Day 1 – Arrival in León

The spirituality of the pilgrimage era found its expression in light and colour in the fantastic stained glass windows of León cathedral, one of the mighty churches that rose along the Pilgrim’s Way. One can spend hours watching the play of light, as filtered sunbeams pour down from above, but other attractions beckon in this city founded by, and named after, the Roman legionnaires who came here seeking the rich minerals of the surrounding lands. The Plaza Mayor and the Basilica known as the “Sistine Chapel” of the Spanish Romanesque style where the Royal Pantheon and magnificent 12th century frescoes are housed, but still is much more to see, such as, the Conde Luna and the Guzmanes palaces and churches such as San Salvador de Palas del Rey and the modernist casa de los Botines by architect Antonio Gaudi.

Overnight in León.  Monday 24th September (BD)

Day 2 – León – Puento del Orbigo – Astorga

Walk approx. 3.5 hours, 13.9 km

After breakfast we will visit this city by a guided walking tour. After picking up our credentials and having a nice lunch, our bus will transfer us to Puente de Orbigo were we will start our walk till San Justo de la Vega.

In this town were held in 1434 the famous jousts organised by Suero de Quiñónez, during which he challenged many European knights. Pilgrims will find the church of San Juan, built by the Knights Hospitaller. After leaving this epic village the Route crosses Santibáñez de Valdeiglesias and leads pilgrims to San Justo de la Vega, where stands a Parish Church that contains a carving of San Justo from the 16 C, and a retable from the 17 C. From here our bus will drive us to the episcopal town of Astorga. This historical and religious city, called Astúrica by the Romans, once had 25 hospitals. Here converge the French and the Plata Routes to Santiago. The extraordinary Gothic Cathedral, from the 15 C presides over the town. It has a Baroque façade and some Renaissance elements. The portada is typical of the Route. In its interior is a retable by Becerra from the 16 C. The Episcopal Palace or Gaudi Palace houses the Museo de los Caminos, which displays pieces from all churches related to the Route to Santiago. Pilgrims can also visit the Roman and Medieval ramparts, the Roman jailhouse and confinements for slaves.

Overnight in Astorga Tuesday 25th September (BD)

Day 3 – Astorga – Castrillo de los Polvazares – Rabanal del Camino

Walk approx 4 hours, 15 km

After our breakfast, the bus will transfer us to Castrillo de los Polvazares Orly a few km from Astorga, a town that has an outstanding architectural heritage, where the genuine atmosphere of the region of Maragatería still remains. The remains of a Roman encampment are worthy of note. From here we start our walk to Rabanal del Camino passing through places such as Santa Catalina de Somoza, an example of Jacobean town, and El Ganso where in the church of Santiago highlights the chapel dedicated to Christ of the Pilgrims. Our way continues to Rabanal del Camino which will be the end of todays walk.

Overnight in Rabanal del Camino Wednesday 26th September (BD)

4 – Rabanal del Camino – Foncebadon – Villafranca del Bierzo

Walk approx 4 hours, 16 km Today’s transfer will take us to Foncebadón, the onetime important centre in the Middle Ages that has been abandoned. Here took place a Council in the 10 C, and a century later, the hermit Guacelmo founded a hostelry for pilgrims. Some kilometres off the                                               municipality, surmounting a peak that the Romans dedicated to Mercury can be seen the Ferro Cross, on top of a stick fixed to a big heap of stones .Traditionally travellers bring a stone from their places of origin and deposit it on the heap. The itinerary continues towards Manjarín, an abandoned village that once had a hospital. The Route crosses El Acebo, at whose entrance is the Fountain of the Trout. The houses have exterior staircases and slate roofs. Its Parish Church treasures a Romanesque carving of Santiago pilgrim. Next to this municipality is Compludo, where San Fructuoso founded his first monastery in the 7 C. A Medieval forge, run by water, can still be found. The itinerary continues and arrives at Riego de Ambrós, where stand the Chapels of San Fabián and San Sebastián, and the church of Asunción. Finally, pilgrims reach in Molinaseca. Upon reaching this beautiful town -crossing a Romanesque bridge- travellers will view the ruins of the Sanctuary of Angustias. In the interior of the village the emblazoned houses with towers can be admired. One of this houses was inhabited by Doña Urraca. Also the Balboa house, the Hospital and the chapel of Saint Christ at the end of the village, are worthy of note.

From here our bus will drive us to Villafranca del Bierzo, a town founded in the 11 C, where the Cluny Order had an important representation. Pilgrims can enjoy the Collegiate Church of Santa María, built between the 13 and 16 C; the churches of Santiago (12 C) and San Nicolás, as well as the Agua Street, full of palaces and emblazoned houses. The Castle-Palace of the Marquisate is worthy of being visited.

