Itinerary
- Day 1
Barcelona
You'll arrive in Barcelona and check into your hotel. After settling in, spend the afternoon exploring the city at your own pace. Later, you'll meet your Travel Director and other travelers for a Welcome Reception and orientation to start the spiritual pilgrimage.
- Meals
- Welcome Reception
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Exe Cristal Palace)
Included Activities
- Welcome Reception
- Orientation of Barcelona with Travel Director
Optional Activities
- Free time to explore Barcelona
- Day 2
Barcelona
This morning, a Local Specialist takes you through Barcelona's spiritual side, including La Sagrada Familia where you'll see Gaudi's architectural work. The afternoon and evening are yours to decide. Optional experiences include a trip to Montserrat to visit the shrine of the Black Madonna, or you might catch an evening Flamenco show instead.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Exe Cristal Palace)
Included Activities
- Visit to La Sagrada Família with Local Specialist
Optional Activities
- Optional visit to Montserrat to see the shrine of the Black Madonna
- Optional evening Flamenco show
Landmarks La Sagrada Família Montserrat Monastery 
- Day 3
Barcelona to Carcassonne
You'll travel north across the Pyrenees into Carcassonne, an ancient fortified city. A Local Specialist guides you through the town and explains its history as a stronghold for Cathar believers during the Inquisition. You'll see the double ring of ramparts and 52 towers that inspired Disney's Sleeping Beauty castle. Dinner features traditional regional food.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Traditional dinner featuring hearty regional cuisine)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure La Cité)
Included Activities
- Travel to Carcassonne
- Exploration of fortified city of Carcassonne with Local Specialist
- Traditional dinner featuring regional cuisine
Landmarks Carcassonne Citadel - Day 4
Carcassonne to Lourdes
Head west toward Lourdes, the world's major center for Marian pilgrimage. A Local Specialist shows you the religious sites, including St. Bernadette's Grotto and the story of her visions. As the sun sets, you'll join the Torchlight Procession from 1858, singing Ave Maria alongside pilgrims from around the world.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Impérial)
Included Activities
- Sightseeing tour of Lourdes' religious sites
- Visit to St. Bernadette's Grotto, shrine, and birthplace with Local Specialist
- Torchlight Procession and Ave Maria singing
Landmarks St. Bernadette's Grotto Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes - Day 5
Lourdes
You have the option to attend an international Mass on Sunday morning, which offers a unique spiritual experience. The rest of the day is free to wander through historic Lourdes, check out the castle, or visit the 100-year-old Pyrenean Museum. Sample local food like Tarbais beans, Pyrenees chestnuts, and mountain trout.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Impérial)
Included Activities
- International Mass (Sunday)
Optional Activities
- Explore historic centre of Lourdes
- Visit Lourdes Castle
- Visit Pyrenean Museum
- Sample local Lourdes specialties including Tarbais bean, Pyrenees chestnut, and rainbow trout
Landmarks Lourdes Castle Pyrenean Museum - Day 6
Lourdes to Burgos
Travel into Spain's Basque Country to reach Burgos, Castile's historic capital founded on the Christian frontier. A Local Specialist walks you through the medieval center, visiting the UNESCO Cathedral of Saint Mary of Burgos dedicated to the Virgin Mary. You'll have quiet time for reflection, see Renaissance art, and view the tomb of El Cid. Dinner happens at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (NH Collection Palacio)
Included Activities
- Travel to Burgos
- Sightseeing tour of medieval Burgos with Local Specialist
- Visit to Cathedral of Saint Mary of Burgos
- Dinner at hotel
Landmarks Cathedral of Saint Mary of Burgos - Day 7
Burgos to Santiago de Compostela
Follow Saint James's path heading west through rolling Spanish countryside to Santiago de Compostela, one of Christianity's major pilgrimage sites. After a brief orientation from your Travel Director, explore the winding streets at your own pace. Try the Pilgrim's menu at the San Franciscan convent turned hotel and restaurant, then attend the Pilgrim's Mass welcoming newly arrived pilgrims.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Eurostars San Lázaro)
