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Special November 2010:
1 Week Camino de Santiago Tour

7 days / 6 nights

With arrival of autumn, the leaves have started to fall, the days are getting shorter, and the mornings are a bit cooler, but the Camino continues – as it has for a thousand years! Join us as we walk the Camino de Santiago during this quiet time of year when less than 2% of all pilgrims arrive to Santiago de Compostela. Enjoy the tranquility and peacefulness of having the trail to yourself with the complete assurance that you'll be taken care of every step of the way!

November 7, 2010: Sunday

Santiago to Sarria

Welcome to Fresco Tours! In the afternoon, we meet in Santiago de Compostela to shuttle to our hotel in the market town of Sarria for our Orientation Meeting. We'll talk about our week ahead and then sit for a fine meal of Galician Cuisine before going to bed early to get a good night sleep - tomorrow we start our walk along the Camino de Santiago!
Accommodations: Sarria

 

November 8, 2010: Monday

Sarria to Portomarin

Leaving Sarria, we should take in the views from atop of the city and keep an eye out for the ruins of Celtic castros hiding in the vegetation along the Camino. On our way to Portomarin, we walk by the 100km marker, a milestone (or kmstone!) for the millions of pilgrims who have traversed this same spot during the last millennium. As we approach Portomarin, we see the 12th-century Church of San Juan, an interesting fortified church that stands guard over the banks of the River Miño.
Sleep: Palas de Rei / Walking: 22KMs or 13 miles

 

November 9, 2010: Tuesday

Portomarin to Palas de Rei

We start our day with a gentle climb out of the river valley and pass through typical Galician villages, decorated with their raised corncribs and the occasional carved granite cross that marks the way to Santiago. Continuing west, we walk through the first of many eucalyptus forests along the Camino de Santiago and work our way into Palas de Rei. We've finished our longest day, and what better way to reward ourselves than a glass of Galicia's light Albariño white wine!
Sleep: Palas de Rei / Walking: 25KMs or 15 miles

 

November 10, 2010:Wednesday

Palas de Rei to Arzua

Following the now very familiar yellow arrows, we ramble up and down gentle rolling hills along quiet footpaths. 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. We quickly arrive back to the present in the bustling market town of Melide, where tender octopus, pulpo, is still boiled in large copper kettles on the street. Leaving Melide on small country roads, we wind our way across the Galician countryside. Quickly, we find ourselves in Arzua, where we should take advantage and try some of the famous local cow cheese or perhaps a bit of empanada, a light crusty pastry filled with either beef or tuna.
Sleep: Arca / Walking: 29KMs or 18 miles

 

November 11, 2010: Thursday

Arzua to Arca

Today we continue to enjoy the wonderful scenery of the Galician countryside and charming atmosphere of tiny 3-house villages. Get a feel for the people and greet a local villager with a "Buenos dias" or "Hola". You'll see how these quiet and reserved people, quickly wish you well on your journey to Santiago. On this trek, you are no longer a tourist but a pilgrim on the Camino de Santiago! Almost there...
Sleep: Arca / Walking: 19KMs or 11 miles

 

November 12, 2010: Friday

Arca to Santiago de Compostela

The last day on the trail! We leave Arca and see how the millennium old Camino contrasts with the 21rst century as we pass by the runways of the airport of Santiago. Along the way, we pass the friendly confines of Lavacolla, the legendary place where pilgrims would wash-up in the river prior to their arrival. Well this is it...5 days, 115 kilometers, and we have arrived to Santiago de Compostela. Congratulations! This magical city is always in a constant buzz with the laughs and cheers of international pilgrims and university students. After our hugs in the Plaza, we head to our hotel and get ready for our evening celebratory farewell dinner!
Sleep: Santiago / Walking: 20KMs or 12 miles

 

November 13, 2010:Saturday

Santiago de Compostela

After breakfast, 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. After the tour, we sadly say our last "buen camino" as we leave you at the Cathedral in time for the pilgrims' mass at noon.

 

We've designed this itinerary to allow you walk the last 100KM into Santiago. This is a requirement needed to request the compostelana, the certificate granted by the church of Santiago upon the completion of the pilgrimage. It is not mandatory, however, to walk 100km (60 miles) to participate in this Fresco Tour. As with all our trips, your walk is accompanied by a support van and shorter walk options are available on a daily basis.

For more information, please do not hesitate to contact us: info@frescotours.com.

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