Buffet breakfasts daily; 10 dinners, including a dinner at a local restaurant in Barcelona
Itinerary
Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges where applicable.
Day 1 ARRIVE IN LISBON, PORTUGAL
Welcome to Portugal! Check into your hotel, and tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers.
Day 2 LISBON–SANTARÉM–FÁTIMA
See all the highlights on your guided tour of Lisbon. Visit the CATHEDRAL LA SE’, where St. Anthony was baptized, and JERONIMOS MONASTERY. Stop in Santarém to visit the CHURCH OF THE EUCHARISTIC HOLY MIRACLE. Arrive in Fátima, enjoy an orientation walk, and visit theTOMB OF THE VISIONARIES and the CHAPEL OF THE APPARITIONS. This evening, join pilgrims from around the world for the ROSARY and candlelight procession.
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 3 FÁTIMA
Today, join an optional excursion to Tomar with a visit to the Monastery-Fortress of the Knights Templar. Later, attend 
Mass at the Sanctuary of Our Lady with time to wander on your own. This evening, perhaps join the Rosary.
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 4 FÁTIMA–BRAGA–SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA, SPAIN
Stop in Braga to visit the BOM JESUS DO MONTE SANCTUARY. Continue into Spain and head for Santiago de Compostela. On arrival, an orientation walk introduces you to the old city center. Then, attend the Pilgrims Mass in ST. JAMES’ CATHEDRAL, which houses the Apostle James’ remains.
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 5 SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
This morning, spend some time on your own or join an optional excursion to Cabo Finisterre, where pilgrims have traditionally completed their walk and burned their robes. Later, return to Santiago de Compostela, known throughout history for the pilgrimage route, the Camino de Santiago (or Way of St. James).
Breakfast
Day 6 SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA–BURGOS
Today, travel to Burgos, historic capital of Old Castile. Your visit takes you to the magnificent CATHEDRAL, a masterpiece of gothic architecture and burial place of Spain’s national hero, El Cid.
Breakfast
Day 7 BURGOS–SAN IGNACIO DE LOYOLA–LOURDES, FRANCE
Travel through the Basque region toward Lourdes. En route, pause to reflect at the 17th-century SANCTUARY OF LOYOLA, built in honor of San Ignacio de Loyola, founder of the Jesuit religious order. Cross into France and stay overnight in Lourdes, home to another of the world’s most famous places of pilgrimage. Join the nightly ROSARY and candlelight procession for a memorable spiritual experience.
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 8 LOURDES
Today’s guided walking tour includes the GROTTO, where the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernadette in 1858, OUR LADY OF LOURDES SHRINE, BERNADETTE’S BIRTHPLACE, and her family home. The afternoon is at leisure to further explore this little market town and to attend Mass.
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 9 LOURDES–CARCASSONNE–BARCELONA, SPAIN
This morning, head for the France/Spain border. En route, visit the FORTIFIED CITADEL of Carcassonne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stay overnight in Catalonia’s lively and beautiful capital, Barcelona.
Breakfast
Day 10 BARCELONA
Today’s guided sightseeing includes a drive around Montjuïc to see the Olympic Stadium and a great panoramic view of the port and city. Continue to the city center to admire Gaudi’s eccentric Houses Batlló and Milà, as well as his SAGRADA FAMILIA.
Breakfast
Day 11 BARCELONA
Today is at leisure to explore as you like or maybe join the optional excursion to the pilgrimage site of Montserrat. This is the site of the Benedictine abbey that hosts the Black Virgin of Montserrat Sanctuary, patron saint of Catalonia. This evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 12 BARCELONA–ROME, ITALY
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Rome.
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 13 ROME
This morning, attend the PAPAL AUDIENCE (subject to availability) for the chance to see the Pope and receive the Papal Blessing. Later, with a Local Guide visit ST. PAUL OUTSIDE THE WALLS, one of Rome’s four major Papal basilicas, along with ST. JOHN LATERAN BASILICA, built by Constantine the Great in the 4th century. Next, visit the Papal sanctuary of the SCALA SANCTA (Holy Stairs), transported from Jerusalem to Rome around 326 AD by St. Helena, Emperor Constantine’s mother. Then, visit the impressive ST. MARY MAJOR BASILICA and attend Mass.
Breakfast
Day 14 ROME. EXCURSION TO CASTEL GANDOLFO
A different, quite unique experience is offered today. We will take an included excursion to Castel Gandolfo, a village in the hills outside Rome, to visit the PAPAL SUMMER RESIDENCE and GARDENS with a local guide. In the afternoon, enjoy time at leisure in Rome or join the optional excursion to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel.
Breakfast
Day 15 ROME–PIETRELCINA–SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO
Before leaving the capital city of Italy, step back in time with the help of a Local Guide and experience the power and beauty of Imperial Rome on the included orientation. On your way south, stop in quaint Pietrelcina, birthplace of the beloved St. Pio, before heading towards San Giovanni Rotondo on the east coast, the Saint’s home from 1916 until his death in 1968.
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 16 SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO. EXCURSION TO MONTE SANT’ANGELO
Attend Mass this morning at SANTA MARIA DELLE GRAZIE (Old Church), then visit the FRIARY of Padre Pio, including his tomb, cell, confessional, and the PADRE PIO PILGRIMAGE CHURCH (New Church). Afterwards, visit the nearby SHRINE OF MONTE SANT’ANGELO, one of Christendom’s most celebrated shrines, where St. Michael the Archangel appeared in 490, 492, and 1656.
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 17 SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO–LANCIANO–LORETO–ASSISI AREA
Visit ST. FRANCIS’ church in Lanciano, home of the Sanctuary of the Eucharistic Miracle, and attend morning Mass. Continue to the LORETO SANCTUARY, including the HOLY HOUSE, where, according to tradition, angels transported the home of the blessed Virgin Mary. Arrive at the hilltop village of Assisi.
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 18 ASSISI
Today, learn more about St. Francis, patron saint of animals and the environment. Attend early morning Mass at ST. FRANCIS BASILICA, famous for its 14th-century Giotto paintings depicting the life of St. Francis. Meet your Local Guide and visit the UPPER and LOWER BASILICAS of St. Francis and the BASILICA OF ST. CLARE, founder of the Order of Poor Clares. Next, visit the BASILICA of Santa Maria degli Angeli, situated at the foot of Assisi’s hills and protecting the Porziuncola, where St. Francis is said to have founded the Order of Friars Minor in 1209, and the Cappella del Transito, where the saint died in 1226.
Breakfast
Day 19 ASSISI AREA–CASCIA–ROME
Travel to Cascia this morning, home of St. Rita, the “Patron Saint of Impossible Causes.” Visit the SANCTUARY and see the Major and the Minor Basilicas. Return to Rome for a final overnight stay.
Breakfast
Day 20 ROME
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Breakfast