El Camino de Santiago – the Way of St. James
16 September. - 6 October 2014
On the historic pilgrimage route from Saint Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago de Compostela.
There is no doubt that over the centuries this pilgrims' way has exerted a profound attraction on the faithful, and now also on others. It has even become the thing for prominent personalities to "do" it.
For many years camper drivers have driven along this route, sometimes alone, sometimes on a guided tour. Of course, this cannot be classified as a "pilgrimage". The idea of this tour is to give participants the chance to visit the incredible cultural monuments along the routes, to see original landscapes and forms of human settlement and to learn something about the region and its people. It is not least a homage to the notion of a pilgrimage – actually covering shorter or longer distances on foot at certain times. Not everyone will be able to do this and some will only be able to look on for health reasons.
Passing through the village Puente la Reina and crossing the famous bridge there will provoke a certain tingle. Even more so at the Cruz de Ferro on the heap of stones in the midst of an impressive desert, when pilgrims lay a stone to symbolise the burden they are casting off. The most impressive view is that from Monte Gozo just before Santiago, where pilgrims catch their first glimpse of the cathedral – only a short distance to go and they will be standing in front of it – most with copious tears in their eyes as they arrive, even the "unbelievers". The service in the large church, the "botafumeiro", the censer which swings through the church, the way's last leg to Finisterre, where the pilgrims end their journey and cast their clothes into the sea – nobody can fail to be moved by the Camino and the wish to others the pilgrims call out: “Buen camino, peregrino“ – Have a good walk, pilgrim.
1st day Tuesday, 16 September 2014
Arrival at our campsite at the foot of the Pyrenees in France. In the evening our hosts will spoil us with a typical meal and a special treat (if our lady host is willing to dance....).
2nd day Wednesday, 17 September 2014
Today we will walk into the pretty little town and look around. There are some really beautiful little nooks and crannies and a lot interesting things to see.
3rd day Thursday, 18 September 2014
We continue across the first historic pass which the pilgrims walked over to enter Spain. We will make a stop on the Spanish side to take a look at the large and famous monastery of Roncesvalles. Then we will continue to our next campsite. On the way you will drive along the route the pilgrims take.
While we are on the road there are a number of spots where you should stop to view the countryside and a monument. You will find the information in our detailed roadbook compiled for the tour.
The lady who runs the campsite will invite us to take a welcoming aperitif in the evening.
4th day Friday, 19 September 2014
A bus will pick us up today and take us to Pamplona, the town in Navarra where Hemingway felt so much at home. Accompanied by an expert guide we will visit the town and the monuments, and we will see the famous bull-fighting arena and the defiant fortress. At midday we will be able to savour Navarra's famous cuisine. In one of Pamplona's best cafés we can indulge in culinary delights. In the afternoon we will go to a special pilgrimage site before we go to Puenta la Reina to see the beautiful pilgrims' bridge.
Facilities will be provided for members of the group who would like to walk a small part of the way. If anyone wishes to walk a longer distance, this is possible after prior consultation.
5th day Saturday, 20 September 2014
During our excursion today you will enter a region which will fill you full of wonder. I won't say any more at this point. Each of you should take a chair, which you will need during the trip. Assuming the weather is suitable, we will have a picnic in the open in natural surroundings. In the afternoon our destination is the royal seat of Olite. Here the mediaeval kings had their castle. You will learn a lot about life in the very earliest years, including the winegrowing here.
6th day Sunday, 21 September 2014
There are two places on our schedule for today: first there's beautiful Estella, and then Irache. In Estella on the left bank of the Ega, where Franks and Navarrans lived together in the Middle Ages, there stands the church of San Miguel. San Pedro de la Rua and the palace of the Navarran kings are also worth a visit. The Iratxe monastery, a large complex with buildings from the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and the Baroque, stands at the foot of Montejurra in Ayegui in the midst of vineyards. It was the first pilgrims' hospice in the whole of Navarra. When you are there you will learn about a special feature of this monastery. Pilgrims have always prized this monastery very highly – and we will show you why.
7th day Monday, 22 September 2014
Then we will go on to the city of the famed El Cid, Burgos, with its impressive cathedral. On the way there there is a lot to see, and we'll keep you up to speed on this. One major stop, for example, is Santo Domingo de la Calzada. This church is intimately linked with a legend concerning a young man from Cologne ... And the monastery of San de Ortega is also an absolute must on the Camino.
8th day Tuesday, 23 September 2014
First we'll take the local bus into the town. Accompanied by our city guide we will take a look at the so-called "casco antiguo", the old town, and the cathedral. After the lunch – which you will arrange yourself - it's off to the famous Las Huelgas Monastery with its many mysteries. Passing by the Miraflores Carthusian Monastery we will then arrive back at our campsite in the late afternoon.
9th day Wednesday, 24 September 2014
We will have the chance to gather many valuable impressions en route to León. On the road we will meet up at a number of points which we will have discussed the previous evening at the drivers' meeting. We will be able to relax after today's leg at a picturesque campsite.
10th day Thursday, 25 September 2014
The bus will take us to León today, one of the most important towns in the Middle Ages. The cathedral boasts glass windows which are among the most beautiful you can imagine. The former Minister-President of Baden-Württemberg, Erwin Teufel, was profoundly affected by his visit here. And there is more to see in León. We will see the historic Parador and we will pass by the Gaudí house. San Isidoro is an absolute must. The royal basilica of San Isidoro was built between the 10th and the 12th centuries. It is a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture. Thanks to the unique ceiling frescos the royal burial chamber is known as the "Romanesque Sistine Chapel".
