Europe religious tour- Fatima, Madrid, Lourdes, Paris, Rome, Assisi

Arrival at Lisbon’s international airport and transfer to the hotel.  Depending on the time of arrival, sightseeing tour of Lisbon. The grandeur of the 15th century in the Jerónimos Monastery, the Belém Tower, the symbol of the city, and the traditional music of Portugal with a Fado show in the evening.

After breakfast we set out for Fátima. On the way, we will visit the village where the Three Shepherds (Lucia, Jacinta and Francisco) to whom the Virgin appeared in 1916 were born and raised. 

On to Fátima, one of the world’s most important pilgrimage centres. Visit to the Basilica with time to attend Mass, see the night-time procession and the prayer of the Holy Rosary. Dinner and accommodation.

Still in Fátima, we will enjoy a hearty breakfast. Then it’s time to continue our journey, on to Spain. Arrival in Salamanca and tour of the city.  We will begin in the Baroque Plaza Mayor, considered the most beautiful square in Spain. Salamanca is also home to the oldest university in Europe, and its nightlife is one of the most vibrant on the continent. Dinner and accommodation.

After breakfast in the hotel, we set out for Madrid. Arrival in the capital of Spain, with a sightseeing tour of the most interesting sites.  From the Puerta del Sol to the Puerta de Alcalá, observing the dynamic way of life of the people of Madrid. At the end of the tour, transfer to the hotel.

Guided tour to get to know the city. A walk along the Gran Vía, Plaza de España with its statues of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, and a visit to the imposing Royal Palace.  In the evening, optional flamenco show.

Our journey continues to France. We will stop in Zaragoza, and admire the stunning view of the majestic Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar on the bank of the Ebro.  Arrival at the hotel in Lourdes.

We are now in Lourdes, Europe’s most important pilgrimage site. Visit to the Basilica and the Grotto of the visions. Here Our Lady appeared to Saint Bernadette, and in this magical place a spring appeared whose water heals the sick.  By night, we will attend the torchlight procession and the prayer of the Holy Rosary, where we can ask for help for the sick people in the world. Dinner and accommodation.

From Lourdes we set off for Paris. We will stop in the small town of Poitiers or in Tours to stay overnight.

After breakfast in the hotel, we set out for Paris. On arrival we will take a sightseeing tour, including the Champs-Élysées, the Opera, the Latin quarter, Luxembourg Gardens, Les Invalides, and the city’s emblem, the Eiffel Tower. Dinner and accommodation.

In the morning, visit to the Chapel of the Miraculous Medal. A simple space which transmits peace to everyone who enters. Here the Virgin appeared to Catherine Labouré in 1830, and it is a centre of pilgrimage for millions of people from around the world who are inspired by the miraculous image. A place for quiet contemplation in the heart of Paris.

We now leave Paris. Our next stop will be Lyon, where we will take a sightseeing tour when we arrive. Dinner and accommodation.

We enter Italy, staying overnight in Milan for a well-deserved rest. Free time after arrival.

After breakfast in the hotel, we will spend the morning in Milan and its most important sights. We will visit the Duomo, and after lunch, set out for Venice. Arrival and accommodation.

Vaporetto ride to St. Mark’s Square where we will start our tour of the city. The great Byzantine-style basilica in one of the most visited squares in the world, the Bridge of Sighs and the Doge’s Palace, a magnificent jewel of Venetian architecture, will be the high points of a tour ending in a gondola ride through the canals. Back to the hotel. Dinner and accommodation.

Breakfast in the hotel and on to Assisi, the walled town and birthplace of Saint Francis. We will visit its basilicas and enjoy Giotto’s frescos of the life of the saint.  Dinner and accommodation.

After breakfast in the hotel we set out for our last stop, Rome. Arrival in Rome and sightseeing tour. A tour of ancient Rome, with views of the Colosseum and the lovely squares of the city.

An early morning coffee and then out to see the most important basilicas of Rome, such as St. Mary Major, St. John Lateran, Saint Paul Outside the Walls and of course the Vatican.

At the agreed time, transfer to the airport and return flight home.