Pilgrimage to Fatima and a Douro River Cruise with Sam Nunnally and Friends

We depart on our overnight journey to Lisbon, Portugal. This is the beginning of a pilgrimage that will take us to the sacred shrine of Our Lady of Fátima and along the magnificent Douro River, one of Europe’s most storied waterways. Dinner and breakfast are served en route. Premium economy and business class upgrade quotes are available upon request. As we work with group airfares which do not permit seat selection, we are unable to request specific seats on the flights. You may purchase your own airfare if you wish to pre-select your seat and book the land-only package with us.

We arrive in Lisbon and are welcomed by our English-speaking guide. We board our motorcoach and depart for Fatima. Our first stop is in Santarém to venerate the 13th-century Miracle of the Eucharist at the Church of the Holy Miracle. This extraordinary event, in which a consecrated Host transformed into living flesh and blood, remains one of the most scientifically studied Eucharistic miracles in the world and a powerful witness to the Real Presence of Christ. We celebrate Mass here before continuing to Fátima. Upon arrival, we settle into our hotel, walk across to the Shrine of Our Lady of Fátima, and breathe in the peace of this holy place. Dinner and overnight in Fátima. Meals: Special Welcome Dinner at the hotel with wine included

Today is devoted entirely to Our Lady’s sacred ground. From May to October 1917, the Virgin Mary appeared to three shepherd children, Lucia (age 10), Jacinta (age 7), and Francisco (age 9), calling the world to prayer, penance, and conversion. We visit the Little Chapel of the Apparitions, the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary with the tombs of Sts. Francisco and Jacinta and Sr. Lucia, the Museum of ‘Fátima, Light and Peace, and the modern Holy Trinity Basilica. We walk the Via Sacra Stations of the Cross and visit Valinhos, site of the August 1917 apparition. Lunch is included. Our evening concludes with private devotions and the beloved candlelight rosary procession as Our Lady herself requested. Mass will be celebrated. Dinner and overnight in Fátima. Meals: B, L, D

This morning we visit the Monastery of Batalha, a UNESCO World Heritage masterpiece built to honor Our Lady’s intercession in Portugal’s miraculous victory at the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385. We celebrate Mass in this breathtaking Gothic church before continuing to Nazaré, a dramatic Atlantic fishing village perched above sea cliffs, where colorful boats and centuries-old traditions endure. After visiting the church which houses the Miraculous Icon of Our Lady of Nazaré, we have lunch in a seaside restaurant and enjoy leisure time along the seafront promenade before returning to Fátima for a final evening of prayer and quiet reflection in this holy place. Dinner and overnight in Fátima. Meals: B, L, D

After breakfast, we check out of the hotel for a drive to Coimbra, one of Europe’s oldest university cities, to visit the Royal Convent of Santa Clara-a-Nova, where the relics of St. Queen Isabel of Portugal rest in a magnificent silver shrine and where Sr. Lúcia of Fátima lived for many years as a Carmelite nun. We celebrate Mass in this deeply moving place before continuing to Porto. Here we enjoy a guided port wine tasting in the celebrated wine lodges of Vila Nova de Gaia, experiencing firsthand how this world-famous fortified wine has been crafted in these riverside cellars since the 18th century. Late in the afternoon, we embark on our river cruise vessel. After settling into our cabins, we gather for a welcome orientation, cocktails, and a special dinner onboard. Overnight on the ship in Porto. Meals: B, D

This morning we disembark for a guided tour of Porto, beginning at the magnificent Sé do Porto, the city’s ancient Romanesque Cathedral, one of the oldest and most imposing churches in Portugal, offering sweeping views over the terracotta rooftops to the Douro below. We explore Porto’s UNESCO-listed historic center, its labyrinthine alleys, painted tile facades, and the vibrant Ribeira riverfront. After lunch onboard, we travel by coach to the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte near Braga, a breathtaking hilltop shrine set within a lush forest. We ascend the iconic Baroque double stairway or ride the historic funicular and celebrate Mass in this beloved place of prayer before returning to the ship for dinner. Overnight on the ship. Meals: B, L, D

