MARIAN SHRINES

Arrive at Panama International Airport 3 hours prior to departure to take the Iberia transatlantic flight to Barcelona (connecting through Madrid). Overnight flight.

Arrival at Barcelona airport, where your guide will be waiting. Transfer to the hotel. Free time to get acquainted with this beautiful Spanish city. We will continue our tour with a short panoramic visit, including the historic Montjuïc hill, the Olympic Stadium, the Joan Miró Foundation, the National Art Museum of Catalonia, Plaça d'Espanya, Plaça de Catalunya, Passeig de Gràcia, the Columbus Monument, and an exterior view of the Sagrada Familia. After the panoramic tour, you will have free time to explore the city. Overnight stay. The panoramic tour may vary depending on your flight's arrival time.

Breakfast. We will depart for Manresa, the site of St. Ignatius of Loyola's conversion. We will visit the Cathedral and the Holy Cave, where St. Ignatius spent much time fasting, praying, meditating, and writing. Next, we will travel to the Basilica of Montserrat, an important Marian pilgrimage site. In Montserrat, we will admire La Moreneta, the patron saint of Catalonia. Passing near the city of Perpignan, we will cross the Pyrenees to reach Narbonne and continue on to Carcassonne. Overnight stay.

Breakfast. First, we'll visit the city of Carcassonne and then depart for Lourdes, crossing the Midi-Pyrénées region and passing through Toulouse. Lourdes is known as the Pink City, so named for its many pink buildings, making it a landmark city in Europe for its architecture. Free time during which you'll have the opportunity to visit the Basilica of Saint-Sernin or the cloister of the Dominican or Jacobin Convent. Afterward, we continue to Lourdes. Overnight stay.

Breakfast. We will take a brief panoramic tour of Lourdes, highlighting the Sanctuary, which is part of the Marian Route. Free time will be available to attend the Torchlight Procession (on the days it is held) and visit the Holy Grotto where the Virgin Mary appeared up to 18 times to Bernadette Soubirous, a shepherdess, mystic, and nun canonized in 1933. Overnight stay.

Breakfast. We will depart in the morning, crossing the border into Spain and entering the Basque Country, specifically the province of Gipuzkoa, to reach its capital, San Sebastián. Upon arrival, we will take a brief panoramic tour of this city, which boasts a circular bay featuring La Concha Beach, recognized as the most beautiful city beach in Europe, as well as its old town dotted with charming taverns where you can enjoy Basque culinary culture. We continue to Bilbao, the economic capital of the Basque region and an international benchmark for art and culture thanks to the famous Guggenheim Museum. Bilbao, with its avant-garde architecture and the iconic Puppy dog, has become the city's most international symbol. Here we will take a panoramic tour. Later, we will depart for Burgos. We will then continue our journey into the province of Burgos, where the imposing Gothic cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stands out, housing the remains of El Cid. Free time. Overnight stay.

Breakfast. Departure through the Picos de Europa mountains, with their breathtaking landscapes, where we will see the famous lakes and the Sanctuary of Covadonga. We will discover the Sanctuary and the renowned Grotto of the Virgin of Covadonga. The Basilica, completed in 1901, represents the origin of modern Spain, as it was the starting point of the Reconquista. This magical place is a must-see for travelers visiting this area, as they will find a magnificent temple amidst an indescribable natural landscape. After visiting Covadonga, we will continue our journey to Santiago de Compostela. Overnight stay.

Breakfast. Free day for personal activities or an optional excursion. Overnight stay.

Breakfast. Departure for Porto, passing through one of the greenest regions in all of Spain, arriving at the famous Portuguese city. Located on the right bank of the Douro River, it is the second most important city in Portugal. The Romans established the towns of Portus and Cale, each on one bank of the river; these names, combined, formed Portucale, demarcating the Minho and Douro regions and creating the official nucleus of the Kingdom of Portugal. Since the 17th century, wine trade has existed with England, and since then, the famous Port wine has achieved worldwide fame and recognition. We will take a brief panoramic tour of its historic center, recently declared a World Heritage Site. Highlights include the Cathedral and the city (Av. dos Aliados, Clérigos Tower, Av. da Boavista, Foz district, Arrábida Bridge, and Dom Luís I Bridge), ending at a Port wine cellar. Discover the Palácio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange Palace) and the Church of São Francisco, a masterpiece of Baroque architecture. After our visit, we will continue towards Fátima, arriving at the hotel. Accommodation.

Breakfast. Free day in Fatima for personal activities or to take an optional tour. Overnight stay.

Breakfast. This morning, enjoy free time to visit one of Christianity's most renowned pilgrimage sites, where the Virgin Mary appeared to the shepherds. Continue your journey to Lisbon. Enjoy a brief panoramic tour of its main avenues, squares, and monuments. You will see the Jerónimos Monastery, the Alfama district, Belém Tower, and more. Free afternoon. Overnight stay.

Breakfast. Free day for personal activities or to take an optional activity. Overnight stay.

Breakfast. We will depart for the city of Mérida, traveling along the Vía de la Plata, the ancient Roman road that crossed western Hispania from Emerita Augusta to Asturica Augusta. In more modern times, it also became the most important route of the Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James) on its southern branch of the Iberian Peninsula. Upon arrival in Mérida, you will have free time to explore its impressive historic center, which houses a rich Roman heritage, or you can take an optional city tour. Afterwards, we will continue our journey to Madrid. Overnight stay.

Breakfast. Today, a brief panoramic tour of the city will take you past its main avenues, squares, and monuments. You will discover landmarks such as Plaza de España, Gran Vía, the Cibeles Fountain, Puerta de Alcalá, the famous Las Ventas bullring, and more. Continuing through the modern area, the tour will conclude in Habsburg Madrid. Iconic landmarks like Plaza Mayor and Plaza de Oriente will provide the grand finale to this tour of Spain's capital. The afternoon is free to enjoy the city or take an optional excursion. Overnight stay.

Breakfast. Departure for Zaragoza, where we will make a brief stop to admire the oldest Marian temple in Christendom: the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, which forms part of the enormous square of the same name. We will continue towards Barcelona. Overnight stay.

Breakfast. Free day for personal activities or to take an optional activity. Overnight stay.

Breakfast. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport to take the Iberia flight back to Panama City.