Catholic Highlights of France and Spain

The itinerary is the starting point to your tour, but it’s not set in stone. Your group leader may make changes leading up to departure.

Day 1, Monday June 8: Overnight Flight

Depart from the USA.

Day 2, Tuesday June 9: Paris

Bienvenue à Paris! Meet your ACIS Tour Manager and get acquainted with this graceful city’s cobblestoned streets, charming cafés and vibrant neighborhoods. Paris is called the “City of Light” for its role as a center of education during the Age of Enlightenment (it was also one the first cities to adopt streetlights). Perhaps stroll through Montmartre to the white-domed Sacré Cœur or seek out a lesser known but equally interesting attraction such as the Musée Marmottan-Monet, housing the artist’s Impression, Sunrise—the painting for which the Impressionist movement was named. (D)

Day 3, Wednesday June 10: Paris

Your day begins with a guided sightseeing tour that takes you past some of the most famous attractions in Paris. Your expert local guide will show you the magnificent Arc de Triomphe at the top of the Champs-Élysées, Napoleon's final resting place at Les Invalides and the Gothic wonder of Notre Dame. You will also stop to see the Chapel of our Lady of Graces of the Miraculous Medal. Later, breeze by the crowds with your timed entrance to the Louvre and discover the many famous masterpieces that call it home. Insightful commentary from your local guide highlights the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, Venus de Milo and more as you wander through the galleries. From its beginnings as a royal fortress to its current status as the world's most visited art museum, the Louvre has long been at the center of Parisian culture and home to a collection of 35,000 works of art from around the world. Tonight, walk around Montmartre. This cultural and artistic district is worth the visit for the bustling energy of the artists and hipsters as well as the stunning views of the City of Light. While there you will also visit Sacre Coeur. (B,D)

Day 4, Thursday June 11: Lourdes

This morning journey to Lourdes on the high-speed TGV train. Upon arrival explore Lourdes, a small market town in the Pyrenees where the Virgin Mary once appeared to a local woman. This evening you may want to participate in one of the processions held in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes. (B,D)

Day 5, Friday June 12: Lourdes

Today continue to explore Lourdes. Visit the Massabielle Grotto the very place where the apparitions occurred and within it is the spring that was discovered. While there you will find taps to drink the water. Those who wish can also go to the sanctuary baths to perform the water gesture. Later, you may also want to visit the three basisilcas located in the town. (B,D)

Day 6, Saturday June 13: San Sebastian

Depart Lourdes this morning and head into Spain. Stop in Loyola for Mass at 11am, a tour of the Holy House, church and other Azpeitia sites. Continue to San Sebastian. (B,D)

Day 7, Sunday June 14: Montserrat

This morning depart for Montserrat. Stop in Pamplona for a visit then continue to Montserrat. (B,D)

Day 8, Monday June 15: Barcelona

This morning visit Montserrat. Then continue to visit Manresa to visit the Jesuit Center and have mass in the holy cave, walk through the museum and visit the church on the hill. End your day in Barcelona. (B,D)

Day 9, Tuesday June 16: Barcelona

Today enjoy a panoramic sightseeing tour. Our local expert will provide commentary on all the major highlights of Barcelona including the inside of Casa Batllo, one of the unique Gaudí-designed houses. Antoni Gaudí, one of Catalonia’s most notable sons, was a Modernist architect whose distinctive style is revered to this day. After, you’ll be able to study the intricate design outside of his still-unfinished Sagrada Familia and stroll whimsical Parc Güell. Take a walk down La Rambla this evening and experience the brightly lit, bustling atmosphere of Plaça de Catalunya. Later visit the Sword of St. Ignatius Church and the Church of Sagrat Cor. (B,D)

Day 10, Wednesday June 17: Madrid

Journey to Madrid by AVE. This afternoon enjoy sightseeing and entrance to the Prado. (B,D)

Day 11, Thursday June 18: Madrid

A full-day excursion begins with a morning trip to Ávila, a walled city with centuries-old cobblestone streets. Here you'll visit the revered and fortress-like vila Cathedral, one of Spain's first Gothic cathedrals, and the Convent of Santa Teresa de Jesus, which honors Saint Teresa, who worked with St. John of the Cross to reform the Carmelite orders. Then you'll travel to El Escorial to visit the Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial. Also a World Heritage Site, King Philip II had the great building complex constructed to serve a place for his father, Holy Roman emperor Charles V, and future Spanish monarchs to be interred, as well as a Hieronymite monastery and a palace. Return to Madrid in time for dinner and your final evening in Spain. (B,D)

Day 12, Friday June 19: Departure

Depart for the USA. (B)