15 night  Itinerary:  

Day 1  - We meet in the Spanish city of Bilbao. We don't stay there - it is just a pick-up point so if you want a chance to see the famous Guggenheim Museum we suggest you arrive a day early and spend the night in Bilbao.  The Guggenheim is devoted to 20th-century American and European art and itself is a spectacular masterpiece of architecture

Our meeting place is the Barcelo Nervion Hotel in Bilbao at 2.30 pm. From here we transfer by private coach to our first hotel in Roncesvalles (about 2 hours). Roncesvalles is a quiet hamlet located in a stunning mountain setting near the French border at the end of the pass through the Pyrenees.  It is steeped in history. It was here that medieval pilgrims arrived into Spain en route to Santiago from France which is why this Camino route across Spain is often called the "French Route". At Roncesvalles, pilgrims took refuge in the "Collegiata", a beautiful old monastery that is now a museum. Our hotel is a lovely mountain “pousada” surrounded by peaceful forest.   Dinner included

 Day 2   - ST JEAN TO RONCESVALLES This morning we travel a short distance by private bus across the border to the lively French village of St Jean-Pied-de-Port. After a chance to sip a cafe-au-lait or perhaps buy a souvenir walking stick, we are taken by mini-bus up into the Pyrenees (weather permitting) and from here we begin our walk following the high route through the mountain pass. The walking is easy with only a few short ascents and after a few km the path gradually descends to Roncesvalles. On a clear day the views are stunning with snow-capped peaks in the distance and it is a spectacular start to a Camino walk. (If the weather is inclement we walk the lower Val Carlos route from St Jean to Roncesvalles).  In medieval times the high route was considered safer than the low road where ambushes by robbers were frequent. We spend the night again at Roncesvalles. You may wish to visit the Collegiata whose construction is thought to have begun in the 900's. Its museum contains artifacts and paintings associated with many legends including the tomb of the legendary King Sancho El Fuerte (Sancho the Strong) whose broken chains are part of the today’s symbol of the region of Navarre.   Distance 12 km   Dinner included

Day 3  -   PAMPLONA TO PUENTE LA REINA Today we continue walking towards Pamplona through rolling countryside. From Pamplona we are taken to the village of Puente la Reina where we stay in a small inn located on a narrow, cobble-stoned street which is still part of the pilgrim's path that has scarcely changed for the past thousand years. At the end of the street is the Puente La Reina (Queen's Bridge) built in the 1100’s and still used today. In medieval times this was a strategic bridge with a toll so whether the queen built the bridge to aid pilgrims or to collect revenue is unknown. Legend says that an image of the Virgin Mary that adorned the bridge was cared for by a small bird (txori) and year after year when the bird washed the statue the villagers deemed it a miracle and celebrated by ringing church bells. As you cross the bridge (there is no toll charge) think about the many notables in whose foot-steps you are following including St Francis of Assisi, Lorenzo de Medici, Pope John Paul II as they made their way on foot across this bridge en route   to Santiago.   Distance 20 km or 12 km  (you choose)  
Dinner included
 

Day 4  - PUENTE LA REINA TO ESTELLA Our walk continues through gentle countryside filled with vineyards and tranquil villages of the La Rioja wine district. La Rioja wine is the most famous in Spain but the region is also known for its wonderful white asparagus and for a variety of fruit. Our walk ends at the interesting town of Estella which sits astride a craggy bend of a rushing river. There is time to explore and perhaps indulge in an ice-cream cone before we continue by bus to our accommodation, an amazing four-star hotel inside a four-hundred year old monastery near Santo Domingo.   Distance 20 km or 12 km (you choose)  Dinner included

Day 5  - SANTO DOMINGO TO BELORADO  AND BURGOS Today’s walk starts at Santo Domingo de la Calzada. Legend claims this town was the setting for many miracles but the one where chickens suddenly rose from the dead is the best known. Today, the church at Santo Domingo houses live chickens said to be descendants of those 12th century birds. From the old town we walk towards Belorado. The route is in a wide valley surrounded by high tablelands where caves once housed holy hermits.  Later we continue by bus into the fairy-tale city of Burgos where the castle, palaces and monasteries reveal the city’s past grandeur. In medieval times Burgos was the most significant stopping place for pilgrims and today it contains a staggering wealth of art.  Burgos was the birth place of Spain’s legendary hero El Cid who, in 1094, fought with Christian forces against the Moors. His body lies in the magnificent cathedral (the second largest in Spain). We spend the night in an atmospheric hotel which faces onto the cathedral plaza in the historic quarter of the city. Distance 18 km or 9 km (you choose)

