Camino de Santiago with Austin Suggs

This evening, we depart on an overnight flight to Madrid. Dinner and breakfast are served on the plane. Quotes for optional Premium Economy and Business Class upgrades are available upon request and will be provided starting at 120 days before departure. We work with group airfares (minimum of 10 passengers) that do not allow seat selection. If you wish to reserve specific seats on the flights, we recommend purchasing your own airline tickets and the land-only option with us.

Upon arrival in Madrid, we are greeted by our English-speaking guides, who will assist us with boarding our motorcoach and transferring to the hotel. En route, we enjoy a panoramic city tour. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax and stretch our legs after the flight while exploring the city. Tonight we gather for a welcome dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Madrid. (Dinner with wine)

After breakfast, which is included each morning, we depart early by coach or train to Leon. Upon arrival, our guides accompany us to Leon’s old quarter to help us decide where we might want to enjoy lunch at leisure. Following lunch, we have a guided city tour, including the spectacular Cathedral. Today is an easy day as we prepare for our walking journey. The evening and dinner are at leisure to discover more of Leon.

Today we begin walking the Camino. First we drive through the countryside to the Palacio de Canedo, a rustic 18th-century palace with a winery, where wines have been produced since 1730. After lunch with local wine pairings, travel to Villafranca del Bierzo. Here, we stop at the 12th-century Romanesque Iglesia de Santiago, the only church on the route where pilgrims who are not physically able to continue to Santiago de Compostela can receive their blessing. Next, we drive into the mountains of Galicia, ascending to the ancient mountaintop village of O Cebreiro. Inside Santa María la Real, a 9th-century church considered the oldest on the Camino Francés, we see the famous Galician Holy Grail and the Eucharistic Miracle. Continue to the charming town of Sarria for an orientation walk and an evening at leisure.

As we journey through this stage of the Camino, we come across many little villages and towns. This morning we transfer to Sesmonde, hiking along forest trails and country roads, finally crossing the River Miño into Portomarín. Enjoy time to explore and have lunch. Historical monuments such as the Romanesque Church of San Pedro and the fortress Church of San Nicolás were rescued and rebuilt stone by stone after a historic flood. When the water levels are low, the arches of a 2nd-century Roman bridge appear, rising out of the river. We drive back to Sarria and enjoy free time to discover more of the town before meeting with the group for dinner.

Today’s journey takes us through beautiful oak and eucalyptus forests, passing the villages of Gonzar, Ventas de Narón, Ligonde, and Airexe on our way to Palas de Rei. At the end of this stage, we admire the Romanesque portico of San Tirso’s Church. Overnight in Palas de Rei.

In today’s stage, we cross the border of the provinces of Lugo and A Coruña via an ancient Roman road. Once in A Coruña, we marvel at the true jewels of the Camino, such as the Church of La Virgen de Las Nieves. We see the ancient Roman bridge in the town of Furelos. Melide is a town famous for its octopus, typically served on wooden plates, which you can sample in one of its many “Pulperías” during lunch on your own. Stroll through the historic quarter to visit the lovely Romanesque Iglesia of Santa María de Melide. We walk by several rivers before arriving in Ribadiso.

Today’s walk will be mainly on natural pathways with good shade, thanks to the eucalyptus trees everywhere. We have a slight uphill walk to Arzúa, passing by charming, remote small towns until we arrive at O Pedrouzo. At the end of this stage, we transfer back to Pazo Sedor. Dinner will be in Pazo Sedor. Overnight in Arzúa.

Today is our journey’s most exciting day as we arrive at our final destination – Santiago’s Cathedral of St. James! This last stage will take us through wooded areas and forests until we reach Lavacolla, where the purification ritual needed to arrive in Santiago was performed in ancient times. The road winds up to Monte do Gozo (Mount of Joy), from where we enjoy a marvelous panoramic view of Santiago. This afternoon we arrive at the end of our walk on the Camino to the Cathedral of St. James and take the obligatory photos to show we have made it! Dinner is at leisure. Overnight in Santiago.

Today we explore the holy city of Santiago de Compostela, an essential part of the pilgrim experience. First, we visit Santiago Cathedral to complete the traditional pilgrim rituals of hugging the statue of St. James and praying at the crypt in front of the saint’s remains. Next, we travel to Cape Finisterre, where we hike on the rugged Atlantic coast, finishing at the Cape’s historic lighthouse and the final point of our pilgrimage, also known as the end of the world. We visit the fishing village of Fisterra for a seafood and wine lunch before returning to Santiago. In the evening, we enjoy a wonderful farewell dinner where we receive our well-deserved Compostela Pilgrim certificates. (B.L. Special Dinner)

Today marks the end of our pilgrimage. We say farewell to a country and a trip that will last in our memory forever. We are transferred to the airport for our return flight home. (B) Now your Camino through life begins!