0506UA4 - Pilgrimage to Portugal and Spain 10 days from Buffalo

Today, we depart Buffalo to connect with our overnight flight aboard a wide-bodied jet. We enjoy in-flight movies, dinner, and breakfast while aloft.

This morning, we arrive at the Lisbon Airport, where we are met by our Unitours Tour Manager and given a short orientation tour of Lisbon as we drive north. We stop in Santarem to celebrate our first pilgrims Mass at the Church of the famous Eucharistic Miracle. Following our visit, we transfer to our hotel for our “welcome” dinner and overnight in Santarem.

Today, we proceed to the Santa Maria d’Alcobaca Monastery. This magnificent building was built in the late 12th century by King Alphonso I and given to the Cistercian Order under (St.) Bernard of Clairvaux. In addition to the chapel, quarters, kitchen, etc., it houses the tombs of numerous Spanish royals following King Alfonso I. We stop for lunch on our own before visiting the Basilica and Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima. We join the English language concelebrated Mass at the Chapel of Apparitions. We continue with a visit to the birthplaces of Francisco, Jacinta, and Lucia, the Loca de Anjo and the Holy Way. Dinner and overnight at our hotel. In the evening, we join the nightly International Rosary Procession.

This morning, we depart Fatima and continue north to the City of Porto. We make a brief stop at the Church of Santo Ildefonso, who was one of the first Bishops of Toledo. The church is quite unique in its façade is covered in 11,000 individual tiles, imported from Italy, giving it a very colorful prominence in the trendy Batalha section of Porto. We celebrate the Ascension Mass while there and depart for Santiago. We arrive in Santiago and enjoy some free time to explore this wonderful town before dinner and overnight at our hotel in Santiago.

Today, we start our day at the Cathedral of St. James, which was constructed from the 11th to 13th century. It is one of the most famous shrines in the western world. This is the site of the ancient pilgrimage to the Shrine of St. James. Tradition holds that the Apostle James was cast ashore here, preaching for seven years and being responsible for the conversion of Spain, before returning to the Holy Land. This imposing church, with its splendor, as well as the portico, are masterworks of Romanesque art. We celebrate Mass while here, and then stop for Lunch on our own before our time in the Old City, where we browse, relax, and encounter the many pilgrims along the Camino! Tonight, our group can discover one of the many Galatian restaurants in the Old City, as our dinner will be on our own. Overnight in our hotel in Santiago.

This morning we depart for the medieval city of Avila. We enjoy the Spanish countryside was we journey southeast from Santiago, stopping for lunch on our own along our route. We arrive in the walled city of Avila with some leisure time to stroll the streets of Avila before dinner and overnight at our hotel.

Today, our first stop is the Convent of St. Joseph. This monastery, which St. Teresa founded for her Carmelite sisters, is an incredibly special pilgrimage spot to even those who are not avid followers of St. Teresa. We enjoy a tour and some extra time in the museum dedicated to her as well. Our final stop is the Cathedral of the Savior, more commonly referred to as the Avila Cathedral. Constructed in the 12th century and remodeled over the next six centuries, it is an imposing work of architecture. We conclude our day with a wine tasting at a nearby winery, featuring delicious Spanish wines from the region. Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Avila.

This morning, we say good-bye to the city of St. Teresa and travel to Madrid, stopping just outside the city at the apparition site of Prado Nueva. On June 14, 1981, Our Blessed Mother appeared to a woman named Luz Amparo, who was resting by a tree. She appeared under the title “Our Lady of Sorrows” and asked for a chapel to be constructed so that the faithful of Madrid could meditate on her son’s glorious Passion. She promised many blessings and healing from a nearby spring. The chapel was built by the archbishop of that time, Archbishop Varela, but in 2020, the secular government ordered the chapel torn down because of building violations conjured up by local officials. All that remains is the tree where she appeared and the spring nearby, which still attracts pilgrims daily. We pray a new chapel can be built and Our Blessed Mother’s promises to return. This afternoon, following a break for lunch on our own, we visit the highlights of Madrid, capital of Spain, and the second largest city in the European Union! We view the Gran Via Plaza d’ Espana, the Viaduct, Plaza Major Square, passing by the Bull Ring, Independence and Cibeles Squares, the University, and the Paseo de la Castellana. Later we make our way to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Today, we start our day with Mass at the beautiful Iglesia de San Manuel y San Benito. This church gets its name from the husband-and-wife benefactors who funded its construction in the early 20th century and are buried here as well. Following Mass, we enjoy the remainder of the day to shop, relax, or do additional sightseeing on our own before we enjoy our “farewell” dinner and overnight at our hotel.

This morning, we transfer to the airport for our flight home with unforgettable memories to cherish always.