Make your way to your local airport, where you will board your overnight flight(s). Your meals will be served on board.

Upon arrival in Madrid, collect your luggage in the baggage claim area, and continue to the arrival hall where your driver will greet you. Transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, walk to the Cathedral of Almudena where the group will celebrate Mass, followed by a tour of the Cathedral. We will continue our walking tour of Madrid and see the exterior of the Royal Palace. Walk through the Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol, and make a final stop at the Church of Saint James. Return to your hotel. Enjoy a nice meal before having a restful overnight in Madrid before your walking tour begins.

This morning, you will enjoy breakfast and transfer to Sarria. Sarria is located in the northwest of Spain and is well-known as the entry point to the oriental side of the region, Galicia. You will then begin your journey on foot from Foncebadon. In the eleventh century, this village was a common resting place for pilgrims on El Camino due to its hospitals, hospice, and church. Currently, the structures that have served so many are now in ruins. While in Foncebadon, you will walk to view the “Iron Cross.” This Cross is a place where pilgrims traditionally leave a stone at the foot of the Cross to symbolize a sin or burden that they are leaving behind. Your tour continues as you walk to O Cebreiro. Many pilgrims pause at this site to see the Eucharistic Miracle that occurred in the year 1300. Be sure to have your camera ready, as this village is suspended 1,300 meters in the air and provides a breathtaking panoramic view. Your first walking day culminates with a delicious meal and an overnight in Sarria.

Today is the day that your walking pilgrimage (El Camino) to Santiago de Compostela officially begins! With the guidance of Our Lord, and through the spirit of St. James the Apostle, you will become an authentic pilgrim by journeying along the physical road and the spiritual one. Your first official day of walking will culminate in Portomarin. This town dates back to the Roman Ages and it was an important stop during the Middle Ages. Due to the creation of a dam in 1962, the Old Portomarin is currently underneath the Mino River. As a result of the dam, many of the old buildings were moved, brick by brick. Among these buildings is the Church of St. John of Jerusalem. At Portomarin, you will enjoy dinner followed by an overnight.

This morning, you will enjoy breakfast at your hotel and journey from Portomarin, through the woods to the Palas de Rei. This was a noteworthy town in the Middle Ages, as it contained a Royal Hospital and the Church of St. Tirso. As the rugged walk continues, continue through fields, forests, and granaries. Additionally, you will see a prominent characteristic of the Galician Landscape: Los Cruceiros. These wayside crosses depict Christ and the Virgin Mary. Dinner and enjoy a restful overnight in Palas de Rei.

Begin the day with breakfast at your hotel. Your pilgrimage continues as you travel from Palas de Rei to the bustling small town of Arzua. Before arriving in Arzua, your group will stop at Melide. This town is a crucial point of El Camino because it is where the French and Oviedo routes converge. Upon arrival in Melide, you will notice the old roads that date back to the fourteenth century, which are some of the oldest in the region of Galicia. After lunch, you will leave the Lugo province and enter the province of A Coruna. As your group continues to Arzua, you will cross the beautiful, medieval bridge over the Iso River to Ribadiso. Following your visit to this Chapel, your day will culminate with the arrival in Arzua, where you will enjoy dinner and an overnight.

Today, you will take a break to rest your bodies and shake off any fatigue. After Mass, there will be time to reflect on the journey thus far and to spend at your leisure. Dinner and overnight will be provided in Arzua.

Your journey is almost over as you walk to the largest community before Santiago, Arca de O Pino! Upon walking this route, you will immerse yourself in the fragrant eucalyptus groves and experience the breathtaking scenery. At a point throughout your walk, you will stop and enjoy a picnic lunch. Following lunch, you will continue your journey and arrive in Arca de O Pino. As you explore this village, you will notice joy etched on the faces of the pilgrims. Although they have traveled a long distance, they are not weary. With God and St. James guiding their paths, excitement and anticipation continue for their arrival in Santiago.

Today, you will reach the culmination of the walking portion of your journey! Before arriving at your final destination, you will stop for Mass on what is known as Mount Joy (Monte del Gozo). You will know that you are approaching Santiago because, at this point, you will be able to see the spires of the Cathedral. Following lunch, you will complete your walking journey and arrive at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Upon arrival, feel free to say a small prayer in thanksgiving to Our Lord for keeping you safe throughout the walking pilgrimage. At this time, you will check in to your hotel and enjoy free time to explore Galicia’s capital, Santiago. This evening, you will enjoy a marvelous dinner, followed by a very restful overnight in Santiago de Compostela.

This morning, you will awaken in the beautiful city of Santiago de Compostela! Formed by Galician granite, the Cathedral is one of the finest architectural examples in Europe as it encompasses Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque styles. Additionally, the Cathedral contains numerous valuable pieces of art that truly captivate the eye. Upon entering the Cathedral, pilgrims traditionally hug the statue of St. James inside. You will then have the opportunity to descend into the crypt, which houses the tomb of St. James the Apostle. Following your visit, you will enjoy free time for lunch on your own before your sightseeing tour of the city. Some stops on your tour include Obradoiro Square, Fonseca Palace, Gelmirez Palace, Franco Street, and much 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 Santiago de Compostela, A Coruna, or Porto Airport for your return flight(s) home. You will say hasta luego (see you later) to your new friends made on this journey.

*206 Tours Disclaimer:
Occasionally local religious and national holidays, weather, traffic conditions and other events may necessitate changes in the sequence of events or the missing of certain events/places. Though every effort will be made to follow the itinerary, it should be considered as an indication, rather than a contract of events and places to be visited.