Journeying with Mary: A Pilgrimage Through France, Spain & Portugal
August 14 - 25, 2027
FRANCE | SPAIN | PORTUGAL
August 14 - 25, 2027
FRANCE | SPAIN | PORTUGAL
From the heart of Paris to the mountain village of Garabandal, from the healing waters of Lourdes to the tomb of St. James the Greater in Santiago de Compostela, and finally to the world-renowned shrine of Our Lady of Fátima, this pilgrimage invites you to encounter some of the most beloved places of prayer and devotion in France, Spain, and Portugal. Along the way, you will follow the footsteps of saints and visionaries, venerate treasured relics of the Passion of Christ, and discover how the Blessed Virgin Mary has continually called the faithful to deeper conversion, prayer, and trust in her Son.
Throughout the pilgrimage, you will experience the rich spiritual heritage of the Catholic Church in unforgettable ways. Pray where Our Lady appeared to St. Catherine Labouré, St. Bernadette Soubirous, and the shepherd children of Fátima. Walk the streets where Bernadette lived, visit the places associated with the reported apparitions in Garabandal, venerate the Sudarium of Oviedo, and celebrate Holy Mass at the tomb of St. James in Santiago de Compostela, one of Christianity’s greatest pilgrimage destinations. In Lourdes and Fátima, you will have time to participate in the sanctuaries’ beautiful liturgical celebrations, Eucharistic Adoration, Marian processions, and personal prayer.
This pilgrimage also introduces you to the rich cultures and traditions of France, Spain, and Portugal. Journey through the spectacular Basque Country, enjoy regional cuisine in San Sebastián, savor a leisurely seaside lunch in the Galician fishing town of Ribadeo, explore the historic Portuguese fortress town of Valença, and experience the celebrated flavors of the Bairrada region. You will also visit the magnificent Monastery of Alcobaça before enjoying a guided visit and tasting at a family-owned Portuguese vineyard, reflecting the centuries-old connection between monastic life, hospitality, and the tradition of ora et labora—pray and work.
Whether this is your first pilgrimage or one of many, these thirteen days offer an extraordinary opportunity to step away from the demands of daily life, deepen your relationship with Christ through the intercession of Our Lady, and share the journey with fellow pilgrims seeking the same grace. With daily Holy Mass, time for prayer and reflection, experienced local guides, and the attentive care of Inside the Vatican Pilgrimages, this pilgrimage is more than a journey across Europe—it is an invitation to renew your faith and return home spiritually enriched.
Pilgrimage Highlights
- Begin your pilgrimage in Paris by celebrating Holy Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, entrusting your journey to Our Blessed Mother at the very place where she appeared to St. Catherine Labouré in 1830.
- Celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption at magnificent Notre-Dame Cathedral before visiting the breathtaking Sainte-Chapelle, built by King St. Louis IX to house the Crown of Thorns, one of Christianity’s most treasured relics.
- Pray before the Blessed Sacrament at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart (Sacré-Cœur), where perpetual Eucharistic Adoration has continued uninterrupted since 1885.
- Spend three nights in Lourdes, allowing time for prayer, reflection, and participation in the rich spiritual life of one of the world’s greatest Marian pilgrimage destinations.
- Walk in the footsteps of St. Bernadette Soubirous, visiting the Boly Mill, Le Cachot, the Parish Church, and the Grotto of Massabielle, where Our Lady appeared eighteen times.
- Participate in the Candlelight Marian Procession, the Blessed Sacrament Procession, Eucharistic Adoration, and the Water Gesture at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes.
- Enjoy an unforgettable nineteenth-century Pyrenean dinner inspired by the traditional recipes and local cuisine of St. Bernadette’s time.
- Journey through Spain’s spectacular Basque Country, visiting elegant San Sebastián and enjoying an exceptional lunch featuring the celebrated cuisine that has made the region one of Europe’s premier culinary destinations.
- Visit Loyola, birthplace of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), and discover the saint whose Spiritual Exercises have guided Christians for centuries.
- Spend two nights in the peaceful mountain village of Garabandal, where the story of the reported Marian apparitions comes alive through the firsthand insights of a longtime resident. Visit the places where the apparitions were reported, pray at The Pines, and, if available, meet visionary Jacinta González.
- Venerate the Sudarium of Oviedo, one of Christianity’s most fascinating relics associated with the Passion of Christ.
- Enjoy a leisurely lunch in the charming Galician fishing town of Ribadeo while overlooking the picturesque marina and the tranquil Eo Estuary.
- Celebrate Holy Mass and pray at the tomb of St. James the Greater in Santiago de Compostela, one of Christianity’s greatest pilgrimage destinations and the historic end of the Camino de Santiago.
- Journey into Portugal, visiting the beautifully preserved fortress town of Valença before enjoying the renowned cuisine of the Bairrada region on your way to Fátima.
- Spend three nights in Fátima, celebrating Holy Mass and participating in the beautiful International Candlelight Rosary Procession.
- Visit the Chapel of the Apparitions, the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, the tombs of Sts. Francisco and Jacinta Marto and Servant of God Sr. Lúcia, and the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity.
- Walk the Via Sacra and visit Aljustrel, Valinhos, Poço do Arneiro, and Loca do Cabeço, following in the footsteps of the shepherd children and the Angel of Peace.
- Visit the Church of the Most Holy Miracle in Santarém, home to one of the Church’s oldest approved Eucharistic Miracles.
