The Way of St James French Route

Location

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Trip details DESCRIPTION

Discovery journey of the Way of St. James by road on a luxury vehicle. We will complete small stages walking, horse riding and by bicycle, depending on the level of the group. The French Way is the most popular of the routes of the Way of St. James, the ancient pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain. It runs 780km through four Autonomous Regions and seven provinces: Navarra, La Rioja, Castile and León (Burgos, Palencia, León) and Galicia (Lugo, La Coruña).

TRIP DURATION

10 days, 9 nights

ACCOMMODATION

GREATNESS Homes Collection Parador Nacional Hotels 4*, 5*

DATES

From March to June / September to October

SUGGESTED GROUP SIZE

6 – 12 people (Recommended)

EXPERT GUIDE

Expert English speaking guide during the whole trip

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Highlights



This journey will allow us to get to know a big part of the centre and north of Spain through the Way that has been traveled by pilgrims from all over Europe for at least 800 years to reach Santiago de Compostela, where the relics of the Apostle St. James are venerated.



The Way of St. James has been declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco and First European Cultural Route by the Council of Europe.



It is a completely tailor made trip, with every detail taken care of.



We will be able to admire Romanesque gems on the journey, as there is an unquestionable link between the Romanesque art and the pilgrimage route to Santiago.



We will enjoy great landscapes of enormous beauty.



We will have the opportunity to get to know the culinary diversity of the different Autonomous Regions and confirm the high level of Spanish gastronomy.



We will be accommodated in fabulous charming hotels, some of them are historic buildings with excellent service.



We will live unique and unforgettable experiences

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Itinerary (1/5)

The Way of St James – The French Route Day 1 – Arrival to San Sebastián Arrival to San Sebastian in the morning. Private welcome lunch at Torre Satrustegui. This historic property sits in the Igueldo mount hillside and owns one of the most spectacular views of the city of San Sebastian and its bay La Concha. With no doubt, it is one of the most singular buildings that overlook the bay. A representative example of eclectic architecture with historicist feel, the tower is surrounded by a magnificent tree-garden signed by the well-known landscaper Ducasse. In the afternoon we will have a walk through the ville visiting some of the most interesting places . Dinner at the hotel. Overnight at hotel María Cristina 5* Day 2 - Saint Jean Pied de Port - Roncesvalles

Departure to Saint Jean Pied de Port (France), the town where we begin the Way of St. James. The stage from Saint Jean Pied de Port to Roncesvalles is the most spectacular one because of its landscape but also the hardest one physically, so we will do part of it by car and part walking, taking a break for a snack in the middle of the day while enjoying the splendid views. Lunch at Huarte. During the afternoon, we will visit privately the outstanding Colegiata in Roncesvalles. Dinner and overnight at a charming rural hotel.

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Itinerary (2/5)

Day 3 – Roncesvalles – La Rioja During the morning we will continue our next stage of the Way, from Roncesvalles to Larrasoaña by electric bicycle, through a very nice path in the forest. We will continue by car on to Pago de Larrainzar Winery, close to Estella, where we will enjoy a private visit finishing with a special lunch. During the afternoon, we will visit Santa María de Eunate Church, almost a mandatory stop of the Way, a Romanesque gem that brings forward passion and mysteries, because of its unusual architecture and its isolation. Afternoon snack on the terrace of the Marqués de Riscal hotel. Afterwards, we continue our route to La Rioja, arriving for dinner at Cuzcurrita Castle in La Rioja, where we spend the night. Day 4 – Discovering the cradle of the Spanish Language We will visit Santa María La Real de Nájera, Santo Domingo de La Calzada, and the cradle of Castilian Language, Yuso and Suso Monasteries in San Miguel de la Cogolla, both UNESCO World Heritage sites. Lunch at a restaurant of the region. In the afternoon, we will do a part of the stage horse riding through the most enchanting areas. At the end of the day the group will enjoy a private concert during dinner in one of the most prestigious wineries of the region. Overnight at Cuzcurrita Castle.

