Make your way to your local airport, where you will board your overnight flight(s). Your meals will be served on board.

Upon arrival in Barcelona, collect your luggage in the baggage claim area, and continue to the arrival hall where you will be greeted by your tour guide and/-or driver. Make your way to the vehicle for your transfer to your hotel. Upon arrival, check-in, and have free time to rest and refresh or explore. This evening, enjoy a welcoming dinner, followed by an overnight in Barcelona.

This morning, your day will begin with breakfast and a sightseeing tour of Barcelona! Enjoy the stunning panoramic views of the Port of Barcelona, Montjuic, Plaza de España, and Plaza de Catalunya. This port created some 2000 years ago in the coastal area to protect and provide access for ships to bring in goods. Currently, it is home to numerous walking areas, businesses, cultural and sporting events. Plaza de España is right outside the center of town, formerly known for its old bull-fighting ring. Presently, the Plaza is renowned for containing the Museum of Catalan art, situated on the side of Montjuic. Plaza de Catalunya is located in central Barcelona and is known for its fountains and statues. Your day of touring will continue with a guided walk through the Gothic Quarter containing remains from an ancient Roman village, including the Cathedral of Barcelona. We will continue to the Eixample quarter to visit Antoni Gaudi’s stunning, unfinished Roman Catholic Basilica, La Sagrada Familia. In the afternoon, we will travel to Manresa to visit the Sanctuary of Saint Ignatius of Loyola and the Holy Cave where St. Ignatius lived. Continue to Montserrat, home to the miraculous Black Madonna. Arrive in time for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, we visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Montserrat, located on a rugged mountainside. According to Catholic tradition circa 50 A.D., St. Luke carved the statue of the Black Madonna and brought it to Spain. While in Spain, it kept hidden from the Moors and later was discovered by shepherds. In 880 A.D., shepherds and the Bishop of Manresa were drawn to a grotto by a bright light and heavenly music. Upon discovery of the Black Madonna statue, the Bishop of Manresa suggested to move it to Manresa. However, the statue was too heavy and could not be lifted. As a result, the Virgin remained in Montserrat and continued to be venerated there for centuries. As years progressed, several chapels were built upon the site. In the eleventh century, the abbot-bishop Oliba founded the Monastery on Montserrat next to one of these chapels. Dinner and overnight.

This morning, following breakfast, depart for Zaragoza. While in Zaragoza, you will have the opportunity to visit the magnificent Basilica del Pilar, built upon the site of where Our Lady appeared to St. James. In 44 A.D., St. James, the Greater was spreading the Gospel in Spain, making very little progress and questioning his mission. According to Catholic Tradition, the Virgin Mary, who was still living in Jerusalem, bi-located and appeared to St. James the Greater to boost his morale. While inside the Basilica, you will view the pillar carried by angels, and from atop Our Lady appeared. After the visit to the Basilica del Pilar, continue to La Seo Cathedral (Cathedral of Zaragoza) formally known as the church of San Vicente. The Visigoth period contains architectural elements of Gothic, Mudejar, Renaissance, and Baroque styles. In addition to the famous cathedral, Zaragoza is known for its folklore and local gastronomy. Both will be explored during the walking tour of the city. This evening, continue to Madrid, where you will eat your dinner and enjoy a restful overnight.

After breakfast, we will enjoy a tour of Madrid which includes the Royal Palace and Plaza Mayor. A visit to Toledo will be next. Toledo, located on a rocky mound isolated on three sides right by a looping gorge of the Río Tajo. Every available inch of this outcrop has churches, synagogues, mosques, and houses heaped upon one another in a haphazard spiral, which the cobbled lanes infiltrate as best they can. Toledo is known as the city of the Three Religions or Cultures. For many centuries the Christians, the Moors, and the Jews lived together in relative equality and peace. The city surrounded by walls hides great treasured: its beautiful Church of Santo Tomé, the Tránsito Synagogue, Santa María la Blanca Synagogue, the Church of San Juan de Los Reyes, Puerta de Bisagras, Puerta del Cambrón, Puerta del Sol, etc. We return to Madrid for dinner and overnight.

Depart Madrid and head to Segovia, two-Millenium-old Castillian city where St. Teresa founded her ninth order. This city is enhanced by spiritual qualities of undeniable value. Here, Saint John of the Cross, friend of Saint Theresa, theological scholar and one of the greatest poets of the Spanish language is buried in a convent. The bodily remains of Saint Domingo of Guzman, founder of the Dominican Order, and to whom the Catholic Church historically attributes the creation of the holy rosary, are sepulchred in a monastery just outside the city.You will also visit Alcazar, a royal place built in the 11th century where Queen Isabel agreed to fund Christopher Columbus’ exploration. Stroll through the Old Quarter of Segovia, seeing the Roman Aqueduct and Cathedral. Proceed to Avila, the city of Kings and Saints and the birthplace of St. Teresa, one of the greatest mystics for dinner and overnight.

This morning, following breakfast, you will board the bus and enjoy a short transfer to the village of Alba de Tormes. This town is home to the Carmelite Monastery that Saint Teresa founded in 1571. Upon arrival in Alba de Tormes, celebrate Mass at the Monastery where she died and was buried. Following Mass, you will have the opportunity to visit the museum dedicated to St. Teresa of Avila, which also holds her incorrupt heart and left arm. Enjoy free time for lunch before continuing to Salamanca. Salamanca is a city in the Castilla y Leon region known for its large university, the oldest in Spain that is still active along with its prominent culture. Our walking tour will bring us to the most noteworthy sites, such as; the grand Plaza Mayor, an iconic square filled with food, shopping, and city events. La Clerecia, a church, and college of the Jesuit Order constructed in the seventeenth century. La Casa de las Conchas currently a public library and monument, decorated with shells that symbolize the famous pilgrimage to Santiago (El Camino). The University of Salamanca is the oldest University in Spain and the third oldest in Europe. The Roman Bridge is a national monument that extends along the River Tormes and is among Salamanca’s sturdiest bridges. La Iglesia de San Marcos, constructed in the Romanesque style contains breathtaking paintings that portray many scenes of Our Lady’s life. La Iglesia de San Martin is a Church devoted to St. Martin of Tours, who is the patron saint of beggars and those most in need. Visit the inside of the two joint Salamanca Cathedrals (old and new), one Romanesque style and the other Gothic style. Following this eventful day, you will return to your hotel in Avila for a delicious meal and overnight.

We continue our visit of walled city of Ávila today – home of St. Teresa, one of four female Doctors of the Church. The conservation of architecture in this city, to which St. Teresa was born, d e e mP as gi tes 3shorfin6es, convents, and churches necessary to visit any Catholic pilgrimage. The Cathedral de Avila encompasses the Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance styles of its time with its artwork and architecture. La Basilica de San Vicente in Avila stands on the site of the martyrdom of St. Vincent. Visit the Incarnation Convent, where St. Teresa became a nun. Saint Teresa convinced Saint John of the Cross to reform the male Carmelite order, the reform she started when she met Saint John in Medina del Campo. Dinner and overnight in Avila.

After an early breakfast and heartfelt farewells, leave by motorcoach and transfer to Madrid Airport for return flights home.

Or for pilgrims taking post tour to Medjugorje:

*206 Tours Disclaimer:
Though every effort will be made to follow the itinerary, it should be considered as an indication, rather than a contract of places to be visited. Occasionally local religious holidays, national days, weather, traffic conditions and other events may necessitate changes in the sequence of visits or the missing of certain visits.