CasaQuest

Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival
Board your overnight transatlantic flight to Lisbon. Dinner and breakfast are served on board.

Day 2: Lisbon–Fatima
Arrive Lisbon. Meet your Priest, tour guide and fellow pilgrims. After an orientation drive through Lisbon, we stop and visit St. Anthony's Church. Despite what might be assumed from his name, Saint Anthony was born and grew up in Lisbon. Traditionally, the invocation of his name is considered the best means of locating lost objects. Continue drive to nearby Fatima, the place where the Blessed Mother appeared in 1917 to three simple shepherd children and exhorted mankind to pray for world peace. After settling into your hotel, you may relax or participate in a candlelight procession (possible each evening from April through October).

Day 3: Fatima
Six times, from the May 13 to October 13, 1917, the Virgin Mary appeared to three novices belonging to the diocese of Leiria. A new big basilica is under construction, however just as beautiful, an older basilica was constructed here in 1928, and millions of pilgrims visit each year. Fatima is one of the most visited holy places for Catholics from around the world. The atmosphere of intense spirituality and the importance of Fatima have been attested to by the visits of two Popes: Paul VI and John Paul II. Touring Fatima, see the Little Chapel of the Apparitions, Basilica, the site of Francesco and Jacinta's graves, the Hamlet of Aljustrel, where the children lived, and Valinhos, the site of Our Lady's appearance after the children's return from prison. Follow the Stations of the Cross along the Via Sacra (The Sacred Way) culminating in the Chapel of Calvary, which overlooks all of Fatima. Join pilgrims from around the world in an evening candlelight procession to pray the rosary. Dinner and overnight in Fatima.

Day 4: Excursion to Santarem
After breakfast we depart on our excursion to Santarem, where one of the oldest cities in the world is located. We will walk through its narrow streets to the Church of St. Stephen, containing the oldest recorded Eucharistic miracle. This miracle has been on continuous display since 1269. Return to Fatima where you will have free time for prayer and devotions before dinner and overnight in Fatima.

Day 5: Fatima–Alba de Tormes–Salamanca
After breakfast depart for Salamanca. On the way we stop in Alba de Tormes, where St. Teresa of Avila is buried. Arrive in Salamanca with free time for exploration before dinner and overnight.

Day 6: Salamanca–Avila–Burgos
After breakfast we depart for Avila. Here atmosphere has changed very little since the days of St. Teresa of Jesus, to whom the city is dedicated. St. Teresa the great mystic, was the first woman to be named a Doctor of the Church. In Avila we will visit: the Cathedral, which contains many of St. Teresa relics; The crypt of the Convento of La Santa, built on the site of the house where she was born, is home to the most comprehensive museum dedicated to her life, and La Encarnacion Convent, the first convent she found. Afternoon departure to the city of Burgos, the historic capital of Old Castile. After dinner explore Burgos (on your own), and admire the magnificent limestone Cathedral.

Day 7: Burgos–Loyola–Lourdes
After breakfast depart Burgos, heading for Lourdes, France. En route stop in Loyola, the birthplace of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits. Here, we'll se the 17th Century Basilica dedicated to St. Ignatius. Behind the sanctuary is the family home of St. Ignatius, which we'll visit during our stop. The most venerated place in this building is the room where Ignatius at age 30, was brought following his serious wounding at the Battle of Pamplona. In the afternoon, we motor through the Pyrenees Mountains into Lourdes. Here, standing between the spectacular mountain river, Gave de Pau, stands picturesque Lourdes, the birthplace of St. Bernadette to whom Our Lady appeared in 1858 near the Grotto of Massabielle. Settle into your hotel, explore before dinner, followed by a candlelight procession (every evening from April through October) before retiring for the evening.

Day 8 & 9: Lourdes
After breakfast, our guided tour of Lourdes will include the sanctuary; the Basilica of St Pius X, the world's largest underground church; and the baths where hundreds of miraculous cures have taken place. Enjoy a video presentation telling the story of Lourdes, and walk in the footsteps of St. Bernadette. See Boly Mill where St. Bernadette was born and the "Cachot," an abandoned prison where Bernadette's impoverished family lived. Join your prayers with those of pilgrims from around the world as you pray for the sick, drink water from the miraculous spring,pray at the Grotto and submerge yourself in the healing baths. Experience Christ's love as you walk the life-sized Stations of the Cross overlooking the holy Grotto. Kneel in the chapel built on the very rock of the Grotto in obedience to the request of the "Immaculate Conception." Attend the blessing of the sick and participate in nightly candlelight processions requested by Our Lady, and take time for private devotions. Each evening dinner and overnight at your hotel.

Day 10: Lourdes–Rome
Travel by flight(s) to Rome. Upon arrival your escort will warmly greet you this morning and welcome you to Italy. Transfer to your hotel, depending on your time of arrival, you may have some time for rest, relaxation, or exploration. You tour escort can suggest sights or walks for you to enjoy. Dinner and overnight in Rome.

Day 11: Rome (Papal Audience and Vatican Museum Tour)
Rome is the spiritual capital for all the Catholics around the world! Rome is referred to as the "Eternal City" one of the greatest centers of Western Civilization, and the first truly cosmopolitan city on earth! This morning we go to Vatican City to attend the weekly Papal Audience or Blessing given by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI (pending papal schedule). Following the audience, we visit the Vatican Museums. Our tour will be escorted by Vatican guide who will show us group of most impressive edifices and galleries filled with art treasures. See awe-inspiring relics and works of art donated throughout centuries as tributes of faith. We'll cover The Tapestry Gallery, The Raphael Rooms and the most overwhelming Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo's Masterpiece, restored mural of the Last Judgement. Later, enter the largest church in Christendom St. Peter's Basilica, built on the site where St. Peter was martyred. Unsurpassed in beauty, a monument to the long history of the Catholic Church, to which pilgrims come from around the world, St. Peter's is the grandest of the world's churches. Marvel Pieta and Bernini's amazing bronze canopy. Depending on time, before dinner, we may be given little time for some for some individual exploration, to find own paths, to shop, or just to sit in one of the outside cafes and watch the world go by.

