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Spain

The Greatest Road in Europe: Camino De Santiago

Program No. 3601RJ
Experience one of the world’s great walking routes as you learn about ancient cathedrals, religious icons and medieval Europe along the wondrous Camino de Santiago.
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Walking/HikingOutdoor AdventuresSmall Group
Length
14 days
Rating (5)
Activity Level
Starts at
5,999
Flights start at
1,000

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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
14 days
13 nights
What's Included
29 meals ( 12B, 10L, 7D )
17 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
12 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in available from 2:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously). City walking up to 1.5 miles, approximately 2 hours.
Afternoon:
For those who arrive in time, we will meet our Group Leader at 2:45 p.m. in the Burgos hotel lobby and set out on a walking field trip in the center of the city. The magnificent Gothic cathedral will be a special highlight. Orientation: 6:30 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Our knowledgeable Group Leader and local experts will conduct the educational program including hiking and walking field trips. Program-related travel and transfers will be by private motorcoach unless otherwise specified. Meals will be provided at the hotel and local restaurants unless otherwise noted. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 150 miles throughout the day, approximately 3.5 hours riding time. Walking up to 4 miles, approximately 2 hours at a time; village and countryside trails. Mostly flat paths, total elevation gain of 120 feet, total elevation loss of 400 feet.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board a motorcoach with our Group Leader, ride to Cirueña, and walk to Santo Domingo de la Calzada. We will explore the town center including the cathedral that originated in 1158. The town’s history is closely linked to the Camino.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We’ll continue riding through the Rioja region with its stunning landscape. We’ll stop at a traditional wine cellar to learn about its operations and enjoy a Rioja wine tasting before returning to Burgos.
Dinner:
On your own to have what you like.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 40 miles, approximately 1.25 hours. Walking up to 8 miles, approximately 4 hours; mountain trails. Total elevation gain of 900 feet, total elevation loss of 670 feet. Walking and other free time activities according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board the motorcoach and ride to the edge of the Oca Mountains. We’ll then set out on a walking field trip to the medieval Monastery of San Juan de Ortega. Upon arrival, we will explore the church where Saint John de Ortega was reputed to perform miracles.
Lunch:
On the trail, we will have packed lunches.
Afternoon:
Returning to Burgos, the remainder of the afternoon is free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 120 miles, approximately 4 hours riding time. Walking up to 9 miles, approximately 5 hours; Mostly flat paths and countryside trails, ascent of 466 feet over 1 mile, total elevation gain of 620 feet, total elevation loss of 720 feet. (This is the longest walk of the program.)
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will check out of the hotel, board a motorcoach, and ride through the great plains of Castile to Castrojeriz, one of the key landmarks on the Camino. The origins of this lovely village are ancient. From Castrojeriz, we will continue along the paths through the grain fields of the Meseta — plateau — to the border of the province of Palencia.
Lunch:
On the trail, we will have packed lunches.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will continue our hike to the border of the province of Palencia. Here we will board the motorcoach, and ride to the church of Saint Martin de Frómista. We will have an opportunity to explore the church, which dates from the 11th century and is an outstanding example of Romanesque architecture. We will then reboard the motorcoach, ride on to Leon, and check in to our next hotel.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking up to 2 miles, approximately 3 hours; streets and sidewalks.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will set out on a walking field trip with a local expert through the former Roman garrison of Leon that was founded in 29 BCE. Its history since then is extraordinary. We will explore the magnificent Cathedral, known locally as Pulchra Leonina — the Beauty of Leon — that was consecrated in 1073. Constructed and reconstructed over centuries, its architecture spans the development of Gothic style. The many stained glass windows are exceptional. In complete contrast, we’ll see the exterior of Casa Botines, a Modernist structure designed by the great Catalan architect, Antoni Gaudí. We'll end our city exploration at San Marcos Convent and Pilgrim's Hospice, a jewel of Spanish Renaissance.
Lunch:
On your own to sample local fare in Leon.
Afternoon:
Free time. Take this opportunity to see and do what interests you most in Leon. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Dinner:
On your own to have what you like.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 130 miles, approximately 4 hours riding time. Walking up to 4.7 miles, approximately 4.5 hours; trails through natural park. Total elevation gain of 750 feet, total elevation loss of 1580 feet
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will ride into the beautiful Austurias region for a field trip to the Natural Park of Somiedo, a UNESCO-designated Biosphere Reserve. We’ll also walk to a picturesque shepherd’s village, Branade Mumian, which has beautiful views of the Cordillera Cantabrica mountain range.
Lunch:
On the trail, we will have packed lunches.
Afternoon:
