A Catholic Pilgrimage through Portugal, Spain and France

October 9 – 19, 2023 / $4600, air-inclusive from Atlanta (ATL)

Join Father Vincent Bresowar of the Diocese of Birmingham, Alabama on the trip of a lifetime this fall! 

This pilgrimage begins in Lisbon, Portugal and concludes in Barcelona, Spain. Along the way we will visit some of the most incredible places and sacred sites found throughout the Iberian Peninsula, such as Fátima and Coimbra (Portugal), Salamanca, Ávila, Segovia, San Sebastian and Montserrat (Spain), and Lourdes (France).

We’ve selected beautiful four-star hotels for this pilgrimage, and a private coach and two professional guides will accompany us throughout the journey. There are only forty spaces available. Everything is included in the cost except daily lunch. Register today!

REGISTRATION DEADLINE APRIL 1, 2023

Explore Brochure & Detailed Itinerary →

See why this is truly the trip of a lifetime!

Quick Glance

From our custom-designed itinerary to private transportation and master guides, this trip promises an experience of Portugal, Spain and France that is truly one of a kind.

An Incredible Itinerary

This itinerary includes visits to Fátima, Lourdes, Lisbon, Barcelona, Ávila, San Sebastián, Montserrat and more.

A True Pilgrimage

Daily Mass in the most sacred churches and shrines of the Iberian Peninsula is the foundation of each day.

World-Class Amenities

Incredible four-star hotels, a private coach and dedicated tour professionals make this journey truly world-class.

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Food, Fun & Fellowship

Our small group size coupled with carefully selected dining menus promise a wonderful time for everyone.

TRIP DETAILS

Pricing & Registration

Payment Details

Payment can be made by check, e-check or credit card. Credit card payments incur a 3% surcharge.

$200.00 / due @ registration

$2200 - Due April 15, 2023
First Installment
$2200 - Due June 15, 2023
Second Installment
$800* - Due June 15, 2023
*This payment applies only to those desiring a single occupancy room.

Regular Price

See the brochure or FAQ section below for a full list of inclusions and exclusions.

$4600 / per person

Roundtrip Airfare from Atlanta (ATL)
Private Coach
9 Nights Lodging in Four Star Hotels
Daily Breakfast and Dinner
All Tours and Tickets
ProRome Tour Director & Local Guides

Cancellation

If you cancel, this applies. If you cancel within the no-refund date, we will refund if you find a replacement.

Our Policy

100 Days or More Before Tour
Full refund less $200.00 deposit
100-75 Days before Tour
50% Refund
Within 75 Days of Tour
No Refund

Planning Checklist

Register

In order to register simply fill out the form at the top this page! Your place on the trip is then secure!

Purchase Travel Insurance

We will send you an insurance quote as soon as you register. We strongly suggest everyone purchase travel insurance.

Upload Passport Information

Apply as soon as possible. NB - Passports that expire within six months of the travel dates are not valid to enter Europe.

Flight Information

Airline

The group is flying on Air France with one layover in each direction (Paris outbound, Amsterdam inbound). See the brochure for the detailed flight itinerary.

Seating

The group will be allocated a block of seats in the economy cabin of the airplane and seats will be assigned automatically during check-in. Passengers with the same last name will be seated next to each other.

Upgrades

As upgrades are not possible on group bookings, we suggest that you book the same flight as the group should you prefer to upgrade. In this event you will be given the “flying separately discount”, which is $1000. Please contact us for the correct group flight information and travel agency suggestions.

Our Team and Partners

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Frequently Asked Questions

Registration, Payments and Cancellation

In order to register please click on the “Register Now” button at the top of this webpage. We will then process your registration and contact you by email with more information.

For questions regarding cancellation, please refer to our Terms and Conditions found here: https://prorometours.com/terms-conditions/

Group Flight Itinerary

Outbound

October 9, 2023 AF 689 ATL to CDG 8:05 PM – 10:35 AM (10/10/23)

October 10, 2023 AF 1624 CDG to LIS 1:10 PM – 2:50 PM

Inbound

October 19, 2023 KL 1670 BCN to AMS 1:20 PM – 3:45 PM

October 19, 2023 KL 621 AMS to ATL 5:05 PM – 8:20 PM

Weather and Packing

The Weather 

You can expect mild weather across the Iberian Peninsula in October. Highs in the low 70s and lows in the low 50s. You should expect one or two rain days. 

Tip: Bring plenty of sunscreen and a hat as well as a light jacket.

