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Sketching & Strolling to Santiago:
An Art Journal Tour Along the Camino

7 days / 6 nights

Over the years we've had a few artists who amazed me as they paused along the trail, pulled out a sketchbook, and captured the moment.

What a gift! Now you can be that artist! Come join us on our special Art Journal Tour. And you won't have to be a pro, since we'll have our own professional instructor, renowned artist Susan Abbott to lead us on a unique creative journey along the historical route of the Camino de Santiago.

You'll experience the natural beauty, wonderful architecture, and fascinating history of the Camino like an artist, sketching, photographing and writing in your journals throughout the day. We'll be slowing our pace down to a stroll and walking less than our standard tours to give you time to capture the special details of this magical route – and our van will be there to make our load light, and provide wheels and a window for assistance along the pilgrim's route.

Sample Art Journal Entries

April 11, 2010 - Day 1: Santiago to Melide

In the afternoon, we meet the group in Santiago and shuttle to our Manor home in the countryside of Galicia for our Welcome / Orientation Meeting to talk about the week ahead. After getting settled in, we'll finish our first day with a fine meal of regional specialties. (D)
Sleep: Melide

 

April 12, 2010 - Day 2: Melide & Pambre Castle

After breakfast our instructor, Susan Abbott, leads us through an intensive session of exercises highlighting creative approaches to capturing our travel experiences with sketching, collage, writing and photos. We'll put our pens in motion as we wander through our village on a "treasure hunt" to practice our new journaling skills. Later that afternoon, we stop for a sketch at the ancient Castle of Pambre. Before dinner we'll meet again to share our new artistic adventures! (B, L, D)
Sleep: Melide

 

April 13, 2010 - Day 3: Camino de Santiago

This morning we really begin our art pilgrimage walk as we follow the yellow arrows leading us through the lovely Galician countryside. Little has changed in this quiet corner of Spain, and the peaceful rural environment of local farmers tending to their lazy cattle in stone houses accompany us back to another time. Take in all the details of the stone work on the buildings and the finely manicured pastures! Get a feel for the people and greet a local villager with a "Buenos dias" or "Hola". You'll see how these quiet people quickly wish you well on your journey. (B, L, D)
Sleep: Melide / Total Walking: 4.5 miles

 

April 14, 2010 - Day 4: Camino de Santiago &

Sobrado de los Monjes

This morning we continue along the way with Art Journals in hand, strolling through small eucalyptus groves and green pastures where cows are enjoying a fresh lunch. Our meal spot is the tiny village of Ribasio de Baixo, whose quaint stone albergue has made it a famous stop for pilgrims along the trail. After lunch, we head to the amazing Cistercian Monastery of Sobrado de los Monjes, which was first founded in the 10th century for a guided visit by one of the monks and a sketching stop. (B, L, D)
Sleep: Touro / Total Walking: 3 miles

 

April 15, 2010 - Day 5: Camino de Santiago

We start our day with a gentle stroll along small country roads, passing through typical Galician villages decorated with raised corncribs and the occasional carved granite cross marking our way to Santiago. Continuing west we begin to notice the first of many cooling eucalyptus forests along the Camino de Santiago. In the afternoon, we head back to our Manor house that has been in the same family for over 300 years! (B, L, D)
Sleep: Touro / Total Walking: 2.5 miles

 

April 16, 2010 - Day 6: Santiago de Compostela

Our day begins in the little village of San Paio, where we make our way to Lavacolla, a place where pilgrims would wash up in the small brook before entering into the holy city. After lunch we head into Santiago de Compostela, where our local historian gives us a closer look at the amazing Cathedral that has seen so many transformations since the original chapel built in the 9th-century. You are going to love this magical city filled with fantastic monuments and with a lively buzz from the international pilgrims and university students that fill its medieval streets. And a great place to explore with our Art Journals! (B, L, D)
Sleep: Santiago / Total Walking: 3 miles

 

April 17, 2010 - Day 7: Santiago de Compostela

After breakfast, we'll have a chance to share our Art Journals with the group and admire each others work. Afterwards, we sadly say our last "buen camino" as we leave you at the Cathedral in time for the pilgrims' mass at noon. (B)

 

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