Iberian Peninsula

DAY 01: PARIS

Arrival in Paris - the capital of France, with 2.2 million people living in the dense (105 km²) central city and almost 12 million people living in the whole metropolitan area - one of the largest agglomerations in Europe. Located in the north of the country on the river Seine, Paris has the reputation of being the most beautiful and romantic of all cities, brimming with historic associations and remaining vastly influential in the realms of culture, art, fashion, food and design. It is home to the world's finest and most luxorious fashion designers and cosmetics, such as Chanel, Christian Dior, Yves Saint-Laurent, Guerlain, Lancôme, L'Oréal, Clarins, etc. A large part of the city, including the River Seine, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city contain numerous iconic landmarks, such as the world's most visited tourist sight the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Louvre Museum, Moulin Rouge, Lido etc,

Meet and greet at Paris airport and transfer to the Hotel.

Orientation tour of Paris by coach followed by welcome dinner.

Overnight at the hotel Ibis Bastillere.


DAY 02: PARIS

Breakfast at Hotel.

Sightseeing tour of Paris includes some of the most beautiful and important churches in the world such as Notre Dame Cathedral and Sacre Coeur, see the sights as the Eiffel Tower, L'Arc de Triomphe, and drive through the Champs Elysees. Enjoy other sights on this panoramic tour.

Afternoon at leisure.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel Ibis Bastille.


DAY 03: PARIS - LISIEUX - PARIS

Breakfast at Hotel.

Take a fullday tour of Lisieux, the home of St Therese whom Pope Pius X called "the greatest saint of modern times." Her extraordinary love for God and service to humanity comes alive as you visit the Basilica of Saint Therese, one of the biggest and most magnificent religious structures built in the 20th century. During our stay in Lisiuex a mass will be celebrated. We will stop at Les Buissonets, St. Therese's family home, there on display are relics, clothing, and personal objects belonging to the "little flower."

Return to Paris for dinner and overnight at the hotel Ibis Bastille.


DAY 04: PARIS - CHARTES - NEVERS

Breakfast at Hotel Travel by coach from Paris to Chartes - Chartes has been referred to as one of the high-lights of The Christian World. Recognized as a World Heritage site by UNESCO, the cathedral is still an important center for Christian pilgrims today. Famous for its stained-glass windows and wonderful colors dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries known as the "blue of Chartres".

Travel to Nevers - a commune in the Nièvre department in the Bourgogne region in central France. It is the principal city of the former province of Nivernais. Narrow winding streets lead from the quay through the town where there are numerous old houses of the 14th to the 17th centuries. Among the ecclesiastical buildings the most important is the Cathédrale of Saint Cyr-Sainte Julitte The church of Saint Etienne is a specimen of the Romanesque style of Auvergne.

Dinner and overnight - hotel Ibis Nevers.


DAY 05: NEVERS - PARRY LE MONIAL - AVIGNON

Breakfast at Hotel.

Travel from Nevers to visit Parray Le Monial - high point of romanesque Burgundy, is today known across the world thanks to the popularity of the message of the heart of Jesus and its wonderful basilica from the 11st century. In fact, from 1673 to 1675, Jesus apeared to a young nun from the Visitation Monastery, called Margaret-Mary, showing her "this heart which has loved men so much".

Continue your travel to Avignon.

Dinner and overnight at the Novotel Avignon .


DAY 06: AVIGNON

Breakfast at Hotel.

Take a tour of the city of history and city of theater, the fortified city of Avignon will not leave you in different. Avignon's architecture is marked by papal history. Going through any of the seven doors of the superbly preserved walls one discovers the city of the Popes. Within a short time, you t can visit the most various sites: Pont du Gard, Nîmes, Arles, the Camargue, Luberon and Ventoux, Baux de Provence, St Rémy.

Afternoon at leisure.

Dinner and overnight at the Novotel Avignon.


DAY 07: AVIGNON - CARCASSONE - LOURDES

Breakfast at Hotel.

Travel from Avignon to Carcasonne - visit the historic fortified city of Carcasonne /UNESCO sight/ - located at the heart of the Toulouse-Montpellier-Barcelone triangle, at the crossroads of two major traffic roads dating back to the most ancient times, from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, from the Cévennes to the Pyrénées mountain range where the Aude has its source, Carcassonne blooms in the plains of the lower valley, inviting you to walk in and out of its streets. Discover its history, its local cuisine, its wines, or simply enjoy the scenery. From the Bastide Saint-Louis to the medieval Walled City, Carcassonne offers a wealth of monuments to visit and discover ! Continue your travel to 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 Lourdes.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel Ibis Lourdes.


DAY 08: LOURDES

Breakfast at Hotel.

