Spain : The Pilgrim Road
from € 1,429 | 9 Nights
Bilbao - Santiago de Compostela
Join Citiescapes on the Pilgrim Road from Bilbao to Santiago de Compostela.
Summary:
Explore the religious history of the towns and cities on the road, and take the opportunity to walk the road with the pilgrims.
Day by day Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Bilbao
On arrival at Bilbao airport you will be met by your English speaking guide and transferred to your hotel in the centre of the city.
Day 2: Bilbao and the Guggenheim
In the morning we take a walk along the banks of the River Nervi?n, cross the Calatrava bridge and then visit the Guggenheim Art Museum, the world-famous masterpiece of the Canadian-born architect Frank Gehry. The opening of this iconic construction in 1997 marked the beginnings of a radical change in the face of this great Basque city. Until then it had been a grimy, heavily industrialized city with absolutely no tourist-appeal at all. Now the old factories have been demolished, the industry has been moved out of town to new modern installations and Bilbao has become an attractive clean and interesting city which welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.
After the museum you have plenty of leisure time to have lunch (Bilbao is a perfect place to experience ?el tapeo? ? you go from bar to bar tasting different wines and tapas in each one. This is more typical of this part of Spain than anywhere else and definitely should not be missed!).
After this there is plenty of time to wander around the old town and enjoy the atmosphere and the many small, specialist shops before returning to the hotel for dinner.
Day 3: The Wine District of ?La Rioja?
Today we leave the Basque country and head for the most prestigious wine area in Spain, ?La Rioja?. We are soon passing through the extensive vineyards whose position and orientation have proved so perfect for the growing of wine-grapes. After only one hour, we arrive in Haro, the capital of this world-famous wine region where we are given a tour of one of the local wineries (bodega). We learn all about the processes involved in the making of the wine, methods of storage and even how to taste it!
After the bodega there is time at leisure in the Centre of Haro for lunch and a stroll around the town and then we head out to Santo Domingo de la Calzada, a milestone on the Pilgrim Road.
A thousand years ago a hermit called Domingo had a bridge built over the River Oja and built a refuge for the travelers on the Way. His contributions to the welfare of the pilgrims was recognized by the church and he was canonized, thus giving the name to the village and providing one of the many legends about the Road. On the way to Burgos, those who wish to, have their first opportunity to actually walk along a section of the Pilgrim Road. Continue on to our hotel in Burgos.
Day 4: Burgos
Burgos is indoubtedly the most important city historically which is traversed by the Pilgrim Road, not least because it was the birthplace of the powerful Kingdom of Castile. We take some time to admire the Casa del Cord?n, a beautiful 15th century palace where Ferdinand and Isabella welcomed Columbus back from his second journey to the New World. A walk along the gracious, plane-tree-lined promenade by the River Arlanz?n takes us to the unique city gate, Arco de Santa Mar?a. From here onto one of the most impressive Gothic cathedrals in Spain, inspired by Notre dame in Paris. Here is the tomb of El Cid, the national hero who liberated Valencia from the Moors in the 11th century.
In the afternoon there is the option to go for a walk along the river as far as the monastery of Miraflores where the parents of Isabel la Cat?lica (Isabella of Castile) are laid to rest. Hotel in Burgos.
Day 5: Le?n
As we drive into the region of Le?n today, there is another opportunity to take a short walk along the Pilgrim Road. Travelling along the plain ?Tierra de Campos? we come to Fromista where we stop at the Castile Canal which was built in the 18th century to ship corn and wool from Castile to the coast for export, especially to northern Europe. There is free time here to take in the local atmosphere and perhaps visit the church of San Mart?n.
We continue on to the city of Le?n which was the capital of the kingdom of the same name. We take a tour on foot of the old part of the town with its narrow streets and many beautiful buildings. This part is known as ?the thirsty part of town? due to the amazing number of bars here. We visit the well-preserved market square which dates from mediaeval times and the cathedral which has 18.000 square metres of leaded glass windows. Hotel in Le?n.
Day 6: The Wine District of El Bierzo
On the way to El Bierzo, we have a stop in Astorga which, with its 24 refuges, was a very important city on the Pilgrim Road during the Middle Ages. It has a beautiful 17th century baroque town hall and is one of the few places outside of Catalonia that is home to a building by Antoni Gaud? the famous Catalonian architect of the Art Nouveau period ? the Bishop?s Palace. We resume our journey travelling across the Castilian Plain until we come to Monte Irago. Here there is yet another opportunity to take a short walk along the pilgrim road. We arrive in El Bierzo, one of the many ?official? wine districts in Spain. French monks came to the area in the past and not only built monasteries here but also planted extensive vineyards which have continued to thrive and be expanded up until the present day. Hotel in El Bierzo.
