Your trip includes
- Round-trip airfare from your desired Airport
- All airport taxes & fuel surcharges
- Hotel accommodations: (or similar) in double occupancy
- ~ 1 night: Hotel Marques De Pombal, Lisbon, Portugal
- ~ 2 nights: Hotel Santa Maria, Fatima, Portugal
- ~ 4 nights: Modern Pansion / Hotel, Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina
- ~ 5 nights: Sheraton Mexico City Maria Isabel, Mexico City, Mexico
- Breakfast and Dinner daily
- Lunch in Mexico every day at local restaurants (except on day of arrival/departure)
- Wine with dinners
- Assistance of local guide throughout
- Whisper headsets
- Transfers as per itinerary
- Transportation by air-conditioned motor coach
- Free WiFi & Water on bus
- Sightseeing and admissions fees as per itinerary
- Visit to Community Cenacolo
- Catholic Priest, Mass daily & Spiritual activities
- Luggage handling (1 piece per person)
- Free WiFi at Hotel in Mexico
- Tips to Hotel Staff, Restaurants, and Porters in Mexico
Not Included
Itinerary
Day 1: Depart for Lisbon
Make your way to your local airport, where you will board your overnight flight(s). Your meals will be served on board.
Day 2: Arrive Lisbon
Upon landing at Lisbon Airport, and after claiming your baggage, proceed to the Arrivals Hall, where you will be greeted by your tour guide and/or driver. This afternoon you will enjoy a panoramic tour of Lisbon, which will include St. Jerome’s Monastery, built to give thanks to the Virgin Mary. You will drive by the Belem Tower and many landmarks including the 25th of April Bridge, Basilica of the Star, and the Marquee of Pombal Square. The last stop will be St. Anthony’s Church. The Patron Saint of Lost Things is best known as St. Anthony of Padua (Italy), but he was born and baptized here in Lisbon, Portugal. The Church where you will celebrate Mass is built upon St. Anthony’s birthplace. Welcome dinner and overnight in Lisbon.
Day 3: Lisbon - Santarem – Fatima
Today, after breakfast, you will head to Fatima. On the way you will stop in the town of Santarem for Mass at the Church of St. Stephen, and to venerate the 13th century Eucharistic Miracle. Continue to Fatima, a Hamlet of Aljustrel, the birthplace and home of the three shepherd children. Dinner and overnight in Fatima.
Day 4: Fatima
Today will be a memorable experience as you pray and meditate at one of Our Blessed Mother’s apparition sites. Our Lady appeared to three shepherd children; Lucia (age 10), Jacinta (age 7), and Francisco (age 9). These apparitions occurred monthly from May until October of 1917. As the entire world was in true turmoil, Our Lady’s most prominent message during this time was to pray for world peace. The destruction of the world at that point in history was also mentioned by Our Lady in her messages of Fatima, and more specifically, in her second secret to the children. Our profoundly reflective day begins with a visit to the Little Chapel of the Apparitions. This simple, yet modern, chapel is the site of where the Virgin Mary first appeared on May 13, 1917. Continue with a visit to the stunning neoclassical church, the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary. This Sacred space contains the tombs of St. Francisco, St. Jacinta, and Sister Lucia. View the monument that honors the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Due to Our Lady’s consistency in Her messages in urging people to pray the Rosary, this Basilica also features fifteen altars that are dedicated to the fifteen mysteries of the Rosary. While in the Basilica, you will be able to feel, through the Love of Our Lord and Our Lady, the many graces that were received here. Visit the Museum with the exhibition: Fatima: Light and Peace. Continue with a visit to the Holy Trinity Basilica. After free time for lunch, you will experience Christ’s unconditional love by participating in the Stations of the Cross along the Via Sacra. The “Sacred Way” marks the path taken by the shepherd children of Fatima to their first apparition with Our Lady. It is composed of fifteen small chapels in commemoration of the Passion of Our Lord. The fifteenth station, the Resurrection, can be found close to the Chapel of Calvary, dedicated to St. Stephen, King of Hungary. The day will end with a visit to Valinhos, the site of Our Lady’s August 1917 apparition and the first and third apparition of the Angel. Your night will conclude with private devotions, and a candlelight procession, requested by Our Lady (1917). Enjoy dinner and a comfortable night’s rest in Fatima.
Day 5: Fatima – Medjugorje
Today, depart from Lisbon for your flight (s) to Medjugorje. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by your tour guide and/or driver, who will take you on the 2.5 hour drive to the village of Medjugorje. Dinner and an overnight.
Days 6 - 8: Medjugorje
The most beautiful features of Medjugorje are its simplicity and peace. While in Medjugorje, you may experience your faith grow, and share in the faith journey of pilgrims from all over the world. A local guide will accompany your group throughout your stay in the village.
