ITINERARY:

 

DAY 01 (24SEP/Monday):  Departure Los Angeles

Depart Los Angeles for flight to Istanbul, Turkey.  Enjoy the in-flight service.

 

DAY 02 (25SEP/Tuesday): Arrival Istanbul 

Welcome to the transcontinental city! Upon arrival in Istanbul Ataturk airport, you will be transferred to your hotel by private mini-van. You will have the rest of the day at your leisure, and you will spend the night at your hotel.

  

DAY 03 (26SEP/Wednesday): Istanbul Full Day Classical City Tour  (B, L)

 You will have breakfast at your hotel’s buffet, after which you will meet your guide and driver in the lobby for Istanbul’s full-day classical city tour. By the end of this tour, you will have gained a complete vision of Istanbul while having visited Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, the Obelisk from Egypt, the Serpentine Column and the Grand Bazaar, where Turkish handicrafts and local products are demonstrated. After the tour ends, you will be transferred back to your hotel, where you will spend your night.

 

DAY 04 (27SEP/Thursday): Istanbul Full Day Bosphorus Tour  (B, L)

You will have breakfast at your hotel’s buffet, after which you will meet your guide and driver in the lobby for a full day Bosphorus tour. The tour will start with a panoramic Halic ride that will eventually take you to the Spice Bazar, where your guide will assist you in getting the most out of your shopping experience. After that, you will catch a ferry along the Bosphorus, which separates the Asian and European continents, for a 90-minute journey, experiencing the best sceneries the city has to offer. You will have lunch in Uskudar, after which you will be enjoying the view from Camlica Hill on the Asian side of Istanbul. The tour will end with a visit to Dolmabahce Palace, after which you will be transferred to your hotel, where you will spend your night.

   

DAY 05 (28SEP/Friday): Depart from Istanbul - Lisbon (B) 

You will have breakfast at your hotel’s buffet, after which you will meet your driver in the lobby for your transfer to the airport, where you will catch your flight to Lisbon, Portugal. 

Upon arrival in Lisbon, transfer to hotel for accommodation.

 

DAY 06 (29SEP/Saturday): Lisbon–Santarém–Fátima (B/D) 

On your guided sightseeing tour of the capital of Portugal, see the enormous monument dedicated to Henry the Navigator, as well as the 16th-century Belém Tower, the Moorish citadel, and impressive Black Horse Square. Visit the CATHEDRAL LA SE’, where St. Anthony was baptized, and JERONIMOS MONASTERY, which dates back to the mid-1400s and was built in thanks to the Virgin Mary for Vasco de Gama’s successful voyage to India. Head north for a stop in Santarém to visit the CHURCH OF THE EUCHARISTIC HOLY MIRACLE. Arrive in Fátima, home to one of the most famous Catholic shrines. Enjoy an orientation walk and visit the Tomb of the Visionaries and the Chapel of the Apparitions made famous by the Virgin Mary’s 1917 appearances to three shepherd children, which culminated in the revelation of the Three Secrets of Fátima. This evening, join pilgrims from around the world for the ROSARY and candlelight procession at the Our Lady of Fátima Basilica.

   

DAY 07 (30SEP/Sunday): Fátima (B/D) 

Today, join an excursion to Tomar with a visit to the Monastery-Fortress of the Knights Templar. This afternoon attend   Mass at the Sanctuary of Our Lady with time to wander on your own. This evening, perhaps join the Rosary.  

  

DAY 08 (01OCT/Monday): Fátima—Braga—Santiago De Compostela, Spain (B/D) 

Journey north this morning and stop in Braga, one of the oldest Christian cities in the world and nicknamed the “Portuguese Rome.” Visit the BOM JESUS DO MONTE SANCTUARY, an important pilgrimage site, where devout followers have walked the “Stations of the Cross” for contemplation and penance since 1811. See the unique zigzag stairway dedicated to the five senses: sight, smell, hearing, touch, and taste—and the three theological virtues: faith, hope, and charity. Continue into Spain and head for Santiago de Compostela, one of the top pilgrimage destinations since the Middle Ages. On arrival, an orientation walk introduces you to the old city center. Then, attend the   Pilgrims Mass in ST. JAMES’ CATHEDRAL, which houses the Apostle James’ remains beneath the high alter, followed by the famous Botafumeiro to close the celebration.

