OUR PLAN:
THU, OCT 31 — NEWARK/ACROSS THE ATLANTIC
Depart Newark today on board your overnight transatlantic jet flight. Enroute enjoy dinner followed by a full-length movie.
FRI, NOV 1 — ARRIVE BARCELONA
Arrive Barcelona, the cultural and political center of Catalonia and Spain’s most European city. You will be met and trans ferred to your hotel where the balance of the day is at leisure.
SAT, NOV 2 — BARCELONA/MONTSERRAT/ BARCELONA
This morning visit the city which is divided into two major parts: the older area symbolized by the Gothic Quarter and the more modern part with its wide avenues. Begin your tour in the Gothic Quarter, which includes the palaces of the Government of Catalonia and City Hall. Then visit the world famous cathedral with its fine medieval cloister and arcade, and the towering Sagrada Famiiia Church, designed by the Catalonian architect Antoni Gaudi. Construction on this Church began in 1882 and is still going on today. The afternoon takes you to Montserrat, the site of the world-famous monastery, legendary home of the Holy Grail and the actual home of the Black Madonna. Founded in 880, the monastery is set in the serrated mountain landscape above the Llobregat River valley. Afterwards, return to Barcelona and your hotel for overnight.
SUN, NOV 3 — BARCELONA/SAGUNTO/VALENCIA
Depart Barcelona today and travel southward. Time permitting stop in the cities of Sagunto and Javita before arriving in Valencia, a popular resort famous for its orange groves. Here you will find a 13th century church also claiming possession of the Holy Grail. Overnight in Valencia.
MON, NOV 4 — VALENCIA/GRANADA
Continue your travels as you depart Valencia this morning and drive to the 8th century Moorish stronghold of Granada in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Range. On to your hotel for the night.
TUE, NOV 5 — GRANADA/COSTA DEL SOL/GRANADA
Your morning sightseeing tour takes you to Alhambra Palace, an ornate Arabesque confection in pink granite and once the home of Moorish kings who ruled over this region for centuries. Visit the surrounding exquisite gardens of the Generalife, whose ponds and fountains help cool the hot summer air. This afternoon drive along the Costa del Sol with its spectacular views of the Mediterranean. Popular with tourists, the Costa del Sol has some of the most spectacular beaches and picturesque towns in the world. Return to Granada and your hotel for dinner and overnight.
WED, NOV 6 — GRANADA/CORDOBA
Today’s journey takes you to Cordoba with its relics of the Moorish Empire. See the 8th century mosque with painted columns and arches. The building is so magnificent that it has been preserved through the changes of religion.
THU, NOV 7 — CORDOBA/SEVILLE
Depart Cordoba today and follow the fertile valley of the River Guadalquivir to Seville, the capital of the Andalucia region and one of the largest cities in Spain. Free time upon arrival to explore this gracious city on your own.
FRI, NOV 8 — SEVILLE/SANTIPONCE/SEVILLE
This morning visit the Alcazar, the palace-fortress of Arab kings. See the Giralda Tower and Torre de Oro reputedly once covered in gold leaf. On to Seville’s ornate cathedral housing the tombs of St. Ferdinand and Christopher Columbus, and the largest Gothic building in the world. View the pools and fountains of Maria Luisa Park, City Hall, and the area of the April Fair described by Hemingway. This afternoon drive to the town of Santiponce to view the Roman Ruins of Italica and the Monastery of San Isidora del Campo. Return to Seville for the night.
SAT, NOV 9 — SEVILLE/LISBON
Say goodbye to Seville as you cross the border into the Alentejo, granary of Portugal. In the 15thcentury, Portugal was the first nation to begin exploration and trade far from the shores of the Mediterranean. See almond trees and traditional villages en route to the capital city of Lisbon, home of gardens, castles and musicians. Time permitting, upon arrival enjoy a brief orientation tour before continuing to your hotel.
SUN, NOV 10 — LISBON/FATIMA/LISBON
This morning depart for the village of Fatima, the world’s most famous Marian shrine. Here, on the thirteenth of each month between May and October in 1917, the Blessed Mother appeared to three young children and exhorted the world to pray for world peace. Your visit will include the Basilica of Our Lady of Fatima, site of Francisco and Jacinta’s graves, and the Little Chapel of Apparitions with the statue of “Our Lady of Fatima.” Time for devotion and worship before returning to Lisbon.
MON, NOV 11 — LISBON/NEWARK
All too soon you must say good-bye as you transfer to the airport in time for your return flight back to Newark, arriving the same day.
Participants
Rev. George Torok, Elizabeth Dubec, Mary Clare Kosloff, Elizabeth, Lynch, John Astrab, Helen Astrab, Elizabeth Barry, Betty Ann Dreyfus, Rita Bernardo, Rose Somma, Ann Donaghy, Jo DeMarco, Germaro Di Colandrea, Mary Di Colandrea, Robert Gregory Lucille, Gregory Daniel Lamperti, Ann Marie Lamperti, Carmela Franceschini, Charles Milliken, Dorothy Ann Milliken, Rose Ann Moschella, Elda Zamparo, James Murray, Judith Murray, Albert Schildwachter, Rita Schildwachter, Irene Seberle, Carol Whalen, Frank Vellardito, Sylvia Vellardito
Photogallery