A Spiritual Walking Journey through Along the Camino Plus Madrid, Leon, , Alba de Tormes & Avila 14-Day Sample Itinerary

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DAY 1: DEPART THE USA: We depart the USA en route to Then we are on the road to León, capital city of the old Madrid with complimentary meals and beverages served aloft. kingdom bearing its name. The city’s Royal Pantheon serves as the resting place to more than 20 monarchs! This his- DAY 2: ARRIVE MADRID: We arrive in Madrid and are torical city had its foundation in the year 68 BC when the met by our representative of Catholic Travel Centre. Board- Romans built a fortified camp here. Today it is wealthy city ing our waiting motor coach, we transfer to our hotel to rest with wide avenues blending with the half-timbered old city. from our journey. Dinner tonight is at our hotel. (D) León was the capital of Christian Spain in the eleventh and twelfth centuries, and for hundreds of years it has been a DAY 3: MADRID: VISIT OF THE CITY / TRANSFER major stop along the . The Camino goes TO LEON: Today, we begin our tour at the heart of the city, over the nearby 13th century Orbigo Bridge, and we enter at the Plaza Mayor, the Main Square of the city, and one of the city through the Puerta Moneda, the very gate through the most striking which the medieval pilgrims entered. We check in to our central squares hotel for dinner and the evening. (B, D) of any city in Eu- rope, and prob- DAY 4: LEON :VISIT OF THE CITY SARRIA: WALK ably the world. SARRIA TO MOUZÓS (9.3km or 5.77 Miles) / PORTO- Over the centu- MARIN: This morning, after breakfast, we enjoy a morning ries this square visit of Leon. Some of the Roman ramparts are still evident has been a venue in León, but its chief treasures are the Basilica of San Isidoro for tournaments, with its exquisite crypt, the adjoining Royal Pantheon, the weddings, and Gothic Santa María Cathedral and the Monastery of San bullfights! TheMarcos, former home of the Knights of Santiago. ground floor of most buildings is full of cafes, restaurants, After lunch, we transfer to Sarria,It is head of the region and shops which are all appealing to the tourists. You may and a popular starting point for the Camino de Santiago. It see street vendors or local artists as well. was in Sarria where King Alphonse IX died in 1230 while Our city tour continues to the modern Cathedral, making a to . Besides, which is actually quite modern as Spanish churches go. We it represents the visit as well, another famous plaza, the Plaza del Sol, a bus- point of entry tling hub that marks the former location of the eastern wall to the beautiful of the city in the 15th century. Our tour passes through the landscapes on Parco de Buen Retiro, one of the most magnificent public the oriental side parks in all of Europe. of . We begin our journey “I am so very impressed by what you all which consti- do, and how very well you do it!” tutes the last stretch of the - Ms. C.R. - North Carolina Camino Frances, following in the footsteps of pilgrims for over a thousand years, with a walk from Sarria to the village of Mouzos (9.3 km or 5.77 Miles). After our walk, we trans- building that used to be the pilgrim hospital named “La fer to our hotel in Portomarin for dinner and the evening. Casa de la Enfermería” founded by the noble Ulloa family, (B, D) whose coat of arms can be seen on the wall. On the top of its entrance you will see the image of St. Maria. Opposite DAY 5: PORTOMARIN: WALK MOUZÓS TO PORTO- to the church, there is a traditional Cabaceiro (a very big MARIN (15.6 km or 9.69 Miles) / LUGO: Today, after basket that, like Horreos, was used to preserve the corn, let- breakfast, we take up our path as we begin day 2 of our ting it dry and preventing it from being eaten by animals). Camino journey. We also see the The Furelos Bridge that dates from the 12th We transfer by motor century. coach to yesterday’s stopping The history of Melide, since its foundation in the 10th point at Mouzo’s. Today we century, is deeply linked with the pilgrimage to Santiago as will walk Mouzo’s to Portoma- it is on the path of the Camino. rin. (15.6km or 9.69 Miles). At In 1320 Melide obtained from the Archbishop of San- the end of our day we transfer tiago the privilege of building up a castle, fortressing the to our accommodations in village, and charging taxes. In 1467 “os irmandiños” op- Lugo. Lugo is