Day 1 
- Depart Chicago O'Hare
Day 2
- Arrive in Paris
- Paris mini-tour
- Lisbon
Day 3
- Lisbon Tour
- Santarem
- Fatima
Day 4
- Fatima
Day 5
- Fatima
- Salamanca
- Alba de Tormes
- Avila
Day 6
- Avila
- Sonsoles
- Segovia
Day 7
- Madrid
Day 8
- Zaragoza
- Torreciudad
Day 9
- Torreciudad
- Pyrenees
- Lourdes
Day 10
- Lourdes
Day 11
- Return to the USA

 

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LEGEND: (M = Aircraft Meals / B = Breakfast / D = Dinner)

Day 1: Tuesday, May 18th, 2010: US departure:
Meet your Mater Dei Tours representative at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport (Flights are included from Chicago, Illinois. Contact us for air transportation add-on costs from other cities). Board your flight to Paris, France. (M)

Day 2: Wednesday, May 19th, 2010: Arrival in Paris (Paris mini-tour) & Lisbon: Arrive in Paris in the morning. After European Immigration enjoy a panoramic drive through Paris to reach the Chapel of the Miraculous Medal (thanksgiving Mass – for a safe arrival - celebrated here), where Our Lady appeared to St Catherine Laboure (her incorrupt body is in the same chapel). After Mass, visit St. Vincent De Paul’s preserved remains at a chapel nearby. Return to the airport to catch our flight to Lisbon. After hotel check-in, relax and join your group for a welcome dinner. (M, D)

Day 3: Thursday, May 20th, 2010: Lisbon tour, Santarem & Fatima: Wake up in Lisboa (Lisbon), the Capital of Portugal. Enjoy a panoramic city tour including sites like Jeronimos Monastery, Monument to the Navigators, St. Anthony’s Birthplace and more. Afterwards, travel to a small Portuguese town to witness the 13th century Eucharistic Miracle of Santarem. Mass is celebrated here after Eucharistic Adoration. After Mass, enjoy the ride with views of the Portuguese countryside as we approach one of the holiest Marian Shrines, the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima. This is the famous site where Our Lady appeared to 3 little shepherds in 1917. Join your fellow pilgrims for dinner at our hotel. Afterwards, join pilgrims from all over the world while they pray the Holy Rosary at the Sanctuary grounds in a candle light procession. (B, D)

 
 

Day 4: Friday: May 21st, 2010: Fatima: Spend the whole day at the Fatima Shrine (at leisure – with opportunity for Confessions, Rosary, Way of the Cross, Adoration to the Blessed Sacrament and personal prayer time), or you may want to join us for a morning visit to the site of the August 19th Marian Apparition as well as the apparition site of the Angel of Portugal. Also visit the homes of Blessed Francisco and Blessed Jacinta (with a possibilities of meeting relatives), as well as the home of Lucia’s family. Stop at a Portuguese market for lunch and shopping. Holy Mass at the Shrine. Tonight, join your new pilgrim family for dinner. Rosary Procession follows. (B, D)

Day 5: Saturday May 22nd, 2010: Fatima, Salamanca stop, Alba de Tormes & Avila: Depart Portugal for Spain this morning. Our first stop is by the old Roman Bridge of Salamanca, a wonderful picture spot of the beautiful Cathedral of Salamanca. After this brief stop, visit unforgettable Alba de Tormes, resting place of the incorrupt body of St. Teresa of Avila (and the place where she died). Meet the Carmelite Monks here and learn more about St. Teresa, the reformer of the Carmelite Order and first female Doctor of the Church. Holy Mass celebrated here in Alba. Then head south for the walled city of Avila, the birthplace of St. Teresa. Tonight, the famous medieval walls of Avila become very welcoming as we stay at a historic palace within the walls, close to the massive Cathedral of Avila. Enjoy a delicious dinner.(B, D)

Day 6: Sunday, May 23rd, 2010: Avila, Sonsoles & Segovia: Enjoy a morning walking tour of Avila featuring the life of St. Teresa. Afterwards, make a brief visit to the peaceful Marian Shrine of “Our Lady of Sonsoles”. Many Castilian pilgrims come here in the months of May and October to visit Our Lady. Then travel to historic Segovia. With its imposing Alcazar Castle, ancient Roman aqueduct and historic Cathedral, Segovia is one of the most captivating cities in Castile and one of UNESCO’s patrimonies of humanity. Mass is celebrated at the church which houses the remains of St. John of the Cross, co-reformer of the Carmelite Order. Return to Avila for a leisurely evening on your own. Before entering the walls of Avila visit the famous “Cuatro Postes” (four posts), a famous spot in the life of young St. Teresa and a great panoramic spot to take a picture of the city. (B, D)

Day 7: Monday, May 24th, 2010: Madrid: Depart this morning for Madrid, the Capital of Spain. Arrive in Madrid for a guided visit of the Prado Museum, ranked as the 3rd most valuable museum of art in the world. After the museum visit, there is panoramic drive of Madrid’s most famous sights like "Puerta de Alcalá", the “Gran Via”, Cibeles Fountain, the Royal Palace and the massive Cathedral of the “Almudena”, dedicated to the Virgin Mary (Holy Mass celebrated here). After Mass, head northeast to the Guadalajara region where we stay overnight and enjoy dinner together. (B, D)

