WALKERS’ WORLD
Camino de Santiago  (St James Way)
Guided Walk across Northern Spain

10 or 15 nights   
May and Sept 2009 
May 11 - May 26,    2009       (15 nights)  
September 2009 dates available soon

History of the Camino de Santiago:  According to popular tradition, in 40 AD the body of the Apostle St James was clandestinely buried in Northern Spain. Centuries later a hermit witnessed a shower of stars leading him to the forgotten tomb. Then, legend says, during a battle with the Moors, a ghostly apparition of St James appeared to Christian soldiers, spurring them to victory. From the 1000's to the 1400's a golden age of pilgrimages brought wayfarers to the tomb of St James at Santiago. Towns along the route hosted pilgrims and today many of these villages have scarcely changed. In 1987 the Camino de Santiago was declared the first European Cultural Itinerary - one of the great footpaths of Europe.

Our walks: To walk the entire route would take over a month but with a support bus we do the most scenic and historic stages of the Camino. Walking across this ancient pilgrimage route does wonders for body, mind and spirit but our tours have NO religious focus. They are just great walks in beautiful surroundings along an historic trail. Accommodation is in three and four star comfortable, historic inns and Paradors as well as old monasteries that have been converted to atmospheric hotels.

Level of Difficulty: The terrain is varied - flat, golden meseta with wonderful vistas, rugged mountains and lush, rolling farmland of Galicia where one's progress is occasionally slowed by a herd of cows ambling across the path. Each day we divide into two groups, each with its own guide. The more energetic group covers longer distance (up to 20 km) with more ascent. The tranquil group walks a shorter distance (about 10 km) at a slower pace. Our support bus is available at various junctions along the way. When the path goes through mountains our bus can take walkers to near the top so the walk is a spectacular, gradual descent. Those who prefer a more energetic day in the mountains can start with an ascent.

Our meeting point:  Bilbao      End of Tour:  Santiago de Compostela.