Some activities that will accompany you in your spiritual journey:
Attend Daily Mass: Each morning at 10:00 AM, your group will assemble at St. James Church for Mass (English-Speaking). At the end of each Mass, regardless of language, there is a blessing of the religious articles that you have with you.
On Feast Days, and Sundays: English Mass is at Noon
Climb Apparition Hill: This mountainous hill is where the visionaries first encountered Our Lady. At the base of this hill is a Blue Cross, where it is said Our Lady appeared to the children while they hid from the communist police in the early days of the alleged apparitions. While climbing, your group is invited to recite the Rosary, pausing five times for each decade of the Rosary. At the top of the hill, you will witness the exact location of the first alleged apparition of Our Lady to the visionaries, and enjoy private time for prayer.
Climb Mt. Krizevac (Cross Mountain): In 1933, the villagers built a 30′ high cross atop a mountain to commemorate Jesus’ passion and death on the cross. Your group will have the opportunity to climb this mountain, and venerate that very cross. While climbing, your group is invited to pray the Stations of the Cross (to meditate on Jesus’ suffering Road to Calvary), pausing fifteen times for each Station.
Apparitions: Each evening at 5:00 PM (or 6:00 PM depending on Daylight Savings Time), your group can join the villagers and fellow pilgrims of Medjugorje at either St James Church or Apparition Hill to commemorate the time Our Lady appears to the Visionaries. There you can pray the Rosary, as you all await that time (5:40 PM or 6:40 PM during Daylight Savings Time).
*Afterward, Croatian Mass is held at St. James Church and is free to all to attend. It is broadcasted by the radio, simultaneously in order to translate the services from Croatian into many languages. Following the Croatian Mass, there is a Blessing of the Sick.
**For details about the Visionaries, please visit: Medjugorje Pilgrimage with 206 Tours Catholic Pilgrimages Our all inclusive trip includes a Catholic Priest as spiritual director, Mass daily, Superior accommodations, Sightseeing, Flights, and more
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: Our Lady has always called us to be close to her Son. For this, you will have the opportunity to adore the Blessed Sacrament at the altar outside of St. James Church. Adoration is held on Tuesdays and Saturdays; Veneration of the Cross is held on Fridays inside the church. Additionally, there is an Adoration Chapel on the grounds of St. James Church, where Adoration is held in the afternoon hours.
Visit the Community of Cenacolo:
Pilgrims will have the opportunity to visit the Community of Cenacolo, founded by Sr. Elvira Petrozzi, for young men and women who have taken the wrong path and are on the road to recovery. You will be able to listen to their inspirational testimonies about their journeys back to Jesus Christ.
Prayer at the Statue of the Risen Christ: The bronze statue of the Risen Christ is located on the grounds of St. James Church. Many pilgrims sit and pray on the benches surrounding this peaceful statue. This statue miraculously seeps droplets of water at all times of the day, out of Christ’s right knee.
*Please be advised that there will not be a spiritual director with you throughout your stay in Medjugorje. Daily Mass in English and English confessions are available at St. James Church in Medjugorje.
Day 9: Fly to Mexico
After an early breakfast, make your way to the airport for your flight(s) to Mexico City. You will begin your stay with the holy sacrifice of the Mass either at the hotel or a church, depending on the time of arrival. Tonight you will have the pleasure of meeting and enjoying dinner with your fellow pilgrims and staying overnight at the hotel.
Day 10: Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe - Teotihuacan
Today you will go to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Patroness of the Americas. This Shrine was built in response to Our Lady’s request to the apparition’s seer, St. Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin. When St. Juan relayed her request to the bishop, he asked for a sign. Our Lady provided St. Juan with culturally significant flowers that miraculously bloomed in the middle of winter on Tepeyac Hill. When the seer returned to the bishop with his cloak (tilma) full of flowers, he poured the flowers on the floor, revealing a stunning image of Our Lady which many studies have proven could not have been made by human hand. Upon arrival at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, you will celebrate Mass as you marvel at the brilliantly colored basilica made in her honor. Following Mass, you will have the opportunity to kneel in front of St. Juan’s tilma, on which Our Lady’s image was miraculously imprinted. We will continue to San Juan Teotihuacan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. According to mythology, this site was chosen to be the center of the universe and thus became a prominent political and religious center from the second century to the ninth century. While in San Juan Teotihuacan, you will enjoy lunch at a nearby restaurant, followed by a guided tour of the archaeological zone. While on this tour, you will view the pyramids of the Sun and Moon, the Temple of Quetzalcoatl, and local art markets. Your incredible day will culminate with a delicious dinner and returning to the hotel.
