Our Lady of the Lake

Join Father Tim Clark on an inspiring journey to the heart of Spain.  This is a customized itinerary exploring castles, monasteries, cathedrals, universities and museums in historic towns around Madrid.  We will base the first part of our program in an ancient Roman hill town – Segovia – that has evolved over the centuries to include a aqueduct, a towering castle, and narrow charming streets winding up and down the hillside.  We will visit nearby Avila, home to St. Teresa of Avila and Salamanca, one of the first universities in Europe.  Our time in Segovia will enable us to feel a part of the land and people of central Spain.  We continue then to the cosmopolitan city of Madrid where we will explore museums, public squares and palaces.  Included will be a day excursion to the enchanting medieval hill town of Toledo, famous for its prominent Jewish community in medieval times and its artist – El Greco – in the 16th century.  The town has one of the more impressive cathedrals in Spain.  The program includes first class accommodations, local expert guides, great food, and a rich itinerary and set of cultural activities.  Come join us! 

Program Itinerary

Thursday, October 31, 2019
Depart Seattle for Madrid.

Friday, November 1, 2019
Arrival Madrid.  Your tour manager would meet you at the airport and accompany you in private motorcoach to Segovia - a beautiful medieval hill town outside of Madrid. On arrival, check into hotel with time to relax, adjust to new time zone and freshen up a bit.  Mid to late-afternoon see the Roman Aqueduct and do a bit of a walking orientation – including visit to the Cathedral with a welcome liturgy. Dinner at hotel/overnight.

Saturday, November 2, 2019
Breakfast.  Day excursion to El Escorial – the monastic complex and palace of the King of Spain.  This is a spectacular site about 45 minutes from Segovia.  Visit the site.    Return to Segovia. Light lunch in a local restaurant. Visit to the Alcazar.  Visit Monastery of St. Jonn of the Cross Discalced Carmelites.  Mass there.  Evening at leisure/overnight Segovia.

Sunday, November 3, 2019
Breakfast  Day excursion to Avila (less than an hour distance)  – with visit to sites associated with St. Teresa – the Monastery of the Incarnation (with Mass), the Convent of St. Teresa and the Cathedral.  Free time for people to get a bite on their own and explore town center at leisure.  Return to Segovia with some free time.  Dinner at a local restaurant/overnight Segovia.

Monday, November 4, 2019
Breakfast.  Travel to Salamanca (about an hour or less) with stop en route to see tomb of St. Teresa of Avila. Guided visit to the Plaza Mayor and University of Salamanca.  Give people free time for lunch and to explore area around university and plaza mayor.  Then return to Segovia.  Evening at leisure.
 
Tuesday, November 5, 2019
Breakfast.  Travel to Madrid. Check into hotel.  Give people some time to unpack, get a snack.  In afternoon, walking tour of the historic center including the Plaza Mayor and historic streets – and either the Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales or Real Monasterio de la Encarnacion or the Palacio Real.  Mass in historic center.  Include a light tapas experience around the Plaza Mayor for the group.  Rest of evening at leisure.  Overnight Madrid.

Wednesday, November 6, 2019
Breakfast. Day excursion to Toledo.  On arrival, a walking tour of the Jewish Quarter – one of the important centers of Judaism in Spain – and a fertile area of interaction between Jews, Muslims and Christians at one time.  Visit the Sinagoga del Transito – a beautiful historic synagogue and museum of Sephardic Judaism. Visit other historic synagogues – turned into Churches.  Lunch in Toledo. Afternoon walking tour of the Cathedral (with Mass) and sites associated with El Greco.  Some free time.  Return to Madrid for overnight.

Thursday, November 7, 2019
Breakfast.  Morning guided visit to the famous Prado Museum.  Afternoon at leisure (some might want to visit the incredible/newly renovated Museo Archaeologica Nacional – with many interesting prehistoric artifacts from caves in the Pyrenees.   Farewell liturgy and dinner this evening at a local restaurant.  Overnight Madrid.

Friday, November 8, 2019
Breakfast.  Transfer to airport for return flight to USA.

Inclusive Features:

Roundtrip flights Seattle-Madrid, 7-nights accommodations in centrally located 4-star hotels, breakfast daily, two lunches, one tapas experience, three dinners with beverages, local transportation via deluxe motorcoach, a full-time local tour manager and guide, and entrances and guided visits per the itinerary

Complete Program Prices:

Includes group airfare and airport transfers
$3350 per person based on double occupancy
$485 supplement for single occupancy

Land Only Program Prices:

Excludes all airfare and airport transfers
$2800 per person based on double occupancy
$485 supplement for single occupancy

Please note: Single rooms for single use are limited to 10% of the total number of rooms reserved. Should additional single rooms be requested, hotels may impose a higher supplement for all single rooms of $700. If you have selected double occupancy but no roommate is available due to uneven numbers or if your roommate should cancel you will be in a single room and responsible for the single room supplement.

All prices listed are discounted for payment by check. When paying with a credit card, you will be charged the standard base price, which is 5% higher.

All program prices are based on availability of services at the time registration material is received; currency exchange rates in effect January 29, 2019—and on 2019 land and air tariffs—and are subject to change. All services are provided subject to Illume’s Conditions and Clauses.

The program prices will be reviewed before the invoices for the final payment are mailed, and will reflect the current prices.

Program Registration:

With questions, please contact:

Father Tim Clark
frtim@ollseattle.org
(206) 523-6776  111

Step 1: Complete the Event Registration Form before March 20, 2019.

EVENT REGISTRATION FORM

Step 2: Submit your $800 deposit check per person to Fr. Clark not later than March 20, 2019.

Checks should be made payable to illume. Please include the program number 19.10524 on the memo line.

You will receive a Welcome E-mail from illume after March 20, 2019. You will also receive a link to add optional Travel Insurance/Protection to your program at that time.

A second non-refundable deposit of $1800 per person due not later than: May 20, 2019

Balance of payment due not later than: August 2, 2019

Note: Any changes to the program will be outlined in the final documents which you will receive one month prior to departure. If changes are made that affect the program price, you will receive an invoice or a credit accordingly.

Registrations will be accepted after March 20 on a space-available basis. Additional costs may apply. Contact illume for pricing and availability after March 20.

Program No. 19.10524