Day 1-Pamplona
Group meeting in Pamplona. This city dates back to its founding in 75 B.C by the Roman general Pompey. Today it is famous for the “Running of the Bulls” in early July. Following orientation at the hotel, free time to explore the town.
Hotel: Iruña Palace Tres Reyes. A modern four star hotel recently renovated and very conveniently located.
Dinner: Hartza. Classic Navarre recipes prepared with a touch of innovation and great care for seasonal products by the Hartza sisters.

Day 2-Pamplona
Early morning shuttle to the Monastery of Roncesvalles in the Pyrenees. Founded in 1100, it has been providing shelter for pilgrims crossing the dangerous mountains ever since. After obtaining the “Credencial de peregrino” from the monks, which accredits us as official pilgrims, we will ride back to Pamplona along the Camino through valleys and thick forests.
Hotel: Iruña Palace Tres Reyes.
Dinner: Europa. Refined modern cuisine. Pilar Idoate produces an imaginative selection of dishes using again a careful choice of the best products. Friendly family-run atmosphere.

Day 3-Puente la Reina
Leaving Pamplona and following the Camino signs, we will pass the medieval towns of Zizur and Astraín, before climbing the Alto del Perdón. The beautiful 12th century octagonal church of Santa María of Eunate will be our stop before arriving to Puente la Reina, the meeting place of the two Caminos that crossed over the Pyrenees.
Hotel: El Peregrino. A Relais & Chateau modern hotel in the rustic-style situated next to the point where the two Caminos meet. Exquisite decoration and extreme care to details by Angel Cambero and his wife Nina Sedano.
Dinner: The imagination of our host Nina, produces an extremely pleasant surprise in every meal. Eclectic and wise combination of Mediterranean cuisine with a touch of Basque and French influences. Superb selection of cheeses.

Day 4-Logroño
Our ride starts in the historical town of Estella, one of the residences of the Kings of Navarre, and continues on to the Monastery of Irache. After a short stop at the Fountain of Wine, a view of the Castle of Monjardín opens in front of us as the Camino takes us to the octagonal Church of the Holy Sepulcher at Torres del Río. The striking similarities with Santa María of Eunate are often attributed to the Knights Templars. We will end the day in Logro–o, capital of the Rioja wine region.
Hotel: NH Herencia Rioja. A modern hotel conveniently situated right on the Camino and in the center of town.
Dinner: this evening we will enjoy tapas in the Old Town.

Day 5-Santo Domingo de la Calzada
Today we will be riding through the rolling vineyards of the Rioja Wine Region. We will visit the medieval towns of Navarrete and Nájera and end the day in Santo Domingo de la Calzada, a town with a rich history about the Camino de Santiago. A visit to the Cathedral, with a resident rooster and hen couple (!!) to remind us of the famous miracle of Santo Domingo. Later, a sample of the superb Rioja wines in a wine tasting session.
Hotel: Parador Nacional de Santo Domingo de la Calzada. On the original historical 12th century building founded by Santo Domingo. Tastefully decorated modern rooms and installations in exceptional surroundings.
Dinner: A selection of traditional dishes made of seasonal ingredients, in the Parador´s restaurant.

Day 6-Burgos
Our ride will take us into Castile after crossing the legendary mountain pass of the Montes de Oca, the lair of bandits and wolves that made it the most dangerous part of Camino. After a stop by the monastery of San Juan de Ortega, we will continue to the monumental town of Burgos, the old capital of Castile.
Hotel: Mesón del Cid. A small hotel. Simple but with an exceptional view of the Cathedral.
Free evening on your own.

Day 7-Burgos
A morning bike ride to the monasteries of Cartuja de Miraflores, where the monks still craft their rosary beads from rose petals, and San Pedro de Carde–a, original burial place of the legendary El Cid. Later, a guided visit led by a local art historian to the magnificent Gothic Cathedral of Burgos, declared a World Heritage monument by the UNESCO.
Hotel: Mesón del Cid.
Dinner: Mesón del Cid. Classic Castilian specialties prepared by José Luis Pérez and a team of chefs from the Santo Domingo school. Charming historical building where the first play written in Spanish was printed.

Day 8-Carrión de los Condes
Today we will cycle across the Castilian plains, past small old towns, many of them crowned by castles. A stop at the legendary ruins of the 14th century hospital and monastery of San Antón. After a visit to Frómista and the beautiful Romanesque church of Santa María, we will arrive to our destination, the medieval town of Carrión de los Condes.
Hotel: Real Monasterio de San Zoilo. A converted Benedictine Monastery built from the 11th to 16th c. Beautiful cloisters. Historical church, burial place of the Counts of Carrión, including the famous brothers killed by their father-in-law El Cid. Complete with a small library.
Dinner: Mesón los Templarios, Castilian specialties served in a lively atmosphere and medieval ambience, next to the beautiful church of Santa María la Blanca.

