Spain Camino de Santiago |
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Cathedral in Leon
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Medieval bridge in Orbigo
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Monastery in Samos
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Octopus, a Galician delicacy
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Relax poolside at the Paza de Sedor
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A sign marking the way
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Peaceful and beautiful hotels
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The Cruz de Ferro (the Iron Cross)
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Join others along the trail
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Spain Camino de Santiago Itinerary
TOUR AT A GLANCE -
Duration: 8 days/7 nights
Dates: Private departures from April to October, contact us for details.
Departing from: in Leon at 12:30 on Sunday, Day 1
Tour finishes: Santiago de Compostela at noon on Sunday, Day 8
Price: €2,000 per person, depending on number of participants. Single supplement €250.
Click on the Currency Converter to see the price in your local currency.
The history of the Camino de Santiago ("Way of Saint James") goes back over a thousand years to the 813 AD. Teodomiro, the bishop of Iria Flavio (just outside Santiago de Compostela), informed King Alfonso II of Asturias that a tomb had been discovered containing the remains of the apostle Santiago (St. James). St. James had been decapitated in 44 AD in Jerusalem, but his followers had stolen the body and transferred it by boat to Spain, burying it at Iria Flavio.
Once word was out that the remains of the saint had been found, a pilgrimage began to pay homage at this holy site. The Cathedral of Santiago, consecrated in 1128, stands over the tomb of the apostle and the faithful have been flocking here ever since, following a series of well-worn paths known collectively as the "Camino de Santiago" which stretch across northern Spain.
On the Camino we will meet fellow-walkers from all over the globe, and one of the highlights of this holiday is likely to be the wealth of tales and experiences that we share with them as we walk. Meeting local people, too, forms a rich part of this adventure - on the Camino villagers feel pleased and honored to see pilgrims pass through their village. As for traffic, all you are likely to encounter for much of the way are herds of gentle, lazy cows as they return to their village barns in the late afternoon...
Day 1 - Sunday: Meet your group at 12:30 in the lobby of your hotel, the Posada Regia. Léon is endowed with many impressive monuments, from outstanding medieval to avant-garde modern buildings. The most notable are the Gothic cathedral, with its superb stained glass windows, the Basilica of San Isidoro, housing tombs of the Kings of León and fine Romanesque paintings, and the old monastery of San Marcos. We will visit all these sights - as well as the elegant Calle Ancha where our hotel is situated - as part of an introductory walking tour, which follows a tapas lunch in one of the of the city's many lively bars. We’ll have time to rest in our hotel before enjoying a tasting of local wines and embutidos (cold cuts) in a local tavern. Dinner is on your own tonight.
Lunch, visits and hotel included. Dinner not included.
Day 2 - Monday: We begin with a visit on the Camino at the bridge of Órbigo, a Gothic structure which has survived the ravages of time, floods and retreating armies to appear to modern-day pilgrims more or less as it would have done in the 15th century. Indeed, during the week we will walk over many noble bridges, pass stone pilgrims' crosses, and see countless churches, monasteries and chapels, both ornate and simple, manifestations of the devotion of the centuries of pilgrims who have passed this way. From here we’ll drive into the Roman town of Astorga and visit the Bishop’s Palace built by the famous Catalan architect, Antoni Gaudi, as well as the impressive Cathedral. Next stop on our drive is the little village of Rabanal del Camino, a picturesque village at the base of a gentle climb up to the Cruz de Ferro (Iron Cross). It is a little higher up from Rabanal that we begin our 6km walk up to the Cruz de Ferro the walk ending, some 14kms further on, in the town of Molinaseca where we’ll be driven to our hotel (Hotel Bierzo Plaza) in the centre of Ponferrada. Dinner will be in a local restaurant, a town favorite, and we’ll enjoy a wine tasting with wines from the Bierzo region. Breakfast, dinner and hotel included.
Day 3 - Tuesday: After breakfast we’ll take a drive to the town of Cacabelos where we can sample some local wine and enjoy a local specialty, empanadas – pastries stuffed with meat or fish. From there it’s a short distance to the town of Villafranca del Bierzo, an old town steeped in the traditions of the Camino and possessing one of the most important Romanesque churches along the Camino: la Iglesia de Santiago. Our walk today begins in the nearby town of Ambasmestas and takes us out of Castilla y León and into Galicia, ending at the old Celtic village of O’Cebreiro. This 13 km stretch is considered to be one of the most beautiful along the Camino, with paths winding through gentle rolling countryside and a landscape that is truly pastoral. After lunch we have a short transfer to our hotel (Casa Caxigueiro) just outside of the town of Sarria which lies on the Camino itself. Before dinner we’ll visit the nearby monastery at Samos where you might like to join the monks in evening prayers, a chanted plainsong which is beautiful to hear. Tonight we will have a cooking demonstration from the owners of our hotel, then we’ll enjoy the wonderful meal that we helped prepare. Breakfast, dinner and hotel included.
