SPAIN – PORTUGAL

Travel Arrangements by Mina Tours Inc. 101 Amber St, Unit #3, Markham, ON, L3R 3B2 Tel: 905- 475-5388 / 416-846-6691 Fax: 905-475-8599

SPAIN:GARABANDAL-SANTANDER-SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA-ALBA   DE TORMERS-SALAMANCA-AVILA BURGOS- LOYOLA PORTUGAL:LISBON-SANTAREM-FATIMA  Lourdes

 

Arrival Spain and transfer to Garabandal, a drive of about 4-5 hours. As we motor through the scenic countryside of Cantabria, Spain Arrive to the hamlet of Garabandal.

For the next two evenings will stay at a modest hotels in Garabandal. This village population consists of  about 95 humble houses.

In June 1961 there was an apparition of the Angel to 4 children, preparing them for the visit of the Virgin Mother and From Jul 2, 1961 sporadically until Nov 13, 1965, the Blessed Virgin visited them, speaking, guiding and confiding secrets of future events. The children reported a promised future miracle at the grove of pine trees on a bluff overlooking the village of Garabandal. It will be on the feast-day of a little known martyr of the Eucharist and coincide with an event in the Church.

During the stay at Garabandal, time will be dedicated for reflection and spiritual. Overnight.

Today we will drive towards the city of Santiago de Compostela. Overnight in Santiago de Compostela.

Visit Cathedral of St. James is one of the finest examples of architecture in all of Europe. As pilgrims, we have the opportunity to climb the stairs behind the high altar to visit the crypt where the relics of St. James are preserved, touch the central pillar (Portico de La Gloria), view the ‘botafumeiro’ and admire the wealth of medieval art inside the Cathedral, before visiting the cloister museum. Enjoy a stroll on own, though the beautiful streets of Santiago de Compostela, the city of the apostle, full of historical buildings and other attractions (before or after dinner). Overnight in Santiago de Compostela.

Depart to Lisbon. Panoramic City tour, including the visit of the Cathedral, St. Jerome’s Monastery, Saint Anthony’s Church, Belem Quarter: Belem Tower, Discoveries Monument. Our drive will also take us through the Basilica of the Star, Rossio Square, Commerce square and Marquee of Pomba Square. Overnight in Lisbon.

Arrival at Lisbon and transfer to the hotel. Drive through Lisbon, for a panoramic City Tour, visit St. Anthony’s Church and City Tour. Overnight in Lisbon

Depart towards Santarem; walk through the streets towards,  St. Stephen Church, holding the oldest Recorded Eucharistic miracle. Onwards to Fatima, where the Blessed Virgin appeared in 1917 to three children. In Fatima we will see the Basilica, site of Frances-co and Jacinta’s graves, the Hamlet of Aljustrel, where the children lived, and Valinhos, site of Our Lady’s appearance. At the night join the group prayers and candlelight processions. Overnight Fatima.

Free day in Fatima for personal meditation and Spiritual devotions. In the evening join prayers with other pilgrims. Overnight Fatima

Depart towards the city of Salamanca, Spain. Salamanca is one of the most prestigious universities in the world. A Panoramic City tour, including the grand Plaza Mayor, the vast Baroque church of La Clerecía; the Casa de las Con-chas (House of Shells), named after the rows of carved scallop shells symbol of the pilgrimage to Santiago which decorate its façade; the cathedrals; the Roman Bridge; San Marcos and San Martin churches. Overnight Salamanca.

Depart towards Alba de Tormes village, visit the Carmelite Monastery, where St Teresa died and was buried. In the little museum of the Carmelite Monastery we will see the incorrupt heart and left arm of the St. Teresa, continue our journey to Ávila. The two  most distinguished attractions of Ávila; is the perfectly preserved eleventh-century walls and the mystic writer Santa Teresa, who was born here and has a shrine of Santa Teresa, the first woman to be named a Doctor of the Church and this city is dedicated to her. Visit the Incarnation Convent, where St. Teresa became a nun and home to the most comprehensive museum dedicated to her life. After walking in the footsteps of St. Teresa we will depart towards Burgos, the historic capital of Old Castile. Overnight Burgos.

Depart Burgos for Loyola, the birthplace of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits. Visit the 17th-century Basilica dedicated to St. Ignatius and the family home which is behind the sanctuary. Free time for prayers. Motor through the Pyrenees Mountains into Lourdes. Here, standing between the spectacular mountain-river, Gave de Pau, stands picturesque Lourdes, the birthplace of St Bernadette to whom Our Lady appeared in 1858 near the Grotto of Massabielle. Overnight Lourdes

Tour of Lourdes including the sanctuary; the Healing Baths where hundreds of miraculous healings have taken place. Enjoy a video presentation telling the story ofLourdes. See where St Bernadette was born and the “Cachot,” an abandoned prison where Bernadette’s impoverished family lived.  Join group prayers as you pray for the sick, drink water from the miraculous spring, pray at the Grotto, submerge yourself in the healing baths.  kneel in the chapel on the Grotto to request the intercession of the “Immaculate Conception.” Blessings of the sick and participate in the evening candlelight Rosary processions. Private devotions. Each evening dinner and overnight at your hotel.

 

Departure Lourdes end of the tour.