October 29 – November 12
The Carmelite Institute invites you to join noted Carmelite Scholars Daniel Chowning, OCD, Steven Payne, OCD, Patrick McMahon, O. Carm. on an immersive journey into the heart and homeland of Saint Teresa of Avila, Saint and Doctor of the Church.
This travelling seminar will include presentations, prayer services and conversation to open up Saint Teresa’s world and spiritual insights for you. Our trip is more than pilgrimage. It is an opportunity to learn, be inspired, and take home a new understanding of the truths that Saint Teresa reveals about God and the life of prayer.
Detailed brochures are available by contacting Cathy VanGeldren at Great Experiences, Inc.: greatexinc@verizon.net or 201-825-3725.
Your Leaders on this Trip:
Rev. Patrick McMahon, OCarm, Rev. Daniel Chowning, OCD, Rev. Steven Payne, OCD
Tentative Itinerary
THURSDAY – 29 OCTOBERÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â CHICAGO, NEWARK, NEW JERSEY
Please plan to check in at O’HARE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT no later than 12:00 NOON for UNITED  AIRLINES #436 which is scheduled to depart at 3:00PM arriving into NEWARK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT at 6:14PM; continue on UNITED AIRLINES #062, which is scheduled to depart at 8:35PM. Dinner will be served after departure.                     Â
FRIDAY – 30 OCTOBERÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â MADRID & AVILA,. SPAIN
Arrive into MADRID at 10:05am. Collect your luggage and pass through CUSTOMS to be met by the professional tour manager who will be with you throughout your stay in SPAIN. You will be shown the way to a nearby DeLuxe motorcoach on which transportation will be provided to AVILA, the one time home of SANTA TERESA. Check into THE PALACIO DE LOS VELADA upon arrival followed with time to relax from your journey. Join us for dinner in the hotel followed with a welcome get-together.
SATURDAY – 31 OCTOBER, AVILA
AVILA is set within magnificent 11th Century walls. Begin the day in the CARMELITE CONVENT CHURCH OF SAN JOSE followed with a tour of the major sites of importance in the life of SANTA TERESA. The afternoon provides you with the opportunity for prayer and reflection as well as time to explore the village on your own. Dine in the hotel.Â
SUNDAY – 1 NOVEMBER, SEGOVIA, Â AVILA
You will be driven a short distance to SEGOVIA (a world heritage UNESCO site) to begin your visit at the church containing the tomb of SAINT JOHN OF THE CROSS and THE CARMELITE CONVENT OF SAINT JOHN OF THE CROSS. Continue afterward to visit THE ALCAZAR (the llth Century Palace where QUEEN ISABEL agreed to fund CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS journey to THE NEW WORLD), LA IGLESIA DE LA VERA CRUZ (a Romanesque church which was constructed by THE KNIGHTS OF THE TEMPLAR and modeled after the CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE in JERUSALEM) to view the AQUEDUCT and to leisurely experience the many winding streets with interesting buildings and craft shops).  Return to AVILA at the conclusion of your visit to SEGOVIA; dine in your hotel.Â
MONDAY – 2 NOVEMBER, FONTIVEROS, SALAMANCA
Depart from AVILA this morning en route to FONTIVEROS to visit the CHURCH constructed over the birthplace of SAINT JOHN OF THE CROSS. After your visit continue to SALAMANCA and check into the centrally located ALAMEDA PALACE HOTEL. Dinner will be served in the hotel; afterward you surely will want to enjoy the sites and sounds of the main Piazza (one of the largest and most beautiful in EUROPE).
TUESDAY – 3 NOVEMBER, SALAMANCA, ALBA DE TORMES
A morning walking tour will include many sites of interest such as THE UNIVERSITY (the oldest in SPAIN), CASA DE LAS CONCHAS (the HOUSE OF SHELLS), CATHEDRAL VIEJA (the old Cathedral), and the CONVENTO DE LAS DUENAS (a former palace and one of the most popular sites in the “old cityâ€). Have lunch where you choose before being taken to nearby ALBA DE TORMES to celebrate MASS in the CONVENTO DE CARMELITAS ( containing relics of SANTA TERESA); afterward return to SALAMANCA. Dinner will once again be served in the hotel.                                  Â
WEDNESDAY – 4 NOVEMBER, MEDINA DEL CAMPO, VALLADOLID
Check into LA VEGA HOTEL and visit the site in Medina del Campo where Teresa made her second foundation in 1567, and met Saint John of the Cross for the first time. In the afternoon, visit the site of Teresa’s fourth foundation in Valladolid, where John of the Cross served as Confessor to Saint Teresa’s nuns. Dinner will be served at the La Vega hotel.