Day 6  - BURGOS TO CARRION DE LOS CONDES  Our bus takes us to today’s starting point on the Camino outside Burgos. From here we walk through the “meseta”. the flat countryside of Castile with its great plains and vistas. Later in the day we reach Carrion de Los Condes, a town which, in the 11th century, was the site of a magnificent monastery that gave refuge to pilgrims.  Today the historic San Zoilo monastery has been converted to a comfortable hotel but still retains the creaky floors and atmosphere of medieval times with its cavernous stone halls. Be sure to explore the beautiful old cloisters before heading for the bar where the tinkle of glasses blends with soft Gregorian chants Distance 20 km or 12 km (you choose)   Dinner included

 Day 7  - CARRION DE LOS CONDES TO VILLACAZAR TO LEON Today our walk continues through more of Castile’s golden meseta that is easy walking.  On a clear day mountains are visible in the distance but this part of the Camino follows an ancient Roman road that is mostly flat. The breeze ripples fields of grain as we walk alongside a small river. We stop at the town of Villacazar which, in the 1200's, belonged to the Knights Templar who defended holy places and patrolled the Camino protecting pilgrims from bandits. There is a fascinating Templar church called the "Church of the White Virgin" which is associated with many legends and miracles. King Alfonso X insisted the White Virgin cured pilgrim ailments although perhaps he didn’t give enough credit to the hospitals in the town. From here, late in the day, we continue by bus into Leon, a remarkable city of soaring stone.  Our hotel in Leon is a lovely restored Posada in the heart of the historic quarter.   Distance 15 km or 10 km  (you choose) Dinner included
 

Day 8  -  LEON Morning walking tour in Leon to explore the old quarter including the magnificent cathedral with stained glass windows preserved from the 13th century, the Basilica de San Isidoro with its Pantheon of Kings filled with golden treasures, the Hostal de San Marcos, the 16th century Palace of Los Guzmanes and the Casa de Botines, a 19th century building by the famous architect Antoni Gaudi. In the afternoon you may want to shop and to sample Leon’s many restaurants. 

Day 9   - ORBIGO TO ASTORGA This morning we drive from Leon to start our walk at Orbigo. It was here, on the bridge at Orbigo, in 1434, that a knight, Suero, held what may have been the last great medieval tournament. Having been scorned by his lady love, Suero challenged other knights to a joust. Today, if you stand on the bridge and use a little imagination, you can almost hear the horses whinny and the clash of steel. The tournament is still re-enacted each year by the people of Orbigo. As we start to walk, the terrain changes from flat plains to low foothills. The clouds ahead soon reveal themselves to be chains of mountains in the distance but the walking is still quite easy. In the afternoon we reach Astorga with its Cathedral built in 1471 and a fairytale Bishop's Palace designed by the eccentric architect Antoni Gaudi which now holds an interesting "Museum  of the Camino". The Museum of Chocolate tells the tale of the local chocolate industry which flourished when cocoa was first brought to Spain from the New World. The town still prides itself in its great chocolate and there are many mouth-watering window displays in the shops. Distance 20 km or 12 km (you choose)  Dinner included

Day 10  -  ASTORGA TO VILLAFRANCA   Beyond Astorga we begin one of the most historically important parts of the Camino over Mount Irago. Our bus takes us up as far as Foncebadon and from here we ascend to the Cruz de Ferro (iron cross) under which pilgrims traditionally placed a stone which they had carried from home as symbolic penance.  It is uphill but those who want to avoid the ascent can take the bus to near the top. The surrounding terrain is rugged but with lovely views and in spring the wildflowers are gorgeous. From the top we descend gradually into the lush Bierzo valley and along the way pass through the village of El Aciebo which appears to be lost in a time-warp from the Middle Ages. We continue down to the beautifully restored  old town of Molinaseca with its Roman bridge. Our reward at the end of the day is staying at the lovely Parador at Villafranca with its heated pool and spa. Villafranca is one of the most atmospheric towns on the Camino and retains much of its medieval and Renaissance atmosphere. In medieval times if a pilgrim was too frail to continue his journey and stopped at Villafranca he was granted the same papal indulgences as if he had reached Santiago.  (of course he still had to turn around and walk home)  Distance 20 km or 12 km (you choose) Dinner included
 

