Walking the Camino de Santiago is a journey of the soul and spirit.  Drawing people today as it has for more than a thousand years, we’re accompanied on our journey to the tomb of St. James, Son of Thunder and disciple of Jesus, by the memories of St. Francis of Assisi, John of Gaunt, Chaucer’s Wife of Bath, and even Pope John Paul when he was a young man.  Experience the pleasing rhythm of your staff hitting the ground, the road unrolling before you in the rain-washed landscape of Galicia, continuing footstep after footstep through ancient villages as you marvel at the timelessness of your journey.  There will always be some unexpected sight on the horizon, some encounter that refreshes the human spirit and causes us to pause and contemplate the simple beauty of our quest.

Pre-trip      We recommend that you plan to arrive at least one day in advance.  Not only will you be ready and well rested, this also allows you time to explore Madrid on your own.  Time permitting, because art is such an integral part of Madrid’s history, we recommend that you spend some time at the Prado to familiarize yourself with the important works of Velazquez, Goya and El Greco. (You can arrange for an English-speaking guide to join you by contacting the Prado or asking the concierge at your hotel. We also recommend the Centro Reina Sofia Museum where Picasso’s Guernica is on display.  You might also spend some time walking the Old Quarter and visiting the Plaza Mayor for a drink or visiting the Puerta del Sol area and Gran Via for great shopping.  If you prefer shopping on-line, visit www.atspain.com for a fascinating assortment of Spanish artwork.  Food and wine are essential in Spain and Madrid boasts some fabulous restaurants.  For the best paella, La Barraca, on Calle Reina, can’t be topped.  To experience the quintessential tapas, go to La Bocaita on Calle Libertad.

Day 1 – LEÓN 

Our meeting place for the start of our adventure on the Camino is in Leon, Spain.  If you fly into Madrid, you can fly or take a train to Leon, Spain, for the start of our adventure on the Camino. Once in Leon, you’ll want to travel to our hotel.  Our local guide will meet us there for a walking tour of Leon.

We spend the afternoon visiting the Pantheon of Kings and the Cathedral in the old Roman city of León. Next to the Church of San Isidoro, the Romanesque Pantheon of Kings is highly prized for its carved capitals and rare 12^th Century frescos illustrating biblical and mythical subjects as well as scenes from medieval life.  We continue to the Gothic Cathedral, in the heart of the Old Quarter, where we view in awe, the magnificent 13^th Century stained-glass windows. Considered an architectural miracle, the quantity of glass in this structure astounds even the modern-day engineer. Light pours in through more than 1,800 square meters of stained glass – a magical sight that has mesmerized millions of travelers before us. We lunch in the heart of the Barrio Humedo (literally the “Wet Quarter” due to the amount of bars in the area), where delicious cochinillo (suckling pig) and cordero (lamb) are prepared according to age-old recipes in wood-burning ovens. For our welcome dinner, we’ll go tapas-hopping in the Old Quarter or perhaps stroll by the River Bernesga where the locals meet and play petanca at sunset. (D) = Dinner included.  Overnight:  Leon – Hotel NH Plaza Mayor

Day 2 – León to Iron Cross to Bierzo Valley

Walking: 15 KMs or 10 miles

After breakfast, we’ll board our van and head to one of the standout historical landmarks on the Camino, the Roman Bridge in Puente Orbigo.  This medieval bridge, one of the best preserved in Spain, dates from the 13^th century.  Spanning the Rio Orbigo, its fame comes from a supposed jousting tournament that took place in the Holy Year 1434.   Then it’s off to Foncebadón where we’ll lace up our boots and hit the trail for our walk to Cruz de Ferro, the Iron Cross.  Standing at an elevation of 4,934 feet, this simple iron cross reminds us to pause and reflect on our pilgrimage as well as to appreciate the simple joy of walking in the great outdoors.  Then it’s off to Cacabelos to begin our 7.76 miles walk to Villafranca.  If time permits, we’ll enjoy a walking tour of Villafranca del Bierzo before dinner.

