THE CAMINO DE SANTIAGO, SPAIN

THE CAMINO DE SANTIAGO IS A NETWORK OF ANCIENT PILGRIMAGE ROUTES THAT BEGIN FROM POINTS THROUGHOUT EUROPE AND END IN SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA IN NORTHWESTERN SPAIN, IN THE PROVINCE OF GALICIA. OUR WALKS BEGIN 8 DAYS OUT FROM SANTIAGO AND TAKE PLACE ENTIRELY IN GALICIA, A LUSH GREEN LAND OF SOFTLY ROLLING HILLS SACRED TO THE CELTS AND ROMANS BEFORE IT BECAME A MAJOR CHRISTIAN PILGRIMAGE DESTINATION IN THE 9TH CENTURY.

• PORTUGUESE WAY

  The Portuguese Way is the second most popular Camino route to Santiago. It begins in Porto or Lisbon, Portugal and heads north to Santiago. It first became significant in the mid-12th century after Portugal gained its independence. Queen Isabel of Portugal traveled this Camino to Santiago in the 14th century and offered up her crown to the alter in the Cathedral there.

  Today it is considered by some to be the most beautiful of the Caminos and is favored by those who prefer a more rural experience.

• THE PORTUGUESE COSTAL ROUTE

  Our June pilgrimage retreat will take us to Santiago along the Portuguese Costal Route, a newer route that follows the Atlantic coast north before turning inland to Santiago. It is a stunningly beautiful route and a cooler alternative for the summer months.

• THE FRENCH WAY

  This is the most popular and well-known of Caminos, the first one to become well-traveled in the Middle Ages. It begins at various points in France and in the Middle Ages was used primarily by French pilgrims. Our walk begins at the eastern edge of Galicia at the top of the highest mountains in the region and takes us west to Santiago.