The Camino Guided Walking Holiday

THE PILGRIM ROUTE – GUIDED WALKING WEEK 2010 TO CELEBRATE HOLY YEAR

Sarria to Santiago de Compostela 7 nights, 5 days guided walking Holiday with 2 nights in Santiago.

It is widely claimed that in 1122 Pope Calixtus II gave Compostela the privilege of granting the grace of the Jubilee (plenary indulgence) to those who visited the shrine of the Apostle St James in the years when the saint's day, 25th of July, fell on a Sunday. An additional condition of the indulgence was that while in Santiago, the pilgrims would make their confession, attend Mass, give a donation for the upkeep of the shrine, and perform good works.

Probably the most famous Christian pilgrimage route of all is the medieval route to Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain, alleged burial place of St. James, brother of John the Evangelist and one of Christ's twelve apostles. Pilgrimages began in the 10th century AD and by the 15th century tens of thousands of pilgrims were making the journey from all over Europe. There were four principal routes across France leading into Spain – all converged to follow this last route into Santiago de Compostela.

Price

£875 per person (based on two people sharing) £85 single room supplement

Included

7 nights accommodation with breakfast in a mixture of hotels – two star for 6 nights, 1 night in 1 star (in Palas de Rei). All rooms with private bathroom, 5 dinners (no dinners in Santiago)

Transport of luggage between stops.

Tour manager throughout plus guest lecturer (minimum of 10 participants for guest lecturer). The guest lecturer will be Dr Steve Blake. Before taking early retirement in March 2006 Steve was curator and Museum & Collections Manager at Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum. He is a Fellow of the Museums Association and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries. His other great passion is medieval history and architecture, especially churches and the whole subject of medieval pilgrimage. To pursue these interests, he has travelled extensively within Britain and Europe and has walked large parts of the pilgrim routes throughout Europe and especially the Royal French Way to Santiago de Compostela.

Not included

Transport to Sarria and from Santiago de Compostela, drinks and lunches, dinners in Santiago, admission fees.

Departure date 2010:

July 19th (Monday)

Programme

Day 1 (19th July)
Arrival Sarria. Meet your guide and the rest of the group for dinner.

Day 2: (20th July)
Sarria - Portomarin. The first day's walk is one of the quietest and most peaceful of the Camino. We will stop along the way for snacks and drinks. Overnight Portomarin.
14.5 miles/23.2kms

Day 3: (21st July)
Walk Portomarin - Palas de Rei.There are several miles of road walking along this stretch but the roads are quiet and you pass through some small villages - the Romanesque Church of Santa Maria in Gonzar is 5 miles into the walk. There is a lovely Galician cemetery church in Ligonde which is about another 3 miles. Overnight in Palas de Rei.
15.5 miles/24.8kms

Day 4: (22nd July)
Walk Palas de Rei - Arzua.The route continues to Melide where we have lunch - this is a pleasant town with a former monastery Church Sancti Spiritu, along with a pilgrim hospital and the Church of San Pedro and the church of Santa Maria as you leave the town. Overnight in hotel in the small town of Arzua.
18 miles/28.8kms.

Day 5: (23rd July)
Walk Arzua - Lavacolla. The route continues to the small village of Lavacolla where traditionally pilgrims used to cleanse themselves before the final walk into Santiago de Compostela. Overnight Lavacolla.
17.5 miles/28kms

Day 6: (24th July)
Walk Lavacolla - Santiago. The last day's walk is short so pilgrims can arrive in the Plaza de Obradoiro and enter the Cathedral by midday in time for the pilgrim mass. Collect the Pilgrim Certificate and spend time exploring this beautiful city. Overnight Santiago.
7.5 miles/12kms

Day 7: (25th July, Sunday)
Holy day in Santiago.

Day 8: (26th July)
Departure