The Camino Guided Walking Holiday

THE PILGRIM ROUTE – GUIDED 2017

Sarria to Santiago de Compostela 6 night guided walking holiday.

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

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Included

6 nights accommodation with breakfast in a mixture of 2 & 3 star family run hotels. All rooms with private bathroom, 5 dinners (no dinners in Santiago)

Transport of luggage between stops.

Our tour leader is Robin Westward who has led pilgrimages to the Holy Land and the Middle East. He has also led trekking tours in China, Peru and the USA. Robin has a great interest in medieval religious art and architecture and has gained degrees in Theology and Medieval History. He also has a master's degree in Monastic Studies. He has a medical background and is now semi-retired and living in Cheltenham where he enjoys many aspects of rural life in England as well as leading tours to Italy and Spain.

Not included

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

Departure dates 2017:

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Programme

Day 1

Arrival Sarria - dinner and overnight. Meet your guide, Robin, who will go over the programme for the week's walk.

Day 2:

Sarria - Portomarin.The walk between Sarria and Portomarin is one of the quietest and most peaceful of the Camino. During the summer there are plenty of places for lunch and drinks along the way. Overnight in Portmarin.

14.5 miles/23.2kms

Day 3:

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:

Walk Palas de Rei - Arzua.The route continues to Melide where we have lunch - this is a pleasanttown with a former monastery Church Santci Spiritu, along with apilgrim 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.Walk can be shortened by using a shuttle.

18 miles/28.8kms.

Day 5:

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:

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:

Departure.