The way of St James

Walk humbly with your God” September 11th to October 1th 2016 21 days & 19 nights The way of St. James (Santiago de Compostela, Spain), set in the tranquility and beauty of the astonishing countryside, is a historical road that pilgrims from across the world have travelled for the past 1,200 years. The step-by-step journey by foot is a test of physical, mental and spiritual endurance. Spiritours offers the possibility to achieve this pilgrimage in a traditional way: sleep in pilgrims’ hostel, walk daily for an average of 20 km, and carry your own backpack. Live this extraordinary experience with a small group of pilgrims (6 to 13) and guided by an experienced tour leader. Highligths:   

Walk in silence, at your own pace, contemplating beautiful landscapes Group sharing at the end of each day Pilgrim mass at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela

Spiritours' touch:   

Experienced tour leader who speaks English, Spanish and French Small groups (6 to 13 people) Selection of clean and basic accommodation for an authentic experience

Preliminary itinerary Day 1 | Sunday September 11th Departure from the airport PE Trudeau (Montreal) to Madrid.

DEPARTURE FROM DE MONTREAL

Day 2 | Monday September 12th MADRID-TRAIN TO BURGOS Arrival in Madrid, transfer by taxi to the train station to take the train to Burgos. Check-in at the hotel. Free time in the city. Group meeting in the evening. Briefing on the pilgrimage. (B/S) Day 3| Tuesday September 13th Walk to Hormillos. Check-in in pilgrims hostel

BURGOS- HORNILLOS DEL CAMINO (20.3 KM)

Day 4| Wednesday September 14th Walk to Castrojeriz and overnight in pilgrim’s hostel. (B)

HORNILLOS DEL CAMINO-CASTROJERIZ (20 km)

Day 5| Thursday September 15th Walk and overnight in pilgrim’s hostel.

CASTROJERIZ-BOADILLA (19,6 km)

Day 6| Friday September 16th BOADILLA – FROMISTA-LEON-PONFERRADA Walk to train station from Fromista to Leon. Transfer by bus from Leon to Ponferrada and overnight in pilgrim’s hotel. (S) Day 7| Satuday September 17th PONFERRADA- VILLAFRANCA DEL BIERZO (23 km) Walk to Villafranca Del Bierzo. Check-in at the Pilgrim’s hostel. Self-guided tour of the city and overnight. Day 8| Sunday September 18th Walk and overnight in pilgrim’s hostel.

VILLAFRANCA DEL BIERZO – VEGA DE VALCARCE (16 KM)

Day 9| Monday September 19th Walk and overnight in pilgrim’s hostel.

VEGA DE VALCARCE – O CEBREIRO (12 km)

Day 10| Tuesday September 20th Walk and overnight in pilgrim’s hostel.

O CEBREIRO - TRIACASTELA (21.6 km)

Day 11| Wednesday September 21th Walk and overnight in pilgrim’s hostel.

TRIACASTELA - SARRIA (17.5 km)

Day 12| Thursday September 22th Day off. Lunch and dinner in a restaurant. Overnight in pilgrim’s hostel.

SARRIA

Day 13| Friday September 23th Walk and overnight in pilgrim’s hostel.

SARRIA- PORTOMARIN (22,5 km)

Day 14| Satuday September 24th Walk and overnight in pilgrim’s hostel.

PORTOMARIN-PALAS DEL REI (24 km)

Day 15| Sunday September 25th Walk and overnight in pilgrim’s hostel.

PALAS DEL REI-MELIDE (15 km)

Day 16| Monday September 26th Walk and overnight in pilgrim’s hostel.

MÉLIDE-ARZUA (15 km)

Day 17| Tuesday September 27th Walk and overnight in pilgrim’s hostel.

ARZÚA - ARCA (19 km

Preliminary itinerary Day 18| Wednesday September 28st Walk – Arrival at the Cathedral of Santiago around noon. Meeting to the Cathedral for the Mass of pilgrim’s at noon (or the next day) Check-in at the hotel. Self-guided tour of the beautiful city and overnight (S)

ARCA - SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA (19 km)

Day 19| Thursday September 29st SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA- MADRID Enjoy a full day in Santiago de Compostela to visit and/or relax. Transfer by train to Madrid and overnight in the train (with berth). (PD) Day 20| Friday September 30rd MADRID Early arrival in Madrid. Enjoy a full day in the Spanish capital of Madrid to visit its Museums, parks, monuments, shopping… Overnight in a nice hotel downtown. (S) Day 21| Saturday October 1th Transfer to the airport and flight from Montreal. (B)

MADRID – FLIGHT TO MONTREAL

*Mutual acceptance will be encouraged within the group, thus becoming a brotherhood of mutual respect and listening, favouring everyone’s self-growth. In the evening, those who want to share will be able to do so and talk about the experiences they went through during the day, share their discoveries, the happiness and sadness they felt, and what their expectations are …

**Itinerary subject to change - Exclusive tours, all rights reserved** Evening information: Montreal: Saturday April 2th, 2016, 2:00 p.m.