We’ll descend into Pola de Somiedo, a quaint little village in a breathtakingly beautiful valley. After a rest break, we will return to Leon by motorcoach.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 65 miles, approximately 2.5 hours riding time. Walking up to 6 miles, approximately 3 hours; in villages, dirt trails, total elevation gain of 50 feet, total elevation loss of 1850 feet.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will check out of the hotel, board the motorcoach, and ride from Leon to Puente de Orbigo, where we will walk across the impressive medieval bridge Paso Honroso. We’ll then ride on to the walled city of Astorga for a walking field trip with our Group Leader. We will also have some time to explore independently. A good place to begin is at the neo-Gothic Episcopal Palace, built by Gaudí.
Lunch:
On the trail, we will have packed lunches.
Afternoon:
We will reboard the motorcoach and continue riding to the edge of the Leon Mountains, one of the main natural barriers of the road. Over the pass Cruz de Hierro — the Iron Cross — we will find one of the oldest monuments on the Camino. We will make a stop to walk through the wildest scenery of the program to the village of Molinaseca. We’ll then ride on to the hotel in Ponferrada.
Dinner:
At a restaurant in Ponferrada.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 30 miles, approximately 1.5 hours riding time. Walking up to 5.9 miles, approximately 2.5 hours; vineyard and village terrain, total elevation gain of 430 feet, total elevation loss of 600 feet. Walking and other free time activities according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will ride to Camponaraya for a field trip walk on a trail that will take us through vast vineyards to Cacabelos. Moving on to Pieros, we will walk to Villafranca del Bierzo. Before entering the town, we’ll see the Iglesia de Santiago, a place where pilgrims who could not continue on to Santiago de Compostela due to health reasons could receive a special absolution.
Lunch:
At a rural restaurant featuring local products.
Afternoon:
Returning to Ponferrada, the remainder of the afternoon is free for independent exploration.
Dinner:
On your own to have what you like.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 50 miles, less than 2 hours total riding time. Walking up to 7.5 miles, approximately 4 hours; nature trails, rolling hills, total elevation gain of 210 feet, total elevation loss of 2180 feet.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board the motorcoach and set out for Galicia through O’Cebreiro. We’ll stop in this mystical place to explore its pre-Romanesque church and learn about the harsh traditional way of life in the Galician mountains, exploring its typical dwellings and thatched stone huts that now house an ethnographic museum. After a short drive, we will start walking along the pilgrim’s way.
Lunch:
Pilgrim lunch in a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We will continue our walk towards Triacastela. From there, we’ll board the motorcoach for a short ride before we continue walking to Samos Monastery. The motorcoach will pick us up at the Monastery and we will continue on to the hotel in Sarria.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 80 miles, approximately 2 hours riding time. Walking up to 4.4 miles hours on pilgrim’s path, approximately 3 hours; undulating fields and meadows, up/down hills, town walking in Santiago de Compostela. Total elevation gain of 1000 feet, total elevation loss of 320 feet.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After check-out, we will start the walk on the pilgrim’s road right from the hotel in Sarria. This is the starting point of the most popular section of the pilgrimage: the Last 100 Kilometers. We will walk some steep uphill, and then follow the undulating terrain in a picturesque countryside along cultivated fields and cows grazing in the meadows. The lane is flanked by chestnut and oak trees. Arriving at Lavandeira, we will reboard the motorcoach and ride to the pretty town of Portomarin on the banks of the Rio Miño.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We will continue our transfer to Santiago. We will check in to our next hotel in the center of town and then walk the final modest stretch of the Camino to the Cathedral of Santiago, where the steps of pilgrims have led for centuries.
Dinner:
On your own in Santiago de Compostela.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking up to 1.5 miles, about 2 hours; town terrain.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Today’s walking field trip features the magnificent Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, one of the finest examples of both Romanesque and Baroque art in Spain, set in the monumental Praza do Obradoiro. Led by an expert, we will explore the cathedral, reputed to be the burial place of Saint James the Great, one of the apostles.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Free time.
Dinner:
On your own to have what you like.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 148 miles, approximately 3 hours riding time. Walking up to 4 miles; hiking paths with dirt, roots, and rocks, town terrain.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will check out of the hotel and board our motorcoach and transfer to Tui. Upon arrival, we will make our way to the start of our hike. Today we walk along the pilgrim's path to cross the border from Spain to Valença do Miño, a small border town in Portugal. Valença do Miño's 13th-century fortress spans 5.5 km along the Miño River and has withstood attacks from Spanish and French troops. Rebuilt in the 17th century into a star-shaped Vauban fortification, it is one of the largest and best-preserved fortifications in the world.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will continue our transfer to Porto by motorcoach. Upon arrival in Porto, we will check into our hotel. Take a little time to freshen up before we gather for a visit to a local wine cellar to learn all about Port wine from an expert. Enjoy a tasting of this fortified wine.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 12:00 p.m. See your program’s “Getting There” information regarding transfers.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on another rewarding program in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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