the only city in posed the Archbishop and started a series of fights against the world to be surrounded its power. During this riot the walls of the village were by completely intact Roman destroyed as well as the castle. After this, the Catholic Walls that are protected as Monarchs banned the construction of any fortress in the a UNESCO World Heritage village. Site. Dinner this evening is at our accommodations. (B, D) Melide is very well-known for being the village located in the interior that serves the best Galician Octopus, prob- DAY 6: LUGO: WALK PORTOMARÍN TO PALAS DE ably the most traditional dish in Galicia. The village is also REI (23.9 km or14.85 Miles) /LUGO: After breakfast, we famous for its sweets. Tonight we enjoy dinner at our hotel transfer to Portomarin to begin our walk from Portomarin in Melide. (B, D) to Palas de Rei (23.9 km or 14.85 Miles) Along the way we will see several ancient sites, including Castromaior, named DAY 8: MELIDE: WALK MELIDE TO ARZUA (19.6km for the Castro (Celtic fort). People have probably lived un- or 12.17 Miles) / A CORUÑA: After breakfast at our hotel til the Romanesque period in the Celtic Fort. Castromaior we begin our walk from Melide to Arzua (19.6km or 12.17 also has a Romanesque church from the XVI Century. We Miles). Today our forests of oak and chestnut change to also see Ventas de Naron: the last village of the area of Por- eucalyptus and pine as we walk through the area of tra- tomarin. It is a medieval village where in 820 A.D. there was ditional farms, filled with “Blond Cows” known for their a fierce battle between Christians and Moors. In this hamlet fine veal. Because Melide and Arzua connect with the you can find the Madalena Chapel, an ancient Pilgrim Hos- Primitive and North Caminos, we will see more pilgrims pital. Its curious wooden door has a carved showing from now on. welcome to Camino Pilgrims. In Arzua we see the Church of Santa Maria Magdale- The history of Palas de Rei appears closely linked to na It dates from the 14th century . and is located near the military culture, which retains many of the archaeological ruins of an ancient convent. Mass will be celebrated. remains (dolmens and forts) from a remote settlement. Ac- We transfer to our hotel in the port city of A Coruña cording to tradition, the city owes its name “Pallatium re- for dinner and the evening. The city is the site of the Ro- gis” to the palace of the Visigothic king Witiza, who reigned man , a lighthouse which has been in between 702 and 710. In Palas de Rei we will see Castillo continuous operation since possibly the 2nd century AD. de Pambre the most complete Medieval Fort in Galicia. It It has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (B, D) dates from the 14th century and has survived all the fights between the feudal lordships. Later, we transfer to our hotel DAY 9: / A CORUÑA: WALK ARZUA TO ARCA O in Lugo for dinner and the evening. (B, D) PINO (19.4 km or 12.05) / A CORUÑA: After breakfast at our hotel in A Coruña,we transfer to today’s starting point DAY 7: LUGO: WALK PALAS DE REI TO MELIDE (22.1 in Arzua for our walk to Arca O Pino (19.4 km or 12.05 km or 13.73 Miles): Today, after breakfast, we return to Pa- Miles). Again today,we we walk through meadows, forests las de Rei for our and farm land with more beautiful scenery and small vil- walk that takes lages. us from Palas de In Arca we visit the medieval shrine of Santa Irene Rei to Melide. from . The shrine’s fountain is believed to have (22.1km 13.73 healing waters and its properties killed pests. Tradition has Miles). Along it that St. Irene was murdered where the shrine stands. And the way we will if children who were sick or unhappy they could find relief see the Church by walking them under the image of the saint. of St. Maria of We return to our hotel in A Coruña for dinner and the Leboreiro, the evening. (B, D) DAY 10: A CORUÑA: WALK ARCA O PINO TO SANTI- journey at Finisterre. We return to our hotel for din- AGO (19.0 km or 11.80 Miles): This morning, after break- ner and the evening. (B, D) fast, we check-out of our hotel and transfer to our starting point at Arca O Pino for our final walk to Santiago (19.0 km DAY 12: SANTIAGO / SALAMANCA: VISIT: After or 11.80 Miles) Today we leave behind the forests and farms breakfast, we say goodbye to Santiago and travel to the an- for the sights and sounds of a city. cient town of Salamanca, UNESCO