Itinerary – Spiritual Lourdes & St. James Way
9 Day Spiritual Lourdes & St. James Way
Travel to the sacred town of Lourdes, known as a Catholic center of prayer and healing, before walking the route of Saint James, the Patron Saint of Spain. Visit important landmarks in Bernadette’s hometown and explore beautiful churches and other religious sites while traveling the magnificent scenery of France & Spain.
Itinerary
Day 1: Paris – Arrival & Sightseeing
Greeted upon arrival and transferred to Paris. Panoramic Paris includes several stops and a visit of Notre Dame. After an early evening Seine river cruise, mass at a local church, enjoy a welcome dinner at a traditional Parisian restaurant. Overnight in Paris. (D)
Day 2: Paris with Montmartre and Louvre
Visit the magnificent Sacre Coeur Basilica and Montmartre area with narrow and beautiful streets full of local artists, small shops, and delicious flavors coming from eateries. Afternoon guided tour of Louvre will end at a local church for evening mass. Overnight in Paris. (B)
Day 3: Lourdes
Transfer to Paris train station. Enjoy the train ride to Lourdes. After you are transferred to your hotel, we will meet our guide to walk the way of the cross Mass at Notre-Dame du Rosaire basilica and follow in the footsteps of Bernadette. Visit the Sainte-Bernadette Museum, the parish church where Bernadette got baptized, her house, the mill where she was born, and where the old hospice Bernadette received her first communion. A Torchlight Marian Procession is scheduled for later in the evening. Overnight in Lourdes. (B&D)
Day 4: Lourdes-Pamplona
After mass at the Grotto and watching the video about the Apparitions, continue to Pamplona for overnight. (B&D)
Day 5: Puente La Reina-Saint Ignacio – Logrono – Burgos
We visit Pamplona city with Santa Maria Cathedral. Continue to Saint Ignacio of Loyola and visit the sanctuary. After the mass, proceed to Puente la Reina where the Church of Crucifijo, founded by Templars, is located. Continue to Ermita de Valdefuentes. Walking route: from Ermita de Valdefuentes to San Juan de Ortega or free time to explore the sanctuary dedicated to San Juan de Ortega. Overnight in Burgos (B&D)
Day 6: Burgos – Leon
Guided visit of Burgos Cathedral. St. James walking route: Iglesias to Hontanas or free time to explore Hontanas. Continue to Castrojeriz to see the Collegiate of Virgen del Manzano. Afternoon St. James walking route: Boadilla Del Camino to Fromista or free time to explore the Benedictine monastery of Saint-Martin. Mass is at Saint Peter in Fromista. Arrive in Leon for overnight (B&D)
Day 7: Leon – Lugo
Visit Leon’s cathedral and the Roman-Spanish Sistine Chapel. St. James walking route: Rabanal Del Camino to Iron Cross or free time to visit Rabanal Del Camino and Foncebadon. After your visit of the most symbolic St. James way site: Iron Cross and mass in Molinaseca, continue to Leon for overnight. (B&D)
Day 8: Lugo – Santiago de Compostela
Depart to Melide, a fundamental point on St. James way. Free time to explore the monuments especially the monastery of Sancti Spiritus and the 14th century cross by San Roque Chapel. Monte de Gozo. The group gets off at Porta Itineris Sancti Iacobi and starts the walk through Saint Lazare chapel, Concheiros, and the San Pedroe streets to arrive at the Obradoiro Square cathedral. Mass will take place at one of the chapels in the cathedral. Overnight in Santiago de Compostela. (B&D)
Day 9: Return to USA
You can choose to return to Madrid and fly home or continue your pilgrimage into Fatima. (B)