Spain: Jacobean Route from Bilbao to Santiago, at your own pace by car
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Discover the fascinating French Way
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Whether for religious reasons, for the impressive historical and cultural heritage along the route, for the personal challenge
involved... The Camino de Santiago or Jacobean Route must be done at least once in your lifetime. Declared the first
European Cultural Route by the Council of Europe and a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, northern Spain has been
welcoming pilgrims from all corners of the world for over a millennium now. Peppered with miracles, historical events and
legends forged around the Camino, the ancient route began in the ninth century with the discovery of the tomb of St. James
(Santiago), evangelist of Spain and one of the 12 apostles of Jesus. Since then, the French Way ­ the most famous, busiest
and best­kept of them all ­ has been drawing in millions of travellers and pilgrims. No matter what time of year you decide to
travel along it, from behind the wheel you'll be constantly surprised by beautiful landscapes dotted with picture­perfect
contrasts; beautiful cities such as Pamplona, Burgos, Leon and Santiago de Compostela; villages with heaps of charm and
deep­rooted tradition; religious treasures including magnificent cathedrals, monasteries and Romanesque churches built along
the Camino; and World Heritage sites such as the Cathedral of Burgos or the Old Town of Santiago. And all along the route,
we'll savour delicious cuisine, as each region has its culinary delights and a unique spirit to share with new friends. Because
the Camino de Santiago is much more than a fascinating route through northern Spain. It's an emotional journey, a life­
changing event and an experience ­ for many inexplicable ­ which everyone wants to repeat. Discover the Way.
 Departures:
from June 2017 till May 2018
 Cities:
Bilbao, Pamplona, Roncesvalles, Puente La Reina,
Estella, Viana, Logroño, Navarrete, Najera, Santo
Domingo De La Calzada, Burgos, Leon, Ponferrada,
Castrojeriz, Astorga, Villafranca Del Bierzo, Frómista,
Carrión de los Condes, Castrillo De Los Polvazares,
Sahagun, Sarria, Santiago de Compostela,
Portomarín and Samos.
 Categories:
Cultural and Family.
Day 1: United Kingdom ­ Bilbao
Flight from your departure city to Bilbao and rental car pick­up. With an attractive layout and rich in cultures, traditions and
beautiful landscapes, the Northern Way offers pilgrims heading for Santiago an interesting route that runs through major cities
like Bilbao. Industrial, artistic, edgy, culinary, urban, redeveloped... Bilbao welcomes us with open arms. Its joie de vivre, its
fabulous culinary universe, its excellent museums and its amazing ability to combine its past life of furnaces with Art Nouveau
treasures, baroque and contemporary monuments and buildings designed by the world's most famous architects make this city
a truly unique place. In this first leg of the Camino, we'll discover a welcoming Bilbao that invites you to stroll along its Ría,
stroll through its lively old town and explore the "Seven Streets". Savour its world­renowned exquisite cuisine! Overnight stay
in Bilbao.
Day 2: Bilbao ­ Pamplona
From Bilbao (Bilbo) to Pamplona (Iruña) we'll take an attractive rectilinear route flanked by beautiful scenery. In Pamplona
we'll find a laid­back city, famous for its San Fermin festival, its historical legacy and its great food. Dating back to Roman
times, the city captivates the traveller with a stunning old town, studded with beautiful medieval churches and a magnificent
Gothic cathedral, with cultural centres such as the Museo de Navarra and delicious culinary offerings such as Navarran­style
trout or stuffed peppers, which you'll be able to savour at its excellent restaurants and countless tapas bars. While strolling
along Calle Mercaderes or across Plaza del Ayuntamiento, you'll spot pilgrims taking part in the Camino. We recommend a
visit to the beautiful gardens surrounding the sixteenth­century citadel and refreshments at historical landmarks such as Bar
Txoco, Hotel La Perla and Café Iruña, where Ernest Hemingway was a regular. Overnight stay in Pamplona.
Day 3: Pamplona ­ Roncesvalles ­ Pamplona
Today's leg will take us to the historic Navarran town of Roncesvalles (Orreaga), an emotional stop on the Camino de Santiago
where pilgrims have thanked God for having successfully crossed the Pyrenees since the tradition began almost a millennium
ago. Close to the border with France, access to this town is along a beautiful 47­kilometre stretch of road (about 1 hour)
winding through mountains, green fields, lush forests and medieval villages built around ancient stone churches. Here it's
common to hear the story of ancient legends of the Camino and to watch the slow trickle of pilgrims arriving from all corners of
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Spain: Jacobean Route from Bilbao to Santiago, at your own pace by car
winding through mountains, green fields, lush forests and medieval villages built around ancient stone churches. Here it's
common to hear the story of ancient legends of the Camino and to watch the slow trickle of pilgrims arriving from all corners of
the globe. Admire the sublime scenery around you, take a leisurely stroll along its paths and feel the imprint of history at the
magnificent monastery of Roncesvalles. A visit to the chapel of the Holy Spirit (12th century) and the Collegiate Church of
Santa Maria, housing the tomb of King Sancho VII illuminated by the dim light of a window that reminds the traveller of his
victory at the Battle of Navas de Tolosa (1212). If you have time, venture into the beautiful forest of Irati, the second largest in
Europe. Back to Pamplona, where we'll have time to enjoy the city's laid­back nightlife. Overnight stay in Pamplona.
