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FÁTI

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PROGRAM FOR GROUPS

This program combines the best that one of the most beautiful European capitals can offer, and one of the most visited shrines in the world: Fatima. Lisbon besides being a beautiful city, has spiritual references that attract pilgrims, by being the hometown of Saint Antonio.Since the apparition of Our Lady to the three shepherd on the 13th May 1917, Fatima became a place of pilgrimage and has one of the most important Marian shrines in the world, getting about seven million pilgrims annually. Who visits it can’t be indifferent to its greatness and spiritual impact. Highlight to the new basilica of the Holy Trinity, great architectural work of the signature of the architect Tombazis. The interior houses works of artists from all around the world, giving a universal nature to this temple that can hold 9,000 pilgrims. Passing also by Aljustrel and Valinhos, visit to the academic city of Coimbra and the great monasteries of Batalha and Alcobaça. This program would not be complete without touching the sea, so important to the Lusitanian soul, with a trip to the fishing village of Nazaré.

GROUPS:Min. 20 Pax

PICK UP POINT: Lisbon

HIGHLIGHTS:

FÁTIMA&LISBON

PROGRAM

5 DAYS

Torre de Belém Rua Augusta Aljustrel

Mosteiro dos Jerónimos Parque das Nações Valinhos

Praça do Império Oceanário Universidade de Coimbra

Praça do Comércio Capelinha das Aparições Convento das Carmelitas

Rossio Santuário de Fátima Batalha e Alcobaça

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1st DAY • LISBONArrival to Lisbon and transfer to the hotel. Overnight.

2nd DAY • LISBON / FÁTIMAAfter breakfast visit of Lisbon.On the first of the seven hill one can visit the church of S. Antony built on the site where he was born. Just next to it there the Cathedral, the oldest religious monument of the city.Little stroll in the streets of Alfama.Leaving this area follows the sightseeing of Praça do Comercio, a huge square facing the river Tagus, streets of the Baixa Pombalina,Rossio the heart of the city in the middle ages. However from those days nothing is left due to the earthquake of 1755. The Avenida da Liberdade is the next step, leading us to the Marquês de Pombal square. In Belém area can be admired the Belém Tower, Monument to the Discoverers and the Jeronimos Monastery. Time for lunch.In the afternoon visit of the post-modern area: Expo ‘98, today called Park of the Na-tions. Departure from Lisbon to Fátima. Dinner and overnight.

3rd DAY • FÁTIMAFrom a lost place in central Portugal became today one of the most demanded places for catholic pilgrims, after yhe apparitions of Our Lady to three little shepards in 1917: Lúcia, Francisco and Jacinta. They were the ones incharge of spreading the message of peace and conversion to the world. In the morning, visit to the shrine and participation in the religious functions. Possibility of visiting the exhibit of Fátima: peace and light. Time for lunch. In the afternoon visit of the birthplaces of the seers as well as to the Hungarian Calvary (Way of the Cross) where is the sight of the 4th apparition of the Blessed Mother as well as the sight of the angel’s apparitions in 1916. Free time for personal devotions. Dinner and overnight.

4th DAY • FÁTIMA / TOMAR / COIMBRA / FÁTIMAIn the morning visit of the Convent of Christ is Tomar, one of the main landmarks of the Templars in Europe. Here we can admire from the outstanding charola of the 12th century to the Manueline window of Sta Barbara Cloister in the 16th century. Around this Convent a lot of fantasy was created, but for sure it was a key place for Portuguese History and to its Golden Age: the Discoveries. Leaving Tomar we head to Coimbra, known for having one of the oldest Universities in Europe. Visit of the church of the Carmelite Convent, where sister Lúcia lived.Visit of the old University square and the Chappel of St Michael. Possibility of visiting the famous Library of the 18th century. From here a stroll is started down the hill of the Almedina (old town), passing by the Old Cathedral until reaching the busy pedestrian streets. Return to Fátima. Dinner and overnight.

5th DAY • FÁTIMA / BATALHA / ALCOBAÇA / NAZARÉ / LISBOADeparture from Fátima towards Batalha. Here we have the possibility of visiting one of the most beautiful late gothic monuments in Portugal. One of the dates attributed to the beginning of its building is 1388. This monument marks a sign of transition in many aspects of Portuguese history besides commemorating a decisive battle. One of them is the starting of a new dynasty whose main characters are buried here. From here we head to Alcobaça, XIII (Benedictine monastery of S. Mary). This is the most well preserved Cistercian monastery regarding Cistercian architecture. Its huge size reveals the importance of Cistercians in the early days of Portuguese nationality as well as the importance of this monastery for this region in particular. The church of the monastery houses the tombs of Pedro and Inês, the “main actors” of a big love story, probably the two most beautiful gothic tombs in Portugal. From here we are 10 km away from seeing an amazing view over the Atlantic Ocean as we reach Naz-arè. It is still a traditional village of fisherman, no longer small, since the arrival of tourism looking for its sandy beaches. Óbidos comes from the Latin word Oppidum

ITINERARY5 DAYS

FÁTIMA&LISBON

meaning fortified city. In fact it still is a fortified village with its walls surrounding the white washed houses with the blooming geraniums at their windows. This is the place where time seems to have stopped. Here the visitor can try the famous liqueur Ginginha and go for a stroll along the narrow streets and alleys where the houses with their ogival doors remind us the age of the town. One can not leave town without a visit to S. Mary’s church with the paintings of Josefa de Óbidos. Transfer to the airport in Lisbon and end of our services.