Where we stay:
We stay at three and four-star hotels, elegant Paradors, old monasteries that have been converted to hotels and comfortable inns. All have modern comforts. All rooms in the hotels which we use have a private bathroom.  Luggage is transported from hotel to hotel. Our support bus is usually available for assistance at various points along the way each day.

Roncesvalles   We stay in the Posada Roncesvalles located near the "Collegiata". The Posada is a charming mountain inn with beamed ceilings, tiled floors, huge fireplace in the bar and antique furniture. Stunning views can be seen in all directions - the Pyrenees mountains, the ancient Collegiata and miles of  wooded countryside. Rooms are very comfortable and attractive and at night the only sound is of the wind in the pine trees. The chef at the Posada is famous for his fresh trout and for his recipe for roast lamb with mountain herbs.. 

Puenta La Reina  The charming Hotel Bidean is located on a narrow cobblestoned street which is the original "Camino de Santiago" through the old village. The street looks much like it did 1000 years ago in the days of the pilgrims and here we truly get the feeling of going back in time with the medieval bridge at the end of the street leading to the continuation of the Camino.  The historic inn has recently been restored with wooden beams and many antiques. Rooms are small but comfortable. The dining room is in an old wine cellar that has been cleverly converted in a mixture of ultra modern and medieval architecture.

Santo Domingo de la Calzada  Here we stay in a Parador. The Paradors of Spain are atmospheric hotels in historic buildings. This parador was once the 16th century Convent of San Francisco. While retaining some of the original architecture, it is now a four-star hotel with all the modern comforts,  The dining room serves local specialties accompanied by renowned Rioja wines.  Large atmospheric rooms have TV, Wifi and bathrooms with hairdryer.

Burgos   The 3 star Meson del Cid is ideally located facing across the historic plaza to the front of Burgos' magnificent Cathedral in the heart of the city's historic quarter. A former convent, the hotel has small but comfortable rooms and views of the old section of town.

Carrion de Los Condes   We stay at the wonderful old Real Monasterio de San Zoilo in a quiet location outside the town of Carrion de los Condes and right on the Camino de Santiago path. The hotel is beautiful with its original 12th century cloister and a dining room located in the original stone-walled refectory. The rooms are large and old-fashioned with the original shutters opening onto the cloister and courtyard. The only sound is the birds in the trees in the courtyard and an occasional creaking floor. Rooms have some of the original furniture but the beds are comfortable and the bathrooms are modern. Soft Gregorian chants mix with the clink of glasses in the bar.

Leon   The 3 star Posada Regia is located just a block from the Cathedral and in the heart of the historic quarter. The hotel has antique furniture, beamed ceilings and lots of atmosphere. It has been completely renovated and is very comfortable without losing its old world charm. 

Astorga   The 3 star Hotel Gaudi is a very comfortable hotel located on the main square facing the Cathedral and the fanciful Bishop's Palace which was designed by the famous Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi. The bar is a gathering spot for locals and serves a joltingly strong cup of espresso or a glass of local wine. Just down the street one finds an array of chocolate shops - Astorga was one of the first places in Spain to process chocolate brought back by the Conquistadores from South America and it is famous for its delicious chocolate confections.

Villafranca del Bierzo   The lovely Parador Villafranca del Bierzo is located at the edge of the historic town. This is part of the Parador Hotels of Spain - comfortable and atmospheric with excellent food including the sumptuous buffet breakfast for which all Paradors are famous. Rooms are large, comfortable and quiet. There is an outdoor patio surrounded by roses where one can have a quiet drink before dinner or perhaps you might enjoy a swim in the lovely indoor pool.

Portomarin   The 3 star Pousada de Portomorin is a lovely, two-story inn set on a hill at the edge of town and with wonderful views over a lake and the hills beyond. It was built in the 1960's by the dictator Franco to encourage tourism to his native area of Spain and no expense was spared in the construction.   Rooms are quiet, spacious and well-appointed with huge marble bathrooms. The hotel has three stars but we think it deserves more. The highlight of dinner here is the flaming quemada drinks that follow dessert. There is a traditional story that accompanies the drink whose origins come from the folk-lore of the area.

Lugo - We spend two nights at the 4 star Mendez Nunez. It is a comfortable hotel located in the fascinating town of Lugo which is surrounded by old Roman walls.

Arzua - In Arzua we stay at the small Hotel Arzua which is right on the Camino. Modern and comfortable, the hotel is an ideal location.

Santiago   - The 4 star Hotel Virxe de Cerca is an 18th century former Jesuit residence located in the old quarter near the Cathedral. In the heart of the old quarter of Santiago near the Cathedral, it is an atmospheric hotel that still has the stone walls of the former monastery but now is a comfortable hotel surrounding a pretty garden courtyard. Rooms are equipped with hairdryer, safe, satellite TV, minibar, phone and air conditioning. 

Meals: Breakfast is always included (usually a buffet). The dinners that are included are in a variety of hotel and Parador dining rooms plus local restaurants allowing everyone to sample regional cuisine.  The food is excellent and plentiful. Spain is famous for its fruit and vegetables. The avocados are superb, the white asparagus memorable as is cheese from Galicia. Along the route there is often a chance to stop in a local bar for a drink or for a steaming cup of Spanish coffee along with a fresh pastry and there are ice-cream sellers tempting you on warm days.  Our walks traverse the famous La Rioja wine region and there is plenty of opportunity for sampling.