To start our Camino trip we have a 2 night stay in the Roman city of Lugo which is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city is one of the only cities in the World with a fully intact Roman Wall.
Enjoy a day to prepare for your Camino. Walk the walls, visit the Cathedral, enjoy the narrow streets and busy squares.
Today we transfer to Sarria, the most popular starting point of the Camino de Santiago. In the town centre you will find churches, chapels, monasteries and seven pilgrim hospitals. The main street, Rúa Maior, has a nice atmosphere, where you can relax while enjoying a drink or bite in one of the nice cafes around.
You will be very excited to begin your pilgrimage and greet your fellow pilgrims with the words “Buen Camino” as you walk and soak in your surroundings.
Expect a peaceful walk in shady oak woods through pretty villages on quiet country roads.The village of Barbadelo (580m) has a beautiful Romanesque church that is worth a visit.The village of Ferreiros is also en route. When you arrive in Portomarin, you can chill out at one of the numerous outdoor cafés in the main square.
Begin your second walking day, from the lovely village of Portomarin. Today the Camino will cross the river Miño (Galicia’s longest river) and rise uphill steadily towards the Serra de Ligonde. You will pass nice hamlets such as Gonzar and Ventas de Narón. Stop to visit the Romanesque Church of Santa María in Castromaior and the Romanesque church in Eirexe, with its portal featuring a sculpture of Daniel with animals, as well as Pilgrim Santiago. There are many signs indicating that we are on a pilgrim route, including the famous “cruceiros” (crucifixes). Check out the Cruceiro of Lameiros and the Monastery of Our Saviour of Vilar de Donas (2 km detour off theCamino).
Tonight you will finish up your walk in the town of Palas de Rei. Relax and have a glass of wine after dinner in the company of some of your fellow group members.
Today, the Camino trail continues downhill, passing the village of Casanova and the delightful village of Leboreiro. You will move into the province of Corunna, where you will find expanses of eucalyptus and pine trees and numerous medieval bridges, such as those in Leboreiro and Furelos. You will finish your day in the lively market town of Melide, which is famous for its octopus, is an obligatory stop for pilgrims and lovers of good food.
Say goodbye to the lively market town of Melide and continue along your journey to Santiago de Compostela. Today the Camino crosses several streams, sleepy villages and follows a mixed forest track and road trail bringing you to the village of Boente. Don’t miss the beautiful sculpture of Saint James the Pilgrim in the Church of the same name in Boente and the church of Santiago. Next is the pretty medieval hamlet of Ribadiso and finally the town of Arzúa (389m), famous for its local cheese. In Arzúa, you should visit the churches of Santa María and A Magdalena and here in Arzua where you will finish up your walk for today.
The chapel of Santa Irene, with its unique statue of Santiago, is worth a visit. En-route, don’t miss the lovely hamlet of Rúa (310m). The rest of the route to Amenal is along a mix of good and calm country roads and forest tracks. Today’s route is a nice and easy walk over gentle slopes and through woodland, alternating with stretches near the road, which we will have to cross on occasions.
The last stage on your Camino de Santiago will take you through pretty woods, sleepy villages and across streams for most of the day.The proximity of your goal will bring mixed feelings. On one hand, you will be eager to reach the desired end of the journey, yet on the downside, the feeling that comes to every pilgrim is that the journey is over. A stage of anxiety and joy, where distance does not matter, because you are “already there”. The route today is flat, except for the climb to San Marcos, from Lavacolla on the outskirts of Santiago, where pilgrims used long ago wash themselves in the river in preparation for their arrival in Santiago de Compostela. Rows of tall eucalyptus trees line your journey to Monte do Gozo (‘Mount of Joy’ 368m) and it is from here that will catch your first glimpse of the spires of the cathedral in Santiago.The entire city of Santiago de Compostela is magical, but especially its Cathedral, which deserves a special visit.
After breakfast, go to exchange your pilgrim’s passport, if you haven’t already done it. Alternatively, we
suggest you visit the cathedral and the surrounding areas or attend a pilgrim mass. Use your remaining time to explore the beautiful old town in Santiago de Compostela, a UNESCO heritage site since 1985 and home to one of the oldest universities in Spain.
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