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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) |
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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.
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