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MARIAN SHRINES
PROGRAM FOR GROUPS
MARIAN SHRINES
This program is mainly devoted to Marians, believers of Our Lady as the main entity
of worship. The trip was designed so all the most important places of worship could
be visited and experienced the most pleasant way. Argon Travel suggests then a visit to
Fatima, Salamanca, Alba de Tormes, Ávila, Segovia, Madrid, Burgos, Loyola, Lourdes –
where one of the apparitions of Our Lady took place. From this location in the Pyrenees,
the visitor can choose to take the road to Paris via Paray-le-Monial and Nevers, or to
Barcelona via Montserrat.
GROUPS:
Min. 20 Pax
PICK UP POINT:
Lisbon
HIGHLIGHTS:
PROGRAM
7 DAYS
10 DAYS
12
(WITH EXTENSION)
Torre de Belém
Aldeia de Aljustrel
Santuário de Lourdes
Mosteiro dos Jerónimos
Ávila
Chachôt
Santuário de Fátima
Segóvia
Salamanca
Capelinha das Aparições
Burgos
Gran Via
Basílica do Rosário
Azpetia
Moinho de Boully
MARIAN SHRINES
7 DAYS / 10 DAYS
(WITH EXTENSION)
1st DAY • PLACE OF ORIGIN / LISBON
Arrival at the Lisbon airport. Welcomed by Argon Travel tour-escort. Sightseeing the
city of the seven hills and centuries-old traditions, having as partner the river Tagus
which witnessed the departure of many caravels. Passing by Rossio’s Square (historical heart of the city), Praça do Comércio, Tower of Belem and Jerónimos Monastery.
Lunch break. Visit to the church of St. Anthony built over the place where once had
been his father’s house and birthplace of the most revered saint of the Catholic world.
Possibility to attend the mass. Dinner and overnight in Lisbon.
2nd DAY • LISBON / SANTARÉM / FÁTIMA
Departure to Óbidos, a town that has not lost its medieval nature thanks to its excellent preservation. Short stop to taste a Ginjinha, typical drink of the region. Then
towards Santarém, capital city of the province of Ribatejo. Visit to the church of the
Holy Miracle in Santarém and possibility to attend the mass. Here occurred one of
the most important Eucharistic miracles, only comparable to Lanciano, Italy. Moving
on to Fatima, “the altar of the world.” Fatima has become one of the most popular
and a reference for catholic pilgrims since 1917, when the Virgin Mary appeared to
three shepherd children at Cova da Iria. Accommodation in Fatima. In the evening
possibility to participate in the candlelight procession.
ITINERARY
6th DAY • MADRID / BURGOS / LOYOLA / LOURDES
Departure in direction of Burgos, city of El Cid the legendary Christian knight and
warrior of the mythical fights between Christians and Muslims in the Iberian Peninsula. This city holds one of the most beautiful Gothic cathedrals in Spain. Departure
to Azpeitia where is the solar of the family of St. Ignatius of Loyola. This saint has
brought a different concept of organization with the religious order he founded, the
Society of Jesus. The Jesuits came out to be one of the most important missionary orders to the South American continent and the Far East. Departure to France,
towards to one of the most important Marian shrines in the world: Lourdes. Accommodation in Lourdes.
7th DAY • LOURDES
Day totally devoted to visit Lourdes, one of the most important Marian shrines visited
by millions of pilgrims. The appearance of Our Lady to the shepherdess Bernadette
confirmed so divine the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, proclaimed shortly
before by the ecclesiastical authorities. Visit to the holy places where the St. Bernadette lived, such as the mill Boully, the Chachôt, the old abandoned prison where
they were forced to live in difficult times. Possibility of bathing in the pools with
the water of the river Tarbes. Free time for personal devotions. Accommodation in
Lourdes.
3rd DAY • FÁTIMA
Day entirely dedicated to the visit to the shrine and the places related to the apparitions and the live of the three children. In the morning visit to the Chapel of
the Apparitions, the exact place where Our Lady appeared to Lucia, Francisco and
Jacinta. Visit of the Basilica to the Rosary and also to the brand new basilica of the
Holy Trinity, great architectural work of the architect Tombazis. The interior houses
works of artists from all around the world, giving a universal nature to this temple
that can hold 9,000 pilgrims. In the afternoon visit to the village of Aljustrel, 2 km
from the Cova da Iria - birthplace of the shepherds. Visit to the Loca do Anjo and the
Hungarian Calvary (Vis Sacra). Free time for personal devotions. Accommodation in
Fatima. After dinner possibility to participate, at 21.30, in the candlelight procession.
4th DAY • FÁTIMA / SALAMANCA / ALBA DE TORMES / ÁVILA
Departure for Spain. First stop in the beautiful city of Salamanca, big university center and known for its amazing historical and architectural ensemble. Lunch break.