Testimonial « Many are those who started their journey as hikers and declared themselves pilgrims upon their arrival at Santiago de Compostela. At the beginning of my journey, I only had two expectations; I wanted to physically surpass myself, and go as deep as one can go within oneself. The need to surpass myself was overwhelming; I wanted to go beyond my fears, my weaknesses, my limits. I had no idea how this would all come to be, but I left for my journey confident that no matter the outcome, it was going to be a positive one. Surfing on the excitement lasted a few days, a result of this new found liberty, being in contact with the immensity of the surroundings, the size of the challenge I was facing and the people I was meeting. I walked the first hundred kilometres as a tourist, a hiker, or a sportsman would. After ten days, I started to catch a glimpse of the path to my inner self. From that point on I understood that it was only after walking for such a long time, day after day, in silence, that the journey to one’s most inner self really begins. One must walk alone, several days for several kilometres each day to benefit from this journey. Choosing to go down the path leading to Santiago de Compostela is choosing to bring your daily routine to a pause, to take the risk to hear and to listen to life; to put yourself into listening mode. It’s to allow yourself enough time to go far, really far and even further within yourself. Life always speaks to us, anywhere we might be. It does not matter where we are or what we are doing, Life speaks to us. The trouble is that we are not listening. Too often, life turns into turmoil, everything goes faster and faster, the noise gets louder and louder to which point that nothing makes sense anymore. Someone once wrote a book entitled « Stop the Earth from spinning, I want to get off ». On the way to Compostela, I stopped spinning and I got off. Compostela opens your mind to changes; it allows you to accept that once you get to the end of the path, your life will be forever changed, that it will never be the same. It also allows you to accept that change is permanent…

Jacquelin Genois, 2003

On the ‘Camino’, Life does not speak to us more than it does anywhere else, but it is easier to listen.

Most frequently asked questions

Must I be in good physical health? Yes, this trip requires that you be well prepared and in good shape since you will be walking for long distances, carrying your own back pack. However, age is not a factor; people of all ages complete this journey. You do not need to be physically strong, but endurance is of the utmost importance. Everyone walks to his own pace. Every morning, our guide explains us the path to follow, and sets a meeting point; often time it will be a refuge where everyone will meet at the end of the day. As soon as you plan a trip to Compostela, you need to establish a training schedule. Walking for 1 hour, 2 or 3 times a week is a good start. Start training two months before departure, walking a distance of 5 km a day gradually increasing to 20 km. Can I have someone carry my bags? That type of service is not included and is rather complicated to organise once in Spain. If you speak Spanish, you could use a taxi or bus service to carry your luggage, but it is rather costly. Our guide will not be able to oversee the arrangements, and therefore, it is necessary for you to speak the language if you should choose to have your luggage carried from one rest house to the next. Can anyone go on this type of journey? Anyone who desires to live such an experience; there are no age, sex, race, or religious belief distinction. However, it is important to understand that this pilgrimage is a Christian tradition, and is designed for anyone who is open to spirituality and experience life as a group. What does a pilgrim rest house (or refuge) looks like? There are a few categories; generally, they are clean and well maintained, equipped with bunk beds, shared bathrooms and showers, kitchen and dining room. What do we eat while on the Camino? You can purchase food in several grocery stores along the way and prepare your own breakfast or dinner while in the refuge. You can also choose to eat at the restaurant where they sometimes offer a pilgrim’s evening menu for as little as 9 Euros (including wine). You must plan for a light lunch while on the Camino. On some occasions, we will stop for a snack in a small café. What are the advantages to travel with Spiritours? The itinerary is planned by experimented specialists and is now a classic for Spiritours. You will benefit from our guide’s experience, who knows the Camino and who will favour exchanges among participants as well as self-contemplation. You will also enjoy sharing this journey with a small group of Quebecers wanting to surpass themselves and experience self-growth. Furthermore because you will be attending preparatory meetings, you will benefit from judicious tips on how to get prepared for the trip both physically and mentally.

General Information Tour leader

Quebec licensee

:

Robert Laurin : School principal retired, graduated in administration, leadership and coaching. He has traveled the Way of St. James in 2003 and since then, he is giving conferences to share this experience that has deeply transformed him. He has accompanied many groups of student exchange in North America and three groups with Spiritours to Compostela in 2005, 2006 and 2010. He his passionate by health, travel and the outdoors.