Packing 

Please remember to bring at least two pairs of shoes – a pair for more formal occasions and a pair for touring. We will be walking (on average) two to five miles each day. Make sure your “tour shoes” are broken-in and comfortable. We would also suggest bringing one jacket for those evenings that you might enjoy strolling through town.

Tip: Many seasoned travelers pack the essentials in their carry-on bag, in case their luggage happens to get lost or delayed. 

Tour Dress and Dinner Dress Suggestions

Tour Dress

Comfort is paramount. We will be walking a lot and will be constantly getting on and off the bus. The most important thing to keep in mind is your feet. 

Tip: Worn-in walking shoes – preferably water proof – will serve you faithfully. Moleskin and baby powder might also come in handy!

Dinner Dress 

We call the dinner dress code “country club casual” or “smart casual. ” That means something like collared shirts and non-jeans pants for men, and a casual dress or pants with a nice top for women. These suggestions are by no means mandatory.

Meals and Beverages

The Meals and Beverages

Daily breakfast and dinner are included in the tour package. The main meal of the day has been pre-arranged and selected by ProRome. You can expect three or four bountiful courses – an appetizer, a main course, and a desert. Beverages are not included.

Tip: If you are allergic to something simply inform the tour director at the beginning of the trip. 

Tipping and Gratuities

We’ve included most gratuities in the cost of the trip except a suggested 20-40 EURO/USD per person tip for the Tour Director and the Bus Driver. 

Tipping in restaurants for drinks ordered at the bar is not customary. Some restaurants include a service fee, which covers the tip. Taxi drivers generally do not expect tips, but rounding up the fare to the nearest dollar is acceptable if you would like to tip. Tip hotel staff $1 per night for room service.

Placing Calls on Tour

If you are calling from an American phone number, you must dial the international “dial out” code first, which is “00”, or simply the “+” symbol. You must then dial the country code (USA is 1, Portugal is 351, Spain is 34, and France is 33), followed by the number.

NB – Remember to CONTACT YOUR SERVICE provider a few days before the trip and activate international calling on your phone.

Luggage Service at Hotels

Porterage is included in the price, but only one piece of luggage per person. We do not suggest that you travel with more than one piece of luggage, but if you do, please have a few euro available to tip your porter.

Country-Specific Information - Portugal

Quick Facts

  • Official Name: Portuguese Republic (República Portuguesa)
  • Population: 10.3 Million
  • Capital: Lisbon
  • Language: Portuguese
  • Type of Government: Unitary Semi-Presidential Constitutional Republic
  • Currency: Euro (€) (EUR)
  • Time Zone: Six hours ahead of EST
  • Most Popular Sport: Soccer (“Football”)
  • Industries: Clothing, Wine, Dairy Products, Glassware, Shipbuilding, Tourism

Basic Portuguese

  • Olá (oh-la): Hello
  • Boa noite (boh-ah noh-ee-chay): Good Evening
  • Adeus (ah-dee-oos): Goodbye
  • Por favor (poor fah-vor): Please
  • De nada (jay nah-dah): You’re welcome/No problem
  • Obrigada/o (oh-bree-gah-dah/doh): Thanks
  • Desculpe (jay-scool-pay): Sorry/Excuse me 
  • Sim (seem): Yes
  • Não (no): No
  • Você fala inglês (voh-say fah-luh een-glays): Do you speak English?
  • Eu não entendo (ay-oo now in-ten-doh): I don’t understand.
  • Quanto custa isso? (cwahn-toh coo-stah ee-so): How much does this cost?
  • Onde é (ohn-jay ay): Where is…?
  • Onde é o banheiro (ohn-jay ay oh bahn-eh-ee-roh): Where is the restroom?
  • Chá (shah): Tea
  • Café (ka-fay): Coffee
  • Saúde (sah-ooh-jay): Cheers
  • A conta (ah cohn-tah): Check
  • Numbers 0-10: Um (oohm), dois (doh-ees), três (trays), quatro (qua-troh), cinco (sink-oh), seis (says), sete (seh-chay), oito (oh-toh), nove (noh-vay), dez (days)
  • Days of the Week: Segunda (say-goon-duh), Terça (tear-sah), Quarta (cuar-tah), Quinta (queen-tah), Sexta (sex-tah), Sábado (sah-bah-doh), Domingo (Doh-meen-go)
  • Feliz aniversário (fay-leez ah-nee-vair-sahr-ee-oh): Happy birthday!

