Paradors AND the Road TO Santiago

SPAIN & FRANCE

GUIDED WALKING HOLIDAYS IN THE Pays-Basque, Ainhoa, Santiago de Compostela

Only someone who has travelled the route to or from Santiago can understand that the so-called Route of St James, which ends in Santiago de Compostela, is more than just religion, culture, sport, history, art, gastronomy and countryside rolled into one.

It is all these things, but at the same time much more. It is hard to explain a phenomenon that is more than twelve centuries old in its current form, but which also incorporates myths and legends from people and traditions long predating Christianity itself.

Part of the answer lies in Galicia, a land prone to harbouring mysteries, spirits, witches, mandrakes and other hidden treasures. In the Middle Ages, when half a million pilgrims a year walked this path in spiritual quest, extraordinary monasteries, pilgrim hospices, and villages sprouted along the route to serve pilgrims' needs.

Our walking journey covers the most beautiful sections of "El Camino" on peaceful mountain paths and country lanes marked with the scallop shell, symbol of St. James.

Our walk begins in Ainhoa in Pays Basque in France which is very different from its neighbouring regions and best illustrated by the unique Basque language. As we walk these thousand year old trails, where 20th century intrusions are few, we relish Romanesque settings redolent with the air of pilgrimage. Following "The French Route", our journey ends in Santiago de Compostela, the Holy City reputed to hold the bones of fisherman-evangelist St. James.

OUR HOTELS & CUISINE

On this tour we exclusively use the Parador and Pousada Hotels in Northern Spain. They are state-run luxury hotels, mostly located in historic buildings. They are furnished with appropriate antiques and their restaurants concentrate on local specialties.

Our first few days are spent in Ainhoa, one of the most picturesque villages in Pays Basque. Our cozy hotel, classified as a historical monument, dates back to the 17th century and has served as a hostel along the "French Route" of the Plgrim's Trail. It is extremely comfortable with a secluded garden, swimming pool and sauna. It is renowned for its elegant dining and has in recent years earned a Michelin* for its fabulous cuisine.;

Having crossed the border into Spain, our next two days are in a Parador in the historic village of Sos del Rey Catolico, which has been declared a Spanish National Trust monument. Our hotel has an elegant interior and guesthouse. The gastronomic specialities are roast lamb, marinated rabbit and medieval cake - freshly made!

Our; lovely Parador in Santo Domingo de la Calzada is located in a former convent of San Francisco. The convent was rebuilt in 1595 by Juan Herrera and is composed of three different sections, the church, museum-workshop and guest house. The hotel is well known for its delicious; cuisine specializing above all, on local produce and washed down with an incomparable Rioja wine: artichokes with clams, sautéed vegetables with lamb, fine kid and suckling pig roasts and some of the best desserts, such as "ahorcaditos de Santo Domingo" - pears in wine with chocolate sauce.

Our next destination is Leon where we stay at the Parador "Hostal San Marcos". This amazing 5* hotel is one of the most important buildings in the Parador chain, being the former Hospital and Monastery of San Marcos, the headquarters of the Order of Knights of St. James. The tasty delights of Leonese cuisine, lamb dishes, local sausages, delicious trout and exquisite desserts are just some of the fine offerings of this famous hotel.

Our last two days are spent in a cozy Pousada in the pretty village of Portomarin. Directly on the pilgrims' trail, our hotel offers beautiful views of the vast landscape and distant mountains and introduces us to the Galician cuisine and the famous Portomarin liquors.

Tour combination

Departure dates have been arranged to allow both the "Paradors and the Road to Santiago" and "A Journey Back in Time" walks to be combined.

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