Introduction to Santiago de Compostela and the Way of Saint James
There is a tradition that pilgrims who were not able to travel to the Holy Land would choose instead to go to the shrine of St. James at Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Santiago de Compostela has been a focal point of European pilgrimage for over a thousand years and still has an enormous attraction for all kinds of people who may not necessarily have Christian convictions at all. Pilgrims embark on this adventure to discover themselves and others along the way and Compostela is the final chapter of the story. Ideally this is a destination for those who wish to walk long at least some of the Camino (Way) but since this is not possible for everyone, we offer you the chance to use modern transport to reach the main destination and then to explore the place at greater leisure.
We are suggesting three ways of visiting Santiago de Compostela: -
In the Footsteps of St James
Fly to Madrid or Bilbao and follow the Camino from Burgos to Compostela by bus and on foot. It is entirely up to you how much walking you would like to undertake each day. This programme gives you the opportunity of following the Pilgrims Way partially on foot to appreciate the spirit of the Pilgrimage. For those for whom this level of walking would be a problem there is always the option of staying on the coach. The Apostle, St. James the Great, son of Zebedee and Salome, and brother or St. John the Gospel Writer, was born near Nazareth and was nick-named "Son of Thunder" by Jesus, because of his impulsive and passionate nature. St. James made the journey from Palestine to Spain, where he carried out his preaching mission. When he returned to Palestine he was beheaded as an example to the Christian community there. Thus he became one of the first martyrs of the Church and his body was taken back to Galicia for burial. By the year 820 the remains of St. James were found and news of the discovery spread throughout the community of believers and the Christian communities of the West. And so began the tradition of pilgrimages to the shrine of Santiago de Compostela.
The Northern way / coastal route
This route takes pilgrims along the beautiful Northern coast of ‘Green Spain’ from the Basque Country, across Cantabria, Asturias, and finishing in Santiago de Compostela. Along this coastal Camino, there are picturesque and interesting cities, quaint fishing villages and magnificient nature. You can swim in the beautiful sandy beaches along the way and enjoy the delicious delicacies of this area. You can start from the town of Irun or the seaside city of San Sebastian. This route is a demanding journey for the pilgrims who undertake it, with its trails along the Cantabrian Sea, with its beautiful mountains, greenery and breathtaking landscapes. The Basque Country, Cantabria and Galicia can boast of having been able to preserve much of their traditional culture throughout history.
Compostela to Montserrat
Fly to Santiago de Compostela and travel by coach across the North of Spain stopping en route at Valladolid, Salamanca, Avila, Toledo, Zaragoza, Montserrat and fly home from Barcelona. Please see below for our suggested 8 day itinerary.
The Compostela Weekend
Fly to Santiago de Compostela for a long weekend (Thursday to Sunday) and, apart from an initial guided tour on your first day, you are free to explore at your own pace.
We are also happy to provide tailor made tours for groups wishing to devise their own routes to any cities within Spain and Portugal, for any duration, with partial or full walking as per your groups needs!
This tour is available for groups of 15 or more pilgrims
Please email info@special-pilgrimages.co.uk or call 01702 394000 if you are interested in arranging your own group!
Sample Itinerary
In the Footsteps of St. James
Day 1
LONDON/ MADRID / BURGOS
Fly from London to Madrid. You will be met by your guide and coach upon arrival and transfer to your hotel in Burgos (3 hours’ drive approximately) for check in, at the Rice Bulevar Hotel. Dinner is served at 20:00 hours and will be a first course of vegetable stew, main course of pork loin and ice cream for desert. Overnight stay in Burgos.
Day 3
LOIOLA / BURGOS
After breakfast we will drive to Loiola (2 hours) where we will visit the Sanctuary of Loiola. Situated in the Urola valley, the sanctuary is built around the tower house of the Loyola family. Two events make Loiola a centre for pilgrimage: the birth of Inigo Lopez de Loyola in 1491 and his conversion in 1521. We will spend the day at the sanctuary. Celebrate Mass at La Capilla de la conversion at 12:30 hours. Lunch in the vicinity (not included). We will have the rest of the day in the sanctuary before we return to Burgos. Dinner will be served at 20:00 hours and tonight’s menu is a soup starter, roast chicken for the main course and profiteroles for desert. Overnight stay in Burgos.