Departure to Alba de Tormes, the first place related to St. Teresa of Avila. St. Teresa
was a church reformer and founder of many convents. She was awarded the title of
Dr. of the Church. Departure for Avila. This city, surrounded by walls from the Roman
period, has the charm of the medieval city and we can visit here places related to the
childhood of St. Teresa, as well as see some of its relics. Accommodation in Avila.
5th DAY • ÁVILA / SEGÓVIA / MADRID
Visit of Avila. The tour continues to Segovia, where you can visit the place where
St. John of the Cross is buried, confessor of St. Teresa. In Segovia highlights to its
stately and well-preserved Roman aqueduct. The streets leading to the cathedral have
always been very busy. Lunch break. Departure heading for Madrid. This magnificent
city was designed and driven by Philip II in order to be the center of a great empire
where the sun never set. The lines, the monumental buildings and the wide avenues
prove so. Sightseeing tour covering avenues like La Castellana, Gran Vía full of theaters, the monument to Cervantes, Plaza Mayor and many other places that make this
city one of Europe’s finest capitals. Accommodation in Madrid.
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MARIAN SHRINES
7 DAYS / 10 DAYS
(WITH EXTENSION)
PARIS (EXTENSION 1)
BARCELONA (EXTENSION 2)
8th DAY • LOURDES / PARAY-LE-MONIAL
Following towards the beautiful region of Burgundy, where in Paray-le-Monial with
the St. Marguerite-Marie Alacoque, started the devotion of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In an appearance, Jesus informs him of his suffering and imparts the message:
“Behold that heart which has loved men so much. But in return the greater part of
men only show Me ingratitude, and this by the irreverences, tepidity, sacrileges, and
contempt…I ask that the first Friday after the octave of Corpus Christi should be
dedicated as a particular festival in honor of My adorable Heart; and that on that day
all souls who loved Him should endeavor, by their homage, and by the affections
of their souls, to make amends for the insults which men have offered Him in this
Sacrament of the Altar; and at the same time I promise abundant graces to all who
should thus honor Him.” This town is also known for the historical importance of its
Cistercian monastery. Accommodation in Paray-le-Monial.
8th DAY • LOURDES / MONTSERRAT / BARCELONA
Departure from Lourdes to enter Spanish territory. The first step is Montserrat, a
sanctuary near Barcelona, situated on a mountain that is shaped like a saw, from
which derives its name. In one of its peaks lies the Benedictine convent which saves
the image of the Black Virgin and it is also a symbol of the preservation of Catalan
culture, namely language. Time for private devotions. Departure to Barcelona. Accommodation in Barcelona.
9th DAY • PARAY-LE-MONIAL / NEVERS / PARIS
This day brings us back to the path of Bernadette Subirous. Stop at Nevers. Here, she
lived as a nun and it is where her incorrupt body lies and can be admired and revered
in a glass coffin. Moving on to Paris, visit to the Rue du Bac, a place of great influx
of pilgrims in the search of the miraculous medal of St. Caterine Labore. The saint,
against the will of her family, always wanted to be a nun. When her family finally gives
in to her vocation, she entered to the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of St.
Vincent de Paul. In several appearances of Our Lady, She communicates her mission
and explains that the rays of light emanating from her hands are the favors and cures
that She gives Her believers. At one point She tells: “Have a Medal struck after this
model. All who wear it will receive great graces; they should wear it around the neck.
Graces will abound for persons who wear it with confidence.” Not far away you can
visit the church where lies the body of St. Vincent de Paul, founder of the congregation. Accommodation in Paris.
10th DAY • PARIS
In the morning sightseeing tour passing by the most emblematic places of the “city
of light” , such as the Champs Elysees, the Arc de Triomphe, the Trocadero and the
Sacré Coeur in Montmartre, where you can get a general overview of Paris. Free
afternoon for personal activities. You can do some shopping in the Galeries Lafayette
or ride the bateaux mouches. Accommodation in Paris.
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ITINERARY
9th DAY • BARCELONA
Visit of one of the cities with the greatest commercial and artistic activity of Spain
and Europe. One of Barcelona’s biggest name is Gaudi. Here we can admire one of
his best-known works: the Sagrada Familia. Climbing the Montjuïc you can enjoy
the beautiful panorama of the city and its port. The 1992 Olympics gave a big boost
in the transformation and improvement of the city. An example is the port area full of
trendy bars and restaurants. Nobody is indifferent to the strange but beautiful buildings designed by Gaudi, throughout the wide avenues of the city. Accommodation
in Barcelona.
10th DAY • BARCELONA / PLACE OF ORIGIN
Transfer to the airport.