Depart North America via jet service to Madrid, Spain. Meals will be served in flight.
DAY 02:
MADRID
Upon your arrival in Madrid this morning, you will be met and assisted to your motorcoach. Enjoy an orientation tour of this beautiful capital of Spain. From our motor- coach you will view the Prado, the Royal Palace, the Plaza Mayor and other impressive sites. Dinner and overnight in Madrid.
Today we travel south of Madrid to visit Toledo, former capital of Spain, and the city captured by El Cid. Toledo is the seat of the Primate of Spain, and one of the richest historic sites in the country. Situated on the banks of the Rio Tajo with its Gothic and Moorish walls, its towering Alcazar and one of the most splendid Cathedrals in Europe. Toledo has also produced a long line of Cardinals, and the most famous silver in the world. We will visit the Cathedral, celebrate Mass, continue to the Museum of El Greco, the famous painter, the Alcazar and historical city sites. Proceed to Avila, home of Blessed St Teresa for dinner and overnight.
DAY 04:
AVILA
Avila
Visit the Cathedral of Avila, the romanesque Basilica de San Vincente where St. Vincent was martyred, the Convento de Santa Teresa on the site of her birthplace, and the garden where she played as a child. Visit the Convento de la Encarnacion where she first took vows and where she lived for more than 30 years. The museum here has a drawing of the crucifixion by her disciple, St John of the Cross, and the cell used by the saint while she was prioress here. Mass will be celebrated and you will have some free time for reflection. Overnight in Avila.
DAY 05:
AVILA / LOYOLA
Depart Avila this morning and drive northeastward to Loyola, the center of the Jesuit Order. Overnight in Loyola.
DAY 06:
LOYOLA
St. Ignatius
Only a year before the discovery of America by Columbus, Saint Ignatius of Loyola was born in a tower that still is standing in the village of Azpeitia. After a youth spent in madcap and warring activities, he gave his life over to God in his native village. His room has been converted into a chapel and there masses are celebrated, honoring in this way the founder of the Company of Jesus (1540), and who, through the ministering of his Jesuit priests, spread the word of God to the most remote corners of the world. Tour the Sanctuary of Loyola including the Holy House.
DAY 07:
LOYOLA
Full day at leisure for personal devotions.
DAY 08:
LOYOLA / PAMPLONA
Cathedral of Pamplona
Depart Loyola this morning and drive to Pamplona, famed for “The Running of the Bulls”. See the Plaza de Toros, the bullring, near the river and the Plaza de Castillo where the bullfights took place up until 1893. Continue to visit Pamplona’s gothic Cathedral, built between 1397 and 1530. The Cathedral is listed among the most important religious buildings of Spain. Overnight in Pamplona.
DAY 09:
PAMPLONA / BARCELONA
Depart Pamplona this morning and drive along the mountain roads, where you can see villas high above the road. As you continue you will see farm lands and plains, interspersed with small towns, most with a beautiful stone neo-classical spanish influences church. Proceed to Barcelona, the proud capital of Catalonia. Overnight in Barcelona.
DAY 10:
MONTSERRAT
Today drive to the Monastery of Montserrat. Not far from the Catalan capital, and protected by a mountain of unusual appearance and splendor, this spiritual center of great importance in the history of Spain has been the object of pilgrims from around the world. Visit the Monastery, Statue of Our Lady of Montserrat, and the Cave where tradition says the statue was found. Here, before the unusual beauty of the image of the Virgin Mary, Saint Ignatius of Loyola reaffirmed his religious vocation.
This morning tour Barcelona, host of the 1992 Olympic Games. Visit the magnificent Cathedral, the old Gothic Quarter, and Gaudi’s unusual Sagrada Familia Church. The balance of the day is at leisure.
DAY 12:
BARCELONA / NORTH AMERICA
Transfer to the airport this morning for your return flight to North America. Arrival in the afternoon local time.
