Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela

The Cathedral of St James, Santiago de Compostela

Photos of some of the places along the tour route

Hi Neil, I want to thank you for a wonderful holiday on the road to Santiago de Compostela. We visited some interesting places both historic and beautiful and it was a brilliant way to do the Pilgrims route without the blisters.

The whole tour was well planned and all hotel accommodation excellent. My special favorites on the way were Astorga and Ponferrado, both of these places had their own magic for me. The arrival into Santiago along with hundreds of other pilgrims was the climax of the tour and your description (in the brochure) of the plaza and the magnificent Cathedral of St James came to life. The Hospederia San Martin was a wonderful place to stay (good breakfasts too), so full of atmosphere and the energy of all those monks who walked the stone corridors all those years ago. This really added to the joy of being in Santiago.

I have to congratulate you on the planning as I know this is the first time you have done this particular tour. Driving round unknown Spanish towns cannot be easy but we all landed at the hotels safely and without stress (you hid that well).

I was a little apprehensive about traveling alone but those feelings were soon put to rest when I met the rest of the group. Everyone was friendly, easy to get on with and I enjoyed getting to know and being with like minded people. Thank you to all those I traveled with for helping to make this a very special holiday.

I enjoyed the experience so much I have booked the Cathar Tour for June 2012.

Thanks again.
Linda (Lancashire)

Proposed Itinerary

Day 1 – Leave Preston for Portsmouth, with pick-up places along the route. The ferry, which has excellent restaurants, bars and cinemas for your entertainment, before you take to your comfortable cabin.

Day 2 – Arrive in Santander at and book into the hotel, which is just a couple of hundred yards from the port. We will have plenty of time for our first Spanish dinner and to take in the city.

Day 3 – Leaving the hotel at 9am, we will head south to join the pilgrimage route in Fromista and the ancient church of San Pedro.

Fromista Churches of San Pedro & San Marco

We will then head to the city of Leon to visit the magnificent Cathedral, which is widely known as the finest gothic building in Spain. It is then just a short drive to the small, but ancient town of Astorga, where we will stay at the impressive Hotel Gaudi, on the main square and next to the Cathedral and the Episcopal palace, by Gaudi.

Leon Cathedral

Astorga Cathedral & the Gaudi Palace. Our hotel (the Gaudi) is opposite the palace

Day 4 – We will have the morning in Astorga to explore the wonderful ancient buildings, architecture and carvings, before following our pilgrimage route further west to the Knight Templar town of Ponferrada, with its Templar castle, which covers approximately 16,000 square meters. Ponferrada also has several attractive medieval churches and many of the municipal buildings and churches are topped with the local blue slate. The town was donated to the Templar order in 1178, by Fernando II of Spain, for protecting the pilgrims who passed through, on their road to Santiago de Compostela, as we are. In fitting with the status of the town we will be staying at the Hotel Los Templarios for two nights.

Scenes from the Knight Templar town of Ponferrada

Day 5 – By now we will be ready for a rest, so today will be a free day in Ponferrada, an amazing and historic town in the heart of the real Spain.

Day 6 – Leaving Ponferrada after breakfast, we will head over the mountains, following the age old pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela, where we will check into the Hospedería San Martín Pinario, an historic building in itself.

Day 7 & 8 – We will be free to take Santiago de Compostela, the final destination of the pilgrimage. This large town with its charming narrow streets and fantastic restaurants and shops, is a real gem. The centre piece is of course, the magnificent plaza with the Cathedral of St James towering over it, creating an unforgettable scene. But have early breakfasts and prepare for two busy days, because this small town is packed with important historical monuments and sites of great interest.

Scenes from the Hospedería San Martín Pinario – Our hotel in Santiago de Compostela

Day 9 – Today we leave Santiago, but this is by no means the end as we are heading to the coast, to spend time reflecting on our pilgrimage by the sea in the town of Gijon.

Day 10 – Head back to Santander and our ship, the Pont Aven, for the overnight luxury cruise back to Portsmouth.

Day 11 – Arrive in Portsmouth and head home.

11 day tour - £995 - (supplement of £150 for single hotel rooms in Spain)

Price includes - Return ferry crossing from Portsmouth to Santander with cabin. All B&Bs & transport whilst in Spain.