Visas and Passports

American passport holders are not required to obtain a visa prior to visiting Portugal for up to ninety days in any one hundred and eighty day period. If you hold a passport from another country, please check with your local consulate about requirements for travel to Portugal. All passengers traveling internationally are required to have a passport. Please carry proper identification (your passport) on your person and do not leave it in your suitcase or hotel room. International law requires you to carry your passport with you at all times.

Currency – The Euro

The official currency of Portugal is the Euro. 1 Euro is roughly $1.09. It is up to you whether you would like to exchange your USD for EUR for the trip. Most places will not accept USD, though they will take American credit and debit cards. In larger cities, it is possible to find authorized currency exchange vendors who will exchange USD for EUR, though their fees are rather high. Smaller shops will ask you to pay in cash or have a minimum amount required to use a credit or debit card. You should always carry some cash on you for small purchases such as postcards or a refreshing drink. 

Budgeting and Shopping

The following budget guidelines are just approximate values or starting values for meals and are per person. Actual prices vary widely by restaurant and city within a country, but below are some averages as provided by our experienced personnel. 

  • The approximate cost of a soft drink/mineral water/coffee is approximately $2, or €1.50.
  • An average lunch consisting of a salad or sandwich and a soda or water starts at approximately $10, or €8.50.
  • Dinner at a mid-range restaurant starts at approximately $25, or €20.

Please note that soft drinks and mineral water are often as expensive, if not more expensive than wine or beer. Sales tax or VAT (value added tax) is included on price tags. To obtain VAT refunds (which may take up to three months to process), special forms usually have to be stamped by Customs; please ask for a tax-free shopping form with each purchase and follow the instructions for completion. Customs import charges on items shipped home are not included in purchase prices.

Electrical Outlets

Portugal operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz. For Portugal, there are two associated plug types: C and F. Plug type C is the plug which has two round pins, and plug type F has two round pins with two earth clips on the side.. You will need to bring an adaptor for the plugs. Here is a link to one on Amazon.

Country-Specific Information - Spain

Quick Facts

  • Official Name: Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España)
  • Population: 47.3 Million
  • Capital: Madrid
  • Language: Spanish
  • Type of Government: Unitary Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy
  • Currency: Euro (€) (EUR)
  • Time Zone: Six hours ahead of EST
  • Most Popular Sport: Soccer (“Football”)
  • Industries: Automotive, Medical Technology, Textiles, Shipbuilding, Tourism

Basic Spanish

  • Hola (oh-la): Hello
  • Buenas noches (bweh-nas no-chase): Good Evening
  • Adiós (ah-dee-ohs): Goodbye
  • Por favor (poor fah-vor): Please
  • De nada (day nah-dah): You’re welcome/No problem
  • Gracias (grah-see-ahs): Thanks
  • Perdóneme (pare-doh-nay-may): Excuse me 
  • Lo siento (loh see-en-toh): Sorry
  • Si (see): Yes
  • No (no): No
  • Habla usted Ingles? (ah-blah oo-sted een-glays): Do you speak English?
  • No comprendo (no com-prayn-doh): I don’t understand.
  • ¿Cuánto cuesta este? (kwahn-toh coo-ays-tah es-tay): How much does this cost?
  • Dónde está (don-day ay-stah): Where is…?
  • Dónde está el baño (don-day ay-stah el ban-yo): Where is the restroom?
  • Té (tay): Tea
  • Café (ka-fay): Coffee
  • Salud (sah-lood): Cheers
  • Cheque (check): Check
  • Numbers 0-10: Uno (oo-no), dos (dose), tres (trays), cuatro (qua-troh), cinco (sink-oh), seis (says), siete (see-eh-tay), ocho (oh-cho), nueve (noo-eh-vay), dies (dee-ays)
  • Days of the Week: Lunes (loon-ays), Martes (mar-tays), Miércoles (mee-air-coh-lays), Jueves (who-ay-vays), Viernes (vee-air-nays), Sábado (sah-bah-doh), Domingo (Doh-meen-go)
  • Feliz cumpleaños (fay-leez coom-play-an-yos): Happy birthday!

Visas and Passports

American passport holders are not required to obtain a visa prior to visiting Spain for up to ninety days in any one hundred and eighty day period. If you hold a passport from another country, please check with your local consulate about requirements for travel to Spain. All passengers traveling internationally are required to have a passport. Please carry proper identification (your passport) on your person and do not leave it in your suitcase or hotel room. International law requires you to carry your passport with you at all times.