Day 7: Last Stretch to Santiago de Compostela
Today we go along the last stretch of the pilgrim road into Santiago. As we cross into Galicia, known for being the wettest and therefore the greenest region in Spain, we stop in Cebreiro which is 1300 metres above sea level and affords wonderful views over the countryside. We can see many examples of the characteristic straw-roofed huts of Celtic origin which were inhabited until quite recently. We visit one of the oldest village churches in Spain, Santa Mar?a la Real, dating back to the 9th century. We continue our journey along some picturesque backroads until we stop in Portomar?n, beautifully situated by the river Mi?o. We can see here the 12th century fortress-cum-church and a typical Galician mansion. The speciality of the town is aquavit. We then carry on until we arrive at our hotel in Santiago de Compostela.
Day 8: Santiago de Compostela
Now we have reached the end of the Pilgrim Road The city has arisen around the grave of St. James (Santiago) the Apostle which was famously discovered by a farmer named Pelayo in a field in 813 a.d. In the morning we visit the historic centre which is one big outdoor museum full of small, winding streets, pretty squares, old monasteries, mansions, typical Galician houses and the very old university. The tour ends at the cathedral where St. James is buried under the main altar. The afternoon is at leisure for you to explore this amazing city which is now visited by 10 million people every year!.
Hotel in Santiago de Compostela.
Day 9: Day at leisure
You might want to do a final bit of shopping and don?t forget to try the speciality of the city ? Santiago tart and the local Ribeiro wine. Overnight in your Hotel
Day 10: Departure
Transfer from the hotel to Santiago airport for your flight back to Dublin
Price: € 1,429
Days & Nights:9 Nights
Departure Date(s):08 September 2011
Accommodation:
Includes:
Taxes & Charges EUR 107
Extra Information:
Your Price Includes:
Booking remarks:
Summary:
Explore the religious history of the towns and cities on the road, and take the opportunity to walk the road with the pilgrims.
Day by day Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Bilbao
On arrival at Bilbao airport you will be met by your English speaking guide and transferred to your hotel in the centre of the city.
Day 2: Bilbao and the Guggenheim
In the morning we take a walk along the banks of the River Nervi?n, cross the Calatrava bridge and then visit the Guggenheim Art Museum, the world-famous masterpiece of the Canadian-born architect Frank Gehry. The opening of this iconic construction in 1997 marked the beginnings of a radical change in the face of this great Basque city. Until then it had been a grimy, heavily industrialized city with absolutely no tourist-appeal at all. Now the old factories have been demolished, the industry has been moved out of town to new modern installations and Bilbao has become an attractive clean and interesting city which welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.
After the museum you have plenty of leisure time to have lunch (Bilbao is a perfect place to experience ?el tapeo? ? you go from bar to bar tasting different wines and tapas in each one. This is more typical of this part of Spain than anywhere else and definitely should not be missed!).
After this there is plenty of time to wander around the old town and enjoy the atmosphere and the many small, specialist shops before returning to the hotel for dinner.
Day 3: The Wine District of ?La Rioja?
Today we leave the Basque country and head for the most prestigious wine area in Spain, ?La Rioja?. We are soon passing through the extensive vineyards whose position and orientation have proved so perfect for the growing of wine-grapes. After only one hour, we arrive in Haro, the capital of this world-famous wine region where we are given a tour of one of the local wineries (bodega). We learn all about the processes involved in the making of the wine, methods of storage and even how to taste it!
After the bodega there is time at leisure in the Centre of Haro for lunch and a stroll around the town and then we head out to Santo Domingo de la Calzada, a milestone on the Pilgrim Road.
A thousand years ago a hermit called Domingo had a bridge built over the River Oja and built a refuge for the travelers on the Way. His contributions to the welfare of the pilgrims was recognized by the church and he was canonized, thus giving the name to the village and providing one of the many legends about the Road. On the way to Burgos, those who wish to, have their first opportunity to actually walk along a section of the Pilgrim Road. Continue on to our hotel in Burgos.
Day 4: Burgos
Burgos is indoubtedly the most important city historically which is traversed by the Pilgrim Road, not least because it was the birthplace of the powerful Kingdom of Castile. We take some time to admire the Casa del Cord?n, a beautiful 15th century palace where Ferdinand and Isabella welcomed Columbus back from his second journey to the New World. A walk along the gracious, plane-tree-lined promenade by the River Arlanz?n takes us to the unique city gate, Arco de Santa Mar?a. From here onto one of the most impressive Gothic cathedrals in Spain, inspired by Notre dame in Paris. Here is the tomb of El Cid, the national hero who liberated Valencia from the Moors in the 11th century.