Overnight in Villafranca del Bierzo Thursday 27th September (BD)

Day 5 – Villafranca del Bierzo – Herrerias – O Cebreiro

Walk approx 4 hours, 9 km This morning alter having our breakfast, our bus will transfer us to Herrerias (forges), called after the many forges it once had. Later, the Route enters La Faba, from where can be viewed Cebreiro up in the distance. The last village in the region of Leon is Laguna de Castillo. Pilgrims enter Galicia by Lugo, not far from Santiago. The first village in the region of Lugo along the Route is Cebreiro, with an altitude of 1,300 meters. A group of "pallozas" can be seen -Preromanesque circular houses with straw roofs- and a beautiful Preromanesque temple, from the 9-10 C, containing a Chalice, the Paten of "Santo Milagro" and a precious Romanesque carving of Santa María la Real. The Ethnographic Museum, located in a "palloza" can be visited.

Overnight in O Cebreiro Friday 28th September (BD)

Day 6 – O Cebreiro – Triacastela – Samos - Sarria

Walk approx 4 hours, 14 km Today’s stage will start in Fonfría do Camiño, which contains the old hospital for pilgrims, Santa Catalina, and the Parish Church that houses a golden silver chalice from the 18 C. The Route leads to Biduedo, where the smallest church along the Route can be found, San Pedro. In As Pasantes pilgrims can pray in the chapel dedicated to the Virgin of Remedios. Finally, the Route reaches Triacastela. Traditionally pilgrims used to take a limestone which they carried along to Castañeda, so that it would become lime that could be used to build the Santiago Cathedral. In the 13 C, Alfonso XI tried unsuccessfully to convert this precious village into a big town. Triacastela once had a hospital and a prison, an unusual circumstance along the Route. Travellers can visit the Parish Church of Santiago, containing a façade from the 18 C and a Romanesque apse. In its interior there is a processional cross from the 12 C. From there we continue walking until San Cristobal do Real, where we will take our transfer to Samos. Samos is located off the traditional French Itinerary, but whose Benedictine Monastery of San Xulián de Samos, from the 6-18 C, is worthy to be visited. This important monastery is situated on the valley by the Ouribio River, sorrounded by scenery that enhances its beauty and provides a mysterious atmosphere.

The transfer will take the group to Sarria where they will overnight. Saturday 29^th September (BD)

Day 7– Sarria – Lavandeira - Portomarin

Walk approx 3.5 hours, 12 km From Sarria the Route continues towards Xisto del Camino; Leimán; Pana; Peruscallo; Cortiñas; Lavandeira, till here by bus as well, and from Lavandeira we will start our walk to Portomarin crossing places such as; Brea, which means way, place on travellers´ way in general, and pilgrims in particular; Morgade, which consists only of one house; Ferreiros; Mirallos, containing an interesting 12 C church with an extraordinary transept; Pena; Couto; Rozas; Moimentos; Cotareio; Mercadoiro, where there are vestiges of an old road; Moutras; Parrocha and Vilachá, inhabited by many peasants of means. In this village stand the ruins of the Monastery of Loio, cradle of the Knights of the Order of Santiago. The small chapel of Santa María de Loio, with its Visigothic walls, is worthy of note. After going through many hamlets, the Route arrives at a famous town, Portomarín. The town, which dates back to the Roman Age, was an important halt along the Route in the middle Ages. The old Portomarín lies beneath the waters of the dam built in 1962. But before flooding the town, many monuments were moved, stone by stone, somewhere else. Such was the case of the church-fortress of the Knights of San Juan of Jerusalem, who once run the old hospital that lies beneath the waters of the Miño River, along with the old Medieval and Roman bridges. The municipality also has the church of San Nicolás, from the 13 C; the portal of the church of San Pedro, from 1182; the Count´s House, from the 16 C, and the Palace of Berbetoros, from the 17 C.

Overnight in Portomarin Sunday 30^th September (BD)

Day 8 – Portomarin

Toaday you will have a day to relax and rest in this fantastic old town. You can stroll through the town or just relax at the hotel areas.

Overnight in Portomarin Monday 1^st October

Day 9 – Portomarin – Palas de Rei

Walk approx 4.5 hours, 17.5 km After leaving Portomarín, our bus will transfer us to Gonzar; Castromayor; Hospital da Cruz; Ventas de Narón, an important Medieval town. On its lands took place a bloody battle between Christians and Arabs in the year 820. Further on the Route are Prebisa; Lameiros, where pilgrims can visit the Chapel of San Marcos and admire its beautiful transept. The Route advances towards Ligonde, where Carlos V and Felipe II halted along their pilgrimage to Santiago. It definitely had a hospital, which is recalled by a plain stone cross on the site where it stood. The Santiago church can also be visited, with its old graveyard for pilgrims. The itinerary continues to Portos, where pilgrims can deviate from the Route for a moment and visit Vilar de Donas, where we will have lunch. The fine Romanesque temple that stands majestically is remarkable for its Gothic paintings from the 16 C, and the busts of the "donas" or ladies that founded the house and its central apse in the 14 C. The temple also treasures several sarcophagi of Knights of the Order of Santiago along with a stone retable that depicts the eucharistic miracle of O Cebreiro. After taking the original course of the Route, pilgrims cross Lastedo and Valos, before arriving at Palas de Rei. Once an important town in the Middle Ages -it had a Royal Hospital- the church of San Tirso stands on its lands, with a Romanesque portal.