Day 4: Pamplona / Santa Maria de Eunate / Puente la Reina ­ Estella ­ Viana ­ Logroño
On the way to Logroño, capital of La Rioja, today's leg will take us through even more of the beautiful Navarran territory. We'll
set out from Pamplona to visit the enigmatic Romanesque chapel of Santa Maria de Eunate (12th century), a tiny temple that
stands alone in the middle of a plain surrounded by wildflowers. Awash with legends, the chapel surprises visitors with its
enigmatic geometry and breathtaking interior. About 5 kilometres away is the charming village of Puente de la Reina, where
we'll see its magnificent medieval bridge built in the eleventh century for pilgrims and its historic Church of the Crucifix. Our
next stop is Estella (Lizarra). Known since ancient times as "La Bella", we'll first spot its outline embedded between the river
and the mountains. Transformed into a historical stop­off point for pilgrims, its medieval charm oozes out of its cobbled streets
dotted with ancient churches, mansions and palaces. We recommend a visit to the church of San Pedro de Rua, the Palacio
de los Reyes de Navarra (national monument, now housing the Museo de Gustavo de Maeztu) and the nearby monasteries of
Irache and Izanzu. The next town is Viana, our last stop in Navarra, where we'll visit the beautiful walled old town and the
churches of Santa Maria and San Pedro. Twenty kilometres later, having driven along some stretches of beautiful countryside,
we'll arrive in Logroño. Here we'll see treasures such as the Co­Cathedral of Santa María de la Redonda, visit its ancient
bodegas and savour delicious pintxos on the bustling Calle Laurel. Overnight stay in Logroño.
Day 5: Logroño ­ Navarrete ­ Najera ­ Santo Domingo de la Calzada ­ Burgos
In the morning, we'll follow the Camino de Santiago route that enters Logroño over the stone bridge and then we'll take a stroll
around its old quarter. During your walk, you'll encounter architectural treasures laden with history, such as the churches of San
Bartolomé and Santa María de Palacio, Plaza del Parlamento, the Puerta del Revellín, and a huge snakes and ladders game
(Juego de la Oca) marking the main milestones of the Camino de Santiago. Later in the morning, we'll set out for Navarrete, a
charming village declared a site of cultural interest and surrounded by a beautiful landscape of grapevines and cereal fields.
We'll then leave its quaint old quarter, flanked by houses and palaces, to head for Nájera, the birthplace of kings. The former
capital of the Kingdom of Navarra reminds the traveller of its glorious past with buildings such as the Monastery of Santa
María la Real (national monument) and the Museo Histórico y Arqueológico. Onward journey to another treasure on this route:
Santo Domingo de la Calzada. Here you'll feel the true Camino spirit at the sight of dozens of pilgrims with their hiking boots
and backpacks. Must­sees are the beautiful Cathedral with its Cathedral Museum, the Torre Exenta and the crypt of Santo
Domingo with its unusual Gothic henhouse. From Santo Domingo there are 75 kilometres to Burgos. Overnight stay in Burgos.
Day 6: Burgos ­ Castrojeriz ­ Fromista ­ Carrión de los Condes ­ Sahagun ­ Leon
We'll take a leisurely stroll around the beautiful city of Burgos and visit unique treasures such as the Cartuja de Miraflores,
Santa María La Real de las Huelgas, the Fuentes Blancas, the Quinta, the Espolón, the Callejón de las Brujas and the
magnificent Cathedral, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Later in the morning, we'll drive the 58 kilometres that
separate us from Castrojeriz, an important Camino town embracing the hillside and crowned with an historic castle. Legend
has it that St. James' horse left its horseshoes nailed onto one of the doors of the Nuestra Señora del Manzano church to
mark the exact spot where the Virgin had appeared. We'll then continue on the French Way to the towns of Frómista and
Carrión de los Condes, in Palencia. Gone for now are the abrupt changes in terrain. During the drive, we'll see vast plains
stretching as far as the eye can see, gentle rolling hills and picturesque towns with an interesting past. The last leg of the
journey will take us through the province of León, from Sahagún, where we'll visit its Romanesque churches, to the vibrant and
cultural city of León itself. We'll enjoy the lively social atmosphere around its magnificent cathedral and its pedestrianised old
town. The bustling neighbourhoods of Húmedo and Romántico are ideal for tapas and drinks at sunset. Overnight stay in
León.
