WT18 catalog single pgs

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Be part of a thousand-year-old pilgrimage—
the Way of St. James—through some of
Spain’s loveliest landscapes. We’ve selected
the most evocative portions for our journey,
which brings us from the ancient kingdom
of Castile to mystical Galicia, a hidden corner
of Spain alive with legends and Celtic
heritage, and on to the holy city of Santiago
de Compostela. Our hikes lead along sunny
country lanes marked with the scallop shell,
the symbol of St. James, through mist-
shrouded forests of gnarled oaks, and we
finish with a special hike along the beach at
Finisterre, Kilometer 0 on the pilgrim trail.
Along the way, we relish superb Romanesque
architecture, meet fellow pilgrims, and
enjoy splendid accommodations in quaint
guesthouses and spectacular paradors.
Days 1-2 Burgos / León / Astorga We meet
in historic Burgos, then head to the Castilian
meseta (high plain) and join other pilgrims as
we hike to the remote village of Hontanas.
A journey across the sun-splashed plains of
Castile brings us to the engaging city of
Léon, and we explore its leafy squares and
12th century frescoes before heading to the
walled city of Astorga.
Days 3-5 Cruz de Hiero / O’Cebreiro /
Portomarin Entering rural Galicia, we hike past
thriving farmsteads and tiny villages to Cruz de
Hiero, a towering iron cross where for a thousand
years pilgrims have carried a single stone from
their homeland to make a wish (be sure to bring
yours!). In the mountaintop village of O’Cebreiro,
we visit a small church whose chalice is linked
in legend with the Holy Grail. Some of the most
beautiful stretches of the entire pilgrim trail—jewel-
green fields, ancient stone walls, and meadows
where shepherds tend their herds—await us as we
head to the whitewashed village of Portomarin.
Days 6-9 La Coruña / Santiago de
Compostela / Finisterre Following trails
through eucalyptus forests, hamlets, and farms
flanked by ancient grain silos, we arrive in
Santiago, a beautiful medieval city of golden
granite. We explore this sacred site, and in the
extraordinary twin-towered limestone cathedral
that reputedly contains the remains of St. James,
have a chance to attend the noon mass with
a jostling crowd of pilgrims from around the
world. We complete our pilgrimage with a hike
to Finisterre—the “end of the earth,” following
tradition by walking the last part of the trail
barefoot along the beach. Depart on Day 9.
NCIENT TRAILS AND
PARADORS OF NORTHERN SPAIN’S CAMINO DE SANTIAGO
FOR A DETAILED ITINERARY: 1.800.368.2794 OR EMAIL 59
On this pilgrimage journey, we hike the best sections of this classic trail, ending at legendary Kilometer 0 at Finisterre.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Hike the most beautiful sections of one
of Europe’s revered pilgrimage routes
• Complete the final hike at Finisterre,
the westernmost point on the Iberian
Peninsula
• Enjoy Galician cuisine, famous for its
seafood, and some of its delicious
cheeses including creamy tetilla
• Overnight in historic hotels and inns,
including the 5-star Parador Los Reis
Católicos, a 15th century monastery on
Santiago’s main square
DETAILS
• 9-day trip begins in Burgos and ends in
Santiago de Compostela
• 8 nights inns, manor houses, and paradors
• All meals included except 1 dinner
DATES
Apr 24-May 2, 2018
May 29-Jun 6
Sep 7-15
Sep 25-Oct 3
TRIP COST
$4295 (10-15 members)
$4695 (4-9 members)
Single supplement: $480
TRIP LEVEL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
7 hiking days on easy to moderate trails,
some steep sections, 3-8 hours a day,
van support
HELMUT KAPCZYNSKI
ANNIE HAWKINS