Camino de Santiago Encompassed
10 days, Madrid to Santiago de Compostela
Itinerary
Day 1Madrid
Arrive at any time.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Optional Activities - Day 1 HideShow
Real Jardín Botánico Visit
3EUR per personRecover from an art overdose with a visit to the beautiful Real Jardin Botánico, a large botanical garden near the Prado Museum.
Gran Vía Visit
FreeShop, stroll, and people watch on the capital's most exciting street, Gran Via. Go early or late, the street stays awake all hours.
Museo Nacional Del Prado Visit
15EUR per personTake in some culture with a trip to the Museo del Prado, one of the greatest art galleries in the world, and a definite highlight of any Madrid trip. Be inspired by its collections and exhibitions: the museum's main emphasis is 15th to 19th century Spanish, Flemish, and Italian art, but there is plenty of Goya and a wealth of paintings by Diego Velázquez.
Plaza Mayor Visit
FreeEnjoy some spectacular people watching with a visit to the Plaza Mayor, the true heart of the city. Enjoy a coffee in one of the plaza’s many cafes and watch the world go by.
Royal Palace (Palacio Real) Visit
12EUR per personSee how kings and queens live, with a visit to the Palacio Real, the official (and uninhabited) palace of the King of Spain. Wander the rooms to take in some of the most elaborately decorated and furnished rooms you'll ever see.
Accommodation
Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.
Hotel Europa (or similar)
Day 2Madrid
Enjoy a short orientation walk around Madrid with a free day to explore. Opt to check out the world-famous museums, do some shopping or enjoy some fantastic food.
Other options for exploring the city include the Palacio Real, Real Jardin Botánico or Escorial. Experience more nightlife at the Plaza del Dos de Mayo, in the area known as Malasaña. Taste some sangria and dance to the latest music.
Orientation With CEO
Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.
Free Time
Take a wander around this amazing city.
Optional Activities - Day 2 HideShow
Gran Vía Visit
FreeShop, stroll, and people watch on the capital's most exciting street, Gran Via. Go early or late, the street stays awake all hours.
Museo Nacional Del Prado Visit
15EUR per personTake in some culture with a trip to the Museo del Prado, one of the greatest art galleries in the world, and a definite highlight of any Madrid trip. Be inspired by its collections and exhibitions: the museum's main emphasis is 15th to 19th century Spanish, Flemish, and Italian art, but there is plenty of Goya and a wealth of paintings by Diego Velázquez.
Plaza Mayor Visit
FreeEnjoy some spectacular people watching with a visit to the Plaza Mayor, the true heart of the city. Enjoy a coffee in one of the plaza’s many cafes and watch the world go by.
Royal Palace (Palacio Real) Visit
12EUR per personSee how kings and queens live, with a visit to the Palacio Real, the official (and uninhabited) palace of the King of Spain. Wander the rooms to take in some of the most elaborately decorated and furnished rooms you'll ever see.
Real Jardín Botánico Visit
3EUR per personRecover from an art overdose with a visit to the beautiful Real Jardin Botánico, a large botanical garden near the Prado Museum.
Accommodation
Hotel Europa (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 3Madrid/Sarria
Travel to the charming town of Sarria by train. Take some free time to explore before meeting up with the rest of your group.
Local Train
Climb aboard, take your seat, and get around like the locals do.
Optional Activities - Day 3 HideShow
Browse the Antique Shops
Sarria is the antique capital of Galicia. Check out an antique fair and browse the quirky furniture and historic art pieces.
Accommodation
La Casona de Sarria (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 4Sarria/Portomarín
Hike from Sarria to Portomarín throughout the course of the day.
Pass through many lovely towns along the way and maybe choose to have a picnic in places such as Barbadelo, Renta or Ferreiros.
Camino de Santiago Walk
Start hiking from Sarria to Portomarín, covering about 23km (14 mi) over the course of the day. Pass through many lovely towns along the way and choose to have a picnic in places such as Barbadelo, Renta or Ferreiros. Spend the night in the riverside city of Portomarin.
Accommodation
Hotel Villajardin (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 5Portomarín/Palas de Rei
Early start from Portomarin, continue walking through fantastic scenery with a rich history en route to Palas de Rei.
Walk from Portomarin to Palas de Rei. Weary pilgrims can get a jolt of caffeine in one Palas de Rey's cafes or visit some of the local shops to grab some souvenirs.
Camino de Santiago Walk
Get those walking shoes back on! Leave Portomarin behind in the early light of the morning to make the most of the day. This stretch is a mix of ups and downs through beautiful scenery. The entire area has a rich history, especially during the Middle Ages.
Accommodation
Pension Palas (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 6Palas de Rei/Melide
Continue the pilgrimage westwards, walking through the lush green valleys of Galicia.
Continue walking through rural Spain. Take a break in the lively market town of Melide (454m), and try octopus, Galicia's most classic dish, in one of the many 'pulperías'.
Camino de Santiago Walk
Head west and continue the pilgrimage, passing through the lush green valleys of Galicia. Covering about 15 km today, the day again passes through many lovely villages and towns along the way, offering ample opportunity for rest stops and time to pick up any needed supplies before arriving to Melide.
Accommodation
El Chiquitin (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 7Melide/Arzúa
Follow the Camino from Melide to the village of Ribadiso and finally the town of Arzúa.
Camino de Santiago Walk
Leaving Melide, the Camino crosses several streams and follows a forest track to the village of Boente with its church of Santiago. Next is the scenic medieval village of Ribadiso and finally the town of Arzúa (389m). In Arzúa, visit the churches of Santa María and A Magdalena.
Accommodation
Pensión Domus Gallery (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 8Arzúa/Amenal
The Camino walk will pass through pretty woods, sleepy villages and across streams most of the day.
Camino de Santiago Walk
Walk through pretty woods, sleepy villages and across streams most of the day. The chapel of Santa Irene, with its unique statue of Santiago, is worth a visit. En-route, don't miss the lovely hamlet of Rúa (310m). The rest of the route to Amenal is along a mix of good and calm country roads and forest tracks.
Accommodation
Amenal Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 9Amenal/Santiago de Compostela
Enjoy a final day of walking through spectacular scenery towards the final destination.
Camino de Santiago Walk
Leave early in order to reach Santiago de Compostela in time for the pilgrim's mass. Walk the last part of the pilgrimage and enjoy the scenery before the baroque, painted towers of the cathedral come into view. Later, explore this fascinating city and sip some wine in a café to celebrate the incredible journey. Upon reaching our goal, the pilgrimage is not complete without a visit to the cathedral on the magnificent Praza do Obradoiro, which houses the supposed tomb of St. James the Apostle.
Plaza Obradoiro Visit
Visit the cathedral on the magnificent Praza do Obradoiro, which houses the supposed tomb of St. James the Apostle. It is widely believed that his remains were buried here in the 1st century AD; from then onwards he became the patron saint of the Christian Crusades.
Optional Activities - Day 9 HideShow
Pazo de Raxoi Palace
FreeTake in the beauty of this palace located in the Plaza del Obradoiro. Originally built as a seminary for confessors in 1766, it is the contemporary home of City Hall and the Galician government.
Praza das Praterias Square
FreeVisit the square to marvel at the Fuente de los Caballos - a glorious fountain created in 1825. With the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral in the background, this spot makes for a great photo-op.
Santiago de Compostela Cathedral
6EUR per personOriginally built as a small church over the tomb of St. James in 819AD, this now-grandiose cathedral has remained the end point of the spiritual pilgrimage to those walking the Camino de Santiago.
Accommodation
A Tafona do Peregrino (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 10Santiago de Compostela
Depart at any time.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.