santiago

The Pilgrims Route to Santiago de Compostela with Aid to The Church in Need
Accompanied by Fr Martin Edwards

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Introduction

Pax Travel are delighted to join with Aid to the Church in Need, in organising a pilgrimage which follows the ancient pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela, where in the magnificent cathedral, tradition has it that the apostle James came to be buried. Whatever the authenticity of this shrine, nobody can fail to be impressed by the sheer number of people today and over the centuries who have trod this route for all sorts of reasons – some as an act of penance, others out of devotion, and even non-Christians find this an ideal way of taking time out to think and contemplate. The Camino (way) in Spain is very blessed not only for its great pilgrimage history but also for its natural beauty passing through two mountain ranges and offering the pilgrim a host of fascinating cities and towns to see including the ‘jewel’ of Leon. As we approach Santiago de Compostela, we hope to join Damien Carroll, who aims to walk the entire Camino Frances route, to raise funds for Aid to The Church in Need. During the pilgrimage, there will be the opportunity for each pilgrim to walk up to 5 miles per day, including the last few miles of the road into Santiago de Compostela.

Basic Itinerary

DAY ONE - SATURDAY 5TH JUNE

London/Liverpool - Madrid - Leon

Scheduled flights by easyJet from Gatwick, Luton or Liverpool to Madrid, or Ryanair to Valladolid. Transfer by road to Leon, where we check in to our hotel for a two-night stay. Dinner will be in our hotel on each evening of our pilgrimage.

DAY TWO - SUNDAY 6TH JUNE

Leon

Over the next five days you will have the opportunity of walking at least some of the pilgrim’s way, or else to follow the route in the comfort of a coach. This morning we have a guided walking tour of Leon. Afterwards we walk along the route from Leon, via the village of La Virgen del Camino, containing a sanctuary dedicated to the Patroness of Leon. Return by coach to Leon.

DAY THREE - MONDAY 7TH JUNE

Villadangos - Astorga

A longer walk (or drive) today, highlights include San Martin del Camino, where the village church is dedicated to the Bishop of Tours. St Martin is the Patron Saint of pilgrims. The village of Puente de Orbigo contains a parish church dedicated to St Blasé (sick pilgrims, please note!). Our final port of call today is Astorga. There is a legend that this town was an Episcopal see, which was founded by St James himself. The Gothic Cathedral is fifteenth century and opposite is Gaudi’s famous Bishop’s Palace. We make a two night stay here.

DAY FOUR - TUESDAY 8TH JUNE

Astorga - Rabanal del Camino

Our walk today will take in only part of this stretch, the 19.5 kilometres from Astorga to Rabanal del Camino, which at one time was an important halt along the Camino de Santiago. We return to Astorga by coach. For those who wish, a day at leisure in Astorga.

DAY FIVE - WEDNESDAY 9TH JUNE

Rabanal del Camino - Ponferrada

Rabanal marks the highest point of the pilgrim’s route, at 1517 metres. From here there is a spectacular descent to the valley below. 5.5km out of Rabanal is the village of Foncebadon, with only the run-down church of St Mary Magdalene to interest walkers. Our next point of interest is Mount Irago, and the Cruz de Ferro (Iron Cross), very symbolic of the Camino, to which pilgrims can continue the tradition of adding stones. We descend to the beautiful village of Molinaseca, on the banks of the River Meruelo, and them on to Ponferrada for dinner and an overnight stay. Our advice for today is to fill bottles with water when leaving Rabanal, supplies will be difficult to obtain during the day! For those who do not wish to walk, there will be transfers by coach to Ponferrada.

DAY SIX - THURSDAY 10TH JUNE

Ponferrada - Santiago de Compostela

The remaining distance to Santiago is too far to walk in a day, and so the walking will comprise at least 8 kilometres of the route, including the last stretch from Lavacolla, where according to the Pilgrim’s Guide of Aimery Picaud, pilgrims would “take off their clothes and for the love of the Apostle, wash the dirt from their bodies”. Afterwards pilgrims raced each other to the Monte del Gozo (Mount of Joy), where pilgrims would catch their first glimpse of the towers of Santiago de Compostela. Many would complete the final part of the journey barefoot! We check into our hotel for a two-night stay.

DAY SEVEN - FRIDAY 11TH JUNE

Santiago de Compostela

After breakfast we meet our local guide for a tour of the cathedral and its surroundings. The cathedral has an amazing baroque façade hiding the much earlier Romanesque building lying on the site where in the eighth century it was thought that the tomb of St James had been discovered. This is the end of the road, and the climax is touching the great figure of the Saint behind the altar. We will attend the Pilgrims’ Mass in the cathedral, during which the famous botafumeiro or incensiary will be swung. Member of staff from the UK, Spanish and Portuguese offices of Aid to the Church in Need will join us for the Mass, which will be followed by a celebratory meal in a restaurant in Santiago. This afternoon will be at leisure in Santiago. You may wish to explore some of the city’s excellent museums or just relax.

DAY EIGHT - SATURDAY 12TH JUNE

Santiago - London

Transfer to Santiago Airport where we check in for our return flight to Stansted.

Travel Dates and Cost:

5th June 2010 - 12th June 2010
Eight days
£759

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Terms of Payment:

Deposit of £120 upon booking (plus the insurance premium if the cover we offer is required). Balance payable two months before departure date. The above price is guaranteed until 30th April 2009. Any bookings received after this date may be subject to a fight surcharge.

THIS TRIP INCLUDES:

Scheduled flights: London – Madrid (or Valladolid), La Coruna – London or Santiago – London. UK and Spain Airport taxes. 15kg luggage allowance and 10kg hand-luggage allowance per person. 7-nights accommodation in 3 –star hotels in shared twin bedded rooms with en-suite facilities as follows: 5th – 7th June, Leon. 7th – 9th June, Astorga. 9th – 10th June, Ponferrada. 10th – 12th June, Santiago. Transfers and touring as per the itinerary by air-conditioned coach. Guided tours by fully licensed English Speaking guides of the cathedrals at Leon and Santiago de Compostela. The opportunity to walk up to 5 miles per day along the route. Services of a Spanish-speaking Pax Travel tour manager. Donation of £20 per person to Aid to the Church in Need. Meal plan: 7 continental breakfasts and 7 dinners.

EXTRAS:

Travel insurance at £28.50 per person. Single rooms supplement at £119 per person for 7-nights (limited availability). Lunches, drinks and souvenirs. UK airport transfers.

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS AND WORSHIP:

Catholic

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