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"The
World is A Book -Those Who Do Not Travel Read Only One Page" St.
Augustine
YOUR TRIP INCLUDES:
Air from New York
to Lisbon and return from Rome
(special add-ons from your city see below chart)
11 nights first class or 4 star hotels in double occupancy (or similar):
-
1 nights: Hotel Mundial, Lisbon, Portugal
- 2 nights: Santa Maria Jardim, Fatima, Portugal
- 1 night: Hotel Monterrey, Salamanca, Spain
- 1 night: Hotel Abba, Burgos, Spain
- 3 nights: Hotel Padoue or similar, Lourdes,
France
- 3 nights: Hotel Cicerone or Quirinale, Rome
Breakfast and dinner daily
Transportation by air-conditioned
motor coach
Guided tours and admission fees
Hotel taxes and service charges
Papal Audience (if available)
Catholic Priest and Mass daily
Baggage handling
Flight bag & portfolio of all travel documents
Not Included:
Lunches. Airport tax
(approx. $150-$380). Travel insurance optional at $149-199. Tips to guides and
drivers ($6 per day. Items of a personal nature. Add-on airfare
from your hometown.
Your
Sample Itinerary:
Day
1 - Home - Lisbon
Board your
overnight transatlantic flight to Lisbon. Dinner and breakfast
are served on board.
Day
2 - Arrive Lisbon
Arrive
Lisbon. Meet your Priest, tour guide and fellow pilgrims. After
an orientation drive through Lisbon, we stop and visit St.
Anthony's Church. Despite what might be assumed from his name,
Saint Anthony was born and grew up in Lisbon. Traditionally, the
invocation of his name is considered the best means of locating
lost objects.
Dinner and overnight in Lisbon.
Day
3 - Lisbon - Santarem - Fatima
After breakfast
depart Lisbon for Santarem,
where one of the oldest cities in the world is
located. We will walk through its narrow streets to the Church
of St Stephen, containing the oldest recorded Eucharistic
miracle.
This miracle has been on continuous display since
1269.
We then continue on to Fatima,
the place where the Blessed Mother appeared in
1917 to three simple shepherd children and exhorted mankind to
pray for world peace. Dinner and overnight in Fatima
Days
4 - Fatima
Six times, from the May 13 to Oct 13, 1917, the
Virgin Mary appeared to three novices
belonging to the diocese of Leiria. A new big basilica
is under construction, however just as beautiful, an older
basilica was constructed here in 1928, and millions of pilgrims
visit each year. Fatima is one of the most visited holy places
for Catholics from around the world. The atmosphere of intense
spirituality and the importance of Fatima have been attested to
by the visits of two Popes: Paul VI and John Paul II.
Touring Fatima, see the
Little Chapel of the Apparitions, Basilica, the site of
Francesco and Jacinta's graves, the Hamlet of Aljustrel, where
the children lived, and Valinhos, the site of Our Lady's
appearance after the children's return from prison. Follow the
Stations of the Cross along the Via Sacra (The Sacred Way)
culminating in the Chapel of Calvary, which overlooks all of
Fatima. Join pilgrims from around the world in an evening
candlelight procession to pray the rosary. Dinner and overnight
in Fatima.
Day
5 - Fatima -
Alba de Tormes - Salamanca
After breakfast depart for Salamanca. On the way we stop in Alba
de Tormes, where St. Teresa of Avila is buried. Arrive in
Salamanca with free time for exploration before dinner and
overnight.
.
Day 6 - Salamanca - Avila - Burgos
After breakfast we depart for Avila. Here atmosphere
has changed very little since the days of St. Teresa
of Jesus, to whom the city is dedicated. St. Teresa
the great mystic, was the first woman to be named a
Doctor of the Church. In Avila we will visit: the
Cathedral, which contains many of St. Teresa relics;
The crypt of the Convento of La Santa, built on the
site of the house where she was born, is home to the
most comprehensive museum dedicated to her life, and
La Encarnacion Convent, the first convent she
found. Afternoon departure to the city of Burgos,
the historic capital of Old Castile. After dinner
explore Burgos (on your own), and admire the
magnificent limestone Cathedral .
Day
7 - Burgos - Loyola - Lourdes
After breakfast depart Burgos, heading for Lourdes, France. En
route stop in Loyola, the birthplace of St Ignatius of Loyola,
founder of the Jesuits. Here, we'll see the 17th Century
Basilica dedicated to St Ignatius. Behind the sanctuary is the
family home of St. Ignatius, which we'll visit during our stop.
The most venerated place in this building is the room where
Ignatius at age 30, was brought following his serious wounding
at the Battle of Pamplona. Later we 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. Settle into your hotel, explore
before dinner, followed by a candlelight procession (every
evening from Apr through Oct) before retiring for the evening.
Day
8 & 9 - Lourdes
After breakfast,
our guided tour of Lourdes will include the sanctuary; the
Basilica of St Pius X, the world's largest underground church;
and the baths where hundreds of miraculous cures have taken
place. During your stay in Lourdes you may celebrate daily Mass
at the Grotto, enjoy a video presentation telling the story of
Lourdes, and walk in the footsteps of St Bernadette. See Boly
Mill where St Bernadette was born and the "Cachot," an
abandoned prison where Bernadette's impoverished family lived.
Join your prayers with those of pilgrims from around the world
as you pray for the sick, drink water from the miraculous
spring, and submerge yourself in the healing baths. Experience
Christ's love as you walk the life-sized Stations of the Cross
overlooking the holy Grotto. Kneel in the chapel built on the
very rock of the Grotto in obedience to the request of the
"Immaculate Conception." Attend the blessing of the
sick and participate in nightly candlelight processions
requested by Our Lady. Time for private devotions before dinner
and overnight.
