Spain

A Pilgrimage to Central Spain: Valladolid, Avila & Segovia
Spiritual Director: Fr Vincent Flynn

Introduction

St Theresa with St John of the Cross breathed new life into the ancient Order of Carmel, descendants of the hermits on Elijah’s mountain where he had heard the Lord in the ‘still small voice’ of silence.

And in doing so they gave to the Church continuing and vigorous powerhouses of prayer through the life and sacrifice, witness and dedication of generous women and men in their Monasteries around the world.

Basic Itinerary

DAY ONE - SATURDAY 23RD OCTOBER 2010

Gatwick - Madrid - Valladolid

Scheduled flight from London Gatwick to Madrid. On arrival, transfer by coach to our hotel in Valladolid, which is situated next to the Campo Grande in the city. Dinner on each evening of our stay in Valladolid will be in the hotel or in a local restaurant.

DAY TWO - SUNDAY 24TH OCTOBER

Valladolid

Toady will be spent in Valladolid, where our first visit will be to the English College of St Alban, which is still a seminary training priests for the dioceses of England and Wales. Mass will be celebrated here and we have a tour of the college. The afternoon will be at leisure.

DAY THREE - MONDAY 25TH OCTOBER

Avila

Avila was the birthplace of St Teresa, whose legacy is everywhere in this beautiful town, which is also renowned as the home of contemporary mysticism. We will be able to see the town as St Teresa would have known it, including the Convent de la Santa, built over her birthplace, and the convent of St Joseph, the first one founded by St Teresa. This convent of Discalced Carmelites was dedicated to St Joseph because St Teresa had a great devotion to him. We will also have time to explore the Cathedral and it’s cloisters. The afternoon will be at leisure.

DAY FOUR - TUESDAY 26TH OCTOBER

Segovia

This morning, we leave Valladolid, and drive to Segovia (about 75 miles), one of the most beautiful and evocative towns in Spain. It was here in 1588 that St John of the Cross was made Prior of the Discalced Carmelites. We visit the 17th century convent where the body of St John is buried (minus several limbs which were taken as relics to other parts of Spain). Mass will be celebrated here. We also walk under the walls of the Alcazar to visit the Church of the True Cross (Vera Cruz), a parish church since 1312. The afternoon will be at leisure before returning to Valladolid in the early evening.

DAY FIVE - WEDNESDAY 27TH OCTOBER

Fontiveros - Medina del Campo

After breakfast we drive to Fontiveros, the birthplace of St John of the Cross (1542 - 1591). He lived here for the first six years of his life. A chapel has been built over the site of his home where we will have our Mass. There is also a convent of Carmelite Sisters next to it. Afterwards, continue north to the small town of Medina del Campo, which was famous for its trade fairs in the middle ages and where the Catholic Queen Isabel died in 1504. Places worth visiting (but entrance fees are not included) are the Collegiate Church of San Antolin which is of Cathedral size and contains the chapel of Virgen del Popolo, and the Castle of La Mota, where Cesare Borgia was kept prisoner for two years. Return to Valladolid in the late afternoon.

DAY SIX - THURSDAY 28TH OCTOBER

Valladolid

Today we make our second visit to the English College for Mass. The rest of the day will be at leisure in Valladolid.

DAY SEVEN - FRIDAY 29TH OCTOBER

Valladolid - Alba de Tormes

After breakfast we visit the Convent of the Incarnation just north of Avila (outside the walls) where Teresa lived for 27 years, and where she was prioress when St John of the Cross was Confessor, between 1572 - 1576. Lunch at choice in Avila. In the afternoon we drive to the village of Alba de Tormes (50 miles from Avila), where the body and other relics of St Teresa are kept. Teresa founded the convent of the Annunciation here in 1571, and returned to it to die. Mass will be celebrated here before returning to Valladolid.

DAY EIGHT - SATURDAY 30TH OCTOBER

Valladolid - Madrid - Gatwick

Transfer by coach to Madrid Airport for our return flight to London Gawick Airport.

Travel Dates and Cost:

23rd October 2010 - 30th October 2010
Eight Days
£839

Book now

Terms of Payment:

You can reserve your place on the tour by completing a booking form and returning it with a deposit of £120 (plus the insurance premium if required) per person.

This Price is guaranteed until 1st July 2010, after this date there maybe a flight surcharge.

THIS TRIP INCLUDES:

Return scheduled flights with easyjet: London Gatwick - Madrid, 20kg luggage allowance per person, UK and Spain airport taxes, 7-nights accommodation in shared twin bedded rooms with private facilities at the 3-star Hotel Lasa (or similar) in Valladolid on a half-board (7 breakfasts and 7 dinners), Touring and transfers by air-conditioned coach, as per the itinerary, fully Licensed English-speaking local guides in Avila, Segovia and Valladolid, booking of Masses each day to correspond with the itinerary. UK coach transfers, Pax Travel Spanish speaking tour escort.

EXTRAS:

Travel insurance at £28.50 per person, single room supplement at £112 per person for the 7 nights (limited number of single rooms available), lunches, drinks and souvenirs, food and drink on board flights.

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS AND WORSHIP:

Catholic

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