In the afternoon there is the option to go for a walk along the river as far as the monastery of Miraflores where the parents of Isabel la Cat?lica (Isabella of Castile) are laid to rest. Hotel in Burgos.
Day 5: Le?n
As we drive into the region of Le?n today, there is another opportunity to take a short walk along the Pilgrim Road. Travelling along the plain ?Tierra de Campos? we come to Fromista where we stop at the Castile Canal which was built in the 18th century to ship corn and wool from Castile to the coast for export, especially to northern Europe. There is free time here to take in the local atmosphere and perhaps visit the church of San Mart?n.
We continue on to the city of Le?n which was the capital of the kingdom of the same name. We take a tour on foot of the old part of the town with its narrow streets and many beautiful buildings. This part is known as ?the thirsty part of town? due to the amazing number of bars here. We visit the well-preserved market square which dates from mediaeval times and the cathedral which has 18.000 square metres of leaded glass windows. Hotel in Le?n.
Day 6: The Wine District of El Bierzo
On the way to El Bierzo, we have a stop in Astorga which, with its 24 refuges, was a very important city on the Pilgrim Road during the Middle Ages. It has a beautiful 17th century baroque town hall and is one of the few places outside of Catalonia that is home to a building by Antoni Gaud? the famous Catalonian architect of the Art Nouveau period ? the Bishop?s Palace. We resume our journey travelling across the Castilian Plain until we come to Monte Irago. Here there is yet another opportunity to take a short walk along the pilgrim road. We arrive in El Bierzo, one of the many ?official? wine districts in Spain. French monks came to the area in the past and not only built monasteries here but also planted extensive vineyards which have continued to thrive and be expanded up until the present day. Hotel in El Bierzo.
Day 7: Last Stretch to Santiago de Compostela
Today we go along the last stretch of the pilgrim road into Santiago. As we cross into Galicia, known for being the wettest and therefore the greenest region in Spain, we stop in Cebreiro which is 1300 metres above sea level and affords wonderful views over the countryside. We can see many examples of the characteristic straw-roofed huts of Celtic origin which were inhabited until quite recently. We visit one of the oldest village churches in Spain, Santa Mar?a la Real, dating back to the 9th century. We continue our journey along some picturesque backroads until we stop in Portomar?n, beautifully situated by the river Mi?o. We can see here the 12th century fortress-cum-church and a typical Galician mansion. The speciality of the town is aquavit. We then carry on until we arrive at our hotel in Santiago de Compostela.
Day 8: Santiago de Compostela
Now we have reached the end of the Pilgrim Road The city has arisen around the grave of St. James (Santiago) the Apostle which was famously discovered by a farmer named Pelayo in a field in 813 a.d. In the morning we visit the historic centre which is one big outdoor museum full of small, winding streets, pretty squares, old monasteries, mansions, typical Galician houses and the very old university. The tour ends at the cathedral where St. James is buried under the main altar. The afternoon is at leisure for you to explore this amazing city which is now visited by 10 million people every year!.
Hotel in Santiago de Compostela.
Day 9: Day at leisure
You might want to do a final bit of shopping and don?t forget to try the speciality of the city ? Santiago tart and the local Ribeiro wine. Overnight in your Hotel
Day 10: Departure
Transfer from the hotel to Santiago airport for your flight back to Dublin
Price: € 1,429
Days & Nights:9 Nights
Departure Date(s):08 September 2011
Accommodation:
- Bilbao, Hotel Nervion ***
- Burgos, Hotel Norte y Londres **
- Leon, Hotel Conde Luna ****
- Ponferrada, Hotel Madrid Bierzo ***
- Santiago, Hotel San Lorenzo ***
Includes:
Taxes & Charges EUR 107
Extra Information:
Your Price Includes:
- Flight Dublin to Bilbao
- All transfers as per itinerary.
- 9 Nights in carefully selected hotels
- Meals on a Half Board Basis
- Flight from Santiago de Compostela to Dublin
- Taxes and Charges of EUR 107
Booking remarks:
- Inclusive of taxes and service charges as indicated
- Single room supplement EUR 300 for the duration
- Non refundable or transferrable booking deposit of 10%
- Full payment due on confirmation
- 2% surcharge if balance is paid by credit or charge card
- Optional Insurance EUR 30 (conditions apply)
Please note that the above holiday is subject to availability and prices are subject to change.
Contact for booking
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