Gubbins Marian Shrines Pilgrimage 8 days

Europe
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Created: 30.12.2016

Wednesday, September 6 - DAY 1 - DEPART - We depart Chicago our overnight flight with dinner arriving the next day. We enjoy in-flight movies, dinner and breakfast aloft. Thursday, September 7 - Day 2 - MADRID ??? This morning, we arrive in Madrid where we will be met.  We enjoy a tour of the city including the Gran Via Plaza de España, the Viaduct, Plaza Major, the Bull Ring, Independence and Cibeles Squares, the University, and the Paseo de la Castellana.   We check into our hotel for dinner and overnight.   Friday, September 8 - Birth of Mary - Day 3 ??? SEGOVIA/AVILA/MADRID ??? This morning we drive west through the mountainous Guadarrama region to arrive at the city of Segovia. During the visit, we are sure to be impressed by the best-conserved aqueduct of the Imperial Roman Empire. In addition to this over 2000-year-old engineering marvel, we will visit the city´s ethereal cathedral, the last in the Spanish gothic style to be constructed. We will enter the famous Alcazar, which dominates the city, and was the inspiration for Walt Disney when he created his Cinderella castle.  We continue to Avila, the birthplace of St. Teresa of Jesus, (1515-1582), one of the Church's greatest and most influential mystics.  Here we will also visit the Cathedral and the Convent of the Incarnation, where St. Teresa lived for three decades and St. John of the Cross, her spiritual director and confessor lived for the last two years of her life. Later we head back to Madrid, passing El Escorial and a brief stop at the Valley of the Fallen a spectacular monument to the dead of the Spanish Civil War.  We return to Madrid where tonight we enjoy a delightful evening of dinner and Flamenco dancing. Overnight at our hotel in Madrid.  Saturday, September 9 - Day 4 - TOLEDO - Our full day excursion takes us to Toledo where the famous painter, El Greco, lived and worked.  Many of his paintings are found throughout the city, especially in the church of Saint Tomè.   Among other sites, we will see the imperial residence Alcazar, the 13th century Synagogue and the Gothic Cathedral.  We return to Madrid and celebrate the vigil Mass at the Cathedral if possible and enjoy some free time before returning to the hotel for dinner and overnight.  Sunday, September 10 - Day 5 ??? MADRID/BARCELONA ??? Today, we transfer to the train station to board our high-speed AVE train for our scenic ride to Barcelona.  Upon arrival, we drive through the Gothic quarter bisected by the famous Ramblas and see the important new developments at the pleasure port where many of the Olympic events were held in 1992. We enjoy a spectacular view from the top of the Montjuic hill and other wonderful sites during our ride. Afterwards we visit the Unesco World Heritage "Park Guell" one of Gaudi's Masterpieces of "landscape architecture.??? Dinner and overnight at our hotel. Note that porterage service is not provided on the train. Monday, September 11 - Day 6 - MONTSERRAT - This morning we drive to Montserrat on the outskirts of Barcelona and celebrate Mass at the Monastery housing the famed Black Madonna. If possible we enjoy the mid-day music of the famous boys??? choir here. Returning to Barcelona we enjoy an interior visit the Church of the Holy Family or Sagrada Familia, the still uncompleted masterpiece of Antoni Gaudi. Enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.  Tuesday, September 12 - Day 7 ??? BARCELONA - FREE DAY ??? Today is yours for shopping, personal adventure, or optional excursions. We have the opportunity to explore the culinary delights of Barcelona tonight as dinner is on our own.  Overnight at the hotel. Wednesday, September 13 - DAY 8 - RETURN - We transfer to the airport for our flight home with unforgettable memories to cherish always.