CAMINO FRENCH WAY CLASSIC DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
The Camino French Way Classic follows the last 112 km (70 miles) of the French Way from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela. You will spend 11 nights in beautiful, peaceful and historical guest-houses on the Camino de Santiago or 3 to 4* hotels in town centers. We shortened the walking days of the traditional stops to give you time to take in those wonderful and unique places. This tour will guide you through our favorite monuments, villages and viewpoints and show you the true Galician hospitality and gastronomy.
Itinerary
DAY 1 – MAKING OUR WAY TO LUGO
We will pick you up at Santiago airport and bring you to a beautiful Pazo in the heart of Lugo 1h20 away where you will spend the next 3 nights while you walk from Sarria to Gonzar.
Located on a hill on the banks of the river Miño, the city of Lugo preserves major remains of its Roman past, among them its ancient wall, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Inside the walls, the city conserves quiet pedestrian streets, wide squares and spacious gardens, where buildings such as the Cathedral, the Archiepiscopal Palace, and the City Hall stand out. You will have the evening free to discover this impressive city before having a gastronomic welcome dinner next to your hotel.
Suggested hotel for the next 3 nights: Hotel Monumento Pazo De Orban 4*
Meals: dinner
DAY 2 – 12KM – WALK FROM SARRIA TO MORGAGE
After a 30min drive to Sarria, you will finally start your pilgrimage! We will head up the medieval staircase to start making our way to Santiago de Compostela along easy paved trails through beautiful countryside, meadows and oak woods and charming villages with slate roofs. We will stop just after the 100 km marker before driving back to Lugo for the night.
Meals: breakfast
DAY 3 – 16KM – WALK FROM MORGADE TO GONZAR
Today, you will be walking a trail that has been protected by the Knights of the Order of Santiago since 1184. There will be some more uphill and downhill but mostly peaceful oak and eucalyptus forests and charming villages like Portomarin with its impressive archway village and memorable church. This town is very unique as great battles that took place in the valley below and the town you visit is only a replica of the Medieval town relocated in the 60s rock by rock to avoid floods. After a break for lunch in Portomarin, we will continue another 6 km (or less on demande) towards Gonzar before spending our last night in Lugo.
Meals: breakfast
DAY 4 – 16KM – WALK FROM GONZAR TO PALAS DE REI
In the morning, we will bring you back to the point where we picked you up the day before. You will then walk 16 kilometers into Palas de Rei mostly on a tarmac path specifically created for the pilgrims. You will start the day with an ascent to the top of Serra do Ligonde at 720m, where you will be a able to enjoy a stunning panoramic view. After Portos, you will pass near the Romanesque Church of Vilar de Donas, where the Knights of the Order of Santiago are buried (2,5 km away from the Camino – transfers back and forth from the Camino can be organized). You will then have one more small mount to climb at Alto Del Rosario before arriving in Palas de Rei. After a short visit, we will bring you in 15min to a unique spa-hotel with a Celtic inspired architecture by a lac where you will be able to enjoy a hydro-massage bath and a relaxing atmosphere before dinner.
Suggested hotel for the next 2 nights: Hotel Balneario Oca Rio Pambre 3*
Meals: breakfast, dinner
DAY 5 – 14KM – WALK FROM PALAS DE REI TO MELIDE
Today, we will plan about 4h walk and hope to arrive in Melide in time for lunch (2pm in Spain). Melide is renown for having the oldest surviving cruceiro (calvary) in the world and for the best “Pulpo a la Galega” (Octopus) in Galicia. After lunch, we will bring you back to the hotel from the night before.
Meals: breakfast, dinner
DAY 6 – 15KM – WALK FROM MELIDE TO ARZUA
Another relaxing day through the peaceful Galician countryside. You will find by now the way you live the Camino is changing as your body and feet are getting used to the activity, the path becomes gentler. Take it in and enjoy this time-off from your busy life, to think, relax and interact with fellow pilgrims. You have done more than half of the journey but the best is still to come. Your destination is Arzua which is famous for a local Cheese with a very peculiar shape. Your guest-house for the next 3 nights is a stunning palace with its own bodega and vineyards next to the Pico Sacro or 2 nights in the 18th century A Pena de Augasantas closer to the camino.
Suggested hotel for the next 3 nights: Pazo de Galegos
Meals: breakfast, dinner
DAY 7 – 14KM – WALK FROM ARZUA TO BREA
After a transfer back to Arzua, you will continue your way to Brea. With only 40 km left from Santiago, the atmosphere along the Way is changing as people plan to celebrate their arrival and start realizing it will soon be time to part with people they might have been walking with for a month. The countryside itself changes as you enter forest with totally symmetric rows that produce curious visual effects. The villages you pass virtually have no name and seem stuck in time. After arriving in Brea, or a bit earlier if needed, we will drive you back to your previous hotel for the night where we will enjoy a guided tour of their bodega before dinner.