Day
10 - Lourdes - Rome
Travel by flight(s) to Rome. Upon arrival your escort
will warmly greet you this morning and welcome you
to Italy. Transfer to your hotel and enjoy a free
afternoon for rest, relaxation, or exploration. You
tour escort can suggest sights or walks for you to
enjoy.
Day 11
-
Rome
(Papal
Audience and Vatican Museum Tour)
Wake up in
Eternal City, one of the greatest centers of Western Civilization and
the first truly cosmopolitan city on earth! It is also spiritual capital
for all the Catholics around the world. Today is truly a day we will
have in our minds for many years to come. This morning we go to Vatican
City to attend the weekly Papal Audience or Blessing given by His
Holiness Pope Benedict XVI (pending papal schedule). Following the
audience visit of the Vatican Museums, a group of most impressive
edifices with hundreds of galleries filled with art treasures. See
awe-inspiring relics and works of art donated throughout centuries as
tributes of faith. We'll cover The Tapestry Gallery, The Raphael Rooms
and the most overwhelming Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo's Masterpiece,
restored mural of the Last Judgment. Later, enter the largest church in
Christendom St Peter's Basilica, built on the site where St Peter was
martyred. Unsurpassed in beauty, a monument to the long history of the
Catholic Church, to which pilgrims come from around the world, St
Peter's is the grandest of the world's churches. Marvel Pieta and
Bernini's amazing bronze canopy. We will also visit the grave of Pope
John Paul II located at the Vatican (time permitting). Before dinner,
we'll have some time at leisure, to explore your own paths, to shop, or
just to sit in one of the outside cafes and watch the world go by.
Day 12
- Rome
This morning we depart
for a sightseeing tour entitled "Christian Rome"
which includes: the Basilica of St. Mary Major, one of the oldest
shrines dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, a shrine that contains a relic
from the manger of the infant Jesus; the Holy Stairs, the Basilica of
St. John the Lateran, The Basilica of the St John in Lateran, is the
former residence of the popes prior to their return to Rome in 1377; St
Paul Outside the Walls, which houses the remains of St Paul under its
main altar; and the Appian Way -- the oldest road from Roman times--plus
the famous Domino Quo Vadis Chapel; see the ancient Baths of Caracalla,
Arch of Drusus; Tomb of Celilia Metella, and the catacombs of St
Callixtus where the early Christians hid themselves to escape
persecution. We will also enjoy a visit to the Trevi fountain. Dinner
and overnight for your last evening in Rome.his morning we depart for a
sightseeing tour with focus on "Christian Rome" Touring we will see many
important cultural and monumental sights around Rome. Stop for a visit
at three major Basilicas: St Mary Major, one of the oldest shrines
dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, a shrine that contains a relic from the
manger of the infant Jesus. The Basilica of the St John in Lateran, is
the former residence of the popes prior to their return to Rome in 1377.
St Paul Outside the Walls, which houses the remains of St Paul under its
main altar. We will also see the ancient Baths of Caracalla, Arch of
Drusus, Chapel "O'Domine Quo Vadis?" the remains of imperial tombs, Tomb
of Celilia Metella, and the catacombs of St Callixtus where the early
Christians hid themselves to escape persecution. Dinner and overnight
for your last evening in Rome.
Day 13 -
Rome - USA
Early
morning for Rome for our return flights to the USA.
Rates
Please note: Prices are subject to change
|
2007 Departure Dates &
Prices |
| |
Nov |
04 - 21 |
|
$3,299 |
|
Upgrade
to Business Class ($1,250). One W ay |
| |
Land &
flight one-way from Lourdes to Rome |
$2,999 |
| |
Single Supplement / Private Room |
$1.199 |
|
|
|
2008 Departure Dates &
Prices |
|
Sep |
30 - Oct 12 |
|
$3,499 |
|
Oct |
14 - 26 |
|
$3,499 |
|
Nov |
04 - 16 |
|
$3,299 |
|
Nov |
19 - Dec 01 |
|
$3,199 |
|
Feb
|
03 - 17
|
Lourdes Anniversary |
$3,599 |
|
Mar
|
02 - 16
|
|
$3,599 |
|
Mar
|
16 - 30
|
Holy
Week & Easter |
$3,599 |
|
Mar
|
30 - Apr 13
|
|
$3,799 |
|
Apr
|
13 - 27
|
|
$3,799 |
|
Apr
|
27 - May 11
|
Feast of
the Ascension |
$3,799 |
|
May
|
11 - 25
|
|
$3,799 |
|
May
|
25 - Jun 08
|
|
$4,199 |
|
Jun
|
08 - 20 |
|
$4,199 |
|
Jun
|
22 - Jul 06
|
|
$4,199 |
|
Jul
|
20 - Aug 03
|
|
$4,199 |
|
Aug
|
17 - 31
|
|
$4,199 |
|
Sep
|
14 - 28
|
|
$3,799 |
|
Sep
|
28 - Oct 12
|
|
$3,799 |
|
Oct |
12 - 26
|
|
$3,799 |
|
Nov
|
02 - 16
|
|
$3,599 |
|
Upgrade
to Business Class ($1,450). One W ay |
|
Land & flight one-way from
Lourdes to Rome
(No international airfare or
airport transfers included) |
$3,499 |
|
Single Supplement / Private Room |
$899 |
|