Pilgrimage to Fatima & Lourdes with Barcelona

Travel overnight to Portugal, one of Europe’s most hospitable countries. Here, you can enjoy a superb climate, historic sites, and beautiful scenery.

Arrive in Fatima, Portugal’s world-famous religious center. With no scheduled sightseeing today, spend the day as you wish, exploring the city independently. You may want to join the candlelight procession tonight.**

You may celebrate Mass* before traveling to Aljustrel, the quaint village of the three shepherd children to whom Our Lady appeared. Here, you can visit their humble homes and immerse yourself in the serene atmosphere of their daily lives. Continue to Valinhos, the site of the fifth apparition, where you can reflect on the profound events that took place. Later, return to Fatima** to enjoy free time for personal worship and to explore the basilica and its grounds.

Attend a morning Mass* before traveling along the long Pilgrim’s Road to arrive in Burgos later this afternoon, a city that gracefully straddles the banks of the Rio Arlanzon. The slender, elegant spires of its famous cathedral rise majestically into the sky, a testament to its rich history and architectural splendor. In the evening, you may have the opportunity to attend another Mass,* allowing for further reflection and spiritual enrichment.

Join a local expert on a walking tour of Burgos’ medieval town center. Spend time at Burgos Cathedral, a masterpiece of Spanish Gothic architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The cathedral, the third largest in Spain, offers such masterpieces as the filigree work in the spires of the towers, the starry dome, the choir, the sarcophagi, and the golden staircase. Next, visit a monastery and learn about monastic life and architecture. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore at your leisure, or you may choose to join a short hike along the Saint James Way. Mass* is available this evening.

Today, travel northeast on a long, scenic drive through the Pyrenees Mountains. As the landscape shifts from the vast Castilian plains to dramatic mountain passes, enjoy the changing views and natural beauty of this iconic region. Lourdes is the sacred place in the Grotto of Massabielle where the Virgin Mary appeared to the poor shepherd girl Bernadette eighteen times between February 11 and July 16, 1858. Since then, this once-quiet market town has become one of the world’s most important pilgrimage destinations, welcoming millions each year. Tonight, you may wish to partake in a candlelight procession.**

After morning Mass,* enjoy a walking tour of Lourdes, visiting the places associated with the life of St. Bernadette: the “Boly Mill" (her birthplace), the "Cachot" (the former prison where she and her family lived), and the parish church housing the saint’s baptismal font. Later, enjoy some time at leisure to explore the town's rich historical and natural heritage. Immerse yourself in the sacred atmosphere of the apparitions and embrace the enduring spirit of unity and devotion that continues to define Lourdes today.

Celebrate Mass* before crossing back into Spain on your way to Barcelona, one of Europe's most fascinating cities. Prepare yourself for a long journey through Spain’s beautiful scenery. On the way, enjoy a stop at the quaint mountain village of Montserrat, visit the basilica,*** and enjoy some reflection time to admire this sacred place. Upon arrival, get your first taste of this vibrant city with a walk around the area of your hotel.

This morning, discover Barcelona on a guided tour that highlights the city’s vibrant character and architectural treasures. With your local guide, stroll through the narrow medieval streets of the Gothic Quarter and uncover hidden plazas, centuries-old façades, and stories that shaped the city. Here, step inside the majestic Barcelona Cathedral, a shining example of Gothic devotion, and feel the peaceful atmosphere that has welcomed pilgrims for over 700 years. Your city tour concludes around 1:00 p.m., leaving you free to enjoy the city at your own pace. You might decide to visit the Sagrada Família independently,**** stroll through the historic avenues, seek quiet moments in one of the city’s many chapels, or simply take time for personal prayer and contemplation. This evening, gather with your fellow travelers for dinner to celebrate the end of your spiritual tour.

Return home eager to share vivid memories of a beautiful land with an old, rich, and diverse cultural heritage.