Overnight in Palas de Rei 2nd October

Day 10 – Palas do Rei – Melide – Castañeda - Arzua

Walk approx 4 hours, 16 km The Route leaves Palas de Rei and continues towards La Coruña province. Not far away, Santiago de Compostela awaits pilgrims. The Route first crosses San Julián del Camino, a small village where stands a Romanesque church with an interesting transept, then it continues to Outeiro da Ponte, where is the Castle of Pambre, one of the best preserved fortresses in Galicia. Further on, pilgrims pass though Pontecampaña, Casanova Mato, Porto de Bois and Campanilla. On leaving this last village, the Route enters the province of La Coruña. The first village to be crossed by the Route in La Coruña is Camino es Coto, then Leboreiro, where is an old Roman road that used to be followed by Medieval pilgrims.Visitors can view a Romanesque church from the 13 C and the emblazoned house of the Ulloa family, that once housed a hospital. Shortly after, pilgrims encounter Disicabo; then Furelos, with its Parish Church from the 19 C; and a Medieval bridge from the 14 C that takes them to Melide. This town is crucial to the Route, because it is the place where the French and the Oviedo Routes converge. At the entrance to the town there is a crossroads from the 14 C, one of the oldest in Galicia. From here our bus will drive us to Castañeda and then to Arzua. 3^rd October

Day 11 Arzua – Santa Irene – O Pino

Walk approx 4 hours, 16 km Pilgrims will start today´s journey full of joy, conscious that tomorrow they will be entering Santiago de Compostela, where many wonders await them, including the sepulchre of the Saint Apostle. The next stage, apart from being exciting for its sentimental and spiritual load, will be wearisome. For that reason, today´s journey will be quiet and short; pilgrims would better reserve their energies. We will start in Arzua. The Route advances towards Las Barrosas, where are the small chapel of San Lázaro and the Mill of the French. Further on the Route crosses Calzada, Calle and Salceda. Then the itinerary passes through Brea and arrives finally Santa Irene, where our bus will be waiting for transfer us to O Pino.

Overnight in O Pino Thursday 4^th October

Day 12 – O Pino - Santiago de Compostela

Walk approx 2.5 hours, 10.5 km The final day has come. Pilgrims begin their last day of journey along the Route to Santiago. Along it, pilgrims have travelled by part of the Spanish territory, and have enjoyed many of the countless wonders the country treasures, as a result of centuries of history, where the Route of Santiago has played an important role. The Route of today starts at Lavacolla, where pilgrims used to wash and make themselves presentable before entering the town of Compostela. Founded to house the remains of the Apostle Santiago as he deserved, the town retains its Medieval atmosphere, except for the ramparts. Unfortunately, they were destroyed at the end of the last century. Overjoyed pilgrims will walk along its ancient streets: Rúa do Franco, Rúa do Vilar, Rúa Nova and Rúa of San Pedro. They will admire the beautiful squares, including the famous Obradoiro, at the foot of the Cathedral, as well as the Quintana, Inmaculada, San Martín, Ánimas. Pilgrims will soon arrive at the Cathedral, the destination they have been yearning to reach for a long time. This architectural masterpiece is the most important Romanesque monument. Access to the Doorway of Glory is via the Obradoiro façade. Once in its interior, pilgrims will be carried away by the emotions produced by the sight of so many extraordinary valuable works of art. Tradition invites pilgrims to perform some rites. The most important and meaningful one is the hug to the Saint. Later on, comes the pagan rite of the bumps. It consists in reaching for a branch on the mullion, below the figure of the Sitting Apostle and, later making three wishes. On the other side of the column, there is another statue believed to impart wisdom and talents to whoever bumps his head against it. Outside the Cathedral, at the Obradoiro Square, visitors will be amazed at the magnificent sorrounding buildings that reflect the thousand years of history and architecture in the town: the School of San Jerónimo, founded in 1501; the Neoclassical Pazo Raxoi, built in 1766, and the Old Royal Hospital for pilgrims, favoured by the Catholic Monarchs and built at the beginning of the 16 C. These are some of the wonders pilgrims can enjoy in this historical town.

