PORTUGAL FAITH AND SPIRITUAL TOUR

DAY 1 – LISBON 

Arrival at Lisbon, and transfer to the Hotel. Our staff will be delighted to welcome your guests. At the hotel, our guide will assist during check-in procedures. Short Briefing tour. Free day. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Lisbon.

DAY 2 – LISBON | AlCOBAÇA | NAZARÉ | BATALHA | FÁTIMA

Breakfast buffet. On your way to Fátima you will visit Cistercian Abbey of Alcobaça, the country’s greatest medieval architectural complex. The historical centre of Alcobaça is dominated by the 12th century Cistercian monastery which is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Not only is the architecture stunning, it contains two of the most important tombs in Portugal, those of its beloved star crossed lovers, Pedro and Inês before getting to Nazaré, a a lovely fishing village, where you can enjoy a particularly nice fish lunch by the sea (Free lunch). After lunch continue to Batalha, the Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitória (better known as the Monastery of Batalha) is a monastery located in the town of Batalha, in the region of Centro, Portugal, which was built in 1386 by King João I of Portugal as a thank you to the Virgin Maria for the victory against the Castilians in the battle of Aljubarrota. This monastery of the Order of St. Dominic was built over two centuries until about 1563, during the reign of seven kings of Portugal, although from 1388 already there lived the first Dominicans. Late Portuguese Gothic architecture, or Manueline style, is considered a UNESCO world heritage site. Monument particularly loved by the Portuguese because it houses the tomb of two unknown soldiers. This masterpiece of Gothic art contains wonders, such as the Royal Cloister and the "unfinished chapels“ (Entrances included to the Batalha & Alcobaça Monastery). Free lunch. Dinner at the hotel. Accommodation.

DAY 3 – FÁTIMA

Breakfast at the hotel. The Sanctuary of Fatima is one of the greatest references of the Marian cult, to which pilgrims from all over the world attend. Fátima became one of the greatest centres of Marian worship after the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima. The first apparition was in 1917, in the Cova da Iria, where it is currently the Sanctuary. The worldwide fame of the Shrine was accentuated during the papacy of John Paul II, assumed devotee of Our Lady of Fatima who in 1982 went there in gratitude for having survived an attack a year earlier. In 2000, on his third visit to the site, he announced the beatification of Jacinta and Francisco, to whom the Vatican attributed the miracle of a cure. Free lunch in Fátima. After lunch a visit to the Caves of Mira Daire, one of Portugal seven wonders, found in 1947. A rare beauty that can not be missed. Dinner at the hotel. Accommodation.

DAY 4 – FÁTIMA | COIMBRA | SAMEIRO |BRAGA

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Coimbra. Leaving the hotel, wandering through Coimbra we in go in search of hidden romantic city of Coimbra, home to the oldest and most prestigious university in the Iberian Peninsula after Salamanca. The University of Coimbra is one of the oldest in the world still in operation (728 years), and one of the largest in the country. On 22 June 2013 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. we can also visit the magnificent 18th-century Johannine library located in the Palace of the University of Coimbra. It has a distinctly Baroque style, being recognized with one of the most original and spectacular European baroque libraries. From the Roman ruins of Conímbriga considered one of the new seven wonders of the world by the agency Bloomberg. The most curious travelers have a unique opportunity in this region to be part of history through secular rituals, breathtaking monuments and magical places. After Coimbra we will continue to Sameiro. If you are not a believer, you will soon become one! Sameiro Sanctuary near Braga is amazing and stunning. It is the witness of Christian fervor of Portuguese people who put their talent, creativity, generosity and courage in building exceptional religious monuments. You will be impressed by the very pure and simple church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, thought to facilitate meditation and prayer. A relic of Pope John Paul II, now sanctified, is being exhibited in the church. (Entrances included to the Coimbra University and the Library). Free lunch.  Dinner and accommodation at the hotel.

DAY 5 – BRAGA | OPORTO | DEPARTURE FROM OPORTO AIRPORT

Breakfast at the hotel. Check out at the hotel and in the morning we will visit Braga, a city of enormous beauty and wealth of heritage, which combines tradition with innovation, memory with youth, creativity with conservatism. It is in Braga that there is the oldest Cathedral of Portugal and the Mother House of the Benedictines, the Monastery of Tibães. Braga presents places that, due to their intrinsic devotion and beauty, impose themselves as landmarks of obligatory reference and visit. The church of Bom Jesus built in 1911 presents a neoclassical style. With an excellent view of the city, its churchyard features eight statues representing characters who intervened in the condemnation, passion and death of Christ. The stairways overlap a 116-meter drop and are divided into three sections: Stairs of the Porch, the Stairs of the Five Senses and the Staircase of the three virtues. Before lunch departure to Oporto and panoramic view of the city. Quick stop for a free light lunch. Departure from Oporto Airport.