 

DAY 09 (02OCT/Tuesday): Santiago De Compostela (B)

This morning, join an excursion to Cabo Finisterre, where pilgrims have traditionally completed their walk and burned their robes. Later, return to Santiago de Compostela, known throughout history for the key 9th-century pilgrimage route, the Camino de Santiago (or Way of St. James) with time to explore on your own.

 

DAY 10 (03OCT/Wednesday): Santiago De Compostela—Burgos (B)

Today, travel to Burgos, historic capital of Old Castile. Your visit takes you to the magnificent CATHEDRAL, a masterpiece of gothic architecture and burial place of Spain’s national hero, El Cid.

 

DAY 11 (04OCT/Thursday):  Burgos—San Ignacio De Loyola—Lourdes, France (B/D)

Travel through the Basque region toward Lourdes. En route, pause to reflect and attend   Mass at the 17th-century SANCTUARY OF LOYOLA, built in honor of San Ignacio de Loyola, founder of the Jesuit religious order. See its spectacular dome and marble and jasper main altarpiece. Cross into France and overnight in Lourdes, home to another of the world’s most famous places of pilgrimage. Join the nightly ROSARY and candlelight procession for a memorable spiritual experience.

  

DAY 12 (05OCT/Friday): Lourdes (B/D)

Today’s guided walking tour includes the GROTTO, where the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernadette in 1858, Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine, BERNADETTE’S BIRTHPLACE, and her family home. The afternoon is at leisure to further explore this little market town and to attend Mass, if you like.

  

DAY 13 (06OCT/Saturday): Lourdes—Carcassonne—Barcelona, Spain (B)

This morning, head for the France/Spain border. En route, visit the FORTIFIED CITADEL of Carcassonne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See the ramparts, castle walls, and drawbridges that are still well preserved from the Middle Ages. Overnight in Catalonia’s lively and beautiful capital, Barcelona.

  

DAY 14 (07OCT/Sunday): Barcelona (B) 

Today’s guided sightseeing includes a drive around Montjuïc to see the Olympic Stadium and a great panoramic view of the port and city. Continue to the city center’s Plaza Catalunya and Paseo de Gracia to admire Gaudi’s eccentric Houses Batlló and Milà, as well as his SAGRADA FAMILIA, an unfinished architectural masterpiece that is still a consecrated expression of the Catholic faith.

   

DAY 15 (08OCT/Monday): Barcelona (B/D)

Today, we will join the excursion to the pilgrimage site of Montserrat and its countryside. Situated 4,055 feet above sea level in a mountain range composed of striking pink conglomerate, a form of sedimentary rock, this is the site of the Benedictine abbey that hosts the Black Virgin of Montserrat Sanctuary, patron saint of Catalonia. This evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

 

DAY 16 (09OCT / Tuesday: Barcelona (B)

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

 

***End of Tour***

 

 

Accommodations:

ISTANBUL                              SEP25-SEP28      Doubletree by Hilton or similar

LISBON                                  SEP28-SEP29     Roma Hotel or similar

FATIMA                                  SEP29-OCT01     Coracao de Fatima or similar

SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA   OCT01-OCT03     Sercotel Los Abetos or similar

BURGOS                               OCT03-OCT04     Corona de Castilla or similar

LOURDES                              OCT04-OCT06     Sainte-Rose or similar

BARCELONA                          OCT06-OCT09     Hotel Ibis Styles Barcelona City Bogatell or similar

 

 

INCLUSIONS:

• Economy ticket from Los Angeles
• Hotel accommodations based on twin sharing
• Meals (B – Breakfast, L- Lunch, D – Dinner)
• Tour per itinerary
• Air-conditioned Coach
• English Speaking Local Tour Guide
• Tour Manager throughout (Jane Stark)

 

 

EXCLUDES:

• Travel insurance
• Tips for the driver & guide (USD180 per tour participant)
• Visa fees if necessary (American Passport Holders – no visa needed)
• Personal Expense
• Others not mentioned in the above itinerary

 

 

REMARKS:

• All rates are per person based on twin-sharing
• Single supplement – USD 850
• A $ 1500 non-refundable deposit is required upon booking. (Book early, seats are limited).
• Please make check payable to: TRAVEL INTERNATIONAL GROUP, INC.
• A 5% surcharge will be applied if paid by credit card.
• Monthly installment can be arranged.
• Full-payment is on or before June 15, 2018
• Nonrefundable 90 days prior departure
• Twin sharing rate for single travelers (share room with same gender) – Subject to availability