10 Night Itinerary:
        
Day 1  - We meet at the Barcelo Nervion Hotel in central Bilbao at 3.30 pm and immediately transfer by private coach to our first hotel in the fairy-tale city of Burgos. This was the birth place of Spain’s legendary hero El Cid who, in 1094, fought with Christian forces against the Moors and whose body lies in the magnificent cathedral. In medieval times Burgos was the most significant stopping place for pilgrims and today it contains a staggering wealth of art.  We spend the night at the Hotel Meson del Cid which has a magnificent view onto the cathedral plaza in the historic quarter of the city. Dinner included. BURGOS

Day 2 - Our 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 the legendary hero El Cid and how he tricked local money-lenders into loaning 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. There is time in the afternoon to stroll along the lovely tree-lined walkway along the river. Perhaps you would like to 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 musical and dance entertainment. Perhaps guitar, flamenco or 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 we start our walk on the Camino as the trail traverses the countryside of Castile with its great plains and vistas. In the late afternoon we continue to Carrion de Los Condes, a town which, in the 11th century was home to villainous Counts who (according to legend) married and mistreated El Cid's daughters. This stage of the Camino is easy walking and the effort is worthwhile when we reach our destination - a wonderful hotel within the historic San Zoilo monastery. The building dates back to 947AD and has kept relics of Saint Zoilo since 1047. In the Middle Ages it was an important abbey and was the seat of the court of the kings of Castile and León. Today it is a hotel that combines modern comforts with old world atmosphere. Rooms that were once monk's quarters are arranged around a lovely courtyard and around the original cloister.  Dinner included. CARRION DE LOS CONDES

 Day 4  - Today we continue our walk for the morning and in the afternoon our bus takes us into Leon, a remarkable city of soaring stone. Here 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 is included. LEON

Day 5 - In the morning we have a short 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. He won the tournament which released him from his prison of love and one can still see his gold bracelet in the museum at Santiago. Here at Orbigo the terrain changes from flat plains to gentle 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. At the end of the day we reach Astorga in time to see its Cathedral built in 1471, the fairytale Bishop's Palace built by the eccentric architect Antoni Gaudi and the interesting "Museum  of the Camino". But Astorga has more than history - it is known for its chocolate industry which has flourished since cocoa was first brought from the New World. Chocolate shops with wonderful displays line the main street.  Our hotel faces onto the plaza overlooking the Gaudi palace and the cathedral. Dinner included (perhaps dessert will be chocolate?) 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 wish 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 (an 11th century tradition). The terrain is spectacular and the gradual downhill walk is quite easy. From the top we descend into the lush "Bierzo" valley region for lunch in El Aciebo, a tiny village which appears to be caught in a medieval time warp. Our walk continues gradually down to the lovely town of Molinaseca where walkers can stop and dabble their feet in the lovely stream, reward themselves with a beer in a quaint cafe and browse through the narrow streets.  At the end of the day we continue by bus to Villafranca del Bierzo.  In medieval times it was at Villafranca that sick pilgrims were allowed to quit and still receive the church's indulgence. Today, the town of Villafranca retains its medieval atmosphere dominated with its massive feudal fortress.  We stay at the newly renovated Parador with its spa and heated pool. Dinner included.    VILLAFRANCA

Day 7 - From Villafranca we have a short bus ride up the 1,293 m. Cebreiro pass. At the hamlet of O Cebreiro a mysterious legend says that the Holy Grail 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 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 and then continue by bus to the town of Monteforte de Lemos which is off the Camino about 30 km but worth the drive. In a monumental complex, comprised of the castle, the monastery and the Condes de Lemos Palace is housed the Parador de Monforte and it is here that we stay the night. The origins of the complex date back to the 9th century but today it is a magnificently restored Parador hotel. Dinner included. MONFORTE

Day 8  -   Today we travel by bus to Samos with its majestic monastery founded in the 6th century. The monastery is filled with art treasures and has a large cloister with interesting carved stones - most depict religious themes related to the Benedictines but one has an amusing hieroglyphic which, when translated, says (in Latin), "What are you looking at, stupid?" (Monks were not supposed to be looking at the ceiling).  Our hike begins here on a tranquil trail through rolling countryside alongside jewel-like green fields and between stone fences covered with blackberries and wild-flowers. Late in the day we reach Portomarin where we stay at the Pousada de Portomarin with its beautiful views of a lake and green hills. The town is located in the Mino Valley and because of its bridge was an important stop on the Camino.  Portomarin is known for its "queimadas" (a flaming liqueur with sugar, lemon and coffee beans) and we hear the strange legends associated with this drink.  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 Portomarin. Dinner included. PORTOMARIN

Day 10  Today we do the final stage of the Camino. 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).  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 pilgrims head for the Cathedral on arrival and hug the statue of St James. 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 as well as the Cathedral Museum. The museum is fascinating with its many gold and silver artifacts that have been collected over the past thousand years. Our hotel is an 18th century former Jesuit residence located in the old quarter near the Cathedral 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.  It is fascinating to wander Santiago's narrow medieval streets filled with shops and cafes or you can take a local bus to Finnisterre. For those who can't take extra time to explore it is just a twenty minute taxi ride to the Santiago Airport for a flight to Madrid.