Fátima and the Marian Tradition

Fátima is internationally known and commemorated for the events surrounding the “Apparitions of Our Lady” in 1917, in front of three shepherd children. But this “Altar of the World” of the Marian Cult is not the first place in Portugal that served as the stage for extraordinary events that attract yearly millions of devotees to the Fatima shrine. Well before 1917, several other “Marian apparitions”, especially in the 17th century, have been recorded in the memory of the peoples and popular religiosity and are still venerated. In this tour we will reveal to you other shrines, temples and locations such as the “luminous ladies” – unusual statues that “help distressed women”, miraculous waters, hermetic marks and symbols, and imposing caves that are phenomena and a shred of evidence of the Marian apparitions which are mysteriously concentrated in the Center Region of Portugal. Guided by the Faith or just by cultural interest, you will follow our exclusive Road-Book describing the “Marian Ways” through secondary roads and trails, forests and valleys, visiting the Marian sites and heritage, in permanent contact with the people of the land and their legends and traditions. Day 1 Welcoming at Porto airport. Transfer to Barca d’Alva at the border with Spain. Alternatively you could extend this program and reserve a boat-hotel or train trip upstream Douro river till Barca d’Alva. Continue to Castelo Rodrigo, check-in at Hotel and dinner at a local restaurant. Day 2 Check-out of the hotel and proceed to Pinhel and Guarda. Check-in at the hotel in Guarda and dinner at a local restaurant. Day 3 Check-out of the hotel and follow the road-book directions throughout Belmonte, Manteigas e Covilhã, arriving at Fundão. Check-in at the hotel at Fundão and dinner at a local restaurant. Day 4 Check-out of the hotel. Today your next references will be Oleiros and Sertã. Check-in at the hotel at Sertã and dinner at a local restaurant. Day 5 Check-out of the hotel, and follow towards Ferreira do Zêzere, Tomar, Ourém, arriving finally at Fátima. Welcoming at the hotel in Fátima. Dinner at a traditional restaurant. Day 6 Visit Fátima and the sites of three other Ladies apparitions. Visit to the Batalha Monastery Return to the Hotel in Fatima. Day 7 Breakfast at the Hotel and check-out. Visit the sites of two other Ladies apparitions. Visit to the Alcobaça Monastery and then head to the site of Nazaré Lady. Check-in at the Hotel in Nazaré. Dinner at a traditional fish restaurant. Day 8 Day of Departure. Transfer to the choosen airport.