Currency – The Euro

The official currency of Spain is the Euro. 1 Euro is roughly $1.09. It is up to you whether you would like to exchange your USD for EUR for the trip. Most places will not accept USD, though they will take American credit and debit cards. In larger cities, it is possible to find authorized currency exchange vendors who will exchange USD for EUR, though their fees are rather high. Smaller shops will ask you to pay in cash or have a minimum amount required to use a credit or debit card. You should always carry some cash on you for small purchases such as postcards or a refreshing drink. 

Budgeting and Shopping

The following budget guidelines are just approximate values or starting values for meals and are per person. Actual prices vary widely by restaurant and city within a country, but below are some averages as provided by our experienced personnel. 

  • The approximate cost of a soft drink/mineral water/coffee is approximately $2, or €1.50.
  • An average lunch consisting of a salad or sandwich and a soda or water starts at approximately $14, or €12.
  • Dinner at a mid-range restaurant starts at approximately $30, or €25.

Please note that soft drinks and mineral water are often as expensive, if not more expensive than wine or beer. Sales tax or VAT (value added tax) is included on price tags. To obtain VAT refunds (which may take up to three months to process), special forms usually have to be stamped by Customs; please ask for a tax-free shopping form with each purchase and follow the instructions for completion. Customs import charges on items shipped home are not included in purchase prices.

Electrical Outlets

Spain operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz. For Spain, there is one associated plug type: C. Plug type C is the plug which has two round pins.. You will need to bring an adaptor for the plugs. Here is a link to one on Amazon.

Country-Specific Information - France

Quick Facts

  • Official Name: Republic of France (République française)
  • Population: 67.9 Million
  • Capital: Paris
  • Language: French
  • Type of Government: Unitary Semi-Presidential Republic
  • Currency: Euro (€) (EUR)
  • Time Zone: Six hours ahead of EST
  • Most Popular Sport: Soccer (“Football”)
  • Industries: Energy, Manufacturing and Technology, Transportation, Tourism

Basic French

  • Bonjour (bone-joor): Hello/Good Morning
  • Bonsoir (bone-swar): Good Evening
  • Au revoir (oh ruh-vwar): Goodbye
  • S’il vous plaît (See voo play): Please
  • De rien (Duh ree-en): You’re welcome/No problem
  • Merci (mare-see): Thanks
  • Pardon: Excuse me 
  • Désolé (day-so-lay): Sorry
  • Oui (wee): Yes
  • Non (non): No
  • Parlez-vous anglais? (par-lay voo an-glay): Do you speak English?
  • Je ne comprends pas. (juh nuh com-prone pah): I don’t understand.
  • Combien ça coûte? (comb-bee-en sa coot): How much does this cost?
  • Où est…? (ooh ay): Where is…?
  • Où sont les toilettes? (ooh sont lay twa-lets): Where is the restroom?
  • Thé (tay): Tea
  • Café (ka-fay): Coffee
  • Santé (sahn-tay): Cheers
  • Chèque (check): Check
  • Numbers 0-10: Un (ohn), deux (duh), troi (twah), quatre (cat), cinq (sank), six (sees), sept (set), huit (hweet), neuf (nuhf), dix (dees)
  • Days of the Week: Lundi (loon-dee), Mardi (mar-dee), Mercredi (mare-cruh-dee), Jeudi (joo-dee), Vendredi (von-druh-dee), Samedi (sem-dee), Dimanche (dee-mahnch)
  • Bon anniversaire (bone an-nee-vayr-sayr): Happy birthday!

Visas and Passports

American passport holders are not required to obtain a visa prior to visiting France for up to ninety days in any one hundred and eighty day period. If you hold a passport from another country, please check with your local consulate about requirements for travel to France. All passengers traveling internationally are required to have a passport. Please carry proper identification (your passport) on your person and do not leave it in your suitcase or hotel room. International law requires you to carry your passport with you at all times.

Currency – The Euro

The official currency of France is the Euro. 1 Euro is roughly $1.09. It is up to you whether you would like to exchange your USD for EUR for the trip. Most places will not accept USD, though they will take American credit and debit cards. In larger cities, it is possible to find authorized currency exchange vendors who will exchange USD for EUR, though their fees are rather high. Smaller shops will ask you to pay in cash or have a minimum amount required to use a credit or debit card. You should always carry some cash on you for small purchases such as postcards or a refreshing drink. 

