The Ignatian Way
10 pax min.
Recreates the route that Ignatius of Loyola, being a knight, ran in 1522 from Loyola to Manresa. This itinerary offers the opportunity to experience a pilgrimage, following the spiritual process that Ignacio made to go to Jerusalen. His was to depart from the Catalan coast to the Holy Land but he stayed several months meditating in the Cave of St. Ignatius in Manresa.
Program
Day 1: Arrival in Bilbao
The group will be welcomed by a tourist guide at the airport. Panoramic view of the city, visit to the Guggenheim Museum, the old town and the Cathedral. Transfer to Loyola.
Day 2: Loyola
Travel to Loyola by coach, the place where San Ignacio was born in 1.491 Upon arrival we’ll celebtrate a mass. Later, visit of Loyola, mainly the Holy House and the church. We make our way to the sanctuary of Arantzazu, an important place of pilgrimage at the time of Ignatius. Later we’ll depart for Pamplona where we’ll have a guided tour of the city, visiting especially the Cathedral and the old town. This city is famous for its San Fermines.
Day 3: Pamplona and the Camino de Santiago en los Pirineos
In the morning we board our coach to Ibañeta pass. From there, we’ll do a nice hike starting off at Roncesvalles, the first Spanish city of the Camino de Santiago. Transfer to Eunate in the afternoon where we’ll visit the pretty Romanesque octagonal church and we’ll take a hike along the Camino de Santiago till Puente la Reina.
Day 4: Xavier
Transfer to Xavier, where Francisco Xavier was worn. He was a co-founder of the Society of Jesus.
In the morning, a mass will be held in the basilica of Xavier. After our mass, our coach transfer us to Leyre where we’ll visit the Benedictine monastery. In the afternoon we’ll make our way back to Xavier and we’ll visit the church of Santa Maria in Sangüesa.
Day 5: Zaragoza
In the morning we board our coach to Zaragoza, an important pilgrimage place in Spain as here St. James the Apostle was blessed with a vision of the Virgin Mary during his mission to Spain. The Virgin appeared to him standing a top pillar, that’s why She is the patron saint of the city.
We’ll visit the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar and the city of Zaragoza, capital of Aragón
Day 6: Follow the steps of St. Ignatius of Loyola.
Today we’ll follow the steps of St. Ignatius and we’ll have the opportunity to walk a stage of the Ignatian Way in the province of LLeida. We continue our way to Montserrat, where we’ll have a guided visit. In the afternoon, it is possible to attend to the evening prayers in the Benedictine monastery of Montserrat.
Day 7: Manresa
In the morning, walk around the surroundings of the monastery of Montserrat and after that we’ll have the chance to attend to the well-known Coro de la Escolanía. Later we depart for Manresa. Visit to the cave where Ignatius spent several months. Transfer to Barcelona.
Day 8: Barcelona
During the morning we’ll have a panoramic tour of the city and later a visit to the major sites of Barcelona including Gaudi’s Basilica of the Sagrada Familia (Holy Family), Güell Park and Gaudi’s masterpieces. Later we’ll take a walk along the famous Ramblas of Barcelona.
Day 9: End of the trip
Free time in the morning to see Barcelona and later transfer to the airport.
*This program is only an example as the trip can be modified according to your interests by changing the length, including more excursions..just depending on the group desires.
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