Walking with Inigo Walking with Inigo
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WalkingWalking withwith InigoInigo — the Ignatian Camino Ignatian Camino 2014 – Itinerary Thursday May 1st – Friday May 30th, 2014 (30 days/29 nights) Itinerary Day 1: Thursday May 1, 2014. Stage: None - . Overnight: Loyola Upon arrival at Bilbao airport, transfer to your Hotel in Loyola, Azpeitia. Enjoy a rest day to recover from the long flight, adapt to the new time zone and to get your things ready for the journey. 2 ⌂ Overnight: Hotel Arrupe (Loyola). 3 star hotel. Located only a few meters from the Basilica and Tower-House, the Hotel Arrupe beautifully combines traditional heritage with modern amenities Day 2: Friday May 2, 2014. Stage: None - . Overnight: Loyola Today you will visit the Sanctuary of Loyola. The Sanctuary is comprised of a huge shrine built around the Tower-House in which Iñigo de Loyola, the future St Ignatius was born in 1491. The Tower-House is Loyola’s spiritual heart, popularly known today as ‘the Holy House’. Tour the museum of the Tower-House and be sure to spend time in the venerated room (now a chapel) where Ignatius convalesced after his serious battle injury at the Battle of Pamplona in 1521, at age 30. Ignatius’s Autobiography describes how he read a life of the saints in this room, and, inspired by it, slowly began to conceive of serving God with his own life, in imitation of the great saints. Visit the 17th century Basilica. Baroque in style and boasting a circular floor plan presided by a majestic dome and graceful lantern; the Basilica was designed by the Italian architect, Carlo Fontana (who was a disciple of Bernini and fashioned this project as a miniature Vatican). You’ll also pick up your “pilgrim’s passport”, or credential, an document that officially identifies you as a pilgrim on the Camino Ignaciano. ⌂ Overnight: Hotel Arrupe (Loyola). 3 star hotel. Located only a few meters from the Basilica and Tower-House, the Hotel Arrupe beautifully combines traditional heritage with modern amenities Day 3: Saturday May 3, 2014. Stage: Loyola – Zumarraga (17.5km). Overnight: Zumarraga Commence your first day of walking directly from the Sanctuary, surrounded by picturesque scenery, along a well-marked trail to Zumárraga. Pass through the town of Azkoitia, home to the impressive church of Santa María la Real and some lovely tower houses in the old quarter. You’ll be following the River Urola valley all the way to Zumárraga. After arriving in town, be sure to visit the magnificent 16th century Basque Gothic church of Our Lady of the Assumption. ⌂ Overnight: Hotel Exteberri (Zumárraga). 2 star hotel. Surrounded by the mountains of the Alto Urola valley, this classically decorated hotel is complete with relaxing garden. The restaurant is renowned for its delicious Basque cuisine. Day 4: Sunday May 4, 2014. Stage: Ermita De Mirandaola – Arantazazu (11.2 km). Overnight: Arantazazu A morning coach transfer will take you from Zumarraga to the Ermita de Mirandaola where you will commence the next stage of the Camino Ignaciano. Continue walking along the valley, until commencing a sustained climb from the Presa de Barrendiola (dam) up to the Franciscan Sanctuary of the Virgin of Arantzazu. This is a hard but rewarding climb. 3 The Sanctuary is located on the site where presumably the Virgin of Arantzazu appeared to the shepherd Rodrigo de Balanzategui in 1468. According to legend, the figure of the Virgin was in a thorn-bush, and the shepherd’s exclamation "Arantzan zu?!" (Thou, among the thorns?!) gave rise to the name of the place. From this time, the place became a centre of Marian devotion and pilgrimage (as San Ignacio stated in his autobiography). Many historians believe that it was here that Ignacio experienced nocturnal meditations and where he took his vows of chastity. Little is left of the primitive sanctuary - the current complex is a wonderful example of contemporary Basque art. Enjoy a peaceful evening in the quiet of the Sanctuary complex. ⌂ Overnight: Hotel Santuario de Arantzazu (Arantzazu). 3 star hotel. Located high in the peaceful Aizkorri mountain range, this comfortable hotel lies in the heart of the Sanctuary. Day 5: Monday May 5, 2014. Stage: Arantazazu - Araia (18.3 km). Overnight: Egino We’ll warm up our legs with a climb out of Arantzazu (to a mountain pass at 1180m), followed by a sharp drop to Araia. You are now walking in the verdantly green Aizkorri- Aratz National Park, home to the highest peaks of the watershed between Cantabria and the Mediterranean. Part of the trail today joins up with the Camino de Santiago Vasco (the Basque Way to Santiago), which comes from the San Adrian Tunnel. After connecting with the Camino de Santiago, continue to the small village of Araia. Transfer by coach to Casa de Espiritualidad Haitzur in Egino (6 km). ⌂ Overnight: Casa de