SPAIN
The Path of Saint James / "El Camino de Santiago"
Itinerary Price Trip Specifics
Day 1 - Bilbao
Depending on the arrival time visit Bilbao. Overnight in Bilbao
Day 2 - Bilbao - Pamplona
Travel to Pamplona. Spend the day touring Pamplona including ample free time to roam at your leisure. Overnight in Pamplona.
Day 3 - Pamplona - Burgos
After Breakfast, departure to Burgos. After check in, enjoy free time for lunch in Burgos. The embark on a guided tour of Burgos. The city of Burgos, known as the cradle of Castilla, was founded by Diego Rodriguez in 884AD and was selected as capital of the united kingdom of Castilla an León in 1037AD. Architects and sculptors arrived and made Burgos, Spain's Gothic capital with outstanding works such as the Cathedral and the Carthusian Monastery Miraflores. Overnight in Burgos.
Day 4 - Burgos - Carrion de los Condes - Sahagun - San Miguel de la Escala - Leon
After breakfast we will travel through the Castilian Hioghlands following the Path of Saint James to the picturesque village sites Grajal de Campos and the Monstery of San Pedro de las Dueñas by Sahagún. We will visit Sahagún with its impressive romanesque churches Iglesia de San Martin from the XII C., brick-built Iglesia de Sahagún and Iglesia de San Lorenzo from the XII C.
After free time for lunch in Sahagún, in the afternoon we will follow the pilgrim's path to the unique mozarabic church of San Miguel de la Escalada. Arrive in the evening in León. Overnight in León.
Day 5 - Leon - Astorga - Ponferrada
León, one-time capital of the kingdom of León. The city was an important halt along the way of St. James and has preserved many fine monuments from its prestigious past, including masterpieces of romanesque (San Isidoro), Gothic (Cathedral), and renaissance architecture (San Marcos). The Cathedral offers us outstanding stained glass windows, which are unique in Spain. We will admire the beautifully preserved 12th C. frescoes in the Basílica of San Isidoro. After our guided visit we will continue along the former roman path “Via de la Plata” or “Road of Silver” to the picturesque village of Castrillo de los Polvazares where we will enjoy a nice regional lunch in the land of "Los Maragatos"
After lunch we will visit the town of Astorga, with its cathedral and Bischop’s Palace, a fantastic pastiche of a medieval palace built by the world famous architect Antonío Gaudí. Continue along the Path of Saint James crossing the mountains of León along sites such as Foncebadon, Cruz de Ferro, Manjarin, Acebo down to Molinaseca and Ponferrada. Overnight in Ponferrada.
Day 6 - Ponferrada - O Cebreiro - Samos - Sarria - Portomarin - Vilar de Donas - Melide - Santiago
From the Valley of El Bierzo, where Ponferrada is located, we will head up towards Galicia to the mythic hamlet of “O Cebreiro”, where we get to know the hamlet with the unusual drystone and thatched houses known as “Pallozas”, inhabited up until recently and dating back to the ancient celctic huts… the relics realted to the “Holy Grail” are preserved in the pre-romanesque 9th C. mountain church of this site. In the afternoon we will descend towards the green galician valleys and will get to the Monastery of Samos, Sarria and Portomarin, whose old village was destroyed by the construction of the dam at Belesar. However, the church of the “Knights of St. John of Jerusalen” was taken down and re-erected stone by stone on the new site. In the evening we will arrive in Santiago. Alfer our halts along the path in Vilar the Donas, Palas de Rei and Melide. If the sun still up, we will have the oportunity to enjoy the pilgrims’ view of the city and cathedral towers from the Monte do Gozo "Mountain of Joy." Overnight in Santiago.
Day 7 - Santiago de Compostela
In the morning we will enjoy a guided visit through the old quarter of Santiago de Compostela –capital of Galicia, seat of the University and objective of the European Pilmigrage route “El Camino de Santiago”. Enjoy the Plaza del Obradoiro, Royal Hospital (with baroque, renaissance and gothic elements), its places and fountains, its medieval arcade streets. You will have the chance to visit the traditional market in the old quarter and live out the galician habits. You may attend the traditonal pilgrims’ Holy Mass in the cathedral at noon. Free time. Overnight in Santiago.
Day 9 -Santiago de Compostela
After breakfast, transfer tothe airport and return home.
Per Person: TBA
Single Supplement: TBA
TBA
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