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Itinerary (3/5)

Day 5 - Castilla y Leon (Burgos) Early departure for those who desire to experience a balloon ride during dawn floating over the Rioja vineyards. Afterwards we will enter Castile and Leon. Stop at San Juan de Ortega Sanctuary, a very famous place due to the ray of light occurrence. A private visit to Atapuerca and transfer to Burgos to visit the Cathedral, both monuments are UNESCO’s World Heritage sites. Traditional Castilian lunch. During the afternoon we will arrive to Lerma, where we will spend the afternoon and stay in a 17th century historic hotel. Free Dinner. Day 6 - Castilla y Leon (Leon) Early breakfast to reach Santo Domingo de Silos Monastery in time to attend Mass and the world famous Gregorian chants. We will do a part of our route by bicycle between Castrojeriz and Fromista, a distance of 30 kms. The stretch is a flat route through a typical Castilian landscape. We will continue on to Carrion de los Condes, an emblematic stop on the Way of St. James, where we will have lunch. An evidence of its medieval origins are the monuments in the old town. Visit of Sahagun.

At the end of the day arrival to León, where we will sleep in its wonderful Parador Nacional. This 16th century monastery is one of the biggest architecture treasures of the city, together with the Cathedral. Free Dinner.

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Itinerary (4/5) Day 7: - Astorga and Villafranca del Bierzo (Leon) We will continue our route to Astorga, capital of the Maragateria county, which offers a very rich medieval legacy, as result of its location at a crossroads between the Way of St. James and the Silver Road. Its walled town, declared Site of Cultural Interest, preserved churches, convents and hospitals, that take travelers back to the purest tradition of the Way of St. James. We highlight too a work of the modernist architect Antonio Gaudí: The Bishop’s Palace. Afterwards, we will ascend to the shrine Cruz de Ferro that is located in the highest point along the French Way and we continue on to Villafranca del Bierzo, the last important town on the way before leaving the region of Leon. Its outstanding monuments and its relation with the Way of St. James has turned it into a quite important touristic center that has been also declared Site of Cultural Interest. Lunch at one of the best restaurants of the region. During the afternoon, we will do a sundown walk in Las Médulas, a fantastic landscape created during the Roman gold mining activity and declared UNESCO World Heritage. Dinner and overnight at Parador Nacional Villafranca del Bierzo. Day 8 – Arrival to Galicia – Santiago de Compostela Arrival in Galicia. We will begin walking a part of the way from O Cebreiro to Samos. Reaching Samos we will visit its fantastic Monastery and continue on to Sarria, to visit its Castle, The Magdalena Convent, as well as Santa Mariña and El Salvador Churches. Sarria is also famous because of its antiques and restores. Lunch in Sarria. Lastly we will arrive in Santiago de Compostela to have a private visit of its fantastic Cathedral and its Roof. We will stay at Pazo de Oca, private home, property of Casa Ducal de Medinaceli Foundation, one of ancient Spanish nobility families. Dinner and overnight.

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Itinerary (5/5) Día 9 - Pazo de Oca Free day to relax and enjoy this magnific residence and its incredible gardens, Versalles style. Clients will have at their disposal a minibus to transfer to Santiago or for other activities. We will meet at the end of the evening to go out the last night of our journey. Overnight at Pazo de Oca. Day 10: Return

After breakfast, transfer to the Santiago Airport for your return flight.

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San Sebastián

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Hotel Maria Cristina - San Sebastián

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Hotel Maria Cristina - San Sebastián

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Satrústegui Tower - San Sebastián

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Satrústegui Tower - San Sebastián

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Satrústegui Tower - San Sebastián

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Saint Jean Pied de Port

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Saint Jean Pied de Port

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Colegiata - Roncesvalles

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Accommodation in Navarra

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Accommodation in Navarra

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Electric Bicycle

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Pago de Larrainzar Winery - Navarra

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Cuzcurrita Castle – La Rioja

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Cuzcurrita Castle – La Rioja

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Monasterio de Yuso – La Rioja

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Cathedral - Burgos

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Accommodation in Lerma - Burgos

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Gregorian Chants at Monasterio de Silos

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Castrojeriz - Burgos

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Fromista - Palencia

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Parador of León

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Parador of León

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Astorga - León

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Las Médulas - León

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Parador Villafranca del Bierzo - León

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Parador Villafranca del Bierzo - León

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Sunset at O’Cebreiro - Lugo

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Sarria - Lugo

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Monasterio de Samos - Lugo

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Cathedral – Santiago de Compostela

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Pazo de Oca - Pontevedra

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Contact Info

Calle Eduardo Dato 2, duplicado, 1ºA Madrid, Spain +34 677468931/+34 693806678 [email protected] www.greatness.es

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