The Camino De Compostela
There are many Caminos (or walking tracks) that lead to Santiago de Compostela. The most famous is the French Camino starting in St Jean Pied de Port on the French side of the Pyrenees and finishing at Santiago in Spain.
For pilgrims in the middle ages this was a religious journey that meant leaving home for many months on a dangerous journey that could mean theft, beatings and possible death. For the pilgrims of today the biggest problem to be faced is likely to be sore feet, that and finding the time to walk the whole route
Global Drift has put together a journey that provides a taste of the many different sectors of the walk. We believe it is the best of the Camino. We enjoy walking the high Pyrenees to the flat plains of the Mescita, from the vineyards of the Rioja to the breathtaking Ribeira Sacra. We visit the historic centres of Pamplona, Burgos and Leon; staying in quality hotels, many of which are restored historic buildings. We sample the best of the local cuisine and of course the many different wines that Spain has to offer. We have scheduled our walks in manageable sections and with only your day bag to carry (the luggage goes on ahead each day).
Join us on this amazing walk and become part of living history. This adventure is not just a pilgrimage but an immersion into to the culture, cuisine and wine of northern Spain.
“Pilgrim, leave what you are able; take what you need.”
| 13 Day Itinerary | ||
| Departure: | 25th August 2012 | (Saturday to Thursday) |
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| Price: | EUR$2150 | |
Day 1 - arrive Bilbao We meet at 7pm for an introduction then a walk in the old city as we sample the best of Basque cooking in a selection of Tapas bars Day 2 - Bilbao Bilbao has transformed itself into a vibrant cultural capital without losing sight of its traditional roots. A highlight is the world famous Guggenheim Museum. We spend the morning exploring the permanent exhibits. Then a walk along the riverbank and time in the historic centre. The cities medieval past still permeates the atmosphere Day 3 - Bilbao to Pamplona Walk: Roncavalles to Linzoan 13.4kms. An early start today driving up the coast for breakfast overlooking the sea in San Sebastian. Continuing up the coast and then inland we arrive in the foothills of the Pyrenees at Roncavalles. Our first walk is reasonably challenging as we are in the mountains and our route takes us across two beautiful passes and then into beech and oak woods and open meadows. Panoramic views of the local countryside are a constant with the imposing Pyrenees as a backdrop. Arriving in Linzoan we drive to Pamplona where we spend the night Day 4 - Pamplona to Estella Walk: Zariquiegui to Muruzabal 8.6kms. Time to explore Pamplona, a quiet and picturesque city with a high walled old town. A short drive takes us to Zariquiegui and the start of today’s walk. We leave the coast behind and enter dryer flatter areas. The Camino here is quite agricultural with cereal fields, vineyards and olive trees. Our walk ends at Muruzábal. We drive to Puente de la Reina, named after the still standing bridge built in the 11th century then on to Estella. Our historic hotel at the foot of Navarra’s Sierra de Lóquiz Mountains is a former palace dating from the 16th century.
Dinner is a range of specialities of the local Navarran cuisine Day 5 - Estella to Logroño Walk: Azqueta to Los Arcos 14kms. The walk today begins in Azqueta and takes us into the Rioja, where they make Spain’s internationally acclaimed red wine. We visit a 12th century church in Villamayor de Monjardín and have a wine tasting in the cellars of Castillo de Monjardín. Moving on we stroll through undulating countryside where grapes and olives are ever present.
Logroño is renowned for its tapas bar's Day 6 - Logroño Walk: Rest day. Today we take a break to explore the Rioja area and of course to taste the famous wine. We visit Europe’s largest wine museum, Dinastia Vivanco where we learn about glass blowing and cork making. The lovely village of Briones is our next stop which has a marvellous Baroque church and a beautiful main square. Leaving Briones we visit the wine hamlet of Samaniego for a tour of the boutique cellar, Remirez de Ganuza.
