VIRGILIO TRAVEL
DETAILED ITINERARY
(Subject to Change)
Updated February 20
Friday,
March 14
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Depart your home airport for the journey to Portugal! The group flight (i.e. the one those purchasing LAND + AIR will be flying on) flies out of Newark- EWR on United Airlines at 9:35 PM and arrives in Lisbon at 8:10 AM on Saturday.
Saturday,
March 15
The group flight arrives at the Lisbon Airport at 8:10am. Adding at least an hour for customs, etc., everyone should be at the airport by 9:15am and ready to go. Lino, Tyler, and Fr. Dan will meet you there, we’ll hop on the buses and drive to Nazare. We'll visit Our Lady of Nazare, have Mass, and have lunch. Then we'll continue onto Fatima. Once there, we'll check in and wash off
those nasty airplane germs. After a little time to rest, we'll get together for a welcome dinner and… for those who can stay awake…the evening candlelight procession at the Shrine at 9:15pm. Afterwards, you can collapse and fall asleep.
Sunday,
March 16
The day begins at 9:00 AM with a visit to the Chapel of the Apparitions, the Basilica, and the tombs of Francisco, Jacinta and Sister Lucia. After lunch, we'll then head to Aljustrel and Valinhos, to see the two homes of the little shepherds. From there we'll go to the parish church where Francisco and Jacinta are buried and have Mass. There will also be free time to shop, pray, or do Fatima’s Stations of the Cross. After time to freshen up, we’ll go out for another great dinner together.
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Monday,
March 17
This morning we leave Fatima at 9:00 AM and head to Porto. Upon arrival, we’ll have Mass at the Porto Cathedral. Afterwards, there’s free time for lunch where you should try a typical ‘francesinha’ from Porto or have a meal at the Majestic Café. Then, we have a guided panoramic tour of the city that includes Capela das Almas (Chapel of Souls), St. Ildefonso Church, Sao Bento Station, Lello Library, Clerigos Church, St Francis Church and more. Porto is an amazing city. After checking into our hotel, time to freshen up and out for another fun dinner.
Tuesday,
March 18
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We leave at 9:00 AM for Braga. Upon arrival, we’ll celebrate Mass at the Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary with time to visit the shrine afterwards. We’ll then drive back to Porto for free time for shopping, etc., and then get together for a 6 Bridges Boat Ride. Dinner is on your own tonight (aka chance to catch up on sleep).
Wednesday,
March 19
Today we check out of Porto and head towards Lisbon. We stop for a visit at Obidos - a picturesque, well preserved medieval town - and have time for lunch. We then go to Santarem where we'll have a visit of the Shrine followed by Mass. We'll then check-in and have time to freshen up, before we hit another great local restaurant together.
Thursday,
March 20
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This morning we leave for a day trip to Sintra. We'll visit the Palacio a Pena and then head to the city center for lunch. After some free time to explore the center, we'll have Mass at St. Martin's Church. Then back to Lisbon for dinner on your own and a chance to relax before one last big day.
Friday,
March 21
Today we get to tour Lisbon. We begin with a Tuk Tuk tour visiting all the highlights - including the birthplace of St. Anthony of Padova. After lunch, we'll visit Belem Tower, the Monument to the Discoveries, and more. We then visit St. Jeronimo's Monastery for a tour and a final pilgrim Mass. We'll have a coffee break at the Pastesi de Belem cafe to enjoy the traditional pastel de Belem - the most famous pastry and coffee in Portugal. We then return to the hotel to freshen up before a big farewell dinner together.
Saturday,
March 22