Day 4
BURGOS / CARRION DE LOS CONDES
After breakfast we will check out of our hotel and proceed to Burgos Cathedral where we will celebrate Mass at 08:30 hours and visit the famous gothic cathedral in Burgos. We will then continue by coach to Castojeriz and Fromista and then on to Villalcazar de Sirga and Carrion de los Condes. Lunch in the vicinity (not included). You will walk between Hontanas and Castojeriz (about 9km distance taking approximately 2 hours). We then check in at the Hotel Real Monasterio San Zoilo. Dinner this evening will be served at 20:00 hours and this evenings menu is a starter of white beans with chorizo, a main course of lamb stew with potatoes and seasonal fruit. Overnight stay at our hotel.
Day 5
CARRION DE LOS CONDES / LEON
After breakfast we check out of our hotel and drive to Bustillo and walk to Calzadilla de la Cuesta (approximately 10 km taking about 2 / 2 ½ hours). Continue to Sahagun and Leon. Lunch in the vicinity (not included). In the afternoon visit the beautiful gothic Leon cathedral and celebrate Mass there after the visit. We also visit the Romanesque collegiate church of San Isidora. We then continue to our hotel for check in. Dinner will be served at 20:00 hours and this evening is buffet style. Overnight stay at our hotel in Leon.
Day 6
LEON / PONFERRADA
After breakfast, we will check out of our hotel and drive through Hospital de Orbigo, Astorga and Foncebadon. The pass is crowned by the Cruz de Ferro (1504 metres above sea level) and is one of the simplest yet most ancient and symbolic monuments along the pilgrims’ route. Lunch in the vicinity (not included). In the afternoon, we will continue through to Ponferrada for a visit and to celebrate Mass at the Basilica de Nuestra Senora de la Encina at 17:00 hours. Check in at the Hotel AC Ponferrada. Dinner is served at 20:00 hours and this evening’s menu is a starter of appetisers of the region, a main course of hake fish with salsa verde and custard caramel for desert. Overnight stay in Ponferrada.
Day 6
VILLAFRANCA / PORTOMARIN / LUGO
After breakfast, we will check out of our hotel and drive to Villa franca for a short visit before we continue to O'Cebreiro and then on to Samos where we visit the monastery. Continue to Sarria and Mouzos. Lunch in the vicinity (not included). In the afternoon, we walk to Portomarin (approximately 15 km taking about 3-4 hours) where we will visit the Nicolous Church. Celebrate Mass in Palais de Rei at the Church of San Tirso at 17:30 hours. We will then transfer to Lugo where we check in at the Hotel Gran Lugo. Dinner is served at 20:30 hours and this evening will be a starter of Galician soup, a main of beef with vegetables and rice pudding for desert. Overnight stay at our Hotel in Lugo.
Day 7
LUGO / SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
After breakfast we will check out of our hotel in Lugo and drive to Santiago de Compostela, stopping at Melide for a short visit before continuing on for the final stage of our pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, the town of the Apostle James. Lunch in the vicinity (not included). In the afternoon, we will proceed to the Cathedral for a tour and we will celebrate Mass in Santiago de Compostela Cathedral at 14:00 hours before we proceed to our hotel for check in at hotel Gelmirez. The rest of the day is free for your own activities. In the evening we will walk to Santiago de Compostela Cathedral to witness the Botafumeiro at 19:30 hours. Dinner will be at 20:30 hours and this evening will be buffet. Overnight stay in Santiago de Compostela.
Day 8
SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA / LONDON
Leave in the morning and transfer to Santiago de Compostela airport for your return flight to London.
