Who leads the pilgrimages?

Every group travels with a licensed Christian guide in the Holy Land and is accompanied by a priest or pastor as spiritual director. We arrange daily Mass and liturgy at the holy sites. If you are a pastor bringing your own parish group, your travel is covered at no cost to you.

What makes Bethlehem Handicrafts different from other tour companies?

We are a Christian family from Bethlehem. We were the first Bethlehem olive wood family to open a store in America in the year 2000, and we still have our workshop in Bethlehem. When you travel with us you are hosted by a local family in the city of the Nativity, you can share a meal in our home, and you can visit the workshop where the olive wood of the holy sites is carved by hand. No outside operator can offer that.

Can you arrange a private pilgrimage for my parish or group?

Yes. Most of our pilgrimages are private departures built around a single parish, prayer group, or organization. Tell us your dates, your group size, and the shrines closest to your heart, and we will design the itinerary around them.

What is included in the price?

Our pilgrimages are arranged as complete packages: round trip airfare, first class and select hotels, daily breakfast and dinner, a private motorcoach, a licensed guide, all entrance fees to the holy sites, and daily Mass arrangements. We send a full inclusions list with every quote so there are no surprises.

How far in advance should we book?

Most groups begin planning six to twelve months ahead, which gives time to promote the trip in the parish and secure the best airfare and hotels. That said, we have organized pilgrimages on shorter notice. The first step is simply to tell us what you have in mind.

Is a Holy Land pilgrimage safe?

We have guided Christian groups to the Holy Land for more than two decades. We monitor conditions continuously, work only with trusted local partners, and will always give you an honest assessment for your dates. The safety and peace of mind of your group come first.

13 Day Fatima, Santiago, Lourdes and Barcelona Pilgrimage | Bethlehem Handicrafts Holy Land Pilgrimages

The Journey

13 Day Fatima, Santiago, Lourdes and Barcelona Pilgrimage

Four of Europe's most beloved Marian and apostolic shrines in one journey. Fatima, the tomb of Saint James at Santiago, the grotto of Lourdes, and Barcelona.

Day by day itinerary

A sample schedule. Every pilgrimage is private and can be shaped around your group, your feast days, and the shrines closest to your heart.

Day 1USA | LISBON

Depart for our overnight in flight to Lisbon, Portugal. We are served dinner and breakfast aloft

Day 2LISBON | SANTAREM | FATIMA

Upon arrival, visit various holy sites in Lisbon: St. Jerome Monastery, Tower of Belem, Christ of Lisbon, Alfama Quarters, Cathedral, Saint Anthony’s birthplace, Rossio square. At the end of the visits Depart to Santarem (Venerate the Eucharistic Miracle). Arrive in Fatima for the Rosary. Dinner and and Candlelight Procession

Day 3FATIMA

After Breakfast. Visit of Aljustrel and Os Valinhos birthplaces of Francisco, Jacinta and Lucia to whom the Virgin appeared for the first time on May 13th, 1917. Via Crucis in Os Valinhos, up to Loca do Cabeco, place of the 4th appearance of Our Lady. This afternoon is dedicated to visiting the Basilica and Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima. Visit of The Museum of the Shrine where is conserved the crown with the bullet that wounded John Paul II. In the evening we join the Rosary and candlelight procession. Dinner and overnight at our hotel

Day 4FATIMA | COIMBRA | BRAGA | SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

After Breakfast we transfer to Oporto. Stop to Coimbra to visit the monastery of St Teresa where sister Lucia Lived. Arrival in Braga and vist of the sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte. Lunch. In the afternoon transfer to Santiago de Compostela with stop in Valenca do Minho and Tui, to admire the magnificent Cathedral. Arrival in Santiago de Compostela, dinner and overnight

Day 5SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

Breakfast in Hotel. Morning city walking tour, visiting the Cathedral with the Tomb of St. James the Apostle, the Museum and Church of Santa Maria del Sar. Holy Mass at 12 with the Botafumeiro (giant thurible/incense burner). Lunch. In the afternoon excursion to Cabo Finisterre, Passing through the amazing town of Carnota and Muros. Visit of the church of Finisterre and the Sanctuary of the Virgin de La Barca. Return to Santiago for dinner and overnight

Day 6THE SANTIAGO’S CAMINO

Breakfast in Hotel. Today we will run by bus part of the overworld famous Camino (walk) to Santiago the Compostela. We will stop in Samos, a wonderful town in the mountains where we will visit the Benedictine Monastery. We will proceed to Leon where we will visit the magnificent Cathedral. Time for lunch. Departure to Silos where we will arrive in the evening. Vesper at Silos Monastery. Dinner and overnight hotel

Day 7SILOS | BURGOS | LOYOLA | SAN SEBASTIAN | LOURDES

After breakfast transfer to Lourdes. During this long trip we will stop in Burgos to admire the Cathedral, to Loyola to have Mass at the Monastery of St Igantius and in San Sebastian for time for Lunch. Arrival in Lourdes at evening. Dinner and overnight Lourdes

Day 8LOURDES

After breakfast, we begin with a visit to the Grotto. Concelebrated Mass at the Grotto. Our walking tour takes us to Boly Mill (the birthplace of St. Bernadette), the Cachot (the former jail, where she lived during the apparitions) and the local parish church. Rosary and candlelight procession. Dinner and overnight

Day 9LOURDES

Breakfast in Hotel. Mass and free time for personal devotions to Our Lady of Lourdes including, for those who wish, the legendary, healing waters of the miraculous Lourdes spring. Rosary and candlelight procession. Dinner and overnight

Day 10LOURDES | BARCELONA

Breakfast in Hotel and departure to Barcelona (450 km). Before the arrival, stop to vist the Benedectine Monastery of Montserrat, dedicated to Virgin Mary and point of arrival of many pilgrims since the eleventh century. Lunch. Arrival in Barcelona in the evening. Orientation tour and transfer to our Hotel. Dinner and overnight

Day 11BARCELONA

Breakfast in Hotel and full day guided visit of the capital city of Catalonia. Today we will start with The Sagrada Familia, the faboulous Basilica born from the Genius of the famous architect Gaudi. We will proceed visiting others samples of the Genius of Gaudì like Casa Batlló and the Park Guell. Dinner and overnight. (DAY 12), BARCELONA Breakfast in hotel and second day dedicated to the visit of the city. We will visit the Cathedral, the Ramblas and the Gothic quarter. Tie for lunch and free time for shopping. Dinner and overnight hotel

Day 12BARCELONA | USA

After breakfast, free time and transfer to the airport for the flight back to the United States

The Bethlehem difference

On every Holy Land journey you are hosted by our family in Bethlehem, welcome to share a meal in our home and to visit the workshop where the olive wood of the holy sites is carved by hand. It is the one thing no other tour operator can offer.

13 Day Fatima, Santiago, Lourdes and Barcelona Pilgrimage

13 Day Fatima, Santiago, Lourdes and Barcelona Pilgrimage

Day by day itinerary

The Bethlehem difference

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