Shea Marian Shrines Pilgrimage 16 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: 06.10.2015

DAY 1 - Departure Helena DAY 2 - BARCELONA - Upon arrival in Barcelona transfer to our hotel. The rest of our day is at leisure. Dinner & overnight at Hotel in Barcelona.     DAY 3 - BARCELONA - CITY VISIT We enjoy a Full day tour of Barcelona. We begin with a visit to the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia. We continue to the Gothic Quarter, where if possible we celebrate Mass here. After Mass, we tour the city by motorcoach to visit the 'Spanish Village' with reproductions of the most typical buildings in Spain. Our motorcoach will return us to our hotel, but you might be interested is stopping off on your own at the famous Ramblas Boulevard. Las Ramblas Boulevard is one of the most upbeat, striking boulevards in all of Europe, with many cafes and shops. Dinner & overnight in Barcelona DAY 4 - BARCELONA/MONTSERRAT/BARCELONA In the morning we make our way to the spiritual heart of the Catalonia region, Montserrat, home to the Benedictine monastery dramatically set in the Montserrat mountain range. Tourists from around the world flock to this monastery to view its magnificent architecture in such a striking setting. This shrine has attracted pilgrims for over 700 years. We pause here to visit the Black Madonna of Montserrat, probably Spain's most fervent devotion to the Blessed Mother. If possible we celebrate Mass in the monastic chapel. Return to Barcelona for an afternoon free for personal activities Dinner & overnight in Barcelona. DAY 5 - BARCELONA/ZARAGOZA - We continue to Zaragoza.  We will visit this beautiful city, the capital of Aragon. Zaragoza is the site of the impressive and beautiful basilica of the Virgin of the Pilar, whose construction started in the 12th century. If possible here we celebrate Mass. Dinner & overnight in Zaragoza Day 6 - ZARAGOZA/MADRID - In the departure to morning Madrid, Spain's capital. This afternoon we will visit the famous Prado Museum that contains the most impressive collection of classical paintings in the entire world. This morning we will also visit the Royal Palace of the Bourbons, which has over 2,000 rooms, including outstanding rooms such as the "Room of the Throne." After our Mass at a local church, the rest of the day is at leisure as we enjoy the pulsating atmosphere of this impressive city, strolling as we do through the ever-charming streets of Madrid. Mass today will be at the Cathedral DAY 8 - MADRID/AVILA/ESCORIAL - We depart en route to Avila, where we stop to visit the Monastery of the Incarnation, where St. Theresa of Avila spent most of her life. If possible we celebrate Mass here. After a short walking tour of the town where we visit the church and convent built on the house where she was born, the church of San Juan where she was baptizes and the twelfth century Cathedral containing many of her relics. We return Madrid passing by el Escorial Dinner & overnight at Hotel in Madrid or dinner at Local rest to enjoy "Flamenco show" DAY 7 - MADRID/TOLEDO/CORDOBA - This morning we embark to the city of Toledo, a magical walled town about an hour or so from Madrid. Here we visit the stunning cathedral and the house of the famous painter, El Greco. We also take in the Monastery of St. John of the Kings. The outside walls of this edifice are adorned with chains once worn by Christian slaves of the Moors. We take some time for shopping and if possible celebrate Mass here, After our visit we precede to Cordoba. Dinner & overnight at Hotel in Cordoba DAY 8 - CORDOBA/GRANADA - At the height of Moorish power in Spain, Cordoba was the capital If the Iberian Peninsula and one of the most glorious and influential cities in the Mediterranean. Among the historical treasures here are the Cordoba Alcazar, fortress, where Ferdinand and Isabella once resided; the old synagogue, one of only three to survive the Inquisition; and the awe-inspiring Mesquita or Great Mosque of the Caliphs. Free time for lunch here After visit departure to Granada. Dinner & overnight at Hotel In Granada DAY 9 - GRANADA - Today we will visit the spectacular Alhambra, the most impressive of the surviving Moorish palaces, remarkably well preserved, the Alhambra consists of three main areas; The original 9th Century Alcazaba and watchtower, the Alhambra Palace and the Generalife Gardens. We also visit the city of Granada, enjoying the suggestive panoramic view of the City and Gipsy Quarters of the Albaicín and if possible celebrate Mass at local church. Dinner & overnight at Hotel in Granada DAY 10 - GRANADA/COSTA DEL SOL/MARBELLA - Today we drive to Torremolinos along the Costa Del Sol. This coastline is protected by a chain of mountains from the northern winds, is the most popular tourist area in Spain. Today we will be free to enjoy the beach and seaside resort. Dinner and overnight at our hotel. DAY 11 - MARBELLA/SEVILLE - On this day we will go to Seville and on the way we will pass by to Ronda. On arrival sightseeing tour of this beautiful Andalusian town of Celtic origin, with the Cathedral (roman, Arabic and gothic styles), the old quarter, the bull ring (oldest one in Spain) and the Tajo. After visit departure to Seville and if possible celebrate Mass at local church. Dinner & overnight at Hotel on Seville. DAY 12 - SEVILLE - Seville is best known perhaps as the setting for some of the world's famous operatic heroes and Heroines: Carmen, Figaro and Don Giovani. We will explore this lovely city visiting the cathedral, the world's largest Gothic building, where if possible we celebrate Mass. Afterwards; we see the magnificent Moorish palace known as the Alcazar. Dinner & overnight at Hotel in Seville. DAY 13 - SEVILLE/TOMAR/FATIMA - Today will be a bit long and we leave Spain towards Portugal. On the way to Fatima we will visit Tomar. The main attraction which draws people from all over the world to Tomar is the Knights Templar Castle and its UNESCO World Heritage site The Convent of Christ.  After visit departure to Fatima for dinner & overnight. DAY 14 - FATIMA - The Full day 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. Also Aljustrel, where the children lived, and the Valinhos, where Our Lady appeared after the children's return from prison. We will pray the Stations of the Cross, plus we have time for our own devotions. If possible celebrate Mass at Apparition chapel. In the evening we join the Rosary and candlelight procession. Dinner & overnight at our hotel DAY 15 - FATIMA/SANTAREM/LISBON - Departure to Lisbon and on our way we celebrate Mass at the Church of the famous Eucharistic Medal in Santarem. Upon arrival we will make a city tour of Lisbon including visit to St. Anthony church, located on the very site where St Anthony was born. We will also visit the magnificent Cathedral of Lisbon, place of the baptismal of Saint Anthony of Padua, the Patron Saint of Portugal. Time permitting; we visit the Jeronimos Monastery, stopping atop the walled hill to delight ourselves with the view of the city. Dinner and overnight at Hotel in Lisbon or Farewell dinner at local restaurant of Fado & Folklore show DAY 16 - DEPARTURE - Transfer from Hotel to Lisbon Airport