Camino de Santiago Catholic Pilgrimage

After breakfast at our hotel,  we board our motor coach and head into the center of Madrid.  We will enjoy a panoramic tour of Madrid before we journey to Sarria.  We will celebrate mass in Madrid.  En route to Sarria, we pass the famous Benedictine Abbey of Samos, also known as the Royal Monastery of Saint Julian, founded in the sixth century.  It is a sight to behold and a famous stop on the Camino.  It is a national monument and is the oldest inhabited monastery in Spain.  Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Sarria.

12 km or 7.5 miles of walking

Today begins the walking portion of the Catholic Camino pilgrimage, or should we say, El Camino to Santiago de Compostela!

We will start at Iglesia Parroquial de Santa Marina, the traditional starting point for the Camino.

Pick up your Pilgrim Passport and set out for the small town of Morgade.  By following the footsteps of St. James, the apostle, you will make a journey performed by countess millions since the 9th century.

After your night in Sarria, expect a calm walk through pretty villages and quaint hamlets under the shade of oak trees and along quiet country roads.  Along the way, you will spot many Galician traditional ‘hórreos’ or granaries.

We will walk at our own pace in a contemplative and joyful way.  Remember, this is your Camino!  Walking alone sometimes is recommended.  We will walk together or in small groups at other times – often in quiet contemplation, saying the rosary, praying, or even singing!  We have a full-time Camino guide with us, and our luggage will be transferred by van from one hotel to the next.  You will carry your water and snacks.  Don’t worry if you ever feel too tired to walk- our bus will trail us and be available to transport you to our next hotel.

We will have dinner and overnight in the small village of Morgade.

10 km or 6 miles of walking

After breakfast, we embark on a peaceful walk through shady oak woods, charming villages, and quiet country roads.  The village of Barbadelo is home to the Romanesque Church of Santiago, which was declared a national monument in 1976.  We will pause here.  Founded in 1009, the church is an outstanding example of Galician Romanesque architecture.  To the left of the beautiful altarpiece stands a statue of the Camino’s patron saint, Saint James, adorned with a red sash.  Dinner and an overnight stay are at our hotel in Portomarin.

11 km or 7 miles of walking

The town was named “Porto,” which means river crossing in Galician.  We will visit the Romanesque Church of San Xoán, also known as the Church of Saint John and currently referred to as the Church of St. Nicholas.  This dual-purpose structure was built as a church and a fortress to protect pilgrims from the Moors, as evidenced by its four towers adorned with battlements.  Constructed in the 12th century, this church features a spectacular rose window on the main facade.  The portal was designed and built by Master Mateo, the renowned architect who also created the Pórtico de Gloria at the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral.  The name has changed numerous times due to its frequent gifts to Spanish royalty.  Many also refer to this as the Church of Santa Marina.

After your night in Portomarin, you will cross the Miño River, the longest in Galicia, and steadily rise uphill toward the Serra de Ligonde. You will pass charming hamlets such as Gonzar and Ventas de Narón. Make sure to visit the Romanesque Church of Santa María in Castromaior, which features a Romanesque carving of the Virgin Mary alongside a Renaissance altarpiece from the sixteenth century.

Dinner and overnight in the small hamlet of Ventas de Narón. 

11 km or 7 miles of walking

After winding our way through the charming Galician villages, we’ll start today’s walk in Hospital de Cruz and then wander through eucalyptus forests on our route to Palas de Rei, where the famous white wine of Galicia, Albariño, awaits our thirsty pilgrims.  It has become Spain’s most celebrated white wine, boasting a delightful blend of floral, oceanic, and citrus aromas.  The best dishes to pair with Albariño are Gallego classics like boiled or grilled octopus with spicy pimentón, shellfish, lobster, and grilled fish.

Stop and see the Romanesque church of Santiago in Eirexe.  Its portal features a sculpture of Daniel with animals and Pilgrim Santiago.

Palas de Rei was a noteworthy town in the Middle Ages, as it contained a Royal Hospital and the church of St. Tirso.  The rugged walk continues through fields, forests, and granaries.  Additionally, you will see a prominent characteristic of the Galician Landscape: Los Cruceiros.  These wayside stone crosses depict Christ and the Virgin Mary and are said to protect travelers.  There are circa 12,000 cruceiros in Galicia.

14 km or 8.75 miles of walking

This morning, the Camino trail goes downhill, passing through the village of Casanova and the charming village of Leboreiro.  

We will stop for dinner and spend the night in Melide.  This town is where the French and Oviedo Camino routes converge.  Upon arriving in Melide, you will notice the old roads dating back to the fourteenth century, which are some of the oldest in the Galicia region.  While in Melide, you should try octopus, Galicia’s most iconic dish, at one of the many ‘pulperías.’ Octopus was introduced by the local Cistercian monks who popularized the dish as they abstained from eating red meat.   