World Heritage Site. After a final walk through a rural environment, we After some time for lunch on our own, , we enjoy a guided come to Lavacolla. Located today near the airport, it was tour of the Old Town, including the University of Salaman- historically where pilgrims would wash themselves before ca, founded in the year 1218 by King Alfonso IX of León. entering Santiago. For many years it was one of Europe’s major universities. Continuing on our walk, we come to Monte do Gozo, There is still a common saying in Spain which one addresses small hill from which pilgrims can have their first view of to someone who is asking too many questions: ‘Go find out the towers of the cathedral of Santiago. Since 1993 has been in Salamanca!’ a recreational area for pilgrims. This is the start of the urban - “Vete a saber walk towards the Cathedral of Santiago. a Salamanca.”). After our 67 miles and a lifetime of memories we enter Salamanca has the city of Santiago de Compostela. We give thanks for our two cathedrals, safe arrival and check-in to our hotel. Tonight we enjoy a the Old Cathe- celebratory dinner. (B, D) dral, of the 12th century and of DAY 11: SANTIAGO: VISIT OF THE CITY & EXCUR- Romanesque SION TO CAPE FINESTERRE: This morning, after a style, and the good night’s sleep and breakfast, we enjoy a guided tour of New Cathedral, Santiago. Santiago is the third major site visited by pilgrims much larger, built in the 16th century of Gothic style and and visitors, after Jerusalem and Rome. We delight in our completed in the 18th century. The place where they both walking tour through the labyrinthine cobbled streets of join is known as Patio Chico and is one of the most charm- this medieval city, virtually intact since no human or natu- ing corners of the city. After our tour, we check-in to our ral upheaval has damaged the city, a true national monu- hotel for dinner and the evening. (B, D) ment with its buildings built of almost indestructible gran- ite stone. We visit the Plaza del Obradoiro and the great DAY 13: SALAMANCA / ALBA DE TORMES / AVILA / Cathedral that dominates the town. The main entrance to MADRID: After breakfast, we board our motor coach for the church is two stories above the plaza, and from above Alba de Tormes where we visit the tomb of St. Teresa of the statue of St. James smiles benignly down. The towers Avila. Teresa was beatified in 1614 and canonized by Pope soar into the sky. The Portico de la Gloria, designed by Gregory XV in 1622. In 1970, Pope Paul VI recognized her Maestro Mateo and completed in 1188, is one of the finest with the title Doctor of the Church. examples of Romanesque sculpture. Inside the Cathedral Back on our motor coach, we stop in Avila, with the we see more priceless architecture, statues and religious best preserved medieval walls in all of Europe. ‘Avila de treasures. Behind the silver and gold main altar are the sar- los Caballeros’ (Avila of the Knights) is best known as the cophagi of St. James and two of his disciples, and a statue of birthplace of St. Teresa of Jesus. We celebrate Mass at the St. James stands above surrounded by an elaborate display Monastery of the Incarnation where St. Teresa spent many of drapery and sculpture. We attend the Pilgrims Mass then years of her life. We enjoy an included lunch at a local res- complete our visit by kissing the hem of the jeweled cloak taurant before continuing on to our hotel in Madrid. Din- that drapes the statue. ner tonight is on our own. (B, L) This afternoon we have an excursion to Finesterre. The origin of to Finisterre is not certain. However, DAY 14: RETURN TO THE USA: This morning, after it is believed to date from pre-Christian times and was pos- breakfast, we transfer to the Madrid airport with our suit- sibly associated with Finisterre’s status as the “edge of the cases full of our memories of our walk along the Camino world”. The tradition continued in medieval times, when and our Journey through Spain. (B) “hospitals” were established to cater to pilgrims along the Note: While no changes are anticipated, there may be unforeseen occasions route from Santiago de Compostela. It is a recent tradition when certain alterations become necessary to this itinerary, either due to for pilgrims to burn their clothes or boots at the end of their changes in airline schedules or for other reasons.

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