOURDES - This day is spent in devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes.  We celebrate Mass at the Grotto, with a morning orientation visit to the Shrine and a walking tour of Lourdes, visiting Boly Mill, where St. Bernadette was born, the Cachot, formerly used as a jail, where she lived during the apparitions, and the parish church.  This afternoon is free for private devotions, Eucharistic Procession, the Blessing of the Sick or the legendary, healing waters of the miraculous Lourdes spring...  Dinner and overnight at our hotel.  In the evening, we can once again join the Torchlight Marian Procession.   Sunday,  June 21 Day 7 ??? LOURDES/AVIGNON ??? This morning, following Mass at the shrine, we depart Lourdes and pass through Carcassone, which boasts Europe's lengthiest medieval town walls.  Her mighty circle of towers on a hill above the River Aude gives Carcassone a fairy tale appearance. We continue northeast to the beautiful French city of Avignon and our hotel for dinner and overnight. Monday,  June 22 Day 8 ??? AVIGNON/PARAY LE MONIAL - This morning, we visit Avignon's Palace of the Popes and other famous sites before departing and make our drive along the Rhone River to the beautiful Paray le Monial. On arrival, we celebrate Mass and continue to our hotel for dinner and overnight. Tuesday,  June 23 Day 9 ???PARAY LE MONIAL/MONT-ST-MICHEL - This morning, we celebrate Mass at the Chapel of St. Marguerite.  This is the site of the apparitions of Our Lord to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in 1673.  It was here that she received the 12  promises to increase the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Afterwards, we continue through this beautiful Normandy region to one of France???s most impressive monuments, Mont-St.- Michel. We will enjoy our dinner and overnight in one of the nearby towns. DRIVE TIME 6.5 HOURS Wednesday,  June 24 - Birth of John Baptist Day 10 ??? MONT-ST-MICHEL/PARIS ??? This morning, we visit Mont-St-Michel.  Built on a stalwart island, we will visit this wonderful abbey, which took nearly 500 years to build. We will have a tour and participated in the concelebrated Mass here with the Monks who live in the Abbey. Afterwards, we continue north along the Normandy coast stopping at one of the World War II historical sites and landing beaches.  This afternoon, we continue to Paris, the City of Lights for dinner and overnight. DRIVE TIME 3.5 HOURS Thursday,  June 25 Day 11 - PARIS -This morning following Mass at the Miraculous Medal Shrine of St. Catherine Laboure, we tour the sites of Paris, including a visit to the most enduring symbol of the French capital, the Notre Dame Cathedral on the Ile de la Cité. While here, we also make a stop at the Holy Chapel believed to hold relics, including nails and pieces of wood from the Cross of Calvary. As part of our tour, we pass by the Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower and travel down the famous Champs-Elysees. We will have the opportunity to enjoy the culinary delights of Paris as dinner will be on our own. Friday,  June 26 Day 12 - RETURN TO USA - This morning, we depart Paris for the USA.  We arrive later today with memories of a lifetime.