Today you will depart on your overnight flight to Madrid, Spain.

After our morning arrival in Madrid, we will be met by our tour manager who will be with us on our entire pilgrimage. We then set out for Segovia, the home of the great Carmelite, St. John of the Cross, the spiritual director of St. Teresa of Avila. We will venerate his remains at his tomb and explore the convent where he lived. Continue to Avila, where St. Teresa of Jesus began the great reform of the Carmelite Order in 1561. She was born here in 1515 and is considered one of the Catholic Church’s greatest mystics. We will visit the saint’s relics in the Convent of St. Teresa built on the site of her birthplace. Afterwards, we journey to the Monastery of St. Joseph, the first of seventeen monasteries which St. Teresa founded for the new Discalced Carmelites. We then check into our hotel for dinner and overnight. (D) Overnight Avila

This morning, we will visit the Monastery of the Incarnation where Teresa became a Carmelite nun and where her cell can be seen. In a small house nearby lived St. John of the Cross who was the confessor to the nuns. In the Monastery is his famous three-inch drawing of Christ Crucified. Depart Avila and journey to the Cruz de Ferro (Iron Cross) near Foncebadón. One tradition of the French Way of the Camino de Santiago is for pilgrims to leave a rock here at the base of the cross. This often symbolizes a petition, or something a pilgrim is offering to the Lord. Over the centuries, a mound of rocks and stones from all over the world has built up in this location. We will have the opportunity to leave our own rocks before continuing to O’Cebreiro, the highest point of the Spanish section of the French Camino. Here we will visit the Eucharistic Miracle housed in the church of Santa Maria la Real. This evening we arrive in Sarria, a popular pilgrims’ starting point for the Camino de Santiago. (B/D) Overnight Sarria

Today we will begin our walk along the Camino de Santiago. Today’s walk is spread equally between quiet country roads and natural pathways, passing through many small hamlets that seem to blend seamlessly one into the next. (B/D) Overnight Portomarin.

A day of varied terrain as we start skirting the Belesar reservoir and climbing up through woodland before a further gentle climb to Alto do Rosario (Rosary Heights). A short descent brings us to our accommodation for the evening. (B/D) Overnight Palas de Rei

Today you will cross four river valleys mostly on pathways through woodland. In Melide, a medieval township with close links with the Jacobean pilgrimage, the French Way temporarily becomes an urban route. Visit the town’s medieval center and churches and try Melide’s local delicacy: Pulpo (Octopus). (B/D) Overnight Melide

Today’s walk takes you through meadows, oak and eucalyptus woodland through countless small hamlets, some of which bear names that echo their historical connections with the Pilgrim’s way. This is the county of Arzua, a land with a strong dairy production and known for its delicious cheeses. (B/D) Overnight Arzua

Today we walk on natural pathways with good shade offered by trees. The Camino now becomes even busier with more pilgrims as we near the fabled city of Santiago. (B/D) Overnight Arca

The first part of your final stage into Santiago is through dense woodland. Enjoy the shade and peace – as you approach the city, asphalt roads take over. After leaving the town of Lavacolla, the Way approaches the Monte do Gozo (The Mount of Joy), a small hillock from which the pilgrim was able to see, for the first time, in the distance, the towers of the Cathedral of Santiago, hence the name of this spot. The final few miles are a gentle descent into the heart of the city. (B/D) Overnight Santiago

This morning we will enjoy a complete tour of Santiago de Compostela. Visit the impressive Cathedral which is considered to be one of the finest pieces of architecture in Europe. After Mass, climb up the stairs behind the altar to visit the crypt, where a silver urn contains the relics of St. James. See the Portico de la Gloria (Gateway to Heaven), an unparalleled masterpiece. Walk to the top of the Cathedral for a panoramic view of this glorious city. We will also visit the museum in the cloister adjoining the Cathedral. In the afternoon we will depart Santiago de Compostela and drive south to Fatima, where the Blessed Virgin appeared to three shepherd children, Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta, in 1917. (B/D) Overnight Fatima

This morning we journey to Santarem, site of a Eucharistic Miracle. After venerating the miraculous host, we return to Fatima, with the afternoon free to explore and experience this peaceful place. We can visit the Chapel of Apparitions, where the Blessed Mother appeared to the children and the Basilica to see their resting places. Just outside the shrine lies the hamlet of Aljustrel where the three children lived during the Apparitions. Also nearby is Valinhos, the site where Our Lady appeared following the children’s release from prison. This evening we participate in the Stations of the Cross along the Via Sacre, site of the first Apparition, or the rosary procession in the sanctuary. (B/D) Overnight Fatima

Today we transfer to the airport in Lisbon to catch our return flight home, bringing with us all the graces and blessings of this pilgrimage experience.