September 20-30, 2008 • 11 days 10 nights
Walking to Santiago

 

Arrive Madrid. Meet at the hotel for an afternoon City Tour of Madrid and early Welcome Reception and dinner. Overnight: Hotel Victoria 4  D  

 

This morning, depart Madrid after breakfast for the  Plains of Old Castile. Afternoon walking tour of León to see its famous Cathedral, frescoes and other sites associated with the Camino de Santiago. Collect your pilgrim’s passport before an early dinner in an old taberna in the pilgrim’s quarter/barrio húmedo. Overnight: Posada Regia B D

 

Depart  after breakfast for the  El Bierzo Valley, where its Mediterranean climate favors a wide variety of crops, including its renowned peppers and grapes. At Villafranca stop to see the  Door of Forgiveness. From here,  ascend the Galician Mountains to the highest point on the Camino at Alto do Poio, and begin walking just beyond here to Sarria, a  market town overlooked by its ancient fortress, an important halt in the Middle Ages. Time to relax before dinner. 8 mi.  Overnight: Hotel Fiz de Vilapedre B L D

 

This morning  start walking to Portomarín. In 1962, the old village of Portomarín was deliberately submerged by a dam; at low water, the ruins can be seen, including the 12th Romanesque bridge, Puente de Miño. The most important monuments were rebuilt stone by stone and stand in the new village. Picnic lunch and guesthouse dinner. 13 mi.  Overnight: Hotel Villajardín B L D

 

Today’s  first stop today is Gonzar, a ghost town. You’ll pass Hospital, both inn and hospital for medieval pilgrims. Picnic lunch. Continue to Lameiros, to the Chapel of St. Lazarus, and detour to a nearby church to see frescoes. Beyond is your halt at  Palas, 12th stage of the Way. 15 mi. Dinner at the inn.  Overnight: Complejo la Cabaña  B L D

 

You pass through  Melide and  stop at the 12th c Church of San Pedro, with its distinctive Romanesque portal. Picnic lunch. Since the Middle Ages, this town has been an important market center. Another ancient hospital lies over the River Iso. Beyond is Arzua. Dinner at the inn. 13.5 mi.  Overnight: Casa Vaamonde  B L D

 

Traverse  a number of hamlets today, the Way lined with eucalyptus and including a river crossing at Raído. Skirt the village of Santa Irene and Arca and spend the last night of your pilgrimage at Arca in a small countryside hotel. Picnic lunch along the way and dinner in the village. 12 mi. Overnight:  Hotel O Pino  B L D 

 

Stop this morning  at  Lavacolla, where pilgrims traditionally bathed prior to entering the Holy City. On arriving this afternoon in Santiago, you’ll proceed to the Diocesan office to obtain your final pilgrim’s stamp and obtain your Compostela/Certificate of Pilgrimage. 12 mi. Celebration dinner in the heart of old Santiago. Overnight: Hotel Sino  B L D 

 

This  morning follow your guide on a walk through history in this UNESCO World Heritage town. Begin at the Cathedral, and continue through the city’s medieval streets to explore this Baroque treasure house. Free afternoon and evening to explore on your own.   Overnight: as above B  

 

This  morning travel out to the Atlantic ocean to see some of the historic granite built villages of the Galician coast, a shrine and a  National Monument. Afterwards enjoy a free afternoon at the beach, time to relax in the  sun and swim before returning to Santiago early evening. Farewell dinner and Pilgrim Awards. Overnight: as above B D

 

The tour ends after breakfast.  B

 

 

INCLUDED:

• Hotels based on double occupancy, with breakfast
• Meals per itinerary—breakfasts, picnic lunches, full dinners with wine
• English speaking guide & sag wagon support, including snacks
• Motorcoach transfers Madrid to Samos; day on Galician coast
• Madrid city tour
• Entrances per itinerary
• Pre trip documents including walking maps
• Limited to 12 pax

PRICE:

$3800 per person
Quoted at $1.50/€uro

All prices subject to currency fluctuation adjustment