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Walking the Camino de Santiago – May 31 to June 8/19
Ancient churches, Gaudi-designed architecture and Rioja vineyards. Discover all of this and
more on a series of walks which take you to charming towns and cities located on the
Pilgrim's Road to Santiago de Compostela in north-west Spain. The best part of the walk –
a typical taste of Galicia, the Tarta de Santiago, a delicious cake made with almonds.
Land only $2499.00 per person – ALL SOLO Travelers *While Just You is a solo only company – it is not ladies only. Statistics show 80% are ladies.
Call 604-535-5565 or 1-800-578-5565
Village Travel – Ladies on the Go (BC Reg 72526) 101 1647 140 St., White Rock, BC V4A4H1
Email: [email protected] www.ladiesonthego.ca
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Itinerary
DAY 1 Arrival in Spain
Join your fellow travellers at your hotel.
DAY 2 Puente la Reina to Haro
Walk 5.2km – 90 minutes
El Camino de Santiago was the most important religious and cultural route in Europe in the
Middles Ages. During this tour we'll follow parts of its path, taken by pilgrims heading to
Santiago de Compostela, also known as the Way of St James. We'll even receive a Pilgrim
Route Passport, which will be stamped en route.
Today we'll head to medieval Puente La Reina, the meeting point of the Jaca Pilgrim Road
and the French Way. We'll pause to admire the 12th century church of Santa María de
Eunate before beginning our walk along the Camino de Santiago. We'll pass though
vineyards and charming villages until we reach the village of Lorca, where lunch is included.
Our walk then takes us via the Monastery of Irache to the La Rioja wine region, before
heading to Haro. Later we will head to a winery for a visit and to sample Spain's most
famous wine.
DAY 3 Haro to Burgos
Walk 5km – 90 minutes
Our first stop today is at Navarrete, a town built in the 12th century by the Knights of the
Holy Sepulchre, which offers wonderful views of the surrounding countryside. Our walk
today takes us through more vineyards of La Rioja, from the royal town of Nájera, divided
by the River Najerilla. We'll continue by road to Santo Domingo de la Calzada, an important
stopping point for pilgrims. On arrival in Burgos, where we stay tonight, you can join an
optional guided tour. Highlights include its cathedral, which is a masterpiece of Spanish
Gothic architecture.
DAY 4 Burgos to Leon
Walk 5km – 90 minutes
After breakfast we'll embark on today's walk, which takes us to the Campos de Castilla
area, known as the 'breadbasket' of Spain due to its cereal production. The canal we'll
follow was built for transportation of this commodity and a highlight will be its locks, which
allow for a 14-metre drop in terrain. In the town of Frómista we'll have free time for lunch
and the chance to admire the Church of San Martín, a Romanesque architectural gem.
This evening we'll stay in León, where an optional tour will introduce us to its impressive
cathedral and the Casa de los Botines, designed by the famous architect Antoni Gaudi.
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DAY 5 Leon to Ponferrada
Walk 6km – 2 hours
Today we reach the town of Astorga, where we'll admire its cathedral and Bishop's Palace,
another design by Gaudi, before passing the traditional village of Castrillo de los Polvazares
with its stone-built houses.
Our walk takes us to northern Spain's highlands, where we'll stop at la Cruz de Fierro,
where pilgrims would leave behind a stone or memento – a symbol of casting aside a
burden. After a traditional lunch in the pretty village of Molinaseca we'll drive to
Ponferrada, where we stay tonight. Highlights of our tour here are the Knights Templar
Castle and Basilica de Nuestra Senora de la Encina.
DAY 6 Ponferrada to Santiago de Compostela
Walk 5km – 90 minutes
We'll reach our goal of Santiago de Compostela today. First we'll make a stop at the Celtic
town of O Cebreiro. One of the most picturesque villages on the Way of St James, we'll
pause to admire its pre-Romanesque church and round stone houses. There's time for
lunch in the riverside town of Portomarín – whose historic buildings were rescued stone by
stone when it flooded and moved to allow for a dam to be built on the Miño River.
We'll then drive to Monte de Gozo, or the Mount of Joy, which is the first point at which
pilgrims can view Santiago de Compostela after their long journey. Our final walk takes us
into Plaza del Obradoiro, in the centre of the city.
DAY 7 Fisterra & Santiago de Compostela
Walk 3km – 2 hours
This morning we'll head to Fisterra, a historic fishing port where pilgrims would bathe in the
sea to purify their souls and collect a scallop shell – the symbol of pilgrims. On a short stroll
around the lighthouse here, see if you can collect a shell to take home as a wonderful
souvenir of your trip.
This afternoon why not join our optional guided tour of Santiago de Compostela, the capital
of Galicia, with its porticoed streets lined by granite architecture. We'll also visit the local
market and we will have the opportunity to attend the pilgrim's mass, when if we are lucky,
we may see the "botafumeiro" a giant incense burner, as it swings through the entire lenght
of the famous cathedral.
This evening we will gather as a group and head to a traditional Galician restaurant for a
farewell dinner.
DAY 8 Santiago de Compostela
Today we'll visit the small fishing village of Combarro, where time has seemingly stood still.
Located on the northern shore of the Pontevedra estuary, its granite-paved streets date
back to the 17th century and are lined by traditional Galician-style houses and artisan shops.
After time for lunch your Just You vacation comes to an end.
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What's included • Just You Tour Manager as your host
• 7 nights in 3 and 4-star hotels
• 12 meals: 7 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners
PLUS…
• Specialist Local Guide
• Welcome drink
• Porterage
• Audio Guide
Included excursions
• Walk through vineyards & villages in Spain’s Basque country
• Winery visit & tasting
• Visit medieval Navarrete
• Stop at Santo Domingo de la Calzada
• Walk through the Campos de Castilla area
• Visit Astorga’s cathedral
• Walk through the highlands of northern Spain
• Enjoy a traditional lunch in the pretty village of Molinaseca
• Visit Ponferrada’s Knights Templar Castle
• Explore the Celtic town of O Cebreiro
• Walk from the Mount of Joy to Santiago de Compostela
• Pick a seashell at Fisterra – the symbol of the pilgrim
Optional excursions
• Tour of Burgos
• Discover medieval Leon
• Tour of Santiago de Compostela and Mass
Land only $2499.00 per person – ALL SOLO Travelers *While Just You is a solo only company – it is not ladies only. Statistics show 80% are ladies.
Other dates may be available if you cannot come with us.
Call 604-535-5565 or 1-800-578-5565
Village Travel – Ladies on the Go (BC Reg 72526) 101 1647 140 St., White Rock, BC V4A4H1
Email: [email protected] www.ladiesonthego.ca