THURSDAY – 5Â NOVEMBER, TOLEDO
You will be driven South this morning en route to TOLEDO (where churches, synagogues and mosques stand together as a testament to the medieval city’s rich diversity).  The beauty of the city and its surroundings inspired many of the EL GREGO’S paintings which are on view throughout the city. Visit THE CONVENT OF SAINT JOSEPH (opened in 1569 by SANTA TERESA) as well as THE CATHEDRAL, the home of EL GRECO, the MONASTERY OF SAINT JOHN OF THE KINGS and THE JEWISH QUARTER before checking into THE ALFONSO VI HOTEL where dinner will be served.
FRIDAY – 6 NOVEMBER, MADRID
Depart for MADRID where art and culture are central. You will be taken to experience the REINA SOPHIA and PRADO MUSEUMS before checking into THE HOTEL HUSA DEL ARTE. In the late afternoon you will be taken on a sightseeing tour past many of the city’s most important monuments (such as THE ROYAL PALACE, THE OPERA HOUSE and ALMUDENA CATHEDRAL (which was consecrated in 1993 by POPE JOHN PAUL II). Conclude with dinner in traditional restaurant.
SATURDAY – 7 NOVEMBER, MADRID, NEWARK, CHICAGO
Depart from your hotel this morning. Transportation will be provided to the airport to check in for UNITED AIRLINES #063 which will depart at 11:25am and arrive into NEWARK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT at 2:25pm, continuing to CHICAGO on UNITED AIRLINES #708 which will depart at 5:00pm and arrive at 6:39pm.
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SEVILLEÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Transportation will be provided to the rail station to board AVE (the fast train) en route to SEVILLE. Board a DeLuxe motorcoach on which transportation will be provided to THE HOTEL MELIA SEVILLA where dinner will be served.
SUNDAY – 8 NOVEMBER, Â SEVILLE
Seville is home to the Carmelite Convent of Santa Ana where the original, autographed copy of Saint Teresa’s Interior Castle is kept. Begin today in THE GIRALDO CATHEDRAL, the third largest in Christendom. Later enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city that is known for its romance and beauty. You tour will include many sites of interest such as the BARRIO DE SANTA CRUZ (one of the most colorful areas of the city), the ALCAZAR and GIRALDO TOWER. The afternoon and evening will include presentations on the Interior Castle, a visit to Santa Ana, and a chance to see the elaborately carved altar at the Friars’ monastery at Plaze del Buon Suceso.
MONDAY – 9 NOVEMBER, CORDOBA, GRANADA
Depart from SEVILLE after breakfast.   A short ride will bring you to the ROMAN city of CORDOBA where you will visit THE MEZQUITA and JUDERIA ( a neighborhood representing CHRISTIANS, JEWS AND MUSLIMS) and the CATHEDRAL followed with visits to other sites of interest in the heart of the city. After your visit depart for GRANADA to check in to THE HOTEL ALHAMBRA where dinner will be served.
TUESDAY – 10 NOVEMBER, GRANADA
Granada is wheter Teresa made one of her last foundations in the final years of her life. Begin the day CATHEDRAL (containing the remains of ISABELLA and FERDINAND), followed with visits to the ALHAMBRA and other sites of interest, including the Plaza Isabel la Catolica’s statue of Columbus, commemorating the place where Christopher Columbus was given permission to go to sea.  The afternoon and evening provide the opportunity for engagement with our Carmelite scholars and additional sightseeing, followed by  dining on your own.
WEDNESDAY – 11 NOVEMBER, MADRID
Transportation will be provided to the rail station to board the AVE (fast train) to MADRID. Board a DeLuxe motorcoach upon arrival and proceed to check into THE HOTEL HUSA DEL ARTE. The remainder of the day and evening provide you with the opportunity to further explore MADRID on your own.
THURSDAY – 12 NOVEMBER, MADRID, NEWARK AND CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS.
It’s time to pack up the wonderful memories and “treasures†you have collected during an enriching, enjoyable journey through SPAIN. Transportation will be provided to the airport to check in for UNITED AIRLINES #063 which will depart at 11:35am and arrive into NEWARK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT at 2:20pm; continue on UNITED AIRLINES #1738 departing at 4:59pm, arriving into CHICAGO at 6:42pm.
Please note: Mass will be celebrated daily; the Mass sites will be noted on your final itinerary.
Estimated Cost
Cost is estimated at $4,600 Double Occupancy, $5,700 Single Occupancy, for the Full Two-Week Seminar Trip $3,200 Double Occupancy, $3,900 Single Occupancy for the first Ten Days of the Seminar Trip. Participant who choose this option would depart for home before the Seminar moves to Seville.