Menu
Pilgrimage to the major sanctuaries from May 2 to May 15, 2024 (14 days / 12 nights)
Experience a guided group pilgrimage to the major sanctuaries: Our Lady of Lourdes, Santiago de Compostela, and Fatima in spring 2024.
THIS JOURNEY IS GUIDED IN FRENCH
5,095.00$ – 6,085.00$
CULTURAL TRIPS
CHRISTIAN PILGRIMAGES
Associated Journey in Collaboration with Saint Joseph’s Oratory
Embark on an exceptional pilgrimage that will take you through three great European nations and three globally renowned sanctuaries: Our Lady of Lourdes, Santiago de Compostela, and Our Lady of Fatima. The itinerary follows the coastal route (camino del norte), tracing the Atlantic Ocean with its landscapes of cliffs, beaches, fishing ports, and vineyards. For those interested, there is an opportunity to walk the last ten kilometers of this path to Compostela. You will also have the chance to visit the beautiful city of Porto, the birthplace of the eponymous wine, Tomar with its iconic castle, and Lisbon, the lovely Portuguese capital. Throughout this journey, discover sites of great heritage, cultural, and religious richness.
**Highlights:**
– Torchlight processions at the sanctuaries of Lourdes and Fatima
– Optional walk of the last 5 or 10 kilometers of the Camino de Compostela
– Cruise on the Douro River
**Additional Features:**
– Celebrations in Fatima on May 13
– Exploration of the most beautiful UNESCO World Heritage sites
– Visit to Porto’s wine cellars with a tasting of this famous wine
Pierre Murray is a native Montrealer with degrees in theology and philosophy. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Montreal in 1991. For more than 20 years, he worked in various parishes while teaching philosophy and pastoral theology. He was later Episcopal Vicar for the Diocese of Montreal, worked in communications and is since 2018 General Secretary of the Assembly of Quebec Catholic Bishops.
Working in the field of socioeconomic development and social economy for over 20 years, Mireille has studies in communication and public relations. Her organizational skills and interpersonal qualities have led her to specialize in project management and partnership relations. Originally from Lac-St-Jean, she actively participated in groups of engaged Catholic youth upon her arrival in Montreal. She had the opportunity to participate in a mission in Haiti, and she already accompanied a group in 2023 to the World Forum on Social Economy in Dakar, Senegal. She is very happy to be able to combine her desire to travel, deepen her faith, and accompany pilgrims with Spiritours.
Meet in the afternoon at P.E. Trudeau Airport (Montreal) to board a direct international flight to Toulouse on Air Transat.
Arrival in Toulouse. Transfer to Lourdes, check-in at the hotel. Dinner no later than 7:00 pm and overnight at HOTEL SOLITUDE **** in Lourdes.
After breakfast, meet your local guide for Lourdes and a guided tour of the sanctuary city: from the famous Grotto of Massabielle of the apparitions and bathing in the healing waters (a truly moving experience) to the Sainte Bernadette Church, passing by the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary. Morning mass followed by lunch. In the afternoon, walk in the footsteps of Bernadette Soubirous, the little girl of Lourdes who “changed the world” for over a century and a half. Visit her cell, her father’s house, Boly’s mill, and Sainte-Bernadette’s hospice. The rest of the day is free. Dinner, followed by the Marian procession at 9:00 pm (lasting up to 1 ½ hours), and overnight at HOTEL SOLITUDE **** or a similar one in Lourdes.
Today, a trip to the Pic du Jer overlooking the city; for this, we take the city bus and then the funicular that takes us to 1000 meters above sea level. At the top, a botanical trail leads us to the observatory. A beautiful panorama of the Pyrenees with a 360° view of the highest peaks. Possibility of celebrating Mass outdoors after 4:00 pm (it will be a Sunday Mass). Dinner at the hotel. Marian procession at 9:00 pm. Overnight at HOTEL SOLITUDE **** or a similar one in Lourdes.
After breakfast, we cross the Franco-Spanish border through the Pyrenees to reach the city of San Sebastian (2 ½ hours drive). In San Sebastian, we will be greeted by our guide for Spain and Portugal. Stop at La Concha Bay, which offers breathtaking views and is the starting point for pilgrims wishing to take the Camino del Norte to Santiago de Compostela. Lunch in San Sebastian/La Concha Bay, famous for its Basque cuisine. In the afternoon, we will continue our journey to Santander (2 ½ hours drive). Dinner and overnight in Santander at HOTEL SANTEMAR or a similar one.
After breakfast, departure at 9:00 am to Ribadeo (2 hours) along the Atlantic coast. Health break in Ribadeo, where we can observe the cathedral-shaped rocks of Playa de las Catedrales. Lunch at noon. At 2:00 pm, continue to Santiago de Compostela (2 hours drive from Ribadeo). We will attend the pilgrims’ mass in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela at 5:00 pm. Dinner at 7:00 pm and overnight in Compostela at EXE PEREGRINO or a similar one.
One of the most remarkable cities in Spain and a major pilgrimage site since the Middle Ages. After breakfast, a guided tour of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, an architectural gem with its magnificent portal, the Portico de la Gloria, which gathers around Christ the four evangelists, the apostles, and the 24 elders of the apocalypse. Mass at Santiago de Compostela. Lunch and free afternoon for personal exploration. Dinner and overnight in Santiago de Compostela at the EXE PEREGRINO hotel or similar.
Departure from Santiago at 9:00 am towards Porto. Stop along the way in Braga (2 ½ hours from Santiago), known for its heritage and religious events. Lunch in Braga at noon and departure at 1:00 pm for Porto (45 minutes drive). Starting at 2:00 pm, guided tour of the city of Porto, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Discover its spectacular S. Bento station with painted frescoes on the walls, the Clérigos Tower, Porto Cathedral, etc., followed by an unforgettable stop in Vila Nova de Gaia to visit a Port wine cellar and taste this wonderful Portuguese wine. Evening free. Overnight in Porto. Stay at HOTEL BLACK TULIP or similar.