Travelling on to the hill-topped village of Laguardia we take a walk along the ancient walls and enjoy an aperitif in the main plaza. We choose to eat at Bodega Mayor de Migueloa, built in 1619 and restored in 1989 Day 7 - Logroño to León (via Burgos) Walk: No walking today
A stop in Burgos and its medieval splendour is planned with an unforgettable visit to the Cathedral of Burgos a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A short drive to León whihc lies on a fertile plain surrounded by woods, orchards and meadows. The three most characteristic monuments are the Cathedral, the Collegiate Church of San Isidoro and the Convent of San Marcos. We have time to visit the sites and enjoy the many cafes and street side bars. Dinner at Adonías del Pozo, our favourite restaurant in the city specializing in Leon cuisine Day 8 - León to Ponferrada Walk: Foncebadon to Riego de Ambros 14.6kms. We head to the mountain village of Foncebadón where we begin our walk. We head into the Bierzo area and cross a mountain peak that the Romans dedicated to Mercury. Here you will see a mound of stones where from time immemorial travellers have placed a stone from their place of origin to bring them good luck. We continue to Manjarín pass Compludo and arrive at Riego de Ambrós with its many chapels. A short drive to Ponferrada for the night. Here is the Castle of the Templars, a magnificent testament to the importance of the city for this order of monk-soldiers Day 9 - Ponferrada to Monforte de Lemos Walk: Renche to Sivil 12.5kms. We begin today at Cebreiro high in the mountains. We are now in Galicia, the final province of our journey. This tiny village of stone houses has views across the mountains and down into the valleys. We drive to Renche and start our walk through some of the most beautiful countryside that the Camino has to offer. Woodlands and pasture, small fields and tiny hamlets in a lovely green landscape. We pass Samos Monastery and plan a short visit to the inner cloisters where monks still live and work. We finish our walk in Sivil and drive to nearby Monforte de Lemos. Our hotel for the next two days is Casa Grande Rosende, a renovated manor house dating from the 16th century Day 10 - Monforte de Lemos Walk: Rest Day. Monforte is the regional centre for the area known as the Ribeira Sacra, an area that produces Mencia and Godello wines. The vines grow on traditional stone terraces that cling to the almost vertical hillsides of deep river canyons. We enjoy a catamaran cruise on the river Sil then visit the Regina Viarum winery to try some of their excellent wines. We head to Algueira winery, with its prize winning restaurant, for lunch then drive over to the River Miño area and the Abadia de Cova winery. Situated high on the hillside overlooking the river, we sit back and sip a glass of wine in the late afternoon. We end the day with a visit to the Wine Centre of the Ribeira Sacra, housed in a building dating back to 1752. The permanent and innovative exhibition explores the many aspects of the culture of wine. We have a guided tour that will include a wine tasting with various tapas Day 11 - Monforte de Lemos to Arzua Walk: Vilei to Vilacha 16kms. We begin our walk in Vilei for the most peaceful part of the Camino. We stroll through shady oak woods, pretty villages, quiet country roads and past many churches. Today is the longest walk but it is not a difficult day. From Vilacha we drive on to Arzua where our accommodation is an 18th century stately home, located in a private estate. The building features thick stone walls and artistic wooden ceilings. We enjoy dinner at the house which is surrounded by gardens Day 12 - Arzua to Santiago de Compostela Walk: Lavacolla to Santiago de Compostela Cathedral 10kms. We begin our final day’s walk in Lavacolla where pilgrims traditionally washed in the river before reaching Santiago de Compostela. Tall eucalyptus trees line the way as we walk to Monte del Gozo with its huge modern sculpture. Here we get the first glimpse of our destination’s end, the Cathedral of Santiago. Heading down hill we enter the city streets and join the other pilgrims as they celebrate the successful completion of an inspiring journey. We arrive at our hotel just around the corner from the Cathedral.
This sleek and modern hotel is housed within an historic building within the famous Plaza de Galicia which is now an UNESCO heritage site.
Tonight we meet to celebrate a wonderful journey and enjoy a farewell dinner Day 13 - Santiago de Compostela - Departure Day |
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