Overnight:  Villafranca – Parador Villafranca

Day 3 – O’Cebreiro to Triacastela

Walking: 21 KMs or 13 miles

We start our day in O’Cebreiro, an ancient village on the Camino that is steeped in legend, mystery, and beauty.  Perched on the crest of the Cantabrian mountain range, and on the frontier between the provinces of Leon and Galicia, O’Cebreiro is inextricably linked to the Camino de Santiago.  Historical accounts show that pilgrims found shelter in the village as early as the 9^th century.  If time permits, we’ll visit the Romanesque church of Santa Maria la Real. This is the oldest surviving church associated with the pilgrim’s way and the resting place of Dan Elias Valina Sampedro.  It was this visionary priest who had the idea to mark the Camino with the familiar yellow arrow.

Our walk today begins with a steady climb to the Alto do Poio, at 4,336 feet, the highest point of the Camino de Santiago in Galicia. We finish in the town of Triacastela.  An interesting point to note, as we head west toward Santiago, is that the mountains of Galicia are the first obstacle the winds off the Atlantic Ocean encounter.  Predictably, we’ll notice a change in weather, including more frequent rains.  On the positive side, it’s these refreshing showers that support the mountain streams and countryside reminiscent of Ireland. As we progress into Galicia, we’ll enjoy local hot soups, fish dishes, including steamed octopus, local red and white wines, local cheeses and quince jelly, queso y membrillo, and almond tart.  Of course, from now on, each evening we’ll be able to savor the different varieties of orujo, distilled from grape skins.  Overnight: Triacastela – Casa rural Pacios

Day 4 – Triacastela to Sarria

Walking: 17 KMs or 11 miles

Our walk today begins in the village of Triacastela. It was here – according to legend – that pilgrims would take a heavy stone from the local quarry and carry it the entire day to the kilns at Castañeda, five leagues away. The stones were then converted into lime and used to build the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela. We walk through an ancient landscape dotted with bridges, crumbling castles and punctuated with the gentle tinkling of cowbells. We visit the 9^th Century Benedictine monastery in Samos, where Father Fructuoso shows us the tranquil cloisters and neoclassical church – later ushering us into the cathedral to hear the monks chant their evening Vespers.  Overnight: Sarria – Hotel Alfonso IX

Day 5 – Sarria to Portomarin

Walking: 23 KMs or 14 miles

Today we walk by the 100km marker. Pilgrims must walk each mile from this point forward to receive their certificate of completion when reaching Santiago.

Walking this section of the Camino is considered by many to be the highlight of the entire trip.  We traverse a maze of tracks and footpaths through enchanted forests, granite hillsides covered in gorse, heather, and broom, and a patchwork of primitive farms worked as they were a thousand years ago. Our picnic lunch outside a pilgrim’s refuge includes local cheese, ripened red tomatoes, crusty loaves of bread and cured jamon. After crossing the River Miño, we enter Portomarín. In 1962, the old village was flooded to create a reservoir. The town’s treasure, the 13^th Century Church of San Juan, (once belonging to the order of St. John of Jerusalem), was moved stone by stone by the townspeople to higher ground where the current town of Portomarín is located.  Overnight: Portomarin – Pazo de Berbetoros

Day 6 – Portomarin to Palas de Rei

Walking: 25 KMs or 15 miles

Today we trace quiet paved roads past small villages, cruceiros (carved granite crosses that served to mark the Camino in medieval times), horreos (stone granaries) and tiny Romanesque churches. The abundance of Romanesque architecture in this area makes it one of the most important regions for art historians in all of Europe.  Our destination is Palas de Rei (The Palace of the King), a town once inhabited by Visigoths, Celts and Romans. Its name is derived from the Visigoth King, Witiza, who held court here. We take lunch today in a travelers’ restaurant and enjoy the camaraderie of other pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela.  Many are from Europe, but others come from more far-flung corners of the globe.  Overnight: Palas De Rei – Casa Rural A Parada Das Bestas

Day 7 – Palas de Rei to Melide

Walking: 15 KMs or 9 miles

Our path today takes us through shady forests of pine, oak and eucalyptus and through a variety of tiny villages. On the Camino, local people feel honored to see peregrinos pass through their village. The only traffic we are likely to encounter is that of gentle, lazy cows returning to village barns in the late afternoon. In Furelos, we cross the magnificent Ponte Velha, a medieval bridge with four arches spanning the river. Soon after we arrive in Melide, a town dating back to pre-Roman times.  It’s here we’ll find, in a former monastery, interesting 15th century frescoes depicting St. James the Moor-slayer. Overnight: Arzua – Paso De Brandeso

Day 8 – Melide to Arzúa

Walking: 14 KMs or 9 milesShort bus transfer to our starting point in Melide.  Our destination today is Arzua.  On our way, we’ll pass Boente parish, where James is depicted exactly as he is at the Cathedral of Santiago, not as a pilgrim or warrior, but as a Saint.  Rising refreshed after a restful sleep, we set off through deep forests dotted with small hamlets.  Our path today offers us a sense of idyllic charm as well as a quiet peacefulness as we draw closer to our final destination.