14 km or 8.75 miles of walking

After breakfast, you’ll depart from the Lugo province and enter A Coruña.  The Camino crosses several streams and follows a forest path that leads you to the village of Boente and the Church of Santiago.  Next, you’ll visit the charming medieval village of Ribadiso, followed by the town of Arzúa. Arzúa is renowned for its cheese, which has an aroma reminiscent of butter and yogurt, with hints of vanilla, cream, and walnut, exhibiting a mild strength.  Its flavor is slightly salty, with a smooth, moist texture.

In Arzúa, we will tour the church of Santa María and the chapel of La Magdalena.  The chapel was part of a monastery established by Augustinian friars in the 14th century.  By the end of the 17th century, the Augustinians departed for Santiago de Compostela, leaving behind the monastery in Arzúa. Today, nothing remains of the monastery.  We will have dinner and spend the night in Arzúa.

10 km or 6 miles walking

Walking this route, you will immerse yourselves in the fragrant eucalyptus groves and experience breathtaking scenery.  This stage of the Camino features landscapes of meadows and woods with oaks, eucalyptus, fruit trees, and cultivated fields punctuated by stretches of asphalt road.  We cross the River Raído and then pass through several small villages, including Cortobe, As Pereiriñas, A Taberna, A Calzada, A Rúa, Ferreiros, and A Salceda.  Dinner and overnight in A Salceda.

9 km or 5.6 miles walking

This section of the Camino presents a tremendous variety of terrains and landscapes.  At times, you will follow a well-maintained walking path alongside the road, wander through charming meadows, and pass through forests of eucalyptus trees.  It is a pleasant walk with no difficulty and many chances to stop at cafes along the way for a drink or snack.  Be sure to visit the Ermita or chapel of St. Irene during your journey.

10km or 6 miles walking

Today is a leisurely day, a bit shorter than the one before it.  The path will lead you alongside streams through quaint, sleepy villages.  This section features numerous serene picnic spots and transforms into a vibrant display of colors in spring, showcasing a variety of flowers along the trail.

After leaving Rua today, once again, in just a short stretch, the path reveals various facets of the Galician countryside.  You will stroll through majestic eucalyptus forests, past cornfields, and charming stone bridges spanning refreshing streams. On Monte do Gozo, also known as the Mount of Joy, you will catch your first sight of the cathedral spires in Santiago.  Pope John Paul II visited the Mount of Joy to lead the final mass during World Youth Day in August 1989.  Sculptures adorn the top, including one that commemorates both John Paul’s visit and a Camino pilgrimage by Saint Francis of Assisi in A.D. 1214.

10km or 6 miles walking

After breakfast, we begin the final stage of our Camino, departing from the church in Lavacolla, where pilgrims have traditionally washed in the river before arriving at Santiago de Compostela. With only 10 km, or about 6 miles, to walk today, you should reach Santiago in time for the pilgrim mass at noon.  There are statues representing Pope John Paul II and two giant pilgrims pointing the way! This is it—our final stretch!  Tall eucalyptus trees line our path to Monte del Gozo. From the “Mount of Joy,” you can see our goal—the Cathedral of Santiago! We experience great joy as we walk into the town of Santiago de Compostela and behold the magnificent Cathedral of St. James. We kneel in gratitude on the stones in front of the Cathedral’s square and give thanks to Christ and St. James for bringing us safely to our destination. We take our pilgrim passport and receive our pilgrim certificate of completion—“Compostela.” We enter the Cathedral, marveling at the architecture and savoring the wonderful atmosphere of this cultural and spiritual masterpiece. Don’t miss the Portico of Glory, created by a master named Mateo.  Enjoy your free time in Santiago to explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site’s architecture and delight in the vibrant atmosphere of this spiritual and cultural city.  Dinner and overnight in Santiago de Compostela.

After a restful night, we will take a short walk to the cathedral’s main chapel, where we will hug the statue of Santiago and visit his holy relics.  These two spaces are the most visited in the Cathedral of Santiago.

The famous figure of Santiago is located on the altar inside the dressing room.  Santiago is seated and dressed as a pilgrim.  The sculpture, dating back to the 13th century, is made of stone.  The Apostle’s garments resemble rich jewels.  Access is available from the back of the altar to give a traditional hug to Santiago, which is one of the most anticipated moments for all pilgrims.  Under the cabin is the burial crypt, which guards the saint’s remains.  The remains are on a marble altar and inside a Romanesque-style carved silver urn.

Following your visit to the Cathedral, you will have free time for lunch and sightseeing before your sightseeing tour.  Some suggested stops on your tour might include Obradoiro Square, Fonseca Palace, Gelmirez Palace, Franco Street, and more.  Your evening will be free to spend at your leisure until a final dinner with your group.  You will spend a final overnight in Santiago de Compostela.

Your last day in Spain will begin with breakfast at your hotel, followed by a transfer to the Santiago Airport for your return flight(s) home.