Day 11: Mexico City - Blessed Miguel Pro – Santo Domingo Church - Blessed Conchita Cabrera
This morning after breakfast you will depart for Holy Family Church, where you will view the tomb of the Jesuit martyr, Blessed Miguel Agustin Pro. During the Mexican Revolution, Fr. Pro was exiled from Mexico due to the great amount of religious persecution. Yet he bravely returned to Mexico and was aided by a clandestine group that helped him hide from the authorities. He assisted many individuals with their spiritual and temporal needs during the persecution. Although he helped many, he was eventually arrested and killed. His final words before the firing squad were “Viva Cristo Rey!” which translates to “Long Live Christ the King!” At Holy Family Church, you can venerate this saint’s relics and ask for his intercession. We will also celebrate Mass here and visit the small yet inspiring museum dedicated to Fr. Pro’s life, mission, and sacrifice. We will continue to the Church of Santo Domingo, which stands on the same site where the first temple was built after the conquest of the Dominicans. Inside the church, you will see several chapels, and you will have the opportunity to pray the rosary in the chapel dedicated to the Virgin of the Rosary. Another chapel is dedicated to the Spanish Virgin of Covadonga (patroness of the Asturian Immigrants), and another is dedicated to the “Lord of the Rebozo.” This church is also significant for the historical characters buried here, such as Francisco Vazquez de Coronado. Next, we will have lunch near the city center before continuing to the Church of San José del Altillo to see the crypt where Blessed Conchita Cabrera is buried. Blessed María Concepción Cabrera Arias de Armida, known as Conchita, was a model of holiness as a wife, mother, widow, grandmother, and founder. Because of the depth of her writings, Conchita is recognized as a great mystic of the 20th century. In addition to her voluminous writings, Conchita founded several apostolates under the banner of “Works of the Cross.” Pope Saint John Paul II declared her Venerable on December 20, 1999, and Pope Francis confirmed a miracle that was attributed to Conchita on June 8, 2018. She was beatified in Mexico City on May 4, 2019. Time for prayers and personal devotions will be provided. Your day will conclude with another delicious dinner and overnight stay at your hotel.
Day 12: Excursion to Puebla
Today following breakfast you will enjoy a spectacular drive to what is known as Mexico’s most beautiful city: Puebla. Our ride will climb to over 10,000 feet above sea level, where we will view two magnificent peaks: an active volcano and a mountain topped with snow. On our tour, we will visit the cathedral dedicated to the Immaculate Conception and the Church of St. Dominic to admire the Chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary built in 1690. This is an outstanding example of Mexican Baroque, with dazzling use of gilded stucco and onyx stonework. Then we will see the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, where you will view the incorrupt body of Blessed Sebastian of Aparicio, patron saint of travelers. Born to Spanish peasants, this field worker is a model of simplicity and chastity. Though he grew to accumulate a lot of wealth as a farmer, he distributed his goods among the poor and became a Franciscan brother at the age of 72. He collected alms for the friary and was charitable to everyone he met for 25 years, earning him the name “Angel of Mexico.” You will have time to venerate his body, miraculously incorrupt since his death in 1600. Afterward, you will enjoy a traditional poblano lunch and mole tasting at a local restaurant. This afternoon you will have time in Puebla’s largest traditional handcraft market, El Parián, to shop its colorful glazed pottery. You will then return to Mexico City for dinner and an overnight stay at our hotel.
Day 13: Church of Tulpetlac - Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe
After breakfast, we will head to the Church of the Fifth Apparition, where the Blessed Virgin Maria de Guadalupe appeared to and healed Juan Bernardino, Juan Diego’s uncle. On the fatal sickness and sudden healing of his uncle, Our Lady told St. Juan,
“Listen, put it into your heart, my youngest and dearest son, that the thing that
frightens you, the thing that afflicts you, is nothing: do not let it disturb you… Am I not here, I who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not the source of your joy? Are you not in the hollow of my mantle, in the crossing of my arms? Do you need something more? Let nothing else worry you or disturb you.”
Here you can find a well of healing water that locals drink from. You can pause at the well and reflect on the consoling words of our Mother Mary. We will celebrate Mass before we return to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe for one last prayer before the miraculous image of the Mother of God. You will have time for leisure and fun for our final afternoon before enjoying a fantastic last dinner out complete with live Mariachi music.
Day 14: Return Home
This morning, you will make your way to the airport for your return flight(s) from Mexico City to your final destination.
Disclaimer: The order of the visits/days could change if some museum or church changes its schedule without previous notice.
*206 Tours Disclaimer:
Occasionally local religious and national holidays, weather, traffic conditions and other events may necessitate changes in the sequence of events or the missing of certain events/places. Though every effort will be made to follow the itinerary, it should be considered as an indication, rather than a contract of events and places to be visited.