Day 8: Tuesday, May 25th, 2010: Zaragoza & Torreciudad: Head northwest away from the Capital region of Spain to visit Zaragoza (Saragossa). Our visit features the world famous Marian Shrine of the “Basilica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar” (Our Lady of the Pillar), where Our Blessed Mother appeared standing on top of a Pillar to the apostle St. James. This event happened while he was on his famous apostolic mission to Spain known as the “Camino de Santiago” (Road of St. James), one of the world’s most famous pilgrimage routes. In the massive Plaza de España (Spain Square), visit the chapel in the Basilica where the Pillar still stands. As a sign of fulfillment of your pilgrimage to Our Lady of the Pillar, we will have the opportunity to practice the local custom of kissing the venerable column (or Pillar) where Our Lady once stood. Depart Zaragoza continuing northeast towards Torreciudad, the most beautiful Marian Shrine in all of Spain. Travel through the spectacular landscape surrounding the sanctuary and the Hermitage, dating back to the Romanic times. Set above the clouds in the Aragonian Pyrenees, Torreciudad has been a local pilgrimage site for centuries. Upon arrival, there is a brief tour of Torreciudad, hosted by its Rector, Monsignor Javier de Mora-Figueroa. After the tour, there is a special program containing a meditation, the Way of the Cross (Via Crucis), the Sacrament of Confession and Holy Mass. Close the program with adoration to the Blessed Sacrament. Tonight enjoy great Aragonian cuisine at our mountain lodge in Torreciudad located in the Somontano wine region. (B, D)

Day 9: Wednesday, May 26th, 2010: Torreciudad, Crossing of the Pyrenees & Lourdes: After breakfast return to Torreciudad for Mass. Before departing Torreciudad, fulfill the local pilgrimage tradition of kissing the medallion that once graced the very old statue of Our Lady of Torreciudad. Depart Torreciudad and embark on an unforgettable journey that promises to be a visual feast, crossing the Pyrenees Mountain Range. Prepare your cameras as we ascend the Aragonian Pyrenees through majestic rocky sights with waterfalls and flowing rivers. After crossing the border into France through the Bielsa tunnel, slowly descend through small and picturesque ski resort villages encountered along the way of the French Pyrenees as we approach the land of St. Bernadette. Take a leisurely walk over to the Sanctuary and see the solemn site of the Grotto, filled with pilgrims from all over the world, praying silently to Our Lady. Enjoy dinner at our hotel in Lourdes. After dinner join pilgrims from around the world for the Rosary torch procession at 9:00pm. (B, D)

Day 10: Thursday, May 27th, 2010: Lourdes, France: Enjoy a special day in Lourdes. Begin with Holy Mass at the grotto (site of the apparitions - Mass might be con-celebrated with other English speaking priests). Afterwards, you may opt for a personal day at leisure in Lourdes or you may want to follow your escorts on an informal orientation walk of the land of St. Bernadette, including the sanctuary (baths locations) and sites like the Mill, where St. Bernadette was born, and the "Cashot", where Bernadette’s family lived. At 5:00PM, join the pilgrims on a Eucharistic Procession across the Sanctuary. Remainder of the day at your leisure. Farewell dinner tonight at the hotel. For those who desire it again, the Rosary Candlelit Procession starts at 9:00PM. (B, D)

Day 11: Friday, May 28th, 2010: Lourdes, Paris, Chicago, USA: Early morning transfer to Lourdes Pau Airport. As our plane takes-off, take one last look out the window at the unique landscape of this beautiful land and say: Thank you Mary! AU REVOIR FRANCE! ¡ADIOS ESPANA! ADEUS PORTUGAL! (B, M)

11 - Day Trip Inclusions:

  • Air transportation from Chicago to Paris, to Lisbon; Lourdes to Chicago (other U.S. cities available at an add-on price. Pilgrimage is also available on a land-only basis)

  • Accommodations in nice properties including a 16th Century Castilian palace in Avila.

  • 18 meals: 9 breakfasts; 9 dinners.

  • Visits and tour admissions as listed on itinerary

  • Spiritual program including Holy Mass daily (in unforgettable places), Meditations, Sacrament of Reconciliation, Eucharistic Adoration, Way of the Cross and more.

  • Transportation on air conditioned motor-coach.

  • Professional chauffeur throughout the tour.

  • Escorted from the US by Mater Dei Tours and/or Twin Cities Pilgrims staff

  • English speaking local expert tour guides

  • Catholic Priest as Spiritual Director.

  • Hospitality, local government sales taxes & fees (except air taxes, government and ticket fees & fuel surcharges related to airfare – approximately $430 additional).

  • Full travel documentation with luggage tags, in a re-usable travel wallet.

Does Not Include:

  • Tips & gratuities of Local City Tour Guides, Tour Manager & Drivers (read confirmation information for suggestions)

  • Airline Taxes:  US/Europe airport, departure, connection and transportation taxes and fuel surcharges (approximately $430.00)

 Price: $2599.00*
* (Per person, double occupancy - 2 people in one room. Plus Taxes, Fees & Fuel Surcharges of approximately $430.00 per person)

  • Optional Single Occupancy:  $3094.00 per person
  • Optional Land Only:  $2099.00 per person based on double room (additional $495.00 for land only single room occupancy)
  • Optional Triple Occupancy:  $2579.00 per person based on triple room occupancy (3 people sharing one room)
  • Optional Travel Insurance:  $171.00 per person (add $16.00 more for single occupancy)
  • Deposit of $500 per person is due to secure space (no later than February 15, 2010 or while space lasts)
  • First come first serve basis.  Space may be sold out prior to deadline.

Cancellation Schedule:

  • All Cancellations must be received in writing!
  • 95 days prior to departure or before...................$300.00 per person
  • 94 to 65 days prior to departure.........................$50% of tour cost
  • 64 to 35 days prior to departure ........................$75% of tour cost
  • 34 to 0 days prior to departure .......................No Refunds

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