Overnight: Arzua – Paso De Brandeso

Day 9 – Arzúa to O Pedrouzo

Walking: 19.2 KMs or 11.93 miles

Departing from Arzua we head to O Pedrouzo/Arca, passing through gently rolling countryside unchanged for the last 1000 years.  And finally, in Santa Irene, we visit an 18^th Century church with a chapel dedicated to the Portuguese martyr, a rather uncommon devotion on the Camino. Overnight: Lavacolla – Pazo San Xordo

Day 10 – O Pedrouzo to San Marcos

Walking: 15 KMs or 9.32miles.

Beginning our walk in the tiny hamlet of Arca, we savior each footstep as the Pilgrim’s Way weaves through sweet-smelling eucalyptus groves and neatly sown fields and vegetable patches.  During our walk, we begin to contemplate the tradition of the nearby Labacolla River.  Here, medieval pilgrims would strip off their clothes, bathe, and prepare for a clean entry into Santiago de Compostela.  This dip is optional for 21^st Century pilgrims!                       Overnight: Lavacolla – Pazo San Xordo

Day 11 – San Marcos to Santiago                                                                           Walking: 6 KMs or 3.5 miles                                                                                         We’re almost there!  Following the now familiar yellow arrows and camino markers to the cathedral, we arrive in the Plaza del Obradoiro, the heart and soul of Santiago and a place of constant activity.  Exuberant groups of pilgrims stand in awe in front of the grandiose façade of the baroque cathedral.  Wrought-iron balconies, granite homes, and public buildings lend a medieval air.  Our hotel, the luxurious Parador de los Reyes Catolicos, occupies one side of the square.

The medieval music of La Tuna (university troubadours dressed in 16^th century garb) pervades the plaza.  Some pilgrims have traveled for months, on foot, by bike, or horseback.  Though a variety of reasons (cultural, adventurous, or spiritual) compel us to experience this ancient pilgrimage – we arrive in Santiago united by our quest.  Our day includes a walking tour of Santiago.  In the cathedral we take part in age-old rituals, such as “hugging” the bejeweled silver statue of St. James at the altar and admiring the incomparable beauty of the tree of Jesse, symbolic ways to connect to the millions of pilgrims and travelers gone before us.

Parador los Reyes Catolicos – Built by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabel, the catholic monarchs, our accommodations in the oldest hotel in Europe are luxurious.  Overnight: Santiago – Parador Santiago

Day 12 – To Finisterre  Overnight:  Santiago – Parador Santiago

Day 13 – Depart or stay for a few extra days to enjoy the richness of Santiago or head to other destinations unknown.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

• 12 Nights lodging (double occupancy) in beautiful and historical Paradores, luxury hotels and charming inns
• Meals as listed on itinerary
• The best regional wines with your meals every night
• All breakfasts – a mix of buffet and continental
• 7 lunches
• 12 dinners including our final banquet at the Parador in Santiago
• An authentic Spanish Comida with wine
• Support van which accompanies the group
• Baggage transportation to and from your room each night
• Expertise and services of a bilingual trip leader, resident of Spain who is passionate about his/her country
• Detailed route instructions and maps with orientation meetings
• A special Pilgrim’s Guide Book listing all the historical points of interest along the Camino
• All special events, private tours and entrances into historical sites
• All gratuities for baggage, porters and hotel service. (Does not include gratuities for trip leaders)
• Transportation from initial rendezvous in Leon, Spain, to final drop-ff in Santiago
• Walking The World t-shirt
• Good fun, humor and companionship

Dates:                            April 28 – May 10, 2021

Land Cost:                     $4199 double occupancy

Single Supplement:       $600

Lodging:                        Historical Paradors, Luxury Hotels, Inns

Walking The World

PO Box 40442   Grand Junction, Colorado  81504

Email:  [email protected]

Website: www.walkingtheworld.com

Ph:  970-498-0500