Day 12: Rome
This morning we depart for a sightseeing tour entitled "Christian Rome" which includes: the Basilica of St. Mary Major, one of the oldest shrines dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, a shrine that contains a relic from the manger of the infant Jesus; the Holy Stairs, the Basilica of St. John the Lateran, The Basilica of the St. John in Lateran, is the former residence of the popes prior to their return to Rome in 1377; St. Paul Outside the Walls, which houses the remains of St. Paul under its main altar; and the Appian Way—the oldest road from Roman times—plus the famous Domino Quo Vadis Chapel; see the ancient Baths of Caracalla, Arch of Drusus, Tomb of Celilia Metella, and the catacombs of St. Callixtus where the early Christians hid themselves to escape persecution. Dinner and overnight for your last evening in Rome.

Day 13: Rome–Monte Cassino–San Giovanni Rotondo
We leave the Eternal City and head south, cross through the Roman countryside with its villas and vineyards, stopping at the Abbey of Montecassino, a beautiful town founded by St. Benedict in 529. Continue through the countryside heading east to Padre Pios town of San Giovanni Rotondo, our base for the following two nights. Dinner and overnight in San Giovanni Rotondo.

Day 14: San Giovanni Rotondo–Monte Sant’Angelo
After celebrating Mass at the tomb of Padre Pio, we tour the sanctuary, see the old church and the crucifix from which he received the stigmata in 1918. You will see the confessional where Padre Pio spent innumerable hours with a multitude of pilgrims, directing them on their journey toward God. Enjoy a breathtaking view of the Cargano Peninsula and a visit to the Grotto of Michael the Archangel. Six different popes, St. Francis and at least four other saints have knelt in prayer at this grotto, seeking the protection of St. Michael. A panoramic view of the ocean and the surrounding countryside awaits you at this most celebrated shrine of early Christianity, a shrine consecrated by St Michael himself in 490. Return to San Giovanni for devotions, reflection, and a restful overnight.

Day 15: San Giovanni Rotondo–Lanciano–Loreto–Assisi
We will have breakfast at our hotel before we embark on a drive up the Adriatic coast to Lanciano where we will see the Eucharistic Miracle and celebrate Mass. We then continue on to the great Marian shrine of Loreto to visit the Holy House of Nazareth and the beautiful Madonna of Loreto. More than 50 popes have made a pilgrimage to the house transported by angels to this hill in central Italy in 1294. Tradition has it that this is the house in which Mary first prayed the Magnificat, in which Jesus grew to manhood, and in which the Holy Family lived. Continue to Assisi for dinner and overnight.

Day 16: Assisi
Visit the tomb of St Francis. Explore the quaint hilltop birthplace of St. Francis that still retains something of the atmosphere of the early 1200s, the period when St. Francis began his ministry. Contained within the huge 13th-century Basilica are many of the saint's possessions and a series of frescoes depicting his life. You may kneel before the crucifix from which Jesus spoke to St. Francis, asking him to rebuild His church. It was in St. Mary of the Angels Basilica where St. Francis spent most of his life. Here we visit the Chapel, Portiuncola, the rose bush, and the cave where the saint retired for prayer. Stroll the medieval streets of the compact little town. After stopping at an outdoor cafe with a view of an ancient Roman temple, we go to the Church of St. Clare to see the saint's incorrupt body. The foundress of the Order of Poor Clares followed the teachings of St. Francis by living a life of poverty and humility. We will visit these two saints' tombs before dinner and retiring for the evening.

Day 17: Excursion to Sienna
If you like, today, you may sit back, relax and reflect in Assisi, or you may join a new added tour to Orvieto and Sienna. First, on to the beautiful town of Orvieto to see the Cathedral, the landmark in the town’s main square of the tiny city. View the holy corporal containing the blood from the Eucharistic Miracle of Orvieto in 1263 that occasioned the proclamation of the Feast Corpus Christi. Continue to Sienna, the birthplace of Saints Catherine and Bernardine and one of Italy’s loveliest medieval cities. Here we will stroll the Piazza Del Campo, one of Italy’s finest squares and visit the Cathedral and the Basilica of St. Francis, containing the miraculous consecrated hosts that remained intact since 1730. View the incorrupt head of St. Catherine at the Basilica of St. Dominic. Return to Assisi for dinner and overnight.

Day 18: Departure
Depart from Assisi in the early morning for Rome for our return flights to the USA.

Tour Pricing
Price are land only.

Departure Dates	Special Events(s)	Tour Rate
March 18 –April 4, 2007	Palm Sunday	$4399
April 1–18, 2007	Easter and Holy Week	$4599
April 15–May2, 2007		$4699
May 13–30, 2007		$4699
May 27–June 13, 2007	Feast of the Most Holy Trinity	$4999
June 10–27, 2007		$4999
June 24–July 11, 2007		$4899
July 8–25, 2007	Italy: Fr. Mickey Bancroft	$4699
July 22–August 8, 2007		$4699
August 5–22, 2007		$4699
August 19–September 5, 2007		$4699
September 30–October 17, 2007		$4699
October 14–31, 2007		$4699
November 4–21, 2007		$4399

Rates & pricing are presented for budgeting purposes only and are not guaranteed.
Please note: Prices on these packages are subject to change until booking and do frequently. Please keep checking our site for updated pricing.

By e-mail:
marylyn@casaq.com