Just because we are at home doesn’t mean we can’t explore the Camino.
Welcome to our first Virtual Tour of the Camino de Santiago!
(All photos were taken on our signature ‘Camino de Santiago Tour‘)
Day 1 – Meeting our Fresco Pilgrims and exploring León
After our welcome meeting we set out to explore the city of León with our local historian-guides. Then it’s time for dinner and a good night’s rest before our first hike tomorrow.
Day 2 – El Ganso to the Cruz de Ferro
A ‘warmer’ stage before we start walking in Galicia. The Cruz de Ferro is where pilgrims leave a stone in remembrance or symbolic purification.
Day 3 – O Cebreiro to Triacastela
O Cebreiro is the first village in Galicia and 100 miles from Santiago de Compostela. It’s also where we start our Camino and pilgrimage!
Day 4 – Triacastela to Sarria
Highlights of the day include the Benedictine Monastery of Samos and lots of stunning rural Galicia!
Day 5 – Sarria to Portomarín
Woods, hamlets, freshly brewed espressos and a magnificent Romanesque church at the end.
Day 6 – Portomarín to Palas de Rei
Cows, chapels, cruceiros and Celtic ruins… What more could you ask for?
Day 7 – Palas de Rei to Melide
Today we will have completed 2/3 of our pilgrimage, with only 52 kms (32 miles) to go! And today we get to feast on pulpo (octopus) for lunch; because everyone knows Melide is the Octopus Capital of the Camino!
Day 8 – Melide to Arzúa
This stage takes us through more of rural Galicia with its outstanding beauty, quaint villages and friendly locals. The stage ends in Arzúa: the Cheese Capital of Galicia. So you can guess what cheese features at our picnic today.
Day 9 – Arzúa to Amenal
We’re almost there! Tomorrow we walk into Santiago! But it’s not over yet and today we still have miles of trails, forests and small Camino cafés.
Day 10 – Amenal to Santiago de Compostela
We made it! After 100 miles we walked into Santiago just after lunch. Now it’s time to get checked into our hotel, freshen up and go out and explore the city before dinner. Tomorrow we’ll attend the Pilgrim Mass and present our respects to Saint James!
Day 11 – Santiago de Compostela
It’s our last day on tour and, like all endings, it’s a little bittersweet because of all the good-byes and farewells.
In the morning we meet our local historian-guide who takes us on a tour of the town and the Cathedral, finishing in time for the Pilgrim Mass. In the afternoon we’ll have time to embrace Saint James at the High Altar, revere his remains in the crypt and even do a little shopping.
Last night at our celebration dinner our Fresco Guides gave us our ‘Compostela’, the 1000-year-old document awarded by the Cathedral Chapter that certifies that we have indeed completed the pilgrimage to Santiago.
Thank you for joining us on our first Virtual Camino de Santiago Tour. Stay tuned for the next one and until then, hasta pronto and Buen Camino!
