The Marian Shrines

Departure from Italy for Madrid, by scheduled flight (ticket cost not included in the travel participation fee on request). Arrival, free transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay

Breakfast. Morning dedicated to the panoramic visit of the Spanish capital: we will cross its tree-lined avenues and see some of the most famous fountains (fountain of Cybele, fountain of Neptune), we will visit the famous Plaza Mayor, symbol of Madrid, a few steps from the Puerta del Sol and the Royal Palace. Afterwards you will enter the Prado Museum which houses works produced between the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries and houses the works of masters such as Titian, El Greco, El Bosco, Velázquez, Rubens and Goya. Free lunch. Rest of the day free. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast. Departure for Zaragoza (310 km, approximately 3 hours) .At the arrival start of the guided tours: walk in Pilar square, symbol of the city, overlooked by the most important monuments of the city: the Basilica del Pilar which is reflected on the Ebro river, the Gothic Cathedral of San Salvatore dating back to the 16th century. The visit then continues with a visit to the Palazzo della Lonja, the highest expression of the Renaissance in the city, once the building of the stock exchange and commercial bargaining. Continue to Lourdes (250 km, 3.40 hours). Upon arrival, accommodation in the rooms, dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast. Free day dedicated to individual spiritual activities. Dinner in hotel.

Breakfast. Departure for San Sebastian (200 km, 2 hours). The town is located in a privileged position along a gulf of sandy beaches and among green hills. The old town stands near the picturesque harbor, a short free visit to the town. At the end, continuation to Azpeitia, the birthplace of Ignazio da Loyola, founder of the Jesuit order. Visit to the monastery of Sant’Ignazio, a Baroque basilica dating back to 1738 designed by the Italian Carlo Fontana. Continue to Burgos (230 km, 2.30 hours) where we will visit the medieval town and in particular its beautiful gothic cathedral. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast, departure for Salamanca (240 km, 2 hours). Home to one of the oldest universities in Europe founded in the thirteenth century, the town has an impeccably preserved historic center: you will visit both the Old Cathedral and the New Cathedral: in Romanesque style, it stands out for the presence of the Torre del Gallo. Built from the end of the 12th century, inside is the chapel of San Martín or Aceite. The main altarpiece from the 15th century is particularly noteworthy, executed by various painters under the guidance of Dello Delli. The fresco that covers the vault is the work of Nicolás Florentino. It is a large pictorial work depicting Christ during the Final Judgment. The Old Cathedral is striking for the beauty of the tombs of bishops and nobles kept inside. In the New Cathedral, built in the 16th century and completed in the 18th by Churriguera, there is the image of the Assumption sculpted in 1626 by Esteban Rueda. Inside, the choir stalls designed by Joaquín Churriguera in 1727 also stand out. Of great beauty is the Baroque style rear choir, which has Renaissance paintings depicting the Madonna of Loreto and San Giovanni Battista. At the end continue to Fatima (400 km, 4.30 hours). Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Fatima.

Breakfast and dinner at the hotel. Free day dedicated to individual spiritual activities. Dinner at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Batalha Batalha, a place known for the Monastery of Santa Maria Victória. The Dominican abbey built in 1388 to celebrate the Portuguese victory of Joao I in the battle of Aljubarrota against the Castilians is beautiful. Inside, the royal cloister with Gothic eyes embellished with Manueline tracery that make them elegant and harmonious (the portal in the same style is beautiful). The Unfinished Chapels are incomparable with their magical unfinished effect. Continue to Alcobaça where there is an important Cistercian monastery. Inside the church we will visit the spectacular tombs of King Pedro and his mistress Ines de Castro, considered the Portuguese Romeo and Juliet. Free lunch. In the afternoon, return to Lisbon and guided tour of the city: we will visit the Belem district with the Tower and the monument to the discoveries, the Monastery of los Jeronimos (visit inside the cloister optional). Continuation of the panoramic tour of the city passing by the building that houses the parliament and the splendid view of the Edward VII park. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast. Departure for Toledo (600 km, 7 hours). Ancient capital of Spain and royal residence in the 13th century, a period in which communities of Muslims, Christians and Jews coexisted peacefully in the kingdom. Upon arrival, free time to stroll through the alleys of this picturesque city. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast, transfer to the airport in Madrid in time for the return flight to Italy (cost of the ticket not included in the travel fee). Arrival and end of the trip.