Sunday, March 19, 2023 - Depart Chicago: Today we will depart from O’Hare Airport to begin our journey to Spain. Meals and beverages will be served during the overnight flight.

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Monday, March 20 - Arrive Madrid: Upon arrival in Madrid we will collect our luggage and meet our tour manager, who will accompany us until our departure from Lisbon. As we transfer by private motorcoach to our hotel, our our tour manager will share information about our tour and details of today’s schedule. Dinner and overnight in Madrid. (D)

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Tuesday, March 21 - Madrid (City Tour & El Escorial): Highlights of our morning city tour will include the Royal Palace, official residence of King Felipe VI, and the Cathedral of Almudena. We will drive the famous boulevard of Gran Via and walk through the heart of the old city, from Puerta del Sol to Plaza Mayor. Following free time for lunch, we will drive to the austere monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, created by Philip II in the mid 1500’s. Its massive dimensions serve as the burial place of Spain’s kings and queens, the home of art treasures by El Greco, Velazquez and Titian, as well as more than 50,000 books, which rivals the Vatican Library. We return to Madrid in the early evening for an evening at leisure. (B)

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Wednesday, March 22 - Madrid (Toledo Excursion): Today we travel to Toledo, where our city tour will include all the highlights of this strategic stronghold – the steep cobbled streets where Christians, Jews and Muslims lived side by side in the Middle Ages, the breathtaking Cathedral with its 750 stained glass windows and the spectacular views over the River Tagus. There will be free time for lunch, before we return to Madrid in the mid-afternoon. We have the remainder of the day and evening at leisure, with time to visit one of Madrid’s famous art galleries – either the Prado with its old masters, the Reina Sofia Museum of 20th-century art or the priceless private collection of the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. (B)

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Thursday, March 23 - Madrid / Segovia / Avila / Salamanca: This morning we will drive first to Segovia, where our visit represents a journey through two thousand years of history. Our walking tour will include all the highlights of this radiant city – from the Roman aqueduct, to the Gothic Cathedral, the Alcazar fortress of Queen Isabella to the cobbled streets where diverse influences still mingle. After free time for lunch, we continue to Avila, where our walking tour of the old town will follow in the footsteps of St. Teresa. We will see the Basilica and Convent built over her birthplace, as well as the Convent of the Incarnation, essential to her life as a Carmelite nun. We continue to Salamanca for the next two nights. (B, D)

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Friday, March 24 - Salamanca: This morning we will explore the university city of Salamanca. Our walking tour will include much of the old city area, which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Highlights will include visits to its two impressive Cathedrals – the Old Cathedral (built in the 12th century), and the “New” Cathedral (built in the 16th century). We will also see Spain’s oldest university, which was founded in 1134, and the beautiful 18th century Plaza Major. The afternoon and evening are free for individual pursuits. (B)

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Saturday, March 25 - Salamanca / Braganca / Santiago de Compostela: Today’s journey brings us our first taste of Portugal as we visit the ancient city of Braganca. With its ancient city hall, medieval castle, Renaissance Cathedral and intact city walls, it provides some stunning views and panoramas. We will have free time for lunch before continuing to Santiago de Compostela for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

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Sunday, March 26 - Santiago de Compostela: After Mass in one of the local churches, we will follow in the footsteps of ancient pilgrims as we dedicate the morning to walking the narrow streets of the city towards the cathedral. Once there, and after admiring the beauty of the sculptures and architecture, we will embrace the apostle Saint James (Santiago) and visit the crypt to pay tribute at his Tomb. This afternoon will be at leisure to visit the city, its museums and churches and mingle with fellow pilgrims who, following a tradition dating back a thousand years, have taken the Way of St. James to pay homage at the tomb of the Apostle. Overnight in Santiago de Compostela. (B)

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Monday, March 27 - Santiago de Compostela / Porto / Fatima: This morning we will cross into Portugal and visit its second largest city of Porto, nestled on the Douro estuary and famous for its fortified wine. Its strategic location made it important through the ages and its rich medieval history is still reflected in the cobbled streets along the riverside and the remains of the old city walls. Following our panoramic tour of the old town and free time for lunch, we continue to Fatima for dinner and overnight. After dinner this evening we are free to join other pilgrims to pray the Rosary in the Chapel of the Apparitions at 9:15pm, followed by the Candlelight Procession through the Sanctuary at 10:15 pm. (B, D)

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Tuesday, March 28 - Fatima / Lisbon: Today we will explore Fatima. It is here where the Blessed Mother appeared in 1917 to three shepherd children. We will see their houses in the village of Aljustrel, the parochial church of Fatima where they were bap- tized, the Basilica and, of course, the chapel erected on the site of the Virgin Mary’s appearances. We will gather for Mass in one of the chapels, after which we will have free time for individual exploration. Late this afternoon we will travel to Lisbon, our home for the last two nights of our tour. (B, D)

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Wednesday, March 29 - Lisbon: This morning’s city tour will reveal the unassuming charm of this city built on seven hills, which is even older than Paris, London or Rome. Located on the Tagus River, Lisbon has been a huge melting pot of cultures, where Phoenicians and Arabs left their mark, resulting in one of Europe’s most colorful cityscapes. Highlights will include the Belem Tower and the Monastery of Hieronymites, final resting place of Vasco de Gama, who put Lisbon firmly on the map by discovering the sea route to India. We will have free time this afternoon for sightseeing and last minute shopping before our farewell dinner. (B, D)

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Thursday, March 30 - Lisbon / Chicago: Early this morning we will transfer to the Lisbon Airport to begin our journey home.

B - Breakfast; D - Dinner

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Program Highlights

*  Round trip air from Chicago

*  First Class (3 & 4 star) hotels

*  Breakfast daily

*  Six dinners as noted in the itinerary

*  Transportation via deluxe private motorcoach

*  Professional tour manager to travel with the group

*  Comprehensive sightseeing, including applicable entrance fees

*  Hearing Sets for walking tours

*  Baggage handling at all hotels -1 bag per person

*  Passport case, baggage tags, etc.

*  US Departure and airport taxes

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