DAY 1 & 2: Depart USA - Arrive BARCELONA
Your Spanish Pilgrimage begins as you depart the USA on your overnight international flight. Upon arrival in Barcelona delight in a short orientation tour where you will see the site of the 1992 Olympic Games and climb Montjuic Hill (Jewish Mountain), for a panoramic view of Barcelona. Enjoy the afternoon at your leisure as you prepare for the exciting days ahead. Dinner and overnight in Barcelona.
DAY 3: BARCELONA
Barcelona is Spain's second largest city and the capital of the Catalonian region. During our tour of this cosmopolitan Mediterranean city we will visit La Sagrada Familia (Church of the Holy Family), Gaudi's famous landmark and the gothic Barcelona Cathedral, with its famed handcrafted woodwork. Dinner and overnight in Barcelona.
DAY 4: BARCELONA - MONTSERRAT - ZARAGOZA
Journey to the picturesque town of Montserrat, which inspired the composer Richard Wagner as he wrote Parsifal. Its rugged mountain setting attract thousands of pilgrims every year, visiting the famous benedictine monastery. Continue on to Zaragoza, in the heart of Spain's mountainous Aragón region. An expert local guide leads you on a tour of this pilgrimage town, including the Pilar Basilica, Roman Forum and the San Salvador Cathedral. Dinner and overnight in Zaragoza.
DAY 5: ZARAGOZA - MADRID
Depart for Madrid, the capital of Spain and the economic, financial and service center of the region. Enjoy a city tour seeing the Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, considered one of the eight wonders of the world and the Aranjuez Royal Residence, inspiration for the famous concert of the same name. Dinner and overnight in Madrid.
DAY 6: MADRID - TOLEDO - MADRID
Step back into the Middle Ages as we walk through the Medieval city of Toledo. See the impressive work of El Greco, Goya and Van Dyck as you visit the Toledo Cathedral. Enjoy a free afternoon in Madrid for further exploration or rest. Dinner and overnight in Madrid.
DAY 7: MADRID - AVILA - SALAMANCA
Behind the walled city of Avila we find Renaissance churches and palaces and the home of the mystic, St. Theresa. Visit the Avila Cathedral and San Vicente Basilica. This afternoon visit the Golden Town of Salamanca, boasting one of the oldest universities in Europe. Visit the New Cathedral which marks the transition from Gothic to Renaissance architecture style. Dinner and overnight in Salamanca.
DAY 8: SALAMANCA - SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
Travel to Santiago de Compostela, the final destination of the legendary medieval way of pilgrimship Camino de Santiago (Way of Saint James). Visit the famed Santiago Cathedral, with its twin spires and Obradoiro facade. Dinner and overnight in Santiago area.
DAY 9: SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
This morning's guided walking tour introduces you to the historic features of Santiago de Compostela, which during the Middle Ages was Christendom's third most important pilgrimage site (after Jerusalem and Rome). Stroll along the ancient city's narrow streets, seeing the Plaza das Praterias, La Plaza del Obradoiro and the Plaza de la Azabacheria. Dinner and overnight in Santiago area.
DAY 10: Depart for USA
Depart for home with a story picture book of the imagination full of wonderful memories of our pilgrimage together!
You will see all of the above sites during your Journey. Flexibility in the itinerary may be necessary due to unforeseen circumstances, such as airline, hotel schedules, local conditions.
Telephone: 315-797-1163
e-mail: ssjourneys@yahoo.com
* Based on written evalutions in which passengers are asked to rate their experience on scale of 1 to 10, the average responses for Sacred Story Journeys have ranged from 9.3 to 9.9.