Day 7: Leon ­ Astorga ­ Castrillo de los Polvazares ­ Ponferrada
More time exploring the centre of this city founded by the seventh Roman legion. After visiting the Cathedral, a masterpiece of
Spanish Gothic architecture, and marvelling at its splendid stained glass windows, we'll visit historical sights such as the Real
Basílica de San Isidoro, the Panteón Real, the Casa Botines, the Palacio de los Guzmanes and Hostal de San Marcos. We'll
then continue on the León stretch of the Camino de Santiago for around 50 kilometres until reaching the ancient Roman city
of Astorga, an important enclave since the Middle Ages. There we'll admire charismatic buildings such as its Gothic cathedral
and the beautiful Gaudi­designed Palacio Episcopal, which houses the Museo de los Caminos, a museum dedicated to the
pilgrimage to Santiago. After soaking up the city atmosphere in its lively main square, we'll drive the 7 kilometres or so to
Castillo de los Polvazares, one of the most charming towns on this stretch. Remember to park the car on the outskirts of the
village, as non­residents are not allowed to drive in the centre. Today's leg ends in Ponferrada, the final major city on the
French Way before reaching Santiago. Walk around the old town and discover the incredible Castillo de los Templarios (Castle
of the Templars). Overnight stay in Ponferrada.
Day 8: Ponferrada ­ Villafranca del Bierzo ­ O Cebreiro ­ Samos ­ Sarria
We'll leave Ponferrada behind to drive to our next stop through beautiful mountain landscapes, picturesque stone villages and
typical pilgrimage churches. After around 23 kilometres, we'll arrive at the town of Villafranca del Bierzo. We will visit the old
town and major Camino churches such as Romanesque Iglesia de Santiago with its traditional "Door of Forgiveness". Then
we'll cross the regional border into Galicia. And we'll do so by driving up all 1,203 metres of Mount Cebreiro. From here the
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Spain: Jacobean Route from Bilbao to Santiago, at your own pace by car
town and major Camino churches such as Romanesque Iglesia de Santiago with its traditional "Door of Forgiveness". Then
we'll cross the regional border into Galicia. And we'll do so by driving up all 1,203 metres of Mount Cebreiro. From here the
views are spectacular. At the top is the village of O Cebreiro, which appears to be carved into the rock and still preserves some
of its ancient 'pallozas', pre­Roman stone dwellings long used by pilgrims for shelter. The church of Santa María la Real (9th
century), one of the oldest on the Camino, houses a chalice known as the Galician Holy Grail in which, according to locals,
bread and wine was miraculously converted into the body and blood of Christ. We'll then follow the Camino to another
obligatory stopover, the town of Samos, whose history is closely linked to its Benedictine monastery and the Padre Feijoo.
We'll end today's leg in the attractive village of Sarria, one of the most popular starting points for the Camino on foot.
Overnight stay in Sarria.
Day 9: Sarria ­ Portomarin ­ Santiago de Compostela
Located 111 kilometres from Santiago de Compostela, Sarria is one of the most popular spots to do the Camino on foot (to
receive the "Compostela" you must have covered at least the last 100 kilometres on foot or 200 by bicycle or horse). Founded
by King Alfonso IX, this attractive spot offers the traveller medieval bridges, Romanesque churches and historical pilgrims'
hostels. The route from Sarria to Portomarín is fascinating. The journey will take us through wheat fields and forests while
passing pilgrims often walking in single file. Upon arrival in Santiago, park the car and walk up to the Cathedral, located in
Plaza del Obradoiro, the end of the trip. There you can embrace the Apostle and share the wonderful atmosphere of
camaraderie and generosity that is created among pilgrims. The true essence of the Camino. Rest of day at your leisure to
visit one of Spain's most attractive cities and savour the delicious Galician cuisine: empanada, Padron peppers, octopus,
scallops, razor clams, mussels, tarta de Santiago, to name just a few options. Many pilgrims prolong the journey to Cape
Finisterre, considered the end of the world for the Romans. Admiring the magnificent ocean views from Praia do Mar de Fora
invites reflection beyond the earthly horizon. Overnight stay in Santiago.
Day 10: Santiago de Compostela ­ United Kingdom
Show up at the airport with enough time in advance to return the rental car and take our flight that will take us back to the City
of Origin. Arrival. End of trip and our services.
Services included in the trip
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Return flight
Stay in selected hotels
Selected plan
Rent­a­car
Travel Insurance
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