Camino Santiago via Tui, Portugal with FR. BENJIE LEDESMA

Arrival in Lisbon in the evening. Transfer to the hotel for check-in and overnight. Enjoy your in-flight meals from Dubai to Lisbon. 

Breakfast and check-out at the hotel. We will have a short-guided tour to visit the Lisbon Cathedral including the Treasure Museum. Visit also the Church of St. Antonio Lisboa. Experience the Alfama Tram Ride to see the city’s tourist spots from Figueira Square to the Cathedral. Then drive to Santarem. Visit the Church of St. Stephen (Marvila/Milagre). Proceed to Fatima. Transfer to the hotel for check-in, dinner and overnight. In the evening after dinner, you may wish to participate at the Candlelight Procession and evening Rosary.

Have breakfast at the hotel. Commence a half-day guided tour of the Lady of Fatima Basilica, to visit the house of Lucia and the house of Francisco and Jacinta. Celebrate private Mass. Afternoon is free at leisure for your private devotion. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.

Breakfast and check-out at the hotel. Have a long-distance drive to Porto. Upon arrival, have a guided tour of the city which includes views of Clerigos Church, Palacio da Bolsa, Cais de Ribeira, Fort of Sao Francisco do Queijo, Douoro River. Continue to Braga. Have a guided tour to visit the Braga Cathedral. Experience the round-trip Bom Jesus Cable Car to Monte Sanctuary. Visit to Bom Jesus do Monte Church. Afterwards, transfer to your hotel in Tui for check-in, dinner and overnight.

Breakfast at Tui. We will begin our Camino Walk going to O Porrino. The length of our journey is roughly 16 kilometers or 4-5 hours of walking. This path passes through the beautiful Rio Louro Valley and historic bridges. Have dinner and overnight at the hotel in Vigo.

Breakfast at the hotel. We will walk the portion of this leg today from O Porrino to Redondela. This stage is roughly 15 kilometers or 4-5 hours of walking time. Today’s journey features forested paths and the climb up to the Mount de Enxquedela. Have dinner and overnight at the hotel in Vigo.

Breakfast and check-out at the hotel. Our walk from Redondela to Pontevedra is roughly another 19 kilometers or 5-6 hours walking time. This day will take you along the coast with views of the San Simon inlet, ending in a historic city. Transfer to your hotel in Pontevedra for check-in, dinner and overnight stay.

Breakfast and check-out at the hotel. Our walk today from Pontevedra to Caldas de Reis is roughly another 23 kilometers or 5-6 hours walking time. You will wind through rural landscapes, vineyards, and thermal spa towns. Transfer to your hotel in Cambados for check-in, dinner and overnight.

Breakfast at your hotel, then begin the Caldas de Reis - Padron phase of the pilgrimage. Today’s journey is roughly 19 kilometers or 4-5 hours walking time. You will pass lush forests and the famous village of Padron (associated with the legend of St. James). Have dinner and overnight at the hotel in Cambados.

Breakfast and check-out at your hotel. Begin the Padron to Santiago de Compostela which is the last phase of the pilgrimage. Today’s journey is roughly 25 kilometers or 6-7 hours walking time. This is the final stretch leading to the Praza do Obradoiro and the Cathedral. Check-in, dinner and overnight at the hotel in Santiago de Compostela.

After breakfast, the local tourist guide will show the pilgrims around Santiago. Highlight will be the tour of the Cathedral, through the Portico de la Gloria or Gateway to Glory. Pilgrims will receive a certificate once they show proof of their 100-kilometer journey, through their stamps. Visit the crypt which contains the remains of St. James the Apostle, and the Baroque altar of the main chapel. Photo stops at Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, Plaza del Obradoiro, Monasterio de San Martin Pinario, Convento de San Francisco, Fuente de Los Caballos and Palacio de Raxoi. We will visit the old town, Universidad de Santiago and the Hostel of the Catholic Kings, now Parador. Have dinner and overnight at the hotel. 

After breakfast and check-out, we will drive to Salamanca. Have a guided tour to visit the Salamanca Cathedral New & Old Cloister and Museum (UNESCO listed). Take photo stops of the University of Salamanca, Plaza Mayor, Old Cathedral (Catedral Vieja), New Cathedral (Catedral Nueva) and Palacio de Mont

Breakfast and check-out at your hotel. Drive to Avila, a city in the rolling hill country northwest of Madrid, known for its intact medieval city walls. Upon arrival, we will have a guided visit to Santa Theresa Convent. Continue our journey to Segovia. Have a guided sightseeing tour which include photo stops of the Roman Aqueduct, Plaza Mayor, Old Town. Entrance to Segovia Cathedral, known as the “Lady of Cathedrals”.  Visit also the Vera Cruz (True Cross) Church. It is one of the most unique and mysterious religious sites in Spain – famous for its unusual shape and possible connection to medieval knights; view the Alcazar of Segovia – one of the most iconic castles in Spain. It is famous for its fairy-tale appearance and dramatic position on a rocky hill above the city of Segovia. Check-in, dinner and overnight at the hotel in Segovia.

Breakfast and check-out. Drive to Toledo – a UNESCO World Heritage city full of history from Christian, Muslim and Jewish cultures. Have a guided tour to visit Catedral Primada de Toledo (Primate Cathedral of Spain) is one of the greatest Gothic cathedrals in Europe and the spiritual heart of Toledo; Santo Tome (El Greco) which is world-famous for housing one of the greatest paintings in Spanish art, “The Burial of the Count of Orgaz”; Monaster of San Juan de los Reyes. Continue driving to Madrid.  Transfer to your hotel for check-in, dinner and overnight.

Breakfast at your hotel. We will have a guided visit to the Basilica San Francisco el Grande. Then continue for a city orientation drive (without guide) at Gran Via – Madrid’s busiest street for shopping, theaters, and architecture. Proceed to the Outlet for shopping. Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Breakfast and check-out at your hotel. We will have a guided sightseeing tour of Madrid which includes views of Cibeles Fountain, Alcala Gate, Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Prado Museum.  Entrance to the Royal Palace; visit to Almudena Cathedral. Rest of the time is free at your own leisure before transfer to Madrid airport to catch your flight back to Manila. 

“HOME SWEET HOME!!!”