Our group recently completed a memorable tour of Europe, a journey spanning from September 13, 2025, that combined cultural exploration with significant religious sites.
The tour commenced with a group assembly at Adelaide Airport, followed by an Emirates flight to Dubai, including a brief two-hour layover, before continuing to Lisbon. Upon arrival, the group settled into the hotel and immediately embarked on a Lisbon City tour following a brief period of rest. The evening concluded with a delightful dinner at the hotel.
Portugal and Spain: Faith and History
The next morning, an early breakfast preceded the transfer to Fátima. Here, the group visited the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima, celebrated a Holy Mass, and visited the homes of the three shepherds. The day ended with participation in the evening's Candlelight Procession.
Day three involved a six-hour journey to Ávila, Spain. The highlight was a guided walking tour through the walled city, including a visit to Saint Teresa's Convent, offering a profound glimpse into the medieval city and St. Teresa's life.
France: Marian Sanctuaries and City Lights
The following day was marked by an approximately eight-hour drive from Ávila to Lourdes, France. In the evening, the group attended a beautiful Candlelight Procession at the Sanctuary. The next morning, a Holy Mass was celebrated in the Sanctuary's Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, followed by a guided tour of the basilica.
Later that day, the group took a four-hour train journey to Paris, arriving in the evening. The arrival was celebrated with a scenic Seine River cruise. The subsequent morning included a visit to Notre Dame, where a Mass was concelebrated by Father Lancy and Father Shantosh. This was followed by a visit to the iconic Eiffel Tower, before heading to the train station for the journey to Switzerland.
Alpine Heights and Italian Wonders
The group's next destination was Zürich, followed by a transfer to Engelberg. The day's highlight was the visit to Mount Titlis, a journey requiring two cable cars to reach the summit. The experience was described as akin to "heaven."
The tour continued from Engelberg to Milan, Italy, for an overnight stay. The following morning included a Milan City Tour before the journey to Venice. From Tronchetto, a ferry transported the group to St. Mark's Square. In Venice, the group had the opportunity to celebrate Mass, and several members enjoyed a traditional gondola tour.
From Venice, the group traveled to Padova for an overnight stay, visiting the Basilica of St. Anthony of Padova the next morning. The journey then continued to Assisi, where the group visited the Basilicas of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Clare of Assisi. They also visited the tomb of Saint Carlo Acutis before the final leg of the tour to Rome.
Rome: The Eternal City
The first evening in Rome included a visit to the Colosseum, concluding with an early night. The following morning required an early start for the Papal Audience, described as the most significant event of the tour, with thousands gathering to see the Pope. The day concluded with shopping and a brief tour of St. Peter's Basilica.
The final full day was dedicated to visiting two of the major Papal Basilicas: St. Mary Major and the other major basilica on the itinerary, completing the spiritual and cultural itinerary of the European tour.
Dubai Interlude
The final stages of the tour included a two-day stopover in Dubai. The first day was unstructured, allowing participants free time for personal pursuits or relaxation at the hotel. The second day featured a comprehensive city tour, covering major landmarks such as the Gold Souk, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Mall, and Burj Khalifa, before concluding the entire journey with the transfer to Dubai Airport for the flight back to Adelaide.
The tour successfully balanced cultural immersion, historical exploration, and spiritual reflection across multiple European destinations, providing group members with a memorable and diverse travel experience.