Day 1 Oct 4th Depart USA
Today we depart JFK
on Iberian Airlines for our overnight flight to Madrid. Dinner and breakfast
will be served on board
Day 2 Oct 5th Madrid/Seville
We arrive at Barajas Airport in Madrid
where we are met by our Regina Tour escort and transfer to our deluxe motor
coach for Seville arriving in the afternoon. We check into our hotel and after
dinner we will have a sightseeing tour of Seville. Our tour escort will explain
the city's role in Roman times, its conquest by the Moors in 712 and its
contribution to the discovery of the New World. Its history is associated with
Julius Caesar, Sultan Yacoub Al Mansur, Don Juan and Carmen. We will see Maria
Luisa Park, drive to the Plaza de Espana, Gold Tower on the Guadalquir River and
the university that used to be the tobacco factory of Carmen fame and see the
Santa Cruz quarters with its flower-decked balconies. (D)
Day 3 Oct 6th Grande/Seville
After breakfast we depart for
Granada with its view of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range and the famous
Alhambra “The Red Palace” the most famous Moorish Architecture in Spain and
possibly the world and the 16th Century Palacio of Carlos the 5th. In 1256 the
Muslim population grew and flourished until 1492 when Granada fell to the
Catholics. Our visit of Granada will start at the New Square with its handicraft
shops. Before we visit the Alhambra we will visit the Generalife Gardens which
was the summer home of Arab Kings. Finally the Alhambra with its palace,
citadel, museums, We start at the Presentation Room, see the Throne Room, Kings
Chambers, Military Quarters, and Baths. Each room with priceless paintings,
columns, statues and artifacts. We start back for Seville where this evening our
dinner will be at a restaurant with Flamenco Dancing. (B/D)
Day 4 Oct 7th Cordoba/Seville
Before we depart Seville we will
visit the Cathedral and visit the tomb of Christopher Columbus then on to
Cordoba which is located in a valley and was the capital of the Roman
Province. In 716 it was captured by the Muslims and by the 10th century it
was one of the largest cities in the world with great population, culture,
political and economic power. In 1236 it was captured by the King of
Castile. Cordoba has one of the most extensive historical heritages in the
world declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO on Dec 17th 1984. We will visit
some of these sites: Roman Bridge, Great Mosque, 14th Century Synagogue,
Cathedral and Tower. Dinner and overnight (B/D)
Day 5 Oct 8th
Madrid
After breakfast we depart for Madrid the capital
of Spain and home to the Royal Family and the Spanish Government. We check into
our hotel and the balance of the day is at leisure to explore the city on our
own and to do some shopping. (B/D)
Day 6 Oct 9th Madrid
Today is a full day of sightseeing: we will see Old Madrid, the
Elegant squares of Puerto Del Sol, Neptuno, Cibeles, Alcala's Gate, Memorial
Park of Retiro and the famous Bullring. The highlight of our touring will
be a visit to the Royal Place and the Prado Museum with its priceless art
treasures. Just a note to those wishing to see a Bullfight If it is taking place
when we are in Madrid we will let you know the extra cost and time of the
event. This is optional and not a scheduled part of the day.
(B/D)
Day 7 Oct 10thToledo/Madrid
Today being Sunday we will attend Mass before we head for the
splendors of Toledo known for the greatest wealth of monuments, mosques,
synagogues, palaces, churches and fortresses. The city is called the city
of the three cultures because Christians, Arabs and Jews have lived together for
centuries. The old quarter of the city “La Mancha” makes it feel like an open
air museum for touring and shopping. The city was declared a World Heritage
Sight in 1986. Shopping for jewelry, iron works and artifacts is another
highlight of Toledo. Time permitting we will visit the “unfinished church”
called the Church of the Holy Family. We return to Madrid. (B/D)
Day
8 Oct 11th El Escorial/Avila/Madrid
Today we drive 30 miles to El Escorial to see the Palace/Monastery dating
back to the 16th century. Its full name is Monasterio de San Lorenzo and is a
must see for anyone visiting Spain. It was built by Felipe II to celebrate his
victory over the French in 1557. In the Pantheon de los Reyes we will see the
tombs of almost every King of Spain. Near El Escorial is the Valley of the
Fallen a monument to those who fell in battle in the Civil War. Its cross can be
seen for miles. After lunch (which is on our own) we depart for Avila, City of
Kings and Saints completely encircled by its 11th century walls. Avila is the
birthplace of St. Theresa one of our churches greatest mystic. We will visit the
Cathedral and Convent before we will celebrate Mass. There will be some free
time for shopping. We return to Madrid. (B/D)
Day 9 Oct 12th Alba de
Tormes/Garabandal
After breakfast we bid farewell to
Madrid as we head for Garabandal stopping in Alba de Tormes and visit the
Convent of the Carmelites to see the preserved body of St Theresa of Avila. We
will arrive in Garabandal in the late afternoon a village of peace and
tranquility located in the humble setting of the Cantabrian Mountains. On June
18th 1961 four girls were playing and heard a loud noise like thunder and saw a
bright figure of the Archangel Michael. On the following day he announced that
July 2nd they would see Our Lady. She did appear on that date with two Angels.
Our Lady Manifested herself as Our Lady of Carmel. On July 18, 1962 in a cluster
of pine trees an Angle with a Golden Chalice appeared and gave the girls Holy
Communion. The Host was placed on their tongues for all to see. This
evening we will recite the Rosary If Mass is being celebrated we will attend.
(B/D)
Day 10 Oct 13th Garabandal
Today
is a full day in Garabandal for Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, Way of the Cross
and the Rosary. There will be time to walk the tiny village and see the people
and sites the Miracles took place. (B/D)
Day 11 Oct 14th
Santiago de Compostela
After Mass and some quiet time
we depart for Santiago de Compostela. We arrive in this holy city where the tomb
of the Apostle of Christ lies. The year 2010 has been declared the Holy Year of
St James. As we walk through the Holy Doors of the Basilica and participate in
special prayers we will receive the Grace of a Plenary Indulgence. This special
blessing will not happen again until the year 2021. St James was awarded the
task of spreading Christianity to the distance Hispanic lands and is known as
the first pilgrim. Since the discovery of his tomb, numerous miracles have been
claimed here. We check into our hotel and have leisure time to explore the city
on our own. (B/D)
Day 12 Oct 15th Santiago de
Compostela
Today is a full day of sightseeing: we visit
the Cathedral of St James where we will attend a pilgrims' Mass before we visit
the crypt located below the high altar where the relics of St James are
enshrined. The cathedral is huge and dates back to the 12thcentury, We
continue our sightseeing, seeing the Gelmirez Palace, the University established
in the early 16th century, Hospital Real built in 1492, the Monasteries of San
Jeronimo and Fonsecia, the winding narrow streets full of historic buildings and
the many plazas with their shops of gold, silver and artifacts. We will have
time to walk around this fabulous town and “shop till we drop”. Santiago
de Compostela is a UNESCO World Heritage City and after touring you will know
why it was give that recognition. This evening we will have a farewell dinner
with wine at one of the restaurants. (B/D)
Day 13 Oct 16th JFK
After breakfast we depart for our flight to Madrid and then JFK
arriving home the same day taking with us joy, blessings and graces to last us a
life time (B)