El Camino — the way to Santiago

Today, we all gather in the Spanish capital to meet our Travel Director as well as our fellow travelling companions. After a short Welcome Meeting, we visit the oldest district of Madrid, where we will see Plaza Mayor, Plaza de la Villa and the impressive San Miguel Market. It is then off for a Welcome Drink in a nearby tavern before we move on to our Welcome Reception, located in the heart of the Old Town, for a wonderful meal of local dishes, wines, and beers.

Hotel: Riu Plaza de España

This morning, we will board our train, passing the plains and fields of the region of Castilla y León and onto the historic city of León. On arrival, our Local Guide will show us the highlights of this wonderfully historic city, including its 12th-century cathedral, St. Isidoro Basilica and Antonio Gaudi’s Casa Botines. The evening is free to explore the Old Town with its wonderful bars, cafés, and restaurants centred around Plaza Mayor.

Hotel: Hotel Real Colegiate

Walking Distance: 17 km (10.5 mi)

After breakfast, we are transferred to the Rabanal del Camino, where we will start walking to El Acebo de San Miguel. Our journey will take us through the beautiful district “Maragateria” and into the wine-growing region of El Bierzo. Today, we will pass Cruz de Hierro, the highest point on the French Camino, a spot commemorated with the iconic “Iron Cross”, where, for centuries, pilgrims have been leaving stones to symbolically unburden themselves for the journey and adventures ahead. Upon arrival in El Acebo de San Miguel, we are transferred to our hotel for the next two nights, which is located among the vineyards of the Bierzo wine region.

Hotel: Palacio de Canedo

Walking Distance: 13 km (8 mi)

Wonderful scenery awaits us today as we are transferred to Ambasmestas, where we will begin our walk through the northwest of El Bierzo to the Galician town of O Cebreiro. En route, we pass through Vaga de Valcarce, beautifully located on the Valcarce River, along with the picturesque Herrerías and La Faba before continuing to O Cebreira. Once there, we stop to see their famed pallazas, thatched-covered stone huts that people have lived in for centuries. We are then transferred back to our stunning hotel outside Villafranca del Bierzo. Tonight, before dinner, we will enjoy a tasting of several wines from the Bierzo region.

Hotel: Palacio de Canedo

Walking Distance: 18 km (11 mi)

Small villages and a very rural Galician countryside dotted with farms and smallholding is the theme for today. We begin by crossing the town of Triacastela, after which we ascend to the peak of Riocabo to enjoy the wonderful views of the surrounding countryside. Our journey then continues as we pass through stunning natural oak forests and tiny villages such as A Balsa, Furela and Aguida, with next to no commercial businesses, on our way to Sarria.

Hotel: Hotel Alfonso IX

Walking Distance: 21.5 km (13 mi)

This morning, we will depart Sarria on foot, passing the convent of La Magdalena, which was founded as an early 12th-century hospital for pilgrims, and crossing the medieval bridge of Ponte da Áspera. Upon leaving the town, we walk through one of the most beautiful caballeiras, or oak forests, on the itinerary. Our route also takes us past ancient hamlets and Romanesque churches, most dating back to the Middle Ages, such as Ferreiros, Mirallos and Viachá. We finish our walking for the day, passing the Belesar reservoir and into the beautiful Portomarin with its spectacular location on the banks of the Minho River. With our journey for the day now over, we are transferred to Lugo for a well-earned two-night stay.

Hotel: Pazo de Orbán

Today is set aside to recharge the batteries, and what better place to do it than beside the Minho River in Lugo. After breakfast, we will see the Roman Walls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that surrounds the town, Praza Maior, with its impressive Concello do Lugo (Town Hall), the 12th-century Cathedral, as well as the Bishop’s Palace. The rest of the day is free to relax and maybe try some of the city’s famed cuisine – the city motto is “Y para comer, Lugo” (and to eat, Lugo) or wines from the nearby Ribeira Sacra wine region.

Hotel: Pazo de Orbán

Walking Distance: 25 km (15.5 mi)

This morning, we will be transferred back to Portomarin to continue our journey towards Santiago de Compostela. After crossing the Torres River, we pass Castromaior and see its “castro”, the wonderfully preserved ruins of a Celtic hilltop village, before heading to Hospital de la Cruz, which once housed a hospital for the pilgrims. We continue past O Lameiros with its famed 17th-century stone cross, Ligonde, which housed the monarchs Charles I and Phillip II on their pilgrimage, and onto Palas de Rei.

Hotel: Casa Rural Sant Joan

Walking Distance: 15 km (9 mi)

Our walk today takes through the beautiful village of Galician village of Pontecampaña with its wonderful stone cobbled lanes and onto Leboreiro, one of the most spectacular hamlets of the day. After a break to admire this remarkable village, we will continue to Furelos, where we cross the 900-year-old Puente de Furelos and onto Melide, a town known throughout Galicia for its octopus. We will then be transferred back to our hotel.

Hotel: Casa Rural Sant Joan

Walking Distance: 14 km (8.5 mi)

Departing Melide, we cross the Raido River, passing beautiful forests, which are a wonderful combination of oak trees with pine and eucalyptus, and onto Boente. After a short stop in this picturesque hamlet, which is divided into two, Boente da Riba and Boente da Baixo, we head to Ribadiso, with its traditional slate-covered homes on the banks of the river Iso. We will finish our day in Arzúa, located in the province of A Coruna and known throughout the region as “Tierra del queso” (land of cheese) because of its locally produced Arzúa-Ulloa.

Hotel: Pazo de Santa Anna

Walking Distance: 19 km (12 mi)

As we leave Arzúa, we also leave behind the Fuente de los Franceses (French Fountain) and head towards As Barossas, where we pass the chapel of San Lázaro and the monument to the priest Ramón Pazos Seaje. Our wonderful journey continues through Calzada and onto picturesque forest tracks littered with tiny hamlets of no more than a few residents. After passing A Rua, a charming hamlet of traditional stone houses, we will continue into the rural province of O Pino and the town of O Pedrouzo before returning to our hotel.

Hotel: Pazo de Santa Anna

Walking Distance: 21 km (13 mi)

Our final day of walking sees us travel on tranquil leafy tracks as we pass through the village of Lavacolla. In days past, pilgrims stopped to wash themselves from head to toe to arrive in Santiago clean. We continue onwards and enter the city of Santiago de Compostela at Monte de Gozo, where, from a small hill, we have wonderful views of the city and the distant towers of the cathedral. Our journey comes to a finish at the Cathedral of Santiago, which is also where our hotel for the next two nights is located, the Parador de Santiago de Compostela.

Hotel: Parador de Santiago de Compostela

Today, we attend the Pilgrim’s Mass in the Cathedral to put an end to our Camino officially. Afterwards, we collect our well-earned certificates and then head to a typical taverna to celebrate like true Galicians. The rest of the afternoon is free to wander this remarkable town or simply savour and reflect on the journey we have made over the last two weeks. This evening, we have a Farewell Dinner in a rustic local restaurant to reminisce about a wonderful trip and to cement new-found friendships.

Hotel: Parador de Santiago de Compostela

Our Camino has finally come to an end, after breakfast complimentary transfers to the airport, or train station, will be offered for those wishing to take advantage of them.