WALKERS’ WORLD
Camino de Santiago  (St James Way)
Guided Walks across Northern Spain
May and Sept 2010 
May 9 - May 24, 2010        (15 nights)   
Aug 31 - Sept 10, 2010      (10 nights)
Sept 12 - 27, 2010             (15 nights)                

History of the Camino de Santiago:  According to popular tradition, in 40 AD the body of the Apostle St James was clandestinely buried in Northern Spain. Centuries later, a hermit witnessed a shower of stars leading him to the forgotten tomb. Then, legend says, during a battle with the Moors, a ghostly apparition of St James appeared to Christian soldiers, spurring them to victory and opening up the road to Santiago. The 1000's to the 1400's brought a golden age of pilgrimages with multitudes of wayfarers seeking the tomb of St James at Santiago. Towns along the route hosted these travellers and today many of these villages have scarcely changed. In 1987 the Camino de Santiago was declared the first European Cultural Itinerary - one of the great footpaths of Europe.

Our walks: To walk the entire route would take over a month but with a support bus we cover the most scenic and historic stages of the Camino. We have two guides so each day there is a choice of doing an easy section at a relaxed pace or a longer, more challenging walk. Days on this historic pilgrimage route do wonders for body, mind and spirit but our tours have NO religious focus. Our accommodation is in three and four star comfortable inns and Paradors as well as old monasteries that have been converted to atmospheric hotels. In Burgos, Leon and Santiago we have fascinating walking tours with English-speaking expert guides who make history come to life.  

Level of Difficulty: The terrain is varied - flat, golden meseta - rugged mountains- rolling farmland of Galicia. Each day we divide into two groups, each with its own guide. The more energetic group covers longer distance (up to 20 km) with more ascent. The tranquil group walks a shorter distance (about 10 km) at a slower pace. Our support bus follows and is available at various junctions along the way and meets the groups for lunch. When the path goes through mountains our bus can take the tranquil group to near the top so the walk is a spectacular, gradual descent. Those who prefer a more energetic day in the mountains can start with an ascent. 

Our meeting point:  Bilbao      End of Tour:  Santiago de Compostela.