Included Activities
- Travel to Santiago de Compostela
- Orientation of Santiago de Compostela with Travel Director
- Pilgrim's Mass
Optional Activities
- Explore architecture and atmosphere of Santiago de Compostela's winding streets
- Sample Pilgrim's menu at San Franciscan convent-turned-hotel and restaurant
Landmarks Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela - Day 8
Santiago de Compostela
A Local Specialist leads a guided tour of Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, the resting place of Saint James and the spiritual end of the Camino de Santiago. Spend the afternoon in the UNESCO Old Town checking out cosy cafes for local Tarta de Santiago. Or join an optional coastal trip to Rias Baixas, visiting O Grove Port and Cambados with boat tours, mussel tastings, and Ribeiro wine.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Eurostars San Lázaro)
Included Activities
- Sightseeing tour of Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela with Local Specialist
- Visit to Praza do Obradoiro
Optional Activities
- Explore UNESCO-listed Old Town of Santiago de Compostela at leisure
- Visit cosy coffee shops and sample local Tarta de Santiago
- Optional experience to Rías Baixas coastal centre with Local Specialist
- Visit O Grove Port and village of Cambados
- Boat trip with mussel and Ribeiro wine tasting
Landmarks Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela Praza do Obradoiro Rías Baixas - Day 9
Santiago de Compostela to Fátima
Head south into Portugal, stopping first at Vila Verde to meet women from Alianca Artesanal who teach you about traditional Handkerchief of Love embroidery. Then travel to Fatima, where Catholic pilgrims gather at the site of the Virgin Mary's apparition to three young shepherds. An orientation covers the site's history, then you'll join evening Rosary recitation at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Fátima)
Included Activities
- Travel to Portugal
- Meet with Aliança Artesanal ladies and experience Handkerchief of Love tradition
- Orientation tour of Fátima
- Rosary recitation at Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima
Landmarks Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima - Day 10
Fátima
Visit Aljustrel, the tiny village with the modest home where the three shepherd children lived. You can spend the day experiencing Fatima's spiritual side at your leisure, or join an optional excursion to Nazare and Batalha. The optional trip includes the impressive 15th-century Monastery of Santa Maria da Victoria na Batalha, built to honor Portugal's victory at the Battle of Aljubarrota and thank the Virgin Mary.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Fátima)
Included Activities
- Visit to Aljustrel village and shepherds' home
Optional Activities
- Free time to explore Fátima
- Optional experience to Nazaré and Batalha
- Optional visit to Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitória na Batalha
- Optional viewing of statue of Nuno Álvares Pereira
Landmarks Aljustrel Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitória na Batalha - Day 11
Fátima to Lisbon
Travel to Lisbon, Portugal's capital. A Local Specialist drives you through leafy avenues and past the iconic black and white mosaic pavements toward Belem district on the River Tagus. You'll visit the Monument to the Discoveries and Belem Tower, then explore the beautiful 16th-century Hieronymite Monastery of the Order of Saint Jerome. The day ends with an exclusive Be My Guest Farewell Dinner at a local family winery from 1858 with regional food and wine tasting.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Exclusive Be My Guest dinner at family adega featuring local delicacies, dessert, and wine tasting in winery dating back to 1858)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Neya Lisboa)
Included Activities
- Travel to Lisbon
- Drive through Lisbon with Local Specialist
- Visit to Monument to the Discoveries
- Visit to Belém Tower
- Visit to Hieronymite Monastery
- Exclusive Be My Guest Farewell Dinner with wine tasting at family adega
Landmarks Monument to the Discoveries Belém Tower Hieronymite Monastery 
- Day 12
Lisbon
Say goodbye to friends you've made throughout this spiritual journey across Spain and Portugal.