Budgeting and Shopping

The following budget guidelines are just approximate values or starting values for meals and are per person. Actual prices vary widely by restaurant and city within a country, but below are some averages as provided by our experienced personnel. 

  • The approximate cost of a soft drink/mineral water/coffee is approximately $2-3, or €3.50.
  • An average lunch consisting of a salad or sandwich and a soda or water starts at approximately $16, or €14.
  • Dinner at a mid-range restaurant starts at approximately $35, or €30.

Please note that soft drinks and mineral water are often as expensive, if not more expensive than wine or beer. Sales tax or VAT (value added tax) is included on price tags. To obtain VAT refunds (which may take up to three months to process), special forms usually have to be stamped by Customs; please ask for a tax-free shopping form with each purchase and follow the instructions for completion. Customs import charges on items shipped home are not included in purchase prices.

Electrical Outlets

France operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz. For France, there are two associated plug types: C and E. Plug type C is the plug which has two round pins, and plug type E is the plug which has two round pins and a hole for the socket’s male earthing pin. You will need to bring an adaptor for the plugs. Here is a link to one on Amazon.

Crisis Management

The following scenarios are typical “crisis” situations that may occur while on tour Italy and how to best prevent and manage them. Please read. If you would like to read our full plan please download it here: https://prorometours.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/ProRome-Crisis-Management-Plan-.pdf

You Get Lost

This is a common occurrence. First of all, stay put. Most folks who get really lost do so by running in the wrong direction! Your tour manager will find you if you stay put. If you have a cell phone, please call your tour manager, or any other group member you may be in contact with. If you cannot dial “+” on your phone, dial “00” followed by “1”, followed by the number. If after 30 minutes you are unable to reach your tour manager and cannot find the group, proceed to the nearest Taxi stand and have a cab take you back to the hotel. The hotel address can be found below. If you do not see a cab stand nearby, enter the nearest hotel and ask the concierge to call you a cab. Upon arrival at the hotel please call your tour manager and let him know that you have returned to the hotel. 

You Lose Your Phone, Wallet or Passport 

Nine times out of ten, this can be prevented. Theft is not uncommon in city centers, so remember to keep your valuables as protected as possible. Fanny packs under the shirt are ideal. If you use a purse or backpack, hold it in front especially in crowds. Be aware of your surroundings and keep an eye on those around you as well. If you do lose your phone, wallet or passport, inform your tour manager immediately. We will then inform the local authorities and say a prayer to St. Anthony! The US embassy can turn around new passports within a few hours, but expect a hefty fee – 500 dollars!

You Get Injured 

Again, nine times out of ten we can prevent personal injuries by following rules and guidelines that are put in place. That includes never standing while the bus is moving, only crossing the street at crosswalks, and wearing sturdy walking shoes and keeping your eyes on the road. If you do experience an injury, inform your tour manager immediately. If necessary, we will arrange emergency transportation to the nearest hospital for care.

Dehydration and Fatigue

It is crucially important to begin hydration at least three days prior to departure, and to increase your electrolyte intake as well. Touring in autumn can be deceiving, because while you may not feel thirsty in 70 degree weather, your body will nonetheless require lots of water. Always carry a water bottle with you. If you do experience dizziness, a fever or sudden fatigue, notify your tour manager immediately and sit still. If necessary, we will arrange emergency transportation to the nearest hospital for care.

Reading Suggestions

If you are interested in learning more about the places you will be visiting, here are some suggestions for reading and research before your trip.

 

The Four Gospels

The Acts of the Apostles

In the Steps of the Master, by H. V. Morton

The Pilgrimage of Egeria

 

Geography:

https://daahl.ucsd.edu/DAAHL/Home.php

https://www.bibleplaces.com/sites/

http://www.openbible.info/geo/atlas/

 

Biblical History:

The Harvest Handbook of Bible Lands, by Steven Collins and Joseph M. Holden

The Holy Land: An Oxford Archaeological Guide, by Jerome Murphy-O’Connor

A New Testament Guide to the Holy Land, by Fr. John J. Kilgallen

Paths of the Messiah: And Sites of the Early Church from Galilee to Jerusalem, by Bargil Pixner

Spiritual Preparation

In anticipation of your pilgrimage, prepare yourself physically if your journey requires it, but above all else you must prepare spiritually. Meditate on why God is calling you to embark on this journey. Are there intentions that you bring with you? Research the saints associated with your destinations and ask for their intercession as you follow in their footsteps. Make a habit of prayer and spiritual preparation as you approach the date of departure.