This morning, departure from Porto at 9:00 am towards Fatima. Stop along the way in Coimbra (1 ½ hours from Porto), a well-preserved medieval old town with its historic university. Mass at the Sé Velha Cathedral at 11:00 am. Lunch at 12:00 pm followed by a visit to the cathedral. Departure at 3:00 pm from Coimbra to Fatima (1-hour drive). Participation in the night procession at 9:30 pm. Overnight in Fatima at the HOTEL STEYLER or similar****.
In the morning, Mass followed by a guided walking tour of Fatima, including the famous Sanctuary of Our Lady, the basilica, and the Capelinha where Our Lady appeared to the three children. The afternoon and evening are free for meditation and enjoying the place. Possibility to participate in the procession at 9:00 pm. Overnight in Fatima at the HOTEL STEYLER or similar****.
Full-day excursion to Tomar and Batalha. Tomar is a charming city with a wealth of artistic and cultural richness (a Spiritours favorite!), while Batalha is known for the Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitória, better known as the Batalha Monastery. This monument has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was built to commemorate the Portuguese victory over the Castilians in the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385. The construction of the monastery was the Portuguese monarchy’s project for two centuries, where an original national Gothic style developed, influenced by the early Renaissance, of which the royal cloister is the perfect illustration. Return to Fatima. Possibility to participate in the procession at 9:00 pm. Dinner and overnight in Fatima.
Every year, on May 13, crowds of pilgrims converge on the sanctuary of Fatima to celebrate the apparition of the Virgin to the three shepherd children in 1917, conveying her message of redemption. A day of retreat and prayer. In the late afternoon, drive to Lisbon. Dinner and overnight in Lisbon at Hotel Vip Entrecampos 4* or similar (B/L/D).
This morning, you will explore the Jerónimos Monastery, an absolute masterpiece that testifies to the opulence of the Age of Discoveries. In the afternoon, a walking tour of Lisbon awaits you. Discover the Liberty Avenue, Baixa – the section of the city that was entirely rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake. Then, an essential stop to taste the famous Pastéis de Nata, these small Portuguese pastries! Evening free. Dinner and overnight in Lisbon (B/L/D).
After an early breakfast, transfer to Lisbon airport for your return flight to Montreal. ***Itinerary subject to change***
PRICES
*Early Booking:* $4,995 per person (double occupancy). Early booking discount of $100 if registered before January 2, 2024.
*Regular Price:* $5,095 per person (double occupancy)
*Single Room Supplement:* +$990 per person.
*Spiritours offers the possibility of room sharing, but exceptionally, Spiritours cannot assume additional costs for single occupancy if we cannot find a suitable match.*
*All prices are based on the exchange rate in effect on September 1, 2023.*
**PACKAGE INCLUDES**
– Flights Montreal/Toulouse and Lisbon/Montreal with Air Transat
– 12 nights accommodation in 3 & 4-star hotels in double occupancy
– 2 meals per day
– All transfers in air-conditioned coach
– All visits mentioned in the itinerary
– Services of a local French-speaking guide, a tour leader, and a spiritual animator
– All taxes
**PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE**
– Travel insurance
– Tips (approximately $12 to $15 per day)
– Additional meals (lunches)
– Personal expenses
– Contribution to the Compensation Fund for clients of travel agents of the OPC, $3.50 for every $1000 spent
REGISTRATION
*Registration Deadline:* March 2, 2024 (60 days before departure or when the maximum number of passengers is reached). It is possible to register after this date, but a supplement may apply.
*To Register:* You can register on our website (see the top of the travel webpage, on the right) or download and fill out the PDF form and send it to us with your deposit of $750. It is advisable to register as early as possible as spaces are limited. Please include a photocopy of your passport with your registration (for international travel).
*Travel Insurance:* Contact us to know your premium for travel insurance.
**Number of Participants**
Minimum 30 – Maximum 50
**Required Documentation**
All Canadian travelers going to Europe must have a valid passport for at least three months after the scheduled return date.
For more information, please contact:
Frédérique Lafont (514) 374-7965, extension 207 frederique.lafont@spiritours.com
Don’t miss the presentation webinar, register now!
Read this article on pilgrimages in France.
Video testimony of Father Emmanuel Zetino who made this pilgrimage with Spiritours in May 2018. At the end of his testimony he shares some beautiful video images of his experience: https://www.facebook.com/anne.godbout.1/videos/10156451564068143
Travel insurance is undoubtedly a PEACE OF MIND that allows you to live and fully enjoy your trip. It allows you to deal with the unexpected without finding yourself with a financial burden. Travel insurance allows you to travel in complete SAFETY. Did you know that when you take a group trip with Spiritours, you automatically get a 10% discount on your insurance? Check with your agent for more information, or click below to shop for an individual insurance premium with Blue Cross.
Phone Canada: 514-374-7965
Toll-free: 1-866-331-7965 (CAN & USA)
Fax: 514-788-1520
Opening Hours
Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Travel agent license. Consumer protection office permit number: 702758
Spiritours © 2021 | Webmaster & Graphic Designer : StudioNico.biz
The prices advertised on our site are valid if you purchase services during the same session. If you disconnect from our site, the prices may be different on your next session.
Avant de partir, n’oubliez pas de vérifier votre panier d’achats, réserver le voyage de ressourcement de vos rêves aujourd’hui avant qu’il n’y ait plus de place. / Before you leave, don't forget to check your shopping cart, book your dream retreat today before it sells out.
