In Europe, the Camino de Santiago, or the Way of Saint James, that leads to Santiago de Campostela a city in the far northwestern Spanish province of Galicia, stands out as a pilgrimage route of great importance. This self drive holiday will take you along this route and through some of the best highlights of the region

Detailed Itinerary
 

Day 1 MADRID

Airport Arrival to Madrid and depart directly to Burgos in Lerma (2hrs 30') If time is available, we suggest a short stop off to walk in the exceptional main square which dates back to the XVIIth century. Overnight at hotel

Day 2 BURGOS
Breakfast. This morning we suggest a walk in this well preserved middle age town and particularly a visit to its cathedral, maybe the best gothic building in the country. Afternoon excursion to COVARRUBIAS, a village, with a distinctly middle age atmosphere. Afterwards,  we suggest a visit to the Monastery ST DOMINGO SILOS.  Return to the hotel.

DAY 3 BURGOS FROM ISTA CARRION CONDESLEON
Breakfast. We suggest a visit to the nicest Roman churches in the area, the Santiago Temple with its Romanesque facade. This afternoon, we suggest a visit to the superb Gothic Cathedral and the excellent St Isidoro chapel, which is also the place of royal burials. Overnight at Hotel

DAY 4 LEON ASTORGA CASTRILLO DE LOS POLVAZARES PONFERRADA
Breakfast, followed by some time to visit the cathedral and Bishop Palace built by Gaudi. This little village is well preserved in local architecture and is a National Monument. It holds the remains of the castle of Temple, the enigmatic medieval monk-warriors. We suggest a visit to LAS MEDULAS , the main gold mines used during the Roman empire. The landscape was declared a 'Human kind Heritage'. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 5 PONFERRADA VILLA FRANCA O'CEBREIRO SAMOS SARRI' MONTE DE GOZO SANTIAGO
Breakfast before heading out along the St James pathway, with its little Roman  churches. There are still some Celtic houses, and pre-roman, where animals and people live together in the old tradition. Along the way you will pass important monasteries and medieval buildings. The valley in medieval times was known for its wine and was a region of incessant territorial disputes. Its reknown was lost to Spain until it was given DO status in 1985. The wine today, as in the middle ages, is influenced by the passing peregrinos who enjoy vino tinto with their menu del dia.

Villafranca itself is a small village with a few churches, plazas, and winding streets with traditional architecture. Like Ponferrada, Villafranca is a traditional camino town. It was founded by monks from the French monastery at Cluny in 1070 to care for the passing peregrinos. Dinner and overnight at hotel

DAY 6 SANTIAGO
Breakfast and overnight in Hotel . Santiago has a reputable history as a traveller destination. Since the miraculous discovery of the tomb of the Apostle Saint James by Bishop Theodomir in the year 813, the city has attracted crowds of pilgrims. At the town’s heart, the Cathedral of Saint James is the aim for pilgrims and a mayor point of interest for tourists. The western façade, dominating the Praza do Obradoiro, is the most astonishing piece of building in the city. Its ensemble of soaring towers, arches and windows, festooned with architectural frills, changes colour and personality depending on the light that falls on it, now amiably golden, now coldly grey.

DAY 7 SANTIAGO MADRID
Breakfast. (End of St James' Pathway)
(650 kms, about 8 hours) Overnight at Hotel

DAY 8 MADRID

Breakfast.

Transfer to the airport.

END OF TOUR

Package Price

Ex Johannesburg R12 350

Ex Cape Town R12 950

Ex Durban R12 800
Valid 01 Sep - 30 Oct 2008 (Other departures available at variable costs)

Includes:

Return flights to Madrid,

7 nights at 3-star superior standard Paradores,

breakfast daily,

8 days car hire with unlimited mileage.

Excludes:
Meals not specified
All items of a personal nature (telephone, bar bills, etc)
Any and all services not mentioned in inclusions

Approx Taxes: ex Johannesburg R5300 pp / ex Cape Town and Durban R6500

PLEASE NOTE:
Prices for departure from any other airport within South Africa are available upon request.

All prices are per person sharing twin accommodation
Valid on period specified - rates for other periods available on request.
Subject to airfare increases/exchange rate fluctuations and availability

 

BACK TO NEWSLETTER