Espiritualidad Haitzur (Egino). Spiritual Retreat House run by the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy. Day 6: Tuesday May 6, 2014. Stage: Araia - Alda (21.5 km). Overnight: Alda After breakfast, travel back to Araia by coach to commence your day’s walk. Today we’ll cross the valley that connects the cities Vitoria and Pamplona, and ascend to the Entzia Mountains (the more western part of the Urbian and Andia massifs). From the mountain pass of Entzia enjoy spectacular views as you descend into the picturesque Arana valley and Alda (at 816 m altitude), a quaint, and traditional Basque village. ⌂ Overnight: Casa Rural Biltegi (Alda). Rural Inn. A simple family-run guesthouse in the mountain village of Alda. Enjoy hearty local Basque cuisine at dinner. Day 7: Wednesday May 7, 2014. Stage: Lapoblacion - Laguardia (18 km). Overnight: Laguardia A morning coach transfer will take you from Alda to Lapoblacion to commence your next stage of the Camino Ignaciano (you’ll be walking into Laguardia today). En route you’ll leave behind the challenging, yet beautiful mountains and head towards the vineyards and farmlands of La Rioja. 4 Walk to the door of your hotel in picturesque Laguardia where we will stay for two nights. This charming and historic walled town is built upon an intricate system of underground “caves” or cellars, excavated under the houses and streets. ⌂ Overnight: Hotel Villa de Laguardia (Laguardia). 4 star hotel. Set amongst the vineyards in Laguardia, this modern wine hotel features a swimming pool, terrace and garden – all perfect for relaxing after a long day of walking! Day 8: Thursday May 8, 2014. Stage: Rest Day - . Overnight: Laguardia Enjoy a rest day in Laguardia. Walk through the narrow cobbled streets, perhaps explore one of the underground wine cellars and visit the lovely Romanesque 12th century Church of Santa María de los Reyes for some personal reflection and prayer. ⌂ Overnight: Hotel Villa de Laguardia (Laguardia). 4 star hotel. Day 9: Friday May 9, 2014. Stage: Laguardia - Navarrete (17.3 km). Overnight: Navarrete Farewell Laguardia and continue your pilgrimage. Traversing vineyards and fertile farmlands, you’ll cross the Ebro River (Spain's most important and most voluminous river), en route to Navarrete. Strategically built on a hill, the houses with their coats of arms show the importance of Navarrete. In 1482 the Catholic Monarchs granted the noble title of duke of Najera to the father of duke Antonio Manrique de Lara (also viceroy of Navarre from 1515 to 1535), who knew Ignacio de Loyola very well. (It is known that Ignacio came to the duke’s palace in Navarrete to settle an outstanding account with him when he was on his way to Montserrat). As you enter Navarrete you will also start to see other pilgrims, all clad with backpacks, walking sticks, and the scallop shell symbol. These pilgrims (walking in the opposite direction to you) are on the “Camino Frances” (the French Camino) to Santiago de Compostela. Continue to Logroño, the lively capital of the Rioja region, and where we will stay for two nights. ⌂ Overnight: Albergue El Cantaro (Navarrete). 1 star hostel. Day 10: Saturday May 10, 2014. Stage: Navarrete – Logroño (13 km). Overnight: Logroño Another walking stage through the vineyard landscape of the La Rioja region. Your destination today is Logroño, the capital city of the autonomous region of La Rioja. There’s plenty to see in monumental Logroño, including the 16th century Cathedral of “La Redonda” with its two Baroque towers called “Las Gemelas” (the twins). ⌂ Overnight: Albergue El Cantaro (Navarrete). 1 star hostel. Day 11: Sunday May 11, 2014. Stage: Agoncillo – Alcanadre (16.7 km). Overnight: Calahorra 5 After breakfast, a morning coach transfer will take you to Agoncillo. En route to Alcanadre you’ll pass through several small towns and villages located on – or close to – the mighty Ebro river, and past vineyards and olive groves. The name of Alcanadre is Arabic in origin: Al-Cana-dre, referring to the “bridges” or “arches” of an old bridge over the Ebro River, whose ruins are near the town. The 16th century church of Santa María preserves a lovely Romanesque image, while the remains of a 1st century Roman aqueduct can also be seen. After all pilgrims arrive in Alcanadre, a coach will transfer you to your lodgings in Calahorra. ⌂ Overnight: Hotel Cuidad de Calahorra (Calahorra). 2 star hotel. A small, tranquil hotel situated in the centre of Calahorra. Featuring simple, classically decorated rooms; personalized service and a good restaurant serving delicious local cuisine. Day 12: Monday May 12, 2014. Stage: Alfaro - Tudela (24.6 km). Overnight: Tudela After breakfast, a coach transfer will take you back to Alfaro to commence today’s walk. Farewell Alfaro and enter Castejón, an important railroad junction (the city has a museum dedicated to railroads).