Overnight in Santiago for the next 3 nights. Friday 5th October

Day 13 – Santiago de Compostela

After the breakfast a tourist guide will show us the most important sights of this historic city. Among other we visit the palace Gelmirez as well as the cathedral. After this tour, free afternoon to take a stroll through the charming alleys and ancient streets of the city.

Overnight in Santiago de Compostela. Saturday 6^th October

Day 14 - Santiago – Camariñas – Muxía – Finisterre – Carnota – Muros

After the breakfast in the hotel we will begin our journey towards Santa Comba to arrive at Camariñas, famous for its pillow lace. Afterwards we continue to Cabo Vilano, situated on a cliff which maybe is one of the most spectacular cliffs of the peninsula coast. We continue towards Muxía, where we visit the Santuary of “La Virgen de la Barca” with its magic and curative stones. Passing Cée and Corcubión we will arrive at Finisterre for having lunch (pic-nic). In the afternoon we will ascent to Cabo Finisterre, the end of the world for the Romans. In the return journey to the hotel we will pass small towns as El Ezaro, Monte Pindo and Carnota, where the biggest Hórreo is situated. We arrive in the evening the hotel in Santiago de Compostela.

Overnight in Santiago de Compostela. Sunday 7^th October

Day 15 – Santiago de Compostela – La Lanzada - O Grove – Isla de la Toja – Pontevedra - Portonovo After buffet breakfast, we drive to the nearby Island of La Toja, famous for its spa, its cosmetic products and its Iglesia de las Conchas. A bridge connects the island with the charming fishing village of O Grove, known as the seafood paradise. There the group has the posibility to participate in an excursion by ship along the Ría de Arousa, and travellers will have the chance to taste some mussels and wine on board. Then we will go up to the mirador de Siradella, for a stunning view of the Salnés region. Afterwards we drive to Pontevedra to admire its beautiful monumental area, the Virgen Peregrina church, the Plaza de la Herrería, etc. We will continue to the Monasterio de Poio, where we will see its famous Saint James’ Way mosaic. Then we drive to Combarro, the most pinturesque village of the Rías Baixas, with its large number of hórreos all along its streets and just opposite the sea. Overnight in Portonovo Monday 8^th October

Day 16 - Portonovo - Padrón - Catoira- Vilagarcia de Arousa - Cambados After buffet breakfast, we drive to Padrón for a short visit, then we continue to Catoira, where we will pass beside the Torres del Oeste. We will go on along the coast road just up to Vilagarcía de Arousa, home to one of the most important commercial docks of Galicia, as well as the Pazo de Vista Alegre and the Chapel of Santa Rita. After lunch, we will drive to Cambados, birthplace of the Albariño, where we will visit a typical wine cellar. Overnight in Portonovo Tuesday 9^th October

Day 17 - Portonovo – North of Portugal- La Guardia-Baiona Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Then we drive southwards to Portugal, so that we can visit Valença do Minho with its Fortress, and walk down its streets and shops. We cross the border again to the South of Pontevedra, and we arrive at the typical fisherman’s village of La Guardia. We will go up the Monte de Santa Tecla for an incredible view of the Miño flowing into the sea. We continue to Baiona, a charming village with its stunning Fortress of the Conde de Gondomar. Overnight in Portonovo Wednesday 10th October (BD)

Day 18 – Departure day We drive from Portonovo to Santiago de Compostela airport where our trip concludes. End of our services. Thursday 11^th October (B) 

This package includes:

- 17 nights accommodation on half board. Dinner will be at hotel restaurants but if it does not have in a restaurant, we will have dinner near the hotel. (There are small hotels that do not provide meals but always have a restaurant for customers to dine there.)

- Bus support throughout the trip.

Includes arrival and departure transfer from Madrid Airport

Tour Bus from Madrid to Leon guided

departure from the hotel to the airport in Santiago Portonovo the last day.

It also includes:

· Excursion to Camariñas, Muxía, Finisterre, Walls (day 14) from Santiago

· Excursion to La Lanzada, O Grove, Isla de la Toja, Portonovo and Pontevedra (day 15) from Santiago

· Excursion to Padrón, Villagarcia de Arosa, Cambados (day 16) from Portonovo

· Excursion to the North of Portugal, La Guardia and Bayonne (day 17) from Portonovo.

Bus support at the beginning of the program and to the hotel at the end it (every day).

- Official Guide in English in Leon and Santiago de Compostela. Guided tour of each city with a visit to the points of cultural historical interest.

- English-language companion guide throughout the trip, walk with the group.

- Cruise on the Ria de Arosa

Private bilingüal guide.

All tours specified as “included”.

Accommodation in double or single rooms

 All taxes and service charges at the hotels

 Full-time services of a tour leader

 Baggage transfer between hotels

Extra 2 night Madrid including sightseeing 21 - 23 Sept.