Day  11  - SARRIA TO PORTOMARIN From Villafranca we have a short bus ride up the Cebreiro pass and stop to visit the hamlet of OCebreiro. Legend says that the Holy Grail (the cup from which Christ drank at the Last Supper) is hidden at OCebreiro (although many other places in the world make the same claim). This is one of the most scenic stretches of the Camino. The terrain is wild and rugged but then we descend into the beautiful region of Galicia. Gray and green tones predominate and one hears the "Gallego" language (local dialect). Villages are strung along this part of the Camino - sometimes just a few houses surrounding a stone church. Fields are fenced with stone and brambles and one sees the ruins of castles that once protected pilgrims. We begin today’s walk at the official 100 km mark near Sarria and from here we walk to the village of Portomarin. In 1963, during the dictator Franco’s era, the old town of Portomarin was moved stone by stone from the valley to a hill to make way for a reservoir. This was one of many of  Franco's improvement schemes (he was from Galicia) but nothing really succeeded until the revival of the Camino.  We stay at the Pousada de Portomarin overlooking the lake and after dinner we sample. a "queimada" (a flaming liqueur with sugar, lemon and coffee beans) and hear the local ghost legend associated with the drink. Don't worry about ghosts keeping you awake - if you sample a gueimada you are guaranteed to sleep well.  Distance 19 km or 12 km  (you choose)  Dinner included

Day 12   -  PORTOMARIN TO PALAS DE REI We follow a tranquil, hamlet-laden trail through gently rolling countryside to Palas de Rei.  The trail winds alongside jewel-like green fields and between stone fences covered with blackberries and wild-flowers. In spring the gorse is brilliant yellow and beautifully scented. In the surrounding fields one sees "horreos" (granaries) and farmers using agricultural methods that have changed little for centuries.  On reaching Palas de Rei our bus takes us on a short side-trip to the interesting town of Lugo where we stay. Lugo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with Roman walls surrounding the town.   23 km  or 12 km (you choose) Dinner included

Day 13 -  PALAS DE REI TO ARZUA In the morning we return to Palas de Rei to continue walking. The trail is easy with no long ascents or descents. Those interested in local legends learn that this stage is dominated by St Julian. Legend says that Julian was tricked by the devil into killing his parents. To atone for his sin he ran a pilgrim hospital and the church of San Julian do Camino illustrates the story. But the Camino need not be just about saints or history. The next town of Melide has shops, bars and restaurants scattered along the narrow streets. Melide is famous for its "pulpo" (octopus cooked in it’s own juice in large copper pots and sprinkled with paprika). If octopus for lunch doesn't appeal, this region is also known for its wonderful cheeses made from the milk of Galician cows that graze on the lush grass.  From Melide to Arzua sections of the Camino are  on farm tracks and occasionally we may have to wait while a farmer herds his cattle across the path. The local people welcome walkers. Enterprising farm wives often sell fresh-picked fruit and home-made sugar-coated pancakes to passers-by.  Locals smile, wave and wish walkers a "Buon Camino!". The trail passes through oak and eucalyptus forests that offer both shade and a lovely fragrance.   When we reach Arzua our bus awaits and we return for the night to our hotel at Lugo.  If there is time you may want to try a dip in Lugo’s natural hot spring pools or try walking atop the old Roman wall..  Distance 29 km or less for those who are not trying for the Compostela certificate

Day 14 -  ARZUA TO RUA On the trail from Arzua to Rua we pass fields, oak groves and small hamlets with bars catering to walkers. One enterprising local brewer has even labelled his beer “Pilgrim Beer” in several languages. The trail is undulating so there are some low hills but nothing steep or difficult. Tonight we stay at a small boutique hotel and have an early start the next morning.  Distance 19 km or less for those who are not trying for the Compostela certificate   Dinner included

Day 15 -  RUA TO SANTIAGO Almost there! We are now on the last stage of the Camino from Rua to Santiago. The Galician countryside is fragrant with forests of eucalyptus and pine. By mid-afternoon we approach Santiago and the Camino leads us to the "Mount of Joy" where pilgrims first caught a glimpse of Santiago Cathedral’s bell towers.
Tradition says that the first one of a group to arrive at the top of Mount Joy was nicknamed Leroy (The King). Pilgrims also stopped to wash at Lavacolla (probably the first time in months since in the 1100's the use of soap and water was considered unhealthy). We head for Santiago’s main square and the Cathedral, collect our certificates, have a quick tour of the historic Cathedral then check into our lovely hotel in the old quarter    Dinner included
Distance 19 km or less for those who are not trying for the Compostela certificate

Day 16  - Our Camino experience ends after breakfast. Optional extra nights in Santiago can be booked so you can explore the city’s narrow medieval streets as well as its shops and cafes. Galician cuisine is known for its wonderful sea-food and its many varieties of local cheeses. You might want to take a local bus or a day tour to Finisterre (end of the earth) which was the traditional sea-side end to the Camino in the days when nobody knew that the world was round or what lay beyond that ocean. Here, pilgrims of old picked up a shell as a souvenir before they began the long walk home.  Fortunately in the 21st century you don't need to walk home - there are planes or trains from Santiago to Madrid or buses to Porto. .