On The Path of Saint James to Santiago De Compostela

Journey down this ancient road on the path of past or today's pilgrims and and learn about the rich historic and religious heritage of cities, towns, villages, convents, bridges and chapels enroute.
Enjoy varied landscapes accompanied by the the persistent presence of contemporary pilgrims. Participating in mass and possibly enjoying long walks will help us better appreciate this phenomenon and understand the endurance of this centuries old tradition.

Saint James is the  Patron Saint. The city where his remains are said to be held, Santiago de Compostela, is considered the third most holy town within the Roman Catholic world (after Jerusalem and Rome). The traditional  pilgrimage route to the grave of the saint, known as the "Way of St. James" , has become the most popular pilgrimage for Western European Catholics from the early  Middle Ages onwards. Over 100 thousands pilgrims from all over the world walk the final 100 km walk to Santiago each year. 

Day 1 BILBAO  PAMPLONA
Start at Bilbao Airport, designed by the renown architect Calatrava, followed by another landmark of contemporary art, Frank O. Gehry's Guggenheim Museum, the newest icon of the Basque Country's industrial capital city. We will further explore this refurbished city with a scenic tour that takes us from the newer suburbs to the historic old town and its Seven Streets, where we will have our first encounter with the Path of Saint James while visiting the Santiago church, nowadays a Cathedral. Travel to Pamplona for overnight

Day 2 PAMPLONA  ESTELLA  NAVARRETE  N�JERA  SANTO DOMINGO DE LA CALZADA - BURGOS
In the morning we will visit the old section of Pamplona, a city where tradition and modernity live harmoniously side by side. Founded by the Roman general Pompey in 75 BC, the city's importance grew in the 10th century with the Kingdom of Pamplona. During the reign of Sancho III el Mayor (11th century), the current route of the Pilgrim's Route to Santiago de Compostela was traversed through the Kingdom of Navarre forming its face and character. The Calle Mayor in Navarrete will guide us along homes and palaces, leading to the Romanesque gate of the cemetery. We will go on to Nijera, the former venue for the Kings of Navarre, some of whom are buried in the monastery of Santa Maria la Real. Our next stop will be Santo Domingo de la Calzada , a site created for those making the pilgrimage, with its walls, a beautiful Main Square, pilgrimage hospital, and its noted Romanesque-Gothic Cathedral. On our way to Burgos, we will ascend the hills to find, in the midst of nature, the late Romanesque church of San Juan de Ortega, another landmark created for and by the pilgrim. Possibility of hiking along the Path of Saint James from Ermita de Valdefuentes to San Juan de Ortega ( 6,4 km ). Overnight in Burgos

Day 3 BURGOS
Burgos welcomes us with its legend of  the origins of the impressive Castile at the Renaissance gate of Santa Mar�a, with special reference to the historical figure named El Cid. We will visit the Cathedral, an outstanding example of Gothic architecture and World Heritage Site. A walk through the city will take us to the Casa del Cordon, the Main Square, the Paseo del Espol�n promenade, and the Consulate. In the outskirts we will discover two great monuments: the Cistercian monastery of Las Huelgas, a royal pantheon from the 13th century; and the Cartuja de Miraflores, church and burial place for the parents of Isabella the Catholic, Queen of Castile.
Possibility of celebrating or attending Holy Mass. Overnight in Burgos

Day 4 BURGOS  FREMISTA  CARRION DE LOS CONDES  LEON
We'll continue our journey along the Path of Saint James in the Castilian plains as we encounter the narrow Arch of Saint Anton near Castrojeriz. Possibility of hiking along the Path of Saint James from Hontanas to Castrojeriz ( 9 km ). Visit in Fr�mista the church of Saint Martin, one of the purest examples of Romanesque. A few kilometers away lies a village with an important Jacobean past: Carri�n de los Condes and its two magnificent Romanesque facades in the churches of Santiago and Santa Mar�a del Camino. Sahag�n will take us to the Mud�jar style brick of the church of San Tirso, while San Miguel de la Escalada represents the other medieval Arabic style from the north of Spain known as Moz�rabe. Continue to Le�n for overnight

Day 5 LEON ASTORGA  RABANAL DEL CAMINO  MOLINASECA - PONFERRADA
As one of the capitals of Medieval Spain, Leon offers Romanesque style works of art in painting, sculpture and architecture in San Isidoro, and one of the most important collections of stained glass in its Gothic Cathedral. We cannot leave without first contemplating the beautiful facade of the former pilgrimage hospital of San Marcos, nowadays a luxurious Parador. Our journey will take us to Astorga, another city of Roman origin, with its picture perfect Roman and Medieval city wall, its Gothic Cathedral and its Modernist Episcopal Palace, designed by famous architect Antonio Gaudi. Possibility of organizing a traditional Maragato lunch near Astorga. In the afternoon we will traverse one of the most authentic and untouched sections of the Path of Saint James -Rabanal del Camino, Cruz de Ferro and Molinaseca- ending at Ponferrada, known for its famous castle of the Knights Templar. Possibility of hiking along the Path of Saint James from Acebo to Molinaseca ( 7,6 km )
Overnight in Ponferrada

Day 6 PONFERRADA  O CEBREIRO  SAR RIA �PORTOMARN  SANTIAGO
Villafranca, the ancient capital of El Bierzo offers an important urban setting in which the Romanesque church of Santiago stands out. Here is where pilgrims began their climb to O Cebreiro, the entry gate to Galicia. This hamlet surprises with its particular architecture and the legend that surrounds its humble church. Possibility of celebrating or attending Holy Mass
We will continue our journey along the green countryside of Galicia, over Sarria to Portomarn until arriving at the Mi�o River in Portomarn, where we will discover the Romanesque church-fortress of Saint Nicholas. Possibility of hiking along the Path of Saint James from Sarria to Mouzs ( 6,2 km ). Overnight in Santiago

Day 7 SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
A walk through the narrow streets of the historical district will lead us to the Cathedral of Santiago that, since its construction, has been the object of almost all the Christian pilgrimages, and the monumental Plaza del Obradoiro, surrounded by granite works of art. Possibility of attending Pilgrims Holy Mass Possibility of organizing a special farewell dinner. Overnight in Santiago

Day 8 SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA / Departure
Transfer to the Santiago Airport

Price on application: info@allegroholidays.com