Day 1: 

9th May Depart Dublin 1310 Arrive in Santiago de Compostela 1620 and make your way by taxi or local bus to the first nights’ accommodation in Sarria. Sarria is the popular starting point for the last 115km of Camino de Santiago. The town centre of Sarria has a traditional atmosphere with charming shops, churches, parks, townhouses and many cafes.

Day 2: Sarria – Portomarin: 23km   

The walk takes you through a continuous mass of trees, meadows, farmland, old bridges and stretches that hint at the remains of the old roads.

Highlights of the walk include:

• The Church of Santiago de Barbadelo
• Crossing one of the most magnificent ‘carballeiras’ on the Camino Way
• Entering the municipality of Paradela
• 12th Century Romanesque Church of Santa Maria near the village of Ferreiros
• Descend towards the banks of the Miño river  where for the first and only time on the French Way you can catch a glimpse of vineyards
• Cross over the Belesar reservoir in the  Miño river to reach Portmarin
• Also visible are the ruins of the old town of Portomarin

Day 3: Portomarin – Palas: 23km

Leaving Portomarin and passing through the village of Gonzar the walk continues on to Castromaior and passes through important examples of traditional architectural styles and Romanesque churches along the Camino Way.

Highlights of the walk include:

• The Village of Gonzar
• The Santa Maria Romanesque church in Castromaior
• Traditional architectural styles in the town of Ligonde
• Entering the municipality of Palas de Rei
• The church of Vilar de Donas, an old priory of the Order of Saint James
• The modern Church of San Tirso which still preserves intact the Romanesque porch
• The town of Pala de Rei which the pilgrims’ hostel has made the little town more lively

Day 4: Palas – Arzύa: 29km

The French Way leaves Palas and heads towards Campos dos Romeiros, a traditional meeting place for pilgrims over the centuries. In Melide the French Way becomes an urban route. The medieval centre of Melide boasts many treasures such as gothic structures, churches and tombs. The Camino Way continues on to the city of Arzύa where the French Way merges with the North Way.

Highlights of the walk include:

• The Fortress of Pambre
• Romanesque porch of the church of San Pedro which forms part of the Chapel of San Roque
• The church of Sancti Spirtus containing the tombs of 15th century nobility
• Romanesque church of Santa Maria de Melide
• Merging of the French Way with the North Way
• Observe historic symbols in Arzύa of the Camino Way such as the Rύa do Camiño
• Church of Santiago and chapel of A Magdalena

Day 5: Arzύa – Lavacolla: 29km

Leaving Arzύa, this section of the Camino Way takes you inland, passing through meadows which contain oak and eucalyptus trees that surround the small villages of Calzada, Calle, Ferreiros, A Salceda, A Brea, Santa Irene and A Rύa. The Way brings you to the town of A Lavacolla where the pilgrims of yesteryear, in keeping with traditional hygienic custom, would wash themselves from head to toe in a little brook that runs through the area

Highlights of the walk include:

• The small villages of Calzada, Calle, Ferreiros, A Salceda, A Brea, Santa Irene and A Rύa
• Chapel and fountain of Santa Irene
• The municipal of O’Pino
• Entering the municipal of Santiago
• The hospital facilities at Roncesvalles and Navarra to practice of washing the body thouroghly

Day 6: Lavacolla – Santiago: 11km

The final 11km walk leads you to the city of Sanitago de Compostela.

Highlights of Sanitago de Compostela:

• Visit the Catherdal
• The tomb of the Apostle
• Experience the culture, learning and spirituality of the city
• Enjoy the city’s Renaissance and Baroque heritage which is mirrored in most of its major historical monuments and buildings

Day 7: Santiago de Compostela

A free day to explore the city of Santiago de Compostela. You can enjoy a tour of the city of Santiago in all its historic splendour, taking in the diversity and dynamic appearance it offers today. The modern-day city of Santiago de Compostela evolved from a small settlement of monks who were the custodians of the tomb of the Apostle at the time of its discovery, around the year 820. The city underwent spectacular development during the Middle Ages, thanks to the popularity of pilgrimages in Europe, which made it, along with Jerusalem and Rome, one of the three great centres of the Christian world. Between the 15th and the 19th centuries, the city alternated between prosperity and decadence, in keeping with the fluctuating pulse of the history of Galicia, Spain and Europe. As pilgrimages became less and less important, Santiago consolidated its position as a centre of culture, learning and spirituality thanks to the founding of the University and the city’s Renaissance and Baroque heritage, mirrored in most of its major historical monuments and buildings.

Day 8: Return to Ireland

16th of May Depart Santiago de Compostela 1710 – Arrive Dublin 1820

Price includes:

• Return flights from Dublin with Aerlingus
• 10kg Hand Luggage
• 7 Nights Accommodation B&B
• Pilgrim Passport
• Return airport transfers with Meet and Greet on arrival
• Daily Luggage transfer
• Emergency assistance if required
• Walking Notes
• Extra’s: Single rooms available at a supplement of €195

We have chosen popular family run hotels / pensions along the route. Accommodation is simple and follows the character of the area.

Accommodation will be 2* and 3* Pensions/Hotels with the last two nights in Santiago de Compostello staying in a 4* hotel.