Early booking bonus: 3099 $/pers. (double occupancy) if registered before May 11th 2016 Regular price: 3199 $/pers. (double occupancy) if registered after May 11th 2016 Additional cost for single occupancy (4 nights in hotel): 299 $ (According to availability – Quantity limited) * We offer the possibility to share the room if you are travelling alone. We will do our best to pair you with another person should you so desire. In case of Spiritours is not able to pair you, we assume the additional cost but the registration must be done at least 60 days before the trip. If need, we will pair you during the trip.

THE PACKAGE INCLUDES *Round trip airfare from Montreal to Madrid with Air France *3 nights in economy class hotel (double occ.), 1 night in a pension in Portomarin, 14 nights in Pilgrim’s hostel and 1 night in a car-sleeper train (Santiago de Compostela to Madrid by night) *3 breakfasts, 3 dinners (welcome dinner in Burgos, Leon, Compostela and the farewell dinner) *Spiritours’ guide services + preparation meetings *All transfers (trains and/or taxis) *All taxes and OPC’s contribution (including airfare taxes, compensation fund for customers of travel agent). THE PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE *Travel insurance *Most of the meals except those mentioned in “the package includes” *Personal expenses & Tips Deadline to register: July 11h 2016 (or when the maximum of passengers is reached) How to register: Fill out the registration form included in this document and send it with your deposit of 500$. You must book as soon as possible since the space is limited. Travel insurance is recommended and should be paid with the initial payment. The balance is due 60 days prior to departure. Number of participants: Minimum 8 – maximum 15 Required documents: Valid passport is MANDATORY for all travellers and must be valid for a period of 3 months beyond the date of return to the country. Preparatory meeting: A full day meeting is scheduled one month before departure. This meeting is very important. An additional two hours meeting will also be held two weeks prior to departure. Extension of the stay: If you wish to stay for a longer period, it is possible to do so at a very little cost. These request must be mentioned when registering for the trip.

For more information, please contact: Nadine Robillard  514-374-7965 extension 205

Registration form Quebec licensee

DESTINATION: COMPOSTELA - SPAIN DEPARTURE: September 11st 2016 RETURN: October 1st 2016 PRICE OF THE TRIP: 3199 $/pers. (double occ.) - Discount of 100$ if registration before May 11th, 2016 ADDITIONAL COST FOR SINGLE OCCUPANCY: 299 $ ***Quantity limited *** MR / MRS / MISS Last Name ____________________________________ First Name _________________________________ *** Important: last name and first name must be exactly the same as your passport*** ADRESS _________________________________________ City ___________________________ Postcode _________________ TEL (home) ________________________ TEL (work) _________________________________ CELL _______________________ EMAIL ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ PASSPORT # _________________________ EXPIRATION DATE_____________________ CITIZENSHIP_______________________ Important: Please attached a copy of your passport with your registration form DATE OF BIRTH ________________________________________________ OCCUPATION REQUIRED*:  Individual room*: + 299 $ (*according to availability - Quantity limited*)  Room to share with (Give name: ________________________________________________)  I would like to share my room with a person of the group PERSONNAL INFORMATION: Person to contact in case of emergency: _______________________________________ ______________________________ Allergies or food restrictions: ________________________________________________________________________________ Are you self-sufficient? That is to say physically and psychologically fit to participate in all the activities offered in the program of the trip without being accompanied or assisted by a third person? (For smooth travel in a group, Spiritours reserves the right to refuse any person deemed not sufficiently independent and that would not be accompanied).  Yes  No  if not, please indicate the name of the person who will accompany you___________________________________ Specific medical conditions we should be aware: _________________________________________________________________ Where did you hear about this trip? ____________________________________________________________________________ BLUE CROSS TRAVEL INSURANCE (based on double occupancy and regular price) - Please write your initial beside the package chosen

 Package plus  Package plus without Medical (emergency medical care, care  cancellation for 3200 $ (cancellation for 3200 $ and and luggage up to 1 500$) luggage up to 1 500$) 0 à 35 year 83.10 $ 219.56 $ 146.36 $ 36 à 45 year 86.44 $ 244.58 $ 168.04 $ 46 à 50 year 89.65 $ 265.13 $ 185.38 $ 51 à 55 year 90.13 $ 285.28 $ 205.05 $ 56 à 60 year 94.23 $ 313.17 $ 228.84 $ 61 à 65 year 105.64 $ 365.81 $ 270.07 $ 66 à 70 year 133.97 $ 441.38 $ 317.31 $ N.B. If you are 71 years old and above, please contact us. For residents of Québec and Ontario only. Rates per pers. and age

Emergency Medical Care

I do not wish to purchase any travel insurance wit Spiritours

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Planétair: Credit compensation of emissions of greenhouse effects (GHG) – optional Compensate your emissions in full: 24.00$* Compensate your emissions in full climate impact + high altitude: 47.50$ Other amount (10$, 20$, 30$ etc.): ________ $ *Please refer to www.planetair.ca for more information

Your signature indicates that you have read the conditions of Spiritours and that you agree to them. Date: ______________________________________

Signature: ____________________________________________________

Please send to the following address: Spiritours, 1030 Beaubien street East, Suite 400, Montreal, Quebec, H2S 1T4. Please remember to include your deposit check of $ 500 (+ insurance if required) payable to Spiritours. We strongly suggest you also include a check postdated to July 11th, 2016 for the balance.