Day 4 - Wednesday: As our hotel is on the Camino itself, today we walk straight out of the front door and begin our 22 km walk to the town of Portomarín. We will really be getting a feel for the Camino at this point as we start to mix with the other peregrinos (pilgrims), swap stories, and marvel at the various reasons that people choose to undertake the Camino de Santiago. Today’s walk goes through some gorgeous rural areas of Galicia, dotted with abandoned hamlets, and some of the nicest scenery along the entire Camino. We end our walk at our hotel (Santa Marina) in the delightful town of Portomarín where we’ll enjoy Mario’s hospitality, great food, and great local wine – direct from the owner's bodega! Breakfast, dinner and hotel included.
Day 5 - Thursday: We begin another beautiful walk today, a slightly longer one of 26 kms, to the town of Melide. After a very short transfer, we begin walking from Ventas de Naron, passing through various towns of great interest including Brea, Palas de Rei, and Coto. In Melide we will have the chance to sample some of its famous pulpo a la gallega (octupus Galician style). We will then carry on the short distance to our beautiful hotel (Pazo de Sedor) where we will be welcomed by our host, Joaquin. Here we can relax by the pool, have a drink on the beautiful terrace, or rest our (probably by now weary!) feet. Breakfast, dinner and hotel included.
Day 6 - Friday: From our hotel we can walk right back to the Camino and begin another beautiful walk of 25 kms to the small town of Salceda. We are getting ever closer now to Santiago and you can feel the anticipation in the air among your fellow peregrinos, as the end of the Camino nears. The beautiful church in Boente is worth a visit, as is a short stop in Arzúa for a glass of wine and a chat with the locals. From Salceda we have another short transfer to our beautiful hotel (Casa Brandariz), just off the Camino and where Mari Carmen will look to our every need and fix us up with some of the finest cooking in Galicia. Breakfast, dinner and hotel included.
Day 7 - Saturday: Journey's end, Santiago de Compostela, is one of Spain's most attractive cities, rich in atmosphere and tradition. A university city and a site of pilgrimage for over eleven centuries, it has been the site of dynamic exchanges of ideas and culture, a destination for many outsiders, and yet at the same time it represents an area of Green Spain - Galicia - which historically has been profoundly rural and conservative. An interesting paradox behind a fascinating, proud city. The very beautiful walk today passes through eucalyptus forests, over medieval bridges, and then through the outskirts of Santiago as we slowly weave our way through its ancient streets to the glorious Plaza de Obradoiro and the final destination for all pilgrims. We have made it! After enjoying the imposing scene and soaking in the atmosphere around us, we have just a short walk to our hotel (Hotel La Herradura) for some rest before a wonderful dinner in one of many excellent restaurants in Santiago. Breakfast, dinner and hotel included.
Day 8 - Sunday: After a leisurely breakfast we will be met by a local guide who will take us on a stunning two hour visit of the beautiful city of Santiago de Compostela. The Plaza de Obradoiro, the Cathedral, Puerta de la Platerias, and the Plaza de la Azabacheria are just a few of the gems that we will see as we discover the history of this ancient city. At noon we will bid farewell to our traveling companions as the tour ends Breakfast and visits included.
See all of our tours by DESTINATION & ACTIVITY
See all of our tours by date: TOUR CALENDAR 2010
General Information
Qualifications: This trip is rated moderate with some challenging stretches.
We cover about 22 kms per day, which amounts to 5-7 hours of walking per day, but there are options to do fewer miles and the trip may be van supported.
Trip Cost includes: All accommodations (7 nights in
3-star hotels); 7 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 6 dinners (all drinks
included);
all luggage transfers; guided visits and entrances in Leon and
Santiago; bilingual guide(s) and the use of a van depending on group
size.
Getting there (this will redirect you to our "Getting to the Trip" page)
Booking: e-mail us to receive a booking contract (or use the "Reservation" page).
Insurance: We highly recommend the purchase of Trip
Insurance. We recommend "Travel Guard" to our American clients, just click on the logo below, while Canadian residents can click here. Australian, New Zealander, and British travelers, please consult your insurance brokers.
We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! |
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