We cast off from Porto this morning and sail upstream through the city’s iconic Six Bridges, each a distinct landmark spanning the Douro gorge, as the urban skyline gives way to rolling terraced vineyards. We disembark in historic Peso da Régua, once the central hub where wooden rabelo boats laden with port barrels set sail for the coast. Our coach takes us into the hills for a visit to the Casa Mateus, a stunning 18th-century baroque manor surrounded by formal gardens and one of Portugal’s finest aristocratic estates. We return to the ship for lunch and spend the afternoon sailing through the breathtaking UNESCO-listed Douro Valley landscape. Mass is celebrated onboard the ship. Dinner and overnight on the ship. Meals: B, L, D

We cross into Spain at Vega de Terrón and journey to Salamanca, La Dorada, the Golden City, whose honey-colored sandstone glows luminously in the Castilian sun. One of Europe’s oldest universities, founded in 1134, anchors a city filled with medieval, Gothic, and Baroque splendor. We celebrate Mass at the magnificent New Cathedral and explore the grand Plaza Mayor, the ornate House of Shells, and the ancient university facades carved in intricate Plateresque stone. Be sure to try freshly made churros with thick hot chocolate at the legendary Café Valor. Lunch is on your own in the city. We return to the ship for dinner and overnight. Meals: B, D

Today we make a deeply moving pilgrimage to Lamego and the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies, one of Portugal’s most cherished Marian shrines, set dramatically atop a hill above the town. More than 600 steps ascend to the hilltop church; we begin at the top and descend in prayerful meditation, humbled by the faith of pilgrims who make this climb on their knees in devotion. We then celebrate Mass at Lamego’s magnificent Sé Cathedral, a Romanesque gem housing remarkable 16th-century azulejo panels and a celebrated collection of sacred art. We return to the ship for lunch as we sail through the spectacular Senhora da Ribeira gorge. Enjoy the Captain’s dinner tonight as we fondly reflect on all the beautiful moments of this pilgrimage. Overnight on the ship. Meals: B, D

After a final breakfast aboard, we disembark in Porto and begin our journey south. We stop in Aveiro, the Venice of Portugal, for a leisurely visit along the town’s picturesque canals. Perhaps enjoy a ride on a traditional moliceiro boat, painted in vivid folk-art colors, and stroll the charming streets lined with Art Nouveau architecture before sitting down to lunch at leisure in this delightful coastal city. Our day ends in Main Deck Upper Deck

We start our day with a panoramic tour of Lisbon, which includes St. Jerome’s Monastery, built to give thanks to the Blessed Mother, the Belem Tower, the Navigation Monument, and many other landmarks. We also visit St. Anthony’s Church. This patron saint of lost things is best known as St. Anthony of Padua (Italy), but he was born and baptized here in Lisbon, Portugal. The Church where we celebrate Mass is built upon St. Anthony’s birthplace. We have the rest of the day at leisure to explore Lisbon. Dinner is at leisure tonight to enjoy your final taste of Portugal. Overnight in Lisbon. Meals: B

After a final breakfast in Lisbon, we transfer to the airport and begin our journey home, carrying with us the graces of Fátima, the beauty of the Douro, and Our Lady’s timeless call to pray, to love, and to trust. Meals: B

We depart Lisbon and drive across the border from Portugal to Spain to Pontevedra, the largest Marian shrine in the country, where we celebrate Mass. We learned about Portuguese wines during our cruise, but today we taste Spanish food and wine. We arrive at O Grove for a boat ride along the Ria de Arousa to learn about the mussel production, which this area is known for. Then we visit a Spanish winery and enjoy tasting Albarino wine with lunch. Our final stop for the day is the famous city of Santiago, where all pilgrimage roads lead. Dinner and overnight in Santiago. Meals: B, Special lunch, D

This morning, we attend the Pilgrim’s Mass at Santiago Cathedral (TBC) followed by a guided visit of Santiago. In the afternoon, choose to join pilgrims from all over the world in walking the last few miles of the Camino (approximately 11 km, 2-3 hours walking time), or you may choose to enjoy an afternoon at leisure in Santiago. Both groups will assemble at the Monte del Gozo, where the spires of the magnificent Cathedral of St. James are visible. Built from Galician granite, this cathedral is one of the finest architectural examples in Europe, as it encompasses Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque styles. The Cathedral contains numerous valuable pieces of art that truly captivate the eye. It is traditional to hug the statue of St. James upon entering the cathedral. Our private guided walking tour takes us into the crypt where the patron saint of pilgrims’ relics are kept. Enjoy our farewell dinner tonight at the Catholic Pilgrimage House across the street from the cathedral. Overnight in Santiago. Meals: B. Special dinner

After breakfast, we are transferred to the airport for our flights home. Meals: B