ST DUNSTAN’S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
CAMINO FRANCES, SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
Following an ancient route across northern Spain to the grave of St. James,
the Galilean fisherman, son of Zebedee and brother of John
Led By
Tour Leader Peter Hogan and Spiritual Director Canon Frank Harrington
In the Middle Ages Santiago de Compostela was one of the three major pilgrimages, along with Jerusalem and Rome. Pilgrims came here, to this remote north–western corner of Spain, to venerate the body of St. James the Great.
St. James, the Galilean fisherman, son of Zebedee and brother of John, became the first of Christ’s Apostles to be martyred when King Herod Agrippa I ordered his execution in Jerusalem in AD 44. He is remembered today as one of the brethren of Jesus, with family connections and was a man of vital theological importance as the leader of the First Synod of the young church in Jerusalem.
For more than a thousand years pilgrims have followed a path across northern Spain to the Western ocean, the furthest end of the medieval world.
Although no evidence has ever been produced to back the claim that the bones found in a stone coffin were those of the saint, King Alfonso III had a church built on the spot in the early 10th century and Santiago soon became an immensely popular place of Pilgrimage, drawing thousands of people from all corners of Europe. By the 11th century Compostela was rated as highly by pilgrims as Rome and Jerusalem, and those that had made the arduous journey there wore the scallop shell proudly on the brims of their hats.
From France two major routes cross the Pyrenees into Spain, one entering at Roncesvalles and the other further east at Jaca, the two converging at Puente la Reina in the Basque country. The route then continues west through Burgos, Leon, and Astorga to Santiago. It became known as the Camino Frances, The French Road.
It promises to be a rich and rewarding journey.
Itinerary
Day 1 Tuesday 17 April
London - Bilbao - Vioria
We meet at St Dunstan’s Church before going on to Heathrow for our late morning flight to Bilbao. The flight time is about two hours. We will be met on arrival at Bilbao Airport and taken to our hotel in Vitoria, approximately an hours drive south of Bilbao. Dinner and overnight stay in Vitoria
Day 2 Wednesday 18 April
Navarre and La Rioja
After breakfast we leave Vitoria and drive across the Basque Country to begin our journey along the Camino at Roncesvalles in the High Pyrenees. Visit the Church and Royal Pantheon, before descending through mountain villages, visiting the 12th century Templar Church of St Mary of Eunate and a beautiful stone bridge built in the first half the 11th century to enable pilgrims to cross the River Ega. We will visit other medieval churches of Puente la Reina, before proceeding to Logrono in La Rioja, visiting Estella, 'la bella', renowned for the beauty of its architecture on route. Dinner and overnight stay in Logrono.
Day 3 Thursday 19 April
Through La Rioja and Old Castile
The city of Burgos, with its Gothic cathedral a 'sublime poetry in stone’, will be a principal stop. En route visit Santo Domingo de la Calzada and the cathedral with its unusual liturgical accompaniment. On our way to spend the night in Covarrubias, a showcase of Old Castile, make a short detour to Nuestra Señora de las Viñas, the last Visigoth basilica in Spain (c700AD).
Day 4, Friday 20 April
From Old Castile to Leon
Mass at the Abbey Santo Domingo de Silos, Gregorian Chant, and in its cloister inspired Romanesque sculpture. We then proceed on the Camino to Fromista to visit its golden 'perfect' Romanesque church. Then to Leon, one of the highlights of the Camino with a cathedral comparable with Chartres, a basilica with 12th century wall and ceiling paintings, a Gaudi building and a medieval market area. We then proceed to our hotel in Leon for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 5, Saturday 21 April
Cordillera Cantabrica
Visit the Roman - medieval walled town of Astorga with its late Gothic cathedral and Gaudi‘s neo-Gothic Bishop’s Palace and close by Castrillo de los Polvazares, a cobbled village which is a national monument. Cross La Maragateria through tiny seemingly abandoned villages into El Bierzo. We pause in Ponferrada to view the I2th century Castillo de los Templarios. Before reaching Villafranca del Bierzo, one of the most attractive small towns of the Camino, visit the l0th century church Penalba de Santiago in the Valley of Silence, before returning to Ponferrada for overnight stay. Dinner and overnight in Ponferrada.
Day 6, Sunday 22 April
Galicia
We leave Ponferrada after breakfast for the final leg of our journey to visit the I2th century church in the tiny village of O‘Cebreiro. Pass through Sarria, Portomarin and visit the Romanesque 12th century Church of Vilar de Donas, which is surrounded by the graves of the noble knights of the Military Order of Santiago. Finally we drive directly for our first view of Santiago de Compostela before travelling to our hotel in Santiago.
Day 7, Monday 23 April
Santiago De Compostela
We will spend the morning exploring this magnificent city and the highlight of our tour will be the Pilgrim Mass in the Cathedral, which is held daily to recognise the pilgrims who have travelled along the Way of St. James. This historical ceremony has been taking place since the 9th Century. Santiago is one of Spain's most remarkable cities, where Medieval quarters surround the main square and the great Cathedral. Behind its magnificent Baroque facade is the 11th century Cathedral which can be seen today as it was by pilgrims in the Middle Ages.
Day 8, Tuesday 24 April
A’Coruna - London
In the morning we have a conducted tour of the Cathedral with time for shopping. Just after midday we leave for A’Coruna Airport and our return flight to London. We plan to arrive back at Heathrow at around 16:00.
Tour Costs
Tour Cost
INCLUSIVE TOUR COST - £1345
Lightline tours are carefully calculated to include all items
necessary to complete your tour at the advertised price.
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Scheduled flights on Vueling Spanish Airlines |
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London Heathrow – Bilbao |
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All UK & Spanish airport departure taxes |
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Selected 3 & 4 star hotels throughout the journey |
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Accommodation in twin_bedded rooms with private shower/bath rooms en-suite |
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Half board - Breakfast & dinner throughtout |
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All sightseeing and transfers conducted in modern air-conditioned tourist coaches |
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The services of an English -speaking Guide throughout |
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All entrance fees to the places listed in itinerary |
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The transfer of baggage throughout the tour |
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Travel pack (maps, literature etc.) |
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