Morning arrival inBarcelona, the proud capital of Catalonia. Clear customs and immigrations and transfer to your hotel. This afternoon tour Barcelona, host of the 1992 Olympic Games. Visit the magnificent Cathedral, the old Gothic Quarter, and Gaudi’s unusual Sagrada Familia Church. Overnight in Barcelona.
DAY 03:
MONSERRAT / ZARAGOZA
Today drive to the Monastery of Montserrat, perched high on sheer rock rising above the Catalonian plain. Visit the Monastery, Statue of Our Lady of Montserrat, and the Cave where tradition says the statue was found. Continue to Zaragoza for overnight.
In Zaragoza this morning visit the Shrine of Our Lady of the Pillar, the second most popular pilgrimage site in Spain.Visit the magnificent altar in the Basilica, built on the site where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to the Apostle St. James before her assumption into heaven. See the Chapel of the Virgin, the place where the Blessed Pillar statue can be kissed, the Holy Chapel, the Assumption of the Virgin marble statue and other numerous chapels and artworks inside the Basilica. Continue to Loyola, the center of the Jesuit Order. Visit Azeitia, birthplace of St. Ignatius. Tour the Sanctuary of Loyola including the Holy House. Overnight in Loyola.
DAY 05:
LOYOLA / SANTO DOMINGODE SILOS / BURGOS
Depart Loyola this morning and drive through the rolling hills of central Spain to Santo Domingo de Silos. The Monastery of Santo Domingo de Silos is home to Benedictine monks whose recordings of Gregorian chant have helped to popularize the Church’s treasury of sacred music. Continue to Burgos for overnight.
DAY 06:
BURGOS / LEON / BECERREA
Burgos Cathedral
Morning visit to the Cathedral of Burgos, one of the most beautiful in Europe. Continue to Leon, formerly the capital of the region. The city's most famous monuments are its great Gothic cathedral, the church Basilica de San Isidoro with valuable Romanesque frescoes in its crypt, and the San Marcos monastery of Renaissance period. Visit the Cathedral there before proceeding to Becerrea for overnight.
DAY 07:
BECERREA / SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
Depart Becerrea and drive to Santiago de Compostela. Santiago de Compostela is dedicated to St. James. The village was the third most popular site for pilgrimage in the Middle Ages, outside Rome and Jerusalem. Visit the Cathedral and the crypt below the high altar which contain the relics of St. James.
DAY 08:
SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA / ORESNSE / SALAMANCA
Cathedral at Salamanca
Depart Santiago De Compostela and drive to Orense to visit the Cathedral. Continue to Salamanca for overnight. Salamanca is probably best known for having the oldest university in Spain and one of the oldest in Europe. This university is still what gives ambiance to the town. This charming town is untouched in it's architectural purity. In central areas all recent buildings are constructed in Salamanca's best tradition. The city has been declared "City of Mankind's Heritage" by UNESCO.
DAY 09:
SALAMANCA / ALBA DE TORMES / AVILA
Avila
Depart Salamanca this morning and drive to Alba de Tormes located along the river Duero, a place of pilgrimage conserving several relics of Saint Teresa. The Saint's body is in the Convento de las Carmelitas. Other interesting buildings are the 12th century Church of San Juan, several Mudejar-style churches, a medieval bridge and the tower resting of the Duke of Alba's castle. Continue to Avila, home of Blessed St Teresa. We will visit the Cathedral of Avila, the romanesque Basilica de San Vincente where St. Vincent was martyred the Convento de Santa Teresa on the site of her birthplace, and the garden where she played as a child, the Convento de la Encarnacion where she first took vows and where she lived for more than 30 years. The museum here has a drawing of the crucifixion by her disciple, St John of the Cross, and the cell used by the saint while she was prioress here. Mass will be celebrated and you will have some free time for reflection. Overnight in Avila.
DAY 10:
AVILA / SEGOVIA
Segovia Cathedral
Segovia, just north of Madrid is our excursion point for today. Located in the mountains and atop a rocky hill, Segovia is encircled by three rivers. One of the most impressive sites is the old Roman Aqueduct built in the late 1st century AD. This structure still brings water to the town and dominates the skyline. We will visit the most splendid Alcazar in Spain with its museum and location dominating the valleys below, the Convento de Carmelitas Descalzos founded by St. John of the Cross, who was prior here and is buried in the convent; the church of Vera Cruz built in 1208 and modeled on the Church of the Holy Sepulchure in Jerusalem, and the city main plaza and surroundings. Return to Avila for overnight.
DAY 11:
AVILA / MADRID
to Madrid. Enjoy an orientation tour of this beautiful capital of Spain. From our motor- coach you will view the Prado, the Royal Palace, the Plaza Mayor and other impressive sites. Dinner and overnight in Madrid.
Today we travel south of Madrid to visit Toledo, former capital of Spain, and the city captured by El Cid. Toledo is the seat of the Primate of Spain, and one of the richest historic sites in the country. Situated on the banks of the Rio Tajo with its Gothic and Moorish walls, its towering Alcazar and one of the most splendid Cathedrals in Europe. Toledo has also produced a long line of Cardinals, and the most famous silver in the world. We will visit the Cathedral, celebrate Mass, continue to the Museum of El Greco, the famous painter, the Alcazar and historical city sites. Return to Madrid with the rest of the afternoon free. Dinner and ovemight Madrid.
DAY 13:
MADRID / NORTH AMERICA
Transfer to the airport in time to check in for your return flight to North America. Arrival in the afternoon local time.
