10 Night Itinerary:
        
Day 1  - Meet at the Barcelo Nervion Hotel in central Bilbao at 3.30 pm. Transfer by private coach to our first hotel in the fairy-tale city of Burgos. 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. This was the birth place of Spain’s legendary hero El Cid who, in 1094, fought with Christian forces against the Moors and his body lies in the magnificent cathedral (the second largest in Spain). We spend the night at the Hotel Meson del Cid which faces onto the cathedral plaza in the historic quarter of the city. Dinner included. BURGOS

Day 2 - Our half-day walking tour in Burgos is led by a local guide who is an expert in the history of the city. The tour includes the great, gothic Cathedral (a UNESCO World Heritage site) and we hear stories of El Cid and how he tricked local money-lenders into lending him money to finance his troops. We visit the Monasterio de Las Huelgas which, founded in 1187, is one of the most important monuments in Spain. The remainder of the day is free to explore Burgos which is one of Iberia's most beautiful cities with a lovely tree-lined walkway along its river. Perhaps you would like to shop, sit in a cafe or sample typical Spanish snacks called "Pinchos" . We stay again at the Meson del Cid. September is street festival time in Burgos and in the evening streets are filled with various musical and dance entertainment from guitar to flamenco to folk to comic puppet shows. BURGOS

Day 3 - After a short bus ride, we reach the village of Fromista which dates back to Roman times. From here the Camino traverses the countryside of Castile with its great plains and vistas. In the afternoon we reach Carrion de Los Condes, a town which, in the 11th century was home to villainous Counts. Two of these Counts (according to legend) married and mistreated El Cid's daughters. It is easy walking and the effort is worth it when we reach our destination - a wonderful hotel within the historic San Zoilo monastery located at the edge of the town and right on the Camino de Santiago. Dinner included. CARRION DE LOS CONDES

 Day 4  - Today we continue by bus into Leon, a remarkable city of soaring stone. We have a guided walking tour led by an expert local guide to see the magnificent cathedral with stained glass windows preserved from the 13th century, the Basilica de San Isidoro with its Pantheon of Kings, the Hostal de San Marcos, the 16th Palace of Los Guzmanes with its balconies and courtyard and the Casa de Botines, a 19th century work by the famous Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi. Our hotel is a lovely posada in the heart of the historic quarter just a block from the Cathedral. Dinner in the hotel's highly regarded restaurant included. LEON

Day 5 - In the 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 held the last great medieval tournament. Suero challenged other knights to a joust because he had been scorned by his lady love. Today if you stand on the bridge and use a little imagination you can almost hear the horses whinny and the clash of steel. Suero won the tournament which released him from his prison of love and one can still see his gold bracelet in the museum at Santiago.
At Orbigo the terrain changes from flat plains to foothills - clouds in the distance soon reveal themselves to be chains of mountains - the Leon Mountains to the West and the Cordillera Cantabrica to the North. In the afternoon we reach Astorga in time to see its Cathedral built in 1471, the fairytale Bishop's Palace built by the eccentric architect Antoni Gaudi which now holds an interesting "Museum  of the Camino" and maybe the Museum of Chocolate which tells the tale of the local chocolate industry which flourished when cocoa was first brought from the New World. The town still prides itself in its great chocolate. Our hotel faces onto the plaza overlooking the Gaudi palace and the cathedral. Dinner included. ASTORGA

Day 6 - Beyond Astorga we begin one of the most historically important parts of the Camino  over Mount Irago. Our bus takes us up to near the top of Mount Orbigo (those who with can ride all the way and start their walk at the top). At the  Cruz de Ferro (iron cross) pilgrims often place a stone which they have been carrying as penance (a tradition from the 11th century). The terrain is spectacular and the gradual downhill walk is quite easy. From the top we descend into the lush "Bierzo" valley region to El Aciebo which appears to be caught in a medieval time warp and then on to the lovely town of Molinaseca.  We continue  by bus to Villafranca and stay in the lovely Parador at Villafranca. This town is one of the most atmospheric on the Camino, retaining its medieval and Renaissance atmosphere. In medieval times if a pilgrim was too frail to continue his journey the same papal indulgences were granted as if he had reached Santiago. Dinner at the Parador is included. VILLAFRANCA

Day 7 - From Villafranca we have a short bus ride up the 1,293 m. Cebreiro pass. At O Cebreiro a mysterious legend says that the Holy Grail ( the cup from which Christ drank at the Last Supper) is hidden and many miracles are said to have taken place. This is one of the most scenic stretches of the Camino (although the weather can be unpredictable). Terrain is wild and rugged but we start our walk near the top and make a gradual descent. Eventually the countryside becomes more gentle as we enter beautiful Galicia. Gray and green tones predominate and one hears the "Gallego" language (the local dialect). Villages are strung along 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 reach the quaint town of Triacastela in time for a late lunch and then continue by bus to the town of Monteforte de Lemos. This is off the Camino by about 30 km. In this monumental complex, comprised of the keep, the San Vicente do Pino Monastery and the Condes de Lemos Palace; is housed Parador de Monforte's facilities. The origins of the monastery date back to the 9th century but it has been magnificently been restored and converted into a  Parador. Dinner included. MONFORTE

Day 8  -   Today we travel by bus to Samos with its majestic monastery which was founded in the 6th century. The monastery is filled with art treasures and has a large cloister with interesting carved keystones - most depict religious themes related to the Benedictines but one has an amusing hieroglyphic which, when translated, says, "What are you looking at, stupid?" Our hike today is on a tranquil, hamlet-laden trail through rolling countryside - the most beautiful section of our entire journey across Northern Spain. The trail winds alongside jewel-like green fields and between stone fences covered with blackberries and wild-flowers. One sees "horreos" (graneries), stone mills and crosses marking the way. For the next two nights we stay at the Pousada de Portomarin which has beautiful views of a lake and green hills. The town is known for its "queimadas" (a flaming liqueur with sugar, lemon and coffee beans). Dinner included. PORTOMARIN

Day 9 -  Now we are on the final stage of the Camino. The Galician countryside is dotted with tiny hamlets and fragrant forests of eucalyptus and pine. In the evening we return to the Pousada at Portomorin. The town is located in the Mino Valley and because of its bridge was an important stop on the Camino. PORTOMARIN

Day 10  After a short walk we continue by bus to Santiago. Just outside Santiago, the Camino leads 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 was nicknamed Leroy (The King). Pilgrims also stopped to wash at Lavacolla (probably the first time in months since in the 1100's soap and water were considered unhealthy) Those who wish to walk the last few kilometres into the city can do so or can take the bus to the hotel. It is a tradition that all pilgrims head for the Cathedral on arrival and hug the statue of St James so you may wish to do this or you can just explore the fascinating old city. Before dinner we have a guided tour of the old city of Santiago de Compostela led by a local English-speaking historical guide. The tour includes the interior of the famous Cathedral. The Cathedral Museum is fascinating with its many gold and silver artifacts that have been collected over the past thousand years. Our hotel is a magnificent restored monastery located near the Cathedral in the old quarter and is an oasis surrounded by gardens. In the evening we have a farewell dinner. SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

Day 11 - Tour ends after breakfast. If you would like to stay for another day or two to explore Santiago's historic sites, extra hotel nights can be arranged. Those who wish can attend the Pilgrims'  mass at the Cathedral at midday. It is fascinating to wander Santiago's narrow medieval streets filled with shops and cafes or you can take a local bus to Finnisterre.