Meals: breakfast, dinner
DAY 8 – 16KM – WALK FROM BREA TO LAVACOLLA
We continue our journey today to reach the town of Lavacolla, where traditionally pilgrims would bath in the small river and clean their clothes – and hence purifying their soul – before stepping into the Cathedral on the next day. We will then spend our last night on the Camino before Santiago in Pazo de Galegos.
Meals: breakfast, dinner
DAY 9 – 10KM – WALK FROM LAVACOLLA TO SANTIAGO
This is it! Only ten kilometers separate you from your goal. We will leave early to reach Santiago before twelve, to see the pilgrim mass (also at 7:30 pm). We will start by climbing up to Monte do Gozo (Mount of joy), which offers stunning views on the City, before walking into the Medieval Town through the “Camino Door” Puerta del Camino. A few minutes later, we will finally pass the Azabachería Door, the official entrance to the Cathedral on a non-Holy year and continue down to the Plaza del Obradoiro. You have finally finished the Camino de Santiago!
You still have a few things to do today – get your pilgrim certificate, attend Pilgrim Mass & marvel at the architecture of our beloved City before we drive you to your impressive 4* Palace hotel just outside the old town. A congratulations dinner will be served in the hotel
Suggested hotel for the next 3 nights: Hotel A Quinta da Auga Relais & Châteaux 4*
Meals: breakfast, dinner
DAY 10 – FREE DAY IN SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
In the next few days, we want to truly enjoy your time in Santiago de Compostela and relax. Late morning on the first day, we will schedule a private guided tour of the Walled City, the Market and the Cathedral where you will be told about the fascinating stories of each monument you see. You have the option of booking a guided visit of the Cathedral Towers for an extra €12 per person (must be booked in advance). Only breakfast included today.
Meals: breakfast
DAY 11 – DAY TOUR TO FINISTERRE
You have made it to Santiago de Compostela, however, there is a tradition to go 88 km further towards Finisterre, also known as the land at the end of the World. So today, we will make our Way to the Atlantic Coast stopping in some traditional villages. The Tradition says pilgrims should burn an item of clothing and find a Scallop Shell on the beach as a proof their completed your pilgrimage.
You have the choice here for a traditional day tour visiting the main attractions towards Finisterre including the Virxe da Barca sanctuary in Muxia, the fishing village of Muros, the Ézaro waterfalls… or walk 13 km along the new lighthouse to lighthouse Camino towards Finisterre along the stunning Coast of Death (Costa da Morte). We will spend the night again in Santiago and you’ll have more time to visit the old town. We will plan a special celebration dinner in a local Galicia restaurant a minute walk away from the Cathedral, expect typical local food, a Queimada conxuro and a small concert.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 12 -START OF YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE
A wise pilgrim once told us “the real Camino starts where the Camino de Santiago finishes but I will not be afraid because the Camino will always be there for me”. Today, as we bring you to your departure airport, we hope it has brought you whatever you were looking for and wish to see you again soon in Galicia and on the Camino!
Meals: breakfast
Pricing Information
Per person trip cost: $ 3,425 based on double occupancy
Single supplement: $ 795
Tour price is based on 10 participants + 1 facilitator
Tour price includes:
– En-suite accommodation in charming luxurious guest-houses & 3 to 4* hotels
– Luggage transfers from hotel to hotel
– Emergency support from our local team
– Dedicated professional guide for the duration of the Camino
– Guided tour of Santiago Old Town and Cathedral
– Private Airport transfers from Santiago Airport to Lugo
– Private Airport transfers from Santiago City to Airport
– Day tour to Finisterre including seafood lunch
– Private Transport in luxury Mini-Van or bus and Support during the walking days
– All taxes and gratuities for the hotels
– A detailed John Brierley guidebook per room
– All breakfasts and 8 three-courses dinners
– Wine and water included for each dinner
– Eligibility for the Compostela, the certificate of achievement of the Camino de Santiago
– A Pilgrim Kit per person including an official Pilgrim Passport (Credential)
– Spa circuit including 10 min massage in Hotel Balneario Oca Rio Pambre if available
– Wine tasting and private visit of the bodega in Pazo de Galegos if available
– Walk between 10 km and 16 km per day
– Facilitator single occupancy room at all hotels
– Facilitator airfare budget: $ 1,500
– Facilitator 2 extra nights at Parador in Santiago before group arrives
– Budget for tips: $ 400
– Credit card fees
Tour price does not includes:
– International & domestic airline tickets
– Items of a personal nature; souvenirs, laundry & spa services
– Meals not listed in the itinerary
– Any additional tours & services
Each itinerary is arranged and priced out specifically for each group. It is possible to arrange this trip for a smaller or larger sized group as well, which will affect the pricing.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
PAYMENTS:
A non-refundable deposit of $500 per person is required two weeks after confirmation of land arrangements. This deposit is applied towards the total trip cost. Final payment is due 60 days prior to trip departure. Payment due dates are subject to change. Prices quoted are subject to change until paid in full. Airline tickets have to be paid in full at the time of the reservation.
