Spain & Portugal Camino Santiago with FR. BENJIE LEDESMA

Check-in at NAIA Terminal 3 at 1900hrs. Departure from Manila to Madrid, Spain. 

Arrival in Madrid in the afternoon. Celebrate private Mass in one of the Catholic Churches in Madrid. Transfer to the hotel for check-in, dinner and overnight. 

After breakfast and check-out, have a long-distance drive to Sarria. (512 kilometers drive), with a quick stop at Ponferrada. Sarria has a rich artistic heritage characterized primarily by churches, which are an essential part of the Way of St. James. Sarria’s artistic heritage includes the 13^th century church O Salvador, located on Rua Maior, which is in the early Gothic style. In this town, from its unusual rua Maior, it is possible to see high up the distance the only tower that remains of the medieval fortress belonging to the town. Around this tower, a popular fair is held three times a month, a showcase for the traditional products of the area. From its medieval past, Sarria conserves the Convent of A Madalena presently belonging to the Mercedarian Fathers, founded at the beginning of the 13^th century as a pilgrim hospital by Italian monks of Order of the Blessed Martyrs of Jesus, who were also pilgrims. The present-day building, which houses a small but lovely cloister and an interesting church, is a mixture of different styles of construction ranging from the 15^th to the 18^th centuries. Today it is also a private school. Sarria stands out in the Camino de Santiago for being the population centre, with the largest offering of services. It has a strategic point of view of its connections; it has good access through railway and road, being especially important the 546 road that connects Lugo and Monforte, towards Ponferrada. Transfer to hotel for check-in, dinner and overnight.

Breakfast at Sarria, then begin the Sarria-Portomarin stage of the St. James pilgrimage. The length of our journey is roughly 22 kilometers or 4-5 hours of walking. En route, enjoy the green hills of Galicia. You will also find the traditional small Galician villages, numerous chestnut and oak forests. The mythical KM100 and Romantic churches such as Santiago de Barbadelos and Iglesia de Santa Maria de Ferreiros. Stop for lunch along the way at a typical Spanish café. Once in Portomarin, guests can explore the town until dinner time. You can visit the Church of San Nicolas de Portomarin which is open in the afternoon, see also the bridge of Ponte Novo. You may divert to see the Castro de Castromaoior which may be described as remnants of the past civilization. Have dinner and overnight at the hotel in Lugo.

Breakfast at the hotel. Begin the Portomarin-Palas de Rei leg of the pilgrimage. This stage is roughly 24 kilometers or 5-6 hours walking time. The way goes through paths, many of them close to the roads and paved areas. From Portomarin, you will view the Castro de Castromaior. Discover small Camino villages while ascending the mountains of Ligonde, then descend through Lestedo to reach Palas de Rei. Along this route, the group will find the famous “cruceiros” (crosses) such as the Cruceiro of Lameiros and Cruceiro of Ligonde. You will also see the Vilar de Donas Monastery. Picnic lunch during the walk. Upon arrival at Palas de Rei, you may visit the Church of Santiago de Alba. The history of Palas de Rei appears closely linked to military culture, which retains many of the archaeological remains (dolmens and forts) from a remote settlement. Have dinner and overnight at the hotel in Lugo.

Breakfast at your hotel, then begin the Palas de Rei-Melide phase of the pilgrimage. Today’s journey is roughly 15 kilometers or 3-4 hours walking time. Today is an easy day, apart from the length of the route, it is easy under foot and there are no long steep accents or descents. The Spanish call this section the “leg breaker” not due to the surface, but due to the length. It is the start of the countdown to Santiago de Compostela. Shortly after Coto, there are stone markers at the side of the path with the distance to Santiago marked. You will see in this journey medieval bridges such as Leboreiro and Furelos. Pass through beautiful stone bridges on your way to Melide where lunch will be served. Much of the day is shaded and shortly after Melide you will walk through Oak and Eucalyptus Forest with the wonderful smell. Melide is where the Camino Primitivo joins with the Camino Frances. Have dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at your hotel. Begin the Palas de Rei-Melide phase of the pilgrimage. Today’s journey is roughly 15 kilometers or 3-4 hours walking time. Continue walking through the Galician countryside until you arrive Arzua. You may visit the chapel of Magdalena; the Parish Church of Santiago; the Centre for Information on cheese and honey; the reservoir of Portodemouros; Fervenza das Hortas, a waterfall of more than 30 meters in height. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Arzua.

Breakfast at your hotel, then continue walking along the forests and rural paths leading to the hamlet of Rua. The length of our journey is roughly 19 kilometers or 4-5 hours walking time. Our walk will enable us to take fantastic photos of Spain’s natural landscapes. Stop by for lunch to try authentic Spanish countryside cuisine, then continue walking until you reach Rua. Rest and free time. Check-in, dinner and overnight at the hotel in Arzua.

The last leg of our pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela spans a distance of 21 kilometers or 4-5 hours walking from O Pedrouzo. The group will be passing Monte do Gozo (Mountain of Joy) located in the city outskirts, where the Cathedral of Santiago is within sight. The group can enjoy free time upon arrival to explore the magnificent El Obradoiro Square comprising buildings which represent a thousand years of history and architecture. Dominating the Square is The Obradoiro Façade, the main cathedral front built by the architect Fernando de Casa y Novoa. 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. Observe the transept nave, the most solemn part of the cathedral where the Botafumeiroor enormous censer swings spectacularly during days of solemn celebration. 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 at a local restaurant before returning to the hotel for overnight stay. 

Breakfast and check-out at the hotel. Have a long-distance drive to Fatima. Upon arrival, celebrate private Mass. Check-in at the hotel. Rest of the time is free for private devotion. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. 

Have breakfast at the hotel. Commence a half-day guided tour which includes visit to the Lady of Fatima Basilica, the house of Lucia and the house of Francisco and Jacinta. Celebrate private Mass. Afternoon is free at leisure for your private devotion. In the evening after dinner, you may wish to participate at the Candlelight Procession and evening Rosary. Overnight at the hotel.

After an early breakfast and check-out at the hotel, drive to Lisbon. Have a guided tour to visit the Church of St. Anthony. Views of Belem Tower, Monument to the Discoveries, Baixa, Praca do Comercio and Suspension Bridge. Then transfer to Lisbon airport to catch your flight back to Manila.  

“HOME SWEET HOME!!!”