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11th day Friday, 26th September 2014
And so we continue along our Camino. After a journey through impressive countryside, small towns and villages which should not be missed, we will arrive at our next campsite, a simple site with very hospitable hosts in the beautiful district of El Bierzo, a wine region with a pleasant microclimate.
12th day Saturday, 27 September 2014
Today we will take you by bus through a landscape that already entranced the Romans. It was here that they invented brilliant mining methods to extract precious metals. This is a small detour off the pilgrims' way, but highly interesting. In the evening we can indulge in one of our famous "appetizer evenings". (You will be told en route what this is all about.)
13th day Sunday, 28 September 2014
Today we will arrive in Galicia and in the evening at Santiago de Compostela. While we are on the road we will discuss what we want to see. The landscape is magnificent. This helps you understand the pilgrims better who have walked this route across the centuries. In earlier times the last reserves were mobilised to overcome the O’Cebreiro plateau. This forms the inhospitable and unwelcoming final barrier before reaching the gentler hills and plains of Galicia. Having taken this last hurdle and before entering Santiago we will again meet at a place which has a special charm. From here we will already be able to see the tips of the cathedral spires. We will then drive down into the town and soon arrive at our campsite.
14th day Monday, 29 September 2014
A local bus will take us into the town in time to meet our expert city guide, before entering the cathedral to take part in the pilgrims'' service. At the end of the service the "botafumeiro", an enormous censer, will swing through the nave. What a great atmosphere! Even in front of the cathedral and in the alleyways it is possible to sense a special tingle. The forecourt is dominated by the pilgrims as they arrive in a steady stream and embrace one another, exhausted but happy to have reached their goal.
Take a stroll through the alleyways before you take bus back to the campsite.
15th day Tuesday, 30 September 2014
Every pilgrim goes on from Santiago de Compostela: in Finisterre the world ends, at any rate that was the case in the Middle Ages. Here the pilgrims would immerse their clothes and often also their shoes. We will take a bus trip along the rías, the Galician fjords, to beyond Finisterre. If the weather is fine we will take our picnic on a particular beach, and if not we will have to find a suitable place to stop for a bite to eat. Enjoy the Galician landscape, the bays and the sea.
16th day Wednesday, 01 October 2014
Today is yours to do what takes your fancy. Tomorrow we will be heading homewards along the north coast.
17th day Thursday, 02 October 2014
If you want, you can use today to drive along some idyllic beaches. Our campsite on the coast is located high above the sea. If the weather is fine you will experience one of the most beautiful sunsets, as well one of the most beautiful sunrises, which the coast has to offer. This evening we will enjoy a glass of fine Galician wine and gaze in wonder at the magnificent natural setting.
18th day Friday, 03 October 2014
The next leg of our journey will take us to an extremely picturesque location. The campsite is only 1.3 km from the historic town centre and so we will be able to take a leisurely stroll in the late afternoon.
19th day Saturday, 04 October 2014
Another leg of our tour and we will arrive at an almost just as picturesque campsite on the Basque coast. Our hosts await us high above the sea at an incredible location. The view alone is magnificent.
20th day Sunday, 05 October 2014
A final excursion will bring us to the elegant and imposing town of San Sebastián. It has a glamorous feel about it – after all, it is the location for famous film festivals whose popularity has steadily grown. There is talk of starred chefs, literature, art, sculpture – and of course the town's position on the beautiful "concha", the mussel shell, on the sea attracts the money aristocracy and turns this former sleepy port into a sophisticated resort. The architecture is very impressive, there's no doubt about that. We will enter the enticing indoor market and amble through the old town. One shouldn't forgo the opportunity to stroll through the formerly very picturesque port area, although there isn't much of it left. In the multitude of bars in the port and the old town it is possible to eat delicious tapas. This evening we will take our last meal together – and this time it's Basque cuisine. It will be a wonderful conclusion to our tour.
21st day Monday, 06 October 2014
Farewell and departure.
INCLUDED:
• 19 x campsite charges • 1 x welcoming meal • 1 x final meal • 2 x tapas in Pamplona & San Sebastián • 1 x meal in Burgos • 1 x Basque dinner • 1 x "appetizer" evening • 1 x visit to bullfight arena (no bulls !!!) • 2 x special events (final meal in Santiago, Zarautz) • public bus journeys as per programme • 6 x bus excursions • 2 x picknicks • 1 x drinks (on campsite on our way back) • various entrance charges as per programme • various guided tours in German (or translated) as per programme • tour guide • qualified travel documents (maps etc.) |
NOT INCLUDED:
• motorway charges • fuel • insurance • personal expenses • gratuities • beverages and food where not given as included |
OPTION: Visit to the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao (please give advance notification when booking).
After consultation participants may at certain points cover longer stretches of the Way of St. James on foot. Please talk to us before booking.
minimum number of participants: 10 units
maximum number of participants: 15 units
REISEPREISE:
per person in a two-person unit: single travellers: |
€ 1.250,00 € 1.398,00 |
no liability is accepted for any printing errors we reserve the right to make changes to the programme and to adjust prices.
Special remarks: The General Terms and Conditions (AGB) of I.N. Touristik shall apply. If fuel prices in 2014 are above the average or if the rate of Spanish value added tax is suddenly raised the tour price will be increased accordingly since all bus and transport companies have indicated this possibility.
Pets may only be carried on request. In Spain such animals are subject to very strict laws. .
We assume that you have taken out health insurance for foreign travel and that you have international travel cover for your vehicle.
VERANSTALTER: I. N. TOURISTIK - Barbara Fohrer
Münsters Gässchen 38
D-51375 Leverkusen
Fon: 0214/50699044
Fax: 0214/50699046
www.intouristik.com
e-mail: info@intouristik.com