Day 1 Depart Chicago O’Hare Airport
Depart Chicago O’Hare Airport on a direct flight to Lisbon Portugal via TAP airlines. Our flight is scheduled to depart at 10:05 pm You are responsible for arriving at the airport on your own unless the Parish organizes bus transportation for the group. We suggest you arrive 3 hours before departure.
DAY 2 -Lisbon Touring / Holy Mass / Dinner / Rest
Upon arrival in Lisbon this morning we will clear immigration, collect our baggage, meet our local tour manager, and begin our tour. This will be an easy day of touring to allow us to adjust to the time change and have a good night’s rest. We will celebrate a Holy Mass of thanksgiving for a safe flight and offer prayers for everyone to have a safe and fruitful journey to the Cathedral of St. James the Great. Evening: Dinner and overnight accommodations at your hotel.
Day 3 – Sarria Holy Mass / Lisbon / Sarria
After a good night’s rest and breakfast, we will check out of the hotel and board our luxury coach bus for the ride to Sarria where our walking pilgrimage begins. This is approximately a five-hour ride. We will stop along the way for Holy Mass, lunch and maybe a shop or two. Evening: Dinner and overnight accommodations at your hotel.
Day 4 -The Camino begins Sarria / Portomarin
After another restful night and breakfast, we check out of our hotel. Father will celebrate Holy Mass and bless us as our journey beings. Today’s walk is approximately 14 miles on paved and dirt paths through the beautiful countryside. You can anticipate some hills as you make your way through several charming villages and hamlets on the way to Portomarin. Evening: Dinner and overnight accommodations at your hotel.
Day 5 – Camino Day 2 Portomarin / Palas De Rei
After breakfast, checkout, and Holy Mass we start another walking day of approximately 14 miles through the rolling hills and farmland. Part of the journey will take us through lush forests lined with stone walls. On the journey, you will see the 2200-year-old ancient ruins of Castromaior. After a second-long day of walking, we will enjoy dinner and a much-needed night of sleep. Evening: Dinner and overnight accommodations at your hotel.
Day 6 – Camino Day 3 Palas De Rei / Melide
After breakfast, checkout, and Holy Mass we are able to enjoy a slightly shorter walk of approximately 9 miles. This leg of the journey is typically a bit more social allowing time to discover more of the local customs, meet fellow pilgrims, and bask in the unique atmosphere of the Camino. The town of Melide is known for having the best pulpo (octopus!) in Glacia. Evening: Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at your hotel.
Day 7 – Camino Day 4 Melide / Azura
After breakfast, checkout, and Holy Mass we are able to enjoy another shorter walk of approximately 8 miles. This leg of the journey is typically a bit more social allowing time to discover more of the local customs, meet fellow pilgrims, and bask in the unique atmosphere of the Camino. Evening: Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at your hotel.
Day 8 – Camino Day 5 Arzua / Amenal
After breakfast, checkout, and Holy Mass we embark on another 14-mile leg of the journey. The track today will be gentler and allow for reflection on the experiences gained over the last four days as we approach our final day of walking. Evening: Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at your hotel.
Day 9 Camino Finish Line Santiago De Compostela
After breakfast, checkout, and Holy Mass we start the final 7-mile walk into Santiago. Climb up into Monte do Gozo (Mount of Joy) and take in the stunning views of Santiago before entering the medieval town. Once in Santiago, we will attend the Pilgrim’s Mass and witness the famous swinging Botafumeiro ritual. A journey well completed; we retire to our hotel for a needed night of sleep in preparation for our journey (by bus) to Fatima in the morning. Evening: Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at your hotel.
Day 10 – Fatima Touring / Holy Mass
After breakfast, we will check out of our hotel and travel by bus to Fatima. Here we will celebrate Holy Mass, tour the aspiration site and join in the candlelight procession. We will end our pilgrimage by enjoying a celebration dinner before adjourning for the night. Evening: Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at your hotel.
Day 11 Fatima / Lisbon
After breakfast and Holy Mass you can enjoy some free time to walk around Fatima before our bus ride back to Lisbon for a farewell dinner and our final night away from home.
Day 12 Return to Chicago Fatima / Lisbon / Chicago
After a final night of rest away from home, we enjoy breakfast before checking out and celebrating Holy Mass. The bus will take us to Lisbon airport for our return flight home.
