Tour No ZAR1016

Mon, Oct 16^th: Newark/Madrid - Depart on your overnight flight to Madrid.  Dinner served in flight (D)

Tue, Oct 17^th: Madrid/Zaragoza - Morning arrival in MADRID and transfer to ZARAGOZA. Upon arrival we visit the Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Pilar – Our Lady of Pillar. Tradition says that in the early days of the Church, Saint James the Greater was spreading the Gospel in Spain, but making very little progress. He was dejected and questioning his mission. About 44 AD, the Virgin Mary, who was still living in Jerusalem at the time, bi-located and appeared to him in a vision to boost his morale. In it, she was atop a column or pillar, which was being carried by angels. That pillar is believed to be the same one venerated in Zaragoza, Spain today. Miraculous healings are reported at the scene. Each year on October 12^th, a small, 15^th century statue of the Virgin is taken on a procession around the city. (B,D)

Wed, Oct 18^th: Zaragoza/Garabandal - Today we travel to GARABANDAL.  Afternoon arrival at San Sebastian de Garabandal. While in Garabandal we will visit the places associated with the apparition: Homes of the Visionaries, Village Church, Village Cemetery, Miracle of the Visible Host, and The Pines. We, also, have time for private devotions. (B,L,D)

Thu, Oct 19^th: Garabandal/San Vincente - Today we go to San Vincente for shopping.  (B,L,D)

Fri, Oct 20^th: Garabandal/San Toribio - Free day in Garabandal (B,L,D)

Sat, Oct 21^st: Garabandal - Free day for private devtotions. (B,L,D)

Sun, Oct 22^nd: Garabandal/Covadanga/Garabandal - Today we visit the beautiful Basilica of Covadonga. Covadonga is one of the most emblematic sites in Asturias. It is a symbol of the resistance of Asturias and Cantabria against Moorish domination, and whose victory at the Battle of Covadonga represented the beginning of the Christian reconquest. Covadonga, moreover, guards the image known as "la Santina", as Asturians affectionately call their patron saint, the Virgin of Covadonga, whose feast is on 8th September. According to the legend, Don Pelay received the breath of the Virgin, who appeared before the Christian soldiers before the historic battle. After the victory had been won, the cave in which they had taken refuge was converted into a place of Christian worship and Alphonse I built the first chapel on the site. Later a monastery was built at the foot of the Holy Cave to house the image, but in 1777 a terrible fire destroyed the church in which La Santina was venerated, and along with it the image of the Virgin and the monks' dependencies, which occupied the site on which the Collegiate Church of San Fernando now stands. The Holy Cave lies in the rocky heights of Monte Auseva, reached by a staircase of some one hundred steps, which many pilgrims ascend on their knees. Under this great rock flows a mountain torrent into the basin known as the Pozón, after which it becomes a gentle stream. Beside it is a spring. According to the legend, all those who drink its water will be given happiness in marriage. (B,L,D) 

Mon, Oct 23^rd: Garabandal/Madrid- Morning departure to Madrid. Upon arrival we have a panorama of the city. (B,D)

Tue, Oct 24^th: Madrid/USA - Morning transfer to Madrid airport for your return flight to the USA. (B) 

*Terms & Conditions: Cancellation made by passengers. Of the $500.00 deposit, $200.00 is non-refundable in case of cancellation. 70 days to 46 days a $500.00 penalty is imposed. 45 days to 16 days a $500.00 penalty PLUS any penalty imposed by the airlines and hotels. 15 days or less may result in loss of entire cost, depending on what we can recover. Once travel has commenced, no refunds for unused portions can be made.