Monastic Trails and Religious Architecture

 Illume’s special initiative includes a week in Barcelona with three day-excursions to nearby sites including the magnificent Benedictine Abbey of Montserrat, perched high in a breathtaking mountain range (where St. Ignatius had a profound conversion), to Manresa (where he began writing the Spiritual Exercises), to Poblet (an impressive Cistercian monastery), and Tarragona (a coastal medieval village with ruins that go back to Roman times).  The program includes a special visit to the breathtaking Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, one of the most important religious structures to emerge in our day.  Benefit from travel during a time of the year when crowds are thinner, access to sites is much nicer, and prices are more affordable.    

Program Details:

Prices

Includes: 6-nights accommodations in a 4-star centrally located hotel, breakfast daily, a wine tasting, two lunches, two dinners at local restaurants, local transportation by deluxe motorcoach, a full-time local tour manager and guide, entrances and guided visits per the itinerary, arrangements for private group liturgy, and prayer at religious sites

For groups of 20-45, prices per person in double occupancy are as follows:

$2125-$2250 per person with one complimentary person
$2185-$2350 per person with two complimentary persons
Single room supplement: $675.00

Program Prices based on availability of hotels.

Group airfare, if desired, is additional.
 

Dates

November 2019 through March 2020 (except December 26-January 2; February 22-March 1)

Program Includes:
Accommodations at 4 star centrally located hotel (HCC Regente, or similar)
Roundtrip airport transfers (if program includes a group flight) with English speaking assistance
Guided walking tour of the Gothic quarter and Cathedral
Guided visit of Sagrada Familia and Parc Guell
Full day excursion to Montserrat and Manresa
Full day excursion to Poblet
Full day excursion to Tarraonga
Buffet breakfast daily
Welcome dinner with beverages at a local restaurant
Wine tasting and luncheon in Poblet
Luncheon in Tarragona or Gerona
Farewell dinner with paella and beverages at a local restaurant

Prices subject to availability.

Program Itinerary:

Liturgies can be arranged at historic sites throughout the itinerary.

Day 1:    Depart the USA for Barcelona. 

Day 2:Arrival Barcelona. If the program includes a group flight, you will be met by an English speaking assistant and motorcoach and transfer to city-center hotel. Afternoon guided walking tour of the historical center of town - the Gothic Quarter - including the Cathedral, the excavations under the Cathedral, and other points of interest in the narrow winding pedestrian area. Welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight Barcelona.

Day 3:    Breakfast. This morning we will visit the spectacular Basilica of Sagrada Familia, Gaudi's masterpiece of light, glass, pillars and arches. We continue afterwards with a visit to Parc Guell - another Gaudi masterpiece - a residence built on a hill overlooking Barcelona. The afternoon and evening will be free for participants to enjoy Las Ramblas and other sites in Barcelona. Overnight Barcelona.

Day 4:Breakfast. Today we enjoy an excursion to the historic abbey of Montserrat - perched high in a unique mountain range about 1 hour outside of Barcelona. The abbey is famous for the Black Madonna. We will arrive in time for mid-day prayer (often sung by the resident Boys Choir). There will be time to enjoy the grounds and hike some of the trails to historic hermitages and shrines. Later in the afternoon we will visit nearby Manresa to see the Cave of St. Ignatius. This was where St. Ignatius came after his visit to Montserrat and where he began elaborating his Spiritual Exercises. We then return to Barcelona for evening at leisure. Overnight Barcelona.
Here's a video showcasing the kinds of breathtaking views you'll experience in Montserrat:

Day 5:Breakfast. Today we enjoy an excursion to the inspiring Monastery of Poblet. This is one of the largest and best preserved of the Cistercian Monasteries built in the 12th century just after the re-conquest of the area from the Moors. After our tour of the monastery, we will enjoy a wine tasting and luncheon in the area. We return after lunch to Barcelona for late afternoon/evening at leisure. Overnight Barcelona.

Day 6:Breakfast. This morning we will enjoy an excursion to Tarragona. The city was first established as a Roman colony in the 3rd century BCE. We will visit the impressive Roman ruins and amphitheatre running along the waterfront as well as the archaeological museum and the Paleo-Christian necropolis from the 3rd through 7th centuries. Later we will enjoy a casual walking tour of the medieval center including a light lunch. We return later to Barcelona for late afternoon and evening at leisure.

Alternatively, enjoy a morning excursion to Gerona. The city’s 2000 year is preserved within its medieval walls. We will visit the best preserved Jewish Quarter in the world, its history spanning 500 years, and the monumental Gothic Cathedral. We continue then to Figueres. Visit the Dali Theatre-Museum and Dali jewels. A light lunch is included today before return to Barcelona for late afternoon and evening at leisure. Overnight Barcelona.

Day 7:Breakfast. Today is a day of leisure in Barcelona. Assistance will be provided to facilitate visits to museums and sites in Barcelona. This evening we gather for a farewell dinner at a seaside restaurant featuring paella. Overnight Barcelona.

Day 8:    Breakfast. Transfer to the airport for return flight(s) to the USA. 

Illume’s Barcelona initiative is perfect for church groups, academic groups, a gathering of family or friends or an inspiring venue for a meeting of trustees, business associates or organizational leaders.    

Whether you'd like to take advantage of this itinerary or customize a group travel program on the dates of your choosing, call us at 800.368.6757 x131 or submit the form below to begin planning.

For more information on other destinations: Holy Land - Rome/Assisi - Portugal - Greece