Buffet breakfasts daily; 11 dinners, including a dinner at a local restaurant in Barcelona
Itinerary
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 Cahedral La Se’, where St. Anthony was baptized, and St. Anthony Church, where it is said he was born. Visit the Church of St. Mary of Belém in the Jeronimos Monastery complex. Leave Lisbon and stop in Santarém to visit the Church of the Eucaristic Holy Miracle. Arrive in Fátima, enjoy an orientation walk, and visit the Tomb of the Visionaries and the Chapel of the Apparitions. This evening, join pilgrims from around the world for the Rosary and candlelight procession. Today's Distance: 99 mi / 160 km
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 3 FÁTIMA
Today, join an optional excursion to Tomar with a visit to the Monastery-Fortress of the Knights Templar. 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. This year you will have the exceptional opportunity to celebrate the Holy Jacobean Year by walking through the Door of Glory. Believers will have all sins forgiven, providing they pray in the Cathedral and attend Mass. They also should have shared confession within 15 days before the trip or after visiting the Cathedral. Attend the Pilgrim Mass. Today's Distance: 273 mi / 440 km
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 St. James Way).
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. Today's Distance: 304 mi / 490 km
Breakfast
Day 7 BURGOS–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. This year we celebrate 500 years since his conversion. Cross into France and stay overnight in Lourdes, home to another world-famous place of pilgrimage. Join the nightly Rosary and candlelight procession for a memorable spiritual experience. Today's Distance: 280 mi / 450 km
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 8 LOURDES
Today a local spiritual expert will introduce you to this important Marian Shrine. You will see all the main sites and hear the story how the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernardette in 1858. The afternoon is at leisure to further explore this little market town and to attend Mass.
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 9 LOURDES–CARCASSONNE–MONTSERRAT, SPAIN
Head for the France/Spain border. Stop to visit the Fortified Citadel of Carcassonne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See the ramparts, castle walls, and drawbridges that are still well preserved from the Middle Ages. Stay overnight at the Catalan impressive location of the Black Virgin of Montserrat. Today's Distance: 367 mi / 590 km
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 10 MONTSERRAT–MANRESA–BARCELONA
This morning, visit the Sanctuary of Montserrat, then attend Mass. Continue to the town of Manresa, known for Pont Vell, a bridge associated with the worship of San Ignacio de Loyola. Visit the architectural compound of Santa Cova, the sanctuary home of St. Ignacio de Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, when he stayed in the city. Later, reach Barcelona, the lively capital of Catalunya. Today's Distance: 56 mi / 90 km
Breakfast
Day 11 BARCELONA
Get to know the city on a guided sightseeing tour, including a drive around Montjuïc to see the Olympic Stadium and a panoramic view of the port and city. Continue to the city center’s Plaza Catalunya and Paseo de Gracia to admire the facades of some of Gaudi’s eccentric work, as well as his Sagrada Familia, an unfinished architectural masterpiece and modern consecrated expression of the Catholic faith. Celebrate Mass , then, 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, and the Scala Sancta (Holy Stairs), transported from Jerusalem to Rome around 326 AD by St. Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine. 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, to visit the Papal summer residence and gardens in the hills outside of Rome 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. Today's Distance: 50 mi / 80 km
Breakfast
Day 15 ROME–PIETRELCINA–SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO
On your way south, stop in quaint Pietrelcina, birthplace of the beloved St. Pio. Then, head towards San Giovanni Rotondo on the east coast, and visit the Saint’s home from 1916 until his death in 1968. Today's Distance: 255 mi / 410 km
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 Padre Pio's friary, including his tomb, cell, confessional, and St. 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. Today's Distance: 43 mi / 70 km
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 Sanctuary of Loreto, including the Holy House, where, according to tradition, angels transported the home of the blessed Virgin Mary. Arrive at the hilltop village of Assisi. Today's Distance: 298 mi / 480 km
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 4th-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. Today's Distance: 149 mi / 240 km
Breakfast
Day 20 ROME
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Breakfast