Authorization form for credit card payment Quebec licensee

DEPOSIT Hereby, I, ___________________________ authorize Spiritours (or its suppliers) to charge the amount of __________________ $ on my credit card. Type of card (Visa, MasterCard**):____________________________________ Credit card number: ___________________________________________ Expiration date: ____________________ Date: ________________________ Signature: _______________________________________ BALANCE Hereby, I, ___________________________ authorize Spiritours (or its suppliers) to charge the amount of __________________ $ on my credit card 60 days prior to departure. Type of card (Visa, MasterCard**):____________________________________ Credit card number: ___________________________________________ Expiration date: ____________________ Date: ________________________ Signature: _______________________________________ N.B. We offer a discount of 50$ per person for payment made by check (Deposit & balance) *Maximum amount per transaction: 6 000$ **Please take note that the American Express is not accepted

General conditions Quebec licensee Reservations & Payments A deposit of $500.00 CAD is required along with your signed registration form. Include an additional amount equal to travel insurance, if required. Money orders, credit cards (except for American Express) and personal cheques (Canada only) are payable to Spiritours. The balance is due no less than 60 days before departure (unless specified differently in the itinerary) the tour operator reserves the right to cancel your booking if payments are late. The following cancellation charges will apply. Cancellation Charges If you have to cancel, please notify us immediately. Cancellation penalty charges will apply based on the date the tour operator receives notice of cancellation as follows: Up to 60 days prior to departure: $500. Less than 60 days prior to departure: 100% Non-refundable Changes: up to $300 fee for any change of the passenger’s name. Less than 60 days prior to departure, any change will be considered as a cancellation and the fees mentioned above will apply. Spiritours reserves the right to cancel a tour if the minimum number of participants is not reached by the deadline or to change the dates if deemed necessary. In case of a cancellation called by Spiritours, the full amount paid for the tour will be reimbursed and this will represent the final settlement towards the client. Spiritours will not be required to intervene when a problems occurs between the authorities of a country and a member of the group if he would not comply with the laws, customs, rules and traditions of the host country. Insurance We suggest that you take a trip cancellation or interruption insurance in case of sickness, hospitalization, death of the covered person or person’s family members, disaster (fire, flood, etc.), loss of employment or any other major reasons. The cost for the insurance is nonrefundable. It is the client’s responsibility to read and understand the conditions, policies, and exclusions of the aforementioned insurance. Claims You are required to inform, as soon as possible, the representative of Spiritours of any eventual claim. Abroad, you must immediately advise the guide or the Hotel Manager so that the appropriate steps are taken. Prices Unless otherwise specified, all prices are in Canadian dollars. Prices include GST / QST, airport taxes, fees and Compensation fund for customers of travel agents ($ 1.00 per $ 1,000). Costs are dependent on fuel price, rates of exchange, taxation and other factors. Should these costs increase, the Tour Operator reserves the right to increase the price up to 30 days prior to departure, according to the law. Tour Operator’s Responsibility Spiritours can’t be held responsible for the acts, omissions, errors, losses, damages or accidents during the trip, as well as delays or cancellations due to a transportation company. Spiritours can’t be held liable for any damage suffered by the traveler for illness, injury, loss, inconvenience or anxiety. Spiritours also disclaims any liability for any damage resulting from a governmental act, political unrest, strikes, incidental acts. Spiritours will not reimburse any amount to the participants due to a premature return or any unused services. Spiritours’ responsibility for a failure to provide a service or benefit described in this document is limited to the cost of such service or benefit. Compliance The client waives any claim against the Tour Operator for loss, damages or injury for any reason or by any result of the rendering of any of the services included. The client agrees to comply with any reasonable instructions issued by the Tour Operator or its representative relating to the tour. In the case a passenger has a detrimental behavior towards other passengers or the suppliers and who persists in his behavior despite a formal notice from the supplier or one of his representatives, the passenger will be expelled from the group and will have to assume all extra fees related to his behavior such as lodging, food and transportation. The traveler is responsible to get the information on entry requirements of the country he plans to visit, take the necessary steps to obtain the required documents and pay the corresponding fees. In the event that the passenger does not possess the documentation required, the authorities reserve the right to refuse passage.