Portugal's Madeira Island
Fatima & Lisbon
Portugal's Madeira Island, Fatima and Lisbon
October 6th -15th, 2025
with Fr. Chris Gaffrey, OFM
Fr. Chris is a Franciscan Friar, spiritual director, and retreat leader. He has worked in parish ministry, retreat ministry, and healing ministry.
Discover Portugal—the place chosen by Heaven to host the Blessed Virgin Mother on her earthly mission 108 years ago! Be in the Marian city of Fatima to celebrate the anniversary of the last apparition and the miracle of the sun! Also travel to the beautiful island of Madeira, Nazare (seaside Marian shrine) and Lisbon (birthplace of St. Anthony)!
Highlights
- The Island of Madeira—“Floating Garden of the Atlantic”
- The Monte Church—learn about the life of Blessed Carl, Emperor of Austria
- The beautiful Fatima Sanctuary for the Oct. 13, 2025, 108th anniversary celebration
- The peaceful and quaint hamlet of Aljustrel to visit the children’s homes and other places of heavenly apparitions
- Nightly Rosary & Candlelight Processions
- Monastery of Batalha
- Scenic fishing village of Nazare with the Marian Shrine of Nazare
- Maritime capital of Lisbon—birthplace of St. Anthony (of Padua)
Tour Itinerary
Day 1
Evening departure from Newark on TAP Air Portugal Airlines on a non-stop flight to Lisbon.
Day 2
Morning arrival in Lisbon to connect to our flight to Madeira Island, “Floating Garden of the Atlantic,” situated 500 miles southwest of mainland Portugal. Mid-morning arrival in Madeira’s capital city of Funchal and transfer to our hotel in the city center. Afternoon free to explore the city at leisure.
Day 3
Set out on an unforgettable island excursion! Beginning on the coastal road, drive to the fishing village of Camara Dos Lobos (a favorite of Winston Churchill) and Ribeiro Brava. See the fascinating Laurissilva forest, with its lush vegetation. Drive to Porto Moniz, noted for its natural rock pools, for lunch. Return to Funchal by way of the mysterious plateau and uplands of the Paul da Serra. Overnight in Funchal.
Day 4
Morning tour of Funchal and the mountainous area surrounding the city (the Monte). Learn of the exile to this island of Blessed Karl I, last emperor of the Hapsburg Dynasty in Austria-Hungary, a true apostle of the reforms of social justice called for in the papal encyclical Rerum Novarum, and the only ruler in Europe to support Pope Benedict XV’s peace initiative during WWI. See the place where he and his family lived and where he died a holy death in 1922 and the Church of Our Lady of the Monte where he is buried. Then take an exciting wicker-back toboggan ride down to the historic center of Funchal to visit a beautiful 15th-century cathedral and a vibrant city market where we will learn of Madeira’s most famous exports; wine and embroidered linens. This afternoon is free to explore Funchal on your own or to just relax with beautiful views of the Atlantic. Overnight in Funchal.
Day 5
We bid farewell to beautiful Maderia Island. Depart from Funchal on a nonstop to Lisbon. Upon arrival in Lisbon meet our coach for the drive north to Fatima. Time permitting make a stop in the city of Santarem to visit the Church of St. Stephen where you can view a 13th century Eucharistic Miracle. Late afternoon arrival and check-in at hotel in Fatima. This evening there is an International Rosary followed by a candlelight procession in the Sanctuary of Fatima (nightly). Overnight in Fatima.
Day 6
The quaint hamlet of Aljustrel where the shepherd children lived with their familys is on our itinerary today. Take in the unspoiled beauty of the fields of olive trees as we walk along a cobblestone path (Hungarian Stations of the Cross) to Valinhos (place of the August 1917 Marian apparition) and Loca Cabeco (place of the Angel's apparitions in 1916). Also see the original homes of the shepherds and the church of their baptism. Enjoy the rest of the day in Fatima to take in the holy Sanctuary and surrounding area. See the chapel where the apparitions took place and the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary wherein are the tombs of the shepherd children. Also visit the Peace & Light Museum to see the amazing gifts given to the shrine over the years.
Day 7
Today enjoy an excursion to the Silver Coast of the Atlantic. Along the way stop at a historic landmark attesting to the ages of faith in Portugal; the 14th Century Gothic Monastery of Batalha, built to thank the Blessed Virgin Mary for a great victory that secured Portugal’s independence. Upon reaching the Atlantic, enjoy the fishing village of Nazare with one of the highest sea cliffs in Europe. Visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Nazare, founded by King Ferdinand I in 1377, wherein is kept a revered image of Our Lady nursing the Child Jesus, traditionally believed to have been carved by St. Luke in the 4th century. Lunch overlooking the. Atlantic before a late afternoon return to Fatima. The Rosary this evening at the shrine opens the vigil for the October 13, 1917 apparition.
Day 8
On this day, 108 years ago, as the shepherd children played in the fields and tended their flock, the Blessed Virgin came to them for the last time performing a miracle of the sun. Join with thousands of pilgrims at the shrine in an anniversary ceremony beginning with the Rosary followed by Holy Mass, a Blessing of the Sick and Procession of the Pilgrim Virgin statue as multitudes of faithful wave white handkerchiefs as a sign of farewell to Our Lady. This afternoon is free to explore Fatima on your own. Overnight in Fatima.
Day 9
Morning check-out and departure for Lisbon, the maritime city of St. Anthony. Mid-morning arrival and visit to the Poor Clares convent, a former orphanage that little Jacinta of Fatima stayed at before her death in a Lisbon hospital. Next, drive along the scenic River Tagus, passing by historical monuments telling of Portugal's great Age of Discoveries. Lastly visit the church built over St. Anthony's birthplace. Late afternoon arrival and check-in at our hotel in Lisbon for our farewell dinner. Overnight in Lisbon.
Day 10
Morning flight departure from Lisbon to Newark.
Tour Details
Cost: $3975 (based on double room occupancy; add $650 for single)
Call for the cost from other cities of departure
Includes:
R/T non-stop airfare from Newark on Tap Air Portugal
All airport taxes
Land transportation by luxury motorcoach
3 & 4* hotels with private bath
Breakfast & Dinner daily & 3 lunches
Guided touring as indicated on itinerary
Daily Holy Mass
Cost is based on double room occupancy
Add $650 for a single room occupancy
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