Day 9-León
We will continue crossing the Castilian steppes. The magnificence of the wide-open skies will accompany us all day; the peaceful solitude is only interrupted by the charming hamlets we will cross. A stop in Sahagún, one of the most historical towns along the Camino. Beautiful remains of buildings that survived a devastating fire in the 19th c. Outside town, after crossing a beautiful old bridge, “The Field of Charlemagne´s Lances” evokes the medieval battle where more than 40,000 Christians died.
Hotel: Parador Hostal de San Marcos. Behind the most beautiful Plateresque façade in the country, the splendor and opulence of this exquisite building and its high standard of service make a stay here a truly special experience.
Dinner: Vivaldi. Innovative recipes, inspired in traditional cooking . It has consistently maintained the reputation of being the best in town.

Day 10-Rabanal del Camino
After a private guided tour of the magnificent Cathedral of León with its 5‚904 sq feet of stained glass windows, we will leave town across the high plateau of the Páramo. We pass the Puente de Órbigo, a Romanesque bridge famous for the knight who fought 300 challengers at its gate and was the inspiration for Don Quixote. A visit to the Roman walled town of Astorga and on to the beautiful hamlet of Rabanal del Camino, where we will spend the night. A handful of young monks recently transferred from the monastery of Santo Domingo de Silos in Burgos is rebuilding the village´s small chapel. A chance to hear them singing their Gregorian chants at dusk.
Hotel: La Posada de Gaspar. Directly on the Camino. A charming old stone building recently restored as a hotel. Exceptional surroundings.
Dinner: Local specialties in the hotel Restaurant.

Day 11-Villafranca del Bierzo
In the morning we will ride through wilderness areas interspersed with sparsely populated villages and abandoned hamlets. From the Cruz de Ferro, we begin a descent into the town of Molinaseca, a good spot for a swim in the river by the Romanesque bridge. In the afternoon we will continue on through the vineyards of the Bierzo Wine Region to our destination of Villafranca. A wine tasting before dinner will give us the chance to sample a good selection of them.
Hotel: Parador Nacional de Villafranca. A small modern Parador.
Dinner: Prada a Tope. A lively atmosphere and delicious simple local recipes made with Prada´s carefully grown farm produce famous throughout the country. An excellent selection of their own wines.

Day 12-Sarriá
Today we will cross El Cebreiro mountain pass as we leave Castilla-León and enter Galicia. This beautiful hamlet of Celtic thatched houses, its stunning views and tiny 9th century granite church make this one of the most remarkable journeys of the Camino. Resuming our ride, we will pass through lush valleys to the Monastery of Samos. Sarriá is our destination for the night.
Hotel: NH Alfonso IX. A modern hotel conveniently situated next to the Camino. Excellent service. Comfortable. Free evening. Dinner on your own.

Day 13-Portomarín
On today´s route we will have the opportunity to experience untamed stretches of the Camino, where the original road can be seen. The lovely Romanesque Church of Santiago at Barbadelo will be a stop on the way to the small, beautiful town of Portomarín on the banks of the Minho River where we will spend the night. The construction of a dam in 1956 threatened the old medieval town and some of the most remarkable buildings were moved stone by stone to higher ground. The lovely fortress-church of San Nicolás was one of the surviving monuments.
Hotel: Pousada de Portomarín. A former Parador. Spacious comfortable rooms.
Dinner: This evening we will have dinner at a local farmhouse. Dishes are prepared by the owners with their homegrown produce.

Day 14-Santiago de Compostela
Being our last day, the Camino becomes a very special journey. We will go through a varied countryside of eucalyptus and oak forests and farmlands, crossing ancient bridges and towns on our way to Santiago, our final destination. A final stop at Monte do Gozo, the Mount of Joy, where pilgrims first saw the towers of the Cathedral of Santiago in the distance. Free afternoon to explore this beautiful town on your own.
Hotel: Parador Hostal dos Reis Catolicos. An extraordinary work of art. Behind its elegant Plateresque faade, it combines the conveniences of a modern hotel in an extraordinary building declared a national monument that boasts four exquisite patios in the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles. Founded by Ferdinand and Isabella in 1499 as a pilgrim hospital and hostel, this is considered to be the world«s oldest hotel and the flagship of the national network of Paradors.
Dinner: A special farewell dinner featuring a selection of delicious Galician specialties served in the Parador«s elegant dining room.

Day 15
Guided tours of the Old Town and Cathedral led by a local art historian.

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