CANCELLATION / REFUND POLICY:
All payments for land arrangements (hotels, transfers, sightseeing, etc.) are non-refundable once received. Refunds will not be made for unused land services. Airline tickets are subject to change and/or cancellation fees once tickets have been issued. WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND AND ENCOURAGE ALL TRAVELERS TO APPLY FOR TRIP CANCELLATION INSURANCE. TRIP INSURANCE INFORMATION WILL BE PROVIDED ON REQUEST AND WE WILL GLADLY ASSIST TRAVELERS IN APPLYING FOR TRIP INSURANCE. Default insurance does not apply to airlines operating under bankruptcy protection. The acceptance of the initial travel services to be provided, shall be considered an acceptance by the traveler(s) and/or purchaser(s) of all conditions detailed here.
RESPONSIBILITY:
Journeys of the Spirit Luxury Travel acts only as an agent in securing hotels, transportation and other travel services and will not be liable in the event of any failure by any person or company to render said services. All hotels, transportation and other travel services are provided subject to all terms and conditions under which they are offered to the public generally. Journeys of the Spirit Luxury Travel and employees shall not be liable for any personal injury, property loss or other damage arising out of, or incident to, the tour or otherwise. Airlines are not responsible for any act, omission or event during the time passengers are not aboard their aircraft. Passenger tickets, in use by the airlines, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between airline and purchaser and/or passenger. Furthermore, Journeys of the Spirit Luxury Travel and employees are not responsible for inclement weather, political acts, or any “acts of God” or the shortening of a trip due to these occurrences. Nor are they responsible for airline or ground operator defaults or repayment of monies lost due to default. Nor are they responsible for lost luggage. Flight schedules and accommodations are subject to change at any time, though such changes are not anticipated. No refunds will be made for changes beyond the control of Journeys of the Spirit Luxury Travel
AMENDMENT FEES:
There is a $65 amendment fee each time an itinerary is revised after invoicing. Amendments made after documents have been issued will incur a $130 fee to cover courier costs, communication costs and additional time to co-ordinate the changes.
Unused travel arrangements or travel arrangements cancelled, amended or altered once travel has commenced do not qualify for any refund.
FOLLOW-UP CHECK LIST:
Names – The correct spelling of your names must be provided as they appear on your passports. Name changes resulting in the reissuing of tickets will incur a $150 per person charge, as well as any fees charged by the airlines.
Passports and Visitors Visas – All passengers are required to travel with a passport valid for six months after their return. Visitors to Australia are required to have an entry visa. For a minimal fee of $25, we can issue an Australian visa for U.S. and Canadian citizens and require a copy of your passport to process.
International Flight and Ticket Numbers – Please note if we are not issuing the international tickets, correct flight information and ticket numbers are required in order for us to arrange applicable transfers and domestic air tickets.
Special Meal requests. – Please advise of any special meal requests or dietary requirements.
Seating Preference – Please note that seat requests can never be guaranteed, however we will contact the airlines with your preferences. Some airlines charge a fee to book advanced seat assignments.
Bedding request – Please advise if you prefer double, twin, triple or a single bedded rooms. Bedding requests cannot be guaranteed but we’ll do our best to provide your preferred option.
Thank you for allowing us to create this journey for you!
Journeys of the Spirit
Custom Travel Services
6245 Vista Verde Drive West
Gulfport, FL 33707
About Ales
I’ve been passionate about travel ever since I can remember. Having had the opportunity to travel all around the world for many years it’s my greatest desire to enrich peoples lives in a profound way by creating unforgettable journeys, and give each of my clients the amazing experiences I’ve had throughout my travels.
By allowing me to design your journeys, you can be assured that you will be taken care of from the moment we start planning your vacation until the moment you return. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions with regards to your itinerary or would like to have any changes made.
May all your travels stir your soul and change your life forever – Ales.