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.. 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, pray at the Grotto 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, and take time for private devotions.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel Ibis Lourdes


DAY 09: LOURDES - ZARAGOZA

Breakfast at Hotel.

Coach transfer from Lourdes to Zaragoza - travel through the Pyrenees Mountains into Spain.

Zaragoza - visit to the most emblematic part of the city, the Plaza del Pilar square, site of the famous Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Pilar. The Basilica houses many treasures including some of the most famous frescoes by Francisco de Goya.

Visit also Cathedral or Seo of San Salvador, the most important architectural and artistic monument in Aragón. And finally visit to one of the most beautiful Muslim fortresses of the old Al-Andalus: the Aljafería Castle. This Castle-Palace dates from the 11th century.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel Puerta de Zaragoza.


DAY 10: ZARAGOZA - MADRID

Breakfast at Hotel.

Coach transfer from Zaragoza to Madrid - the capital of Spain.

Madrid, located in the heart of the peninsula and right in the center of the Castillian plain 646 meters above sea level, has a population of over three million. A cosmopolitan city, a business center, headquarters for the Public Administration, Government, Spanish Parliament and the home of the Spanish Royal Family, Madrid also plays a major role in both the banking and industrial sectors. Most of its industry is located in the Southern fringe of the city, where important textile, food and metal working factories are clustered. Madrid is characterized by intense cultural and artistic activity and a very lively nightlife.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel Novotel Puente de la Paz.


DAY 11: MADRID

Breakfast at Hotel.

Sightseeing tour of Madrid - You will discover a fascinating city with Arab origins, spectacular architecture, bustling modern parts, and great nightlife. The half day tour is perfect if you're a first-time visitor to Madrid. You can get a well-rounded introduction to the city's sights and have the morning or afternoon free to explore on your own. We will drive through Madrid's famous avenues, including the Gran Via and Castellana, to famous squares such as Plazas de Espana, Puerta del Sol and Puerta de Alcala. We will also visit Madrid's historic quarters and famous parks, including Casa de Campo and Retiro, and of course the main attractions including The Royal Palace and Prado Museum. Also on the tour we can explore past the university, the Las Ventas bullring and the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, home of the famous Real Madrid football team.

Afternoon at leisure.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel Novotel Puente de la Paz.


DAY 12: MADRID - BURGOS

Breakfast at Hotel.

Departure to Burgos rich city of gothic art, well known by the churches.

Visit to the cathedral. On this day we will visit also the Monastery of Las Huelgas.

Dinner and overnight at Hotel Veleda.


DAY 13: BURGOS - SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

After breakfast departure to Santiago de Compostela, the city where the remains of the apostle St. Jamens were found.

Nowadays Santiago is the 2nd catholic pilgrimage, after Rome. Visit to the old town including Obradoiro square and the romanesque cathedral in which altar there is a sumptuosly 13th century statue of St. James.

Dinner and overnight at hotel Congresso Compostela.


DAY 14: SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA - FATIMA

After breakfast departure to Fatima.

In Fatima, we will visit the Catholic shrine of Our Lady, one of the most famous in the world.

Dinner and overnight at Hotel Cinquentenario.


DAY 15: FATIMA - SANTAREM - LISBON

Breakfast at Hotel.

Departure from Fatima to Santarem. Panoramic visit.

Continue to Lisbon - the capital of Portugal Lisboa) has experienced a renaissance in recent years, with a contemporary culture that is alive and thriving and making its mark in today's Europe. Perched on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, Lisbon is one of the rare Western European cities that face the ocean and uses water as an element that defines the city. Lisbon enchants travelers with its white bleached limestone buildings, intimate alleyways, and an easy going charm that makes it a popular year round destination.

Dinner and overnight at Hotel Ollisipo Marques.


DAY 16: LISBON

Breakfast at Hotel.

We will start our visit by Belem quarter, the monumental section of Lisbon, and its monuments: The Tower of Belem (stop for photos and explanations), the monument to the Discoveries (stop for photos and explanations), the impressive Monastery of Jerónimos (inside visit) and finally the Royal Coaches Museum (inside visit). All these monuments represent the "Golden Age" of the Portuguese Discoveries, which began in the 15th century.

Driving to the opposite side of the city, we will visit the downtown area, including the busy Rossio square, the Black Horse Square facing the River Tagus and the old Quarter of Alfama, walking visit through its narrow and tortuous streets going up and down, which will lead us up always walking to St. George's Castle, from where we can admire a splendid view over the city, with its old quarters and monuments, the river Tagus and the contrasts of this city.

Return to the Hotel.

Transfer Hotel / Restaurant.

Farewell dinner in a local restaurant.

Overnight at Hotel Ollissipo Marques.


DAY 17: LISBON

Breakfast at Hotel.

Transfer from the hotel to the airport and departure for onward.