Spain

Madrid, Pamplona, Roncesvalles, Logrono, Burgos, Astorga, Madrid, Santiago de Compostela, Sarria, & more

Day 1 - USA/ MADRID
Tour members meet at the airport three hours prior to departure. 

Day 2 - MADRID/PAMPLONA
Upon arrival in Madrid, we are met by our tour escort and board our motor coach for the city of Pamplona - our starting point to begin The Way of St. James. After a short stop in Lerma, we continue to Pamplona, the first city of the Way of St. James. Our walking tour begins throughout the narrow streets of the three old quarters and their assigned churches: “Navarrería” including St. Mary the Royal, “San Nicolás” with its homonymous parish and “San Saturnino” with the church of St. Cernin. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

Day 3 - PAMPLONA/ RONCESVALLES/ LOGROÑO
After breakfast, our pilgrimage continues to “Roncesvalles”, first official stage of the French route of The Way of St. James. In order to help the pilgrims on their Jacobean route after crossing the Pyrenees Mountains, the Bishop of Pamplona founded the Hospitality Institution of Roncesvalles. Legend has it that in this very same place, the Devil offered fresh water to a thirsty pilgrim in return for renouncing his faith in God, the Virgin Mary and St. James. The pilgrim, close to death’s door, rejected the water and prayed until the Devil went away and the Fountain appeared to quench his thirst. Upon arrival in Logroño, we enter the city by the stone bridge over the “Ebro” river. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

Day 4 - LOGROÑO - SANTO DOMINGO DE LA CALZADA - BURGOS
After breakfast, we begin our guided tour of Logroño, the second largest city of the Way of St. James (French route) and visit of the Church of Saint Mary.  Then, we depart by the legendary Santo Domingo de la Calzada, the village of the Miracle of the Hen that crowed after being roasted. The cathedral was erected upon the grave of Saint Domingo, the most characteristic building of town. Just in front of the Sepulcher, we see a vaulted Niche where a cock and a hen live together in memoriam of the miracle. Continue toward Burgos with stop in San Juan de Ortega and the Santiago Apóstol church where we can see a holy water stoup made with the biggest shell of “The Way” and an exceptional phenomenon of the Christian world. Every year during Spring and Autumn equinox, a beam of light from the setting sun shines through a large window and on to a Romanesque capital where a beautiful representation of the Virgin Mary appears. Upon arrival in Burgos, we have a guided tour of the city and visit the famous Cathedral. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

Day 5 - BURGOS - FROMISTA - ASTORGA - PONFERRADA
Breakfast and then depart for a stop at “The Way” to admire the Romanesque church of San Martin de Fromista. We continue to the mythical land of “La Maragateria” and its capital Astorga. Free time to visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria or “Episcopal Palace”, where now is located The Way Museum, designed by Gaudi. Continue to Ponferrada for dinner and overnight.

Day 7 - SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA - LEON
Breakfast this morning and then visit the city of Santiago de Compostela. Our visit starts with a walking tour on the Cathedral roofs to enjoy a unique view of the city from this different perspective. Afterwards, we go to the Pilgrim’s Mass. In the afternoon, we depart for Leon for dinner and overnight.

Day 8 - LEON - SEGOVIA - MADRID
After breakfast, we visit the city of Leon - one of the main cities that we find on “The Way”. This city had its origin as a Roman camp and the valuable architectural sites are countless including the cathedral and the Royal Basilica of San Isidro, one of the most important treasures of the Spanish Romanesque. Continue to Segovia for a short stop on our way to Madrid for dinner and overnight.

Day 9 - MADRID - USA
Early morning, we depart to the airport for our return flight.