- Discover the magnificent Monastery of Alcobaça, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before visiting a family-owned Portuguese vineyard to experience the enduring connection between faith, hospitality, and the monastic tradition of ora et labora—pray and work.
- Travel with an experienced Inside the Vatican Pilgrimages pilgrimage leader and knowledgeable local guides who bring the history, spirituality, and traditions of France, Spain, and Portugal to life.
Pilgrimage Overview
Day 1 – Saturday, August 14, 2027
Our Lady Lights Our Pilgrim Path
Welcome to France, long known as the “Eldest Daughter of the Church.” The title dates to the baptism of King Clovis I by St. Remigius around A.D. 496. At a time when many European rulers had embraced Arianism, Clovis accepted the Catholic faith, making the Frankish kingdom—what would become France—the principal protector of the Roman Catholic Church in Western Europe. Over the centuries, France gave the Church countless saints, missionaries, theologians, religious orders, and magnificent cathedrals, earning its enduring title as the “Eldest Daughter of the Church.”
Upon your arrival at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), you will be met and transferred to your hotel, where your Inside the Vatican Pilgrimages host will warmly welcome you. We will then depart together to celebrate our opening Mass at 12:30 p.m. at the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, the sacred place where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to St. Catherine Labouré in 1830.
Here, where countless pilgrims have come seeking Our Lady’s intercession, we will entrust our pilgrimage to her maternal care, asking her to light the pilgrim path before us and lead us ever closer to her Son.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” — Psalm 119:105
This evening, we will gather for an early welcome dinner as we begin our pilgrimage together. Over our first meal, we will be introduced to the days ahead, get to know one another, and prepare our hearts for the journey that awaits.
Dinner Included. Overnight in Paris
Day 2: THU Jun 17, 2027
Day 3: FRI Jun 18 2027
Day 4: SAT Jun 19, 2027
Day 5: SUN Jun 20, 2027
Day 6: MON Jun 21, 2027
Day 7: TUE Jun 22, 2027
Day 8: WED Jun 23, 2027
Day 9: THU Jun 24, 2027
Day 10: FRI Jun 25 2027
Day 11: SAT Jul 26, 2027
Tour Details & Guidelines
Air Travel:
Arrival Information:
- Airport: St. Jerome Airport (SPU)
- Date: Wednesday, June 16, 2027 (Day 1 of the pilgrimage)
- Flight Arrival Time: Before 1:00 PM (Local Time). This arrival time allows approximately 1/2 hour to retrieve baggage before the group transfer.
- Transfer: A group transfer will depart at 1:30 PM from the airport to the port at Orebić, followed by a private boat transport to the Island of Badija. Participants must arrive in time to join this scheduled group transfer.
If you choose to arrive early, please contact our office for the recommended hotel for early arrival. On Day 1, the group transfer will pick up participants from this hotel, along with the group pick-up at the airport. Please note that if you arrive one day early, the cost of the hotel and the transfer from the airport will be the participant’s financial responsibility. If you require assistance with this transfer, please let us know, and we will be happy to provide clear instructions and the contact information for our trusted private driver, who can meet you at the airport as you exit the secured area. The cost is typically comparable to a taxi.
Departure Information:
- Airport: St. Jerome Airport (SPU)
- Date: Sunday, June 26, 2027 (Day 11 of the pilgrimage)
- Flight Departure Time: After 8:00 AM (Local Time)
- Transfer: Group transfer from the hotel in Medjugorie to the airport
Recommended Travel Agency:For booking flights, we recommend using an experienced travel agency. They will handle your airline reservations and forward the details to our office, ensuring a seamless process. You will receive the contact information for Inside the Vatican Pilgrimages’ recommended seasoned travel agent in your Welcome Letter, which is sent immediately after you register for the pilgrimage. you register.
If you would like to get an idea of the cost and availability of flights, we suggest checking Google Flights as a helpful and simple tool for initial research.
What's Included
Meals All meals are included; ten (10) breakfasts, seven (7) lunches and ten (10) dinners
Hotels Accommodations Five (5) nights in Badija, and five (5) nights in Medjugorje,
Private Motor Coach Private, first-class motor coach bus and all group transfers are included
Taxes and Fees : All local taxes are included
Entrance Fees: All entrance fees are included
Arrival Transfers : Group transfers are included, as outlined in the Travel Information section above
Departure Transfers : Group transfers are included, as outlined in the Travel Information section above
Water Transfers: Private boat transfers from Orebic to Badija are included
Catamaran Boat Transfer : Fast Catamaran boat transfer from Korcula to Dubrovnik
Custom Pilgrimage Book : Personalized ITVP pilgrim book
Customer Service : White-glove customer service from the moment you contact us
What's Not Included
Airfare Airfare to/from Split, Croatia
Gratuities : Gratuities payable to the bus driver.
Meals Meals not specifically identified: two (2) lunches
Transfers : Transfers not specifically mentioned above.
Other Personal Expenses : Other personal expenses, included but not limited to laundry services, minibar in hotel rooms, etc
Other : Items not specifically mentioned in the pilgrimage description.
Contact Information:
Phone: +1(202) 536-4555
Mon-Fri : 9:00 am – 6:00 pm ET.
Email: Pilgrimages@InsideTheVatican.com.
WhatsApp: +1(540) 631-4392
Terms and Conditions
Before you book your trip with us, please carefully read our Terms and Conditions