Walking The Way. to Santiago de Compostela July 2019 WALK THE FINAL 70 MILES OF THIS FAMOUS PILGRIM ROUTE

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1 Walking The Way to Santiago de Compostela 8-15 July 2019 WALK THE FINAL 70 MILES OF THIS FAMOUS PILGRIM ROUTE

Santiago de Compostela Walk the final 70 miles of The Way to Santiago McCabe Travel Club & Short Break holidays give the opportunity for regular travellers to meet up from previous experiences.

2 Santiago de Compostela Walk the final 70 miles of The Way to Santiago McCabe Travel Club & Short Break holidays give the opportunity for regular travellers to meet up from previous experiences. The focus is on travelling with, and enjoying the company of like-minded people. In summer 2019 we are offering two departures of our McCabe escorted walking holiday: a week in Spain following the final 70 miles of the Camino route from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela. We will walk together for five days covering 14 to 18 miles each day, with a day of relaxation at our destination and time to explore the Old Town and Cathedral. An experienced tour leader will be our host throughout and conduct group worship with a local Camino guide adding in-depth commentary. A pilgrimage is a spiritual adventure, where the journey itself is as important as the destination. Each day, as we walk, we will reflect on a portion of the New Testament book of James; and as we walk, talk, eat and drink together our hope is that the journey will refresh and renew us.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION The cost of this pilgrimage is 995 and includes most expenses. We fly from Gatwick Airport very early but direct to Santiago on easyjet (a two hour flight).

3 PRACTICAL INFORMATION The cost of this pilgrimage is 995 and includes most expenses. We fly from Gatwick Airport very early but direct to Santiago on easyjet (a two hour flight). 20 kilos of checked-in luggage and seat allocation are included. On arrival, we drive to Sarria, the starting point of our walking the next day. We stay each night in a well-appointed hotel, all rooms with private facilities. Each day, our luggage will be transferred to the next hotel, so we will walk with just day packs, water, rainwear etc. Walking days will vary in length and be mostly off-road along pilgrim paths. We will have our pilgrim passport stamped along the route and on arrival in Santiago will be presented with our Compostela pilgrim certificate, which is only given to pilgrims who have walked, cycled or horse-ridden a minimum of 100 kilometres. Travelling Alone Single rooms are available at an additional charge of 185. Ask for a room share, and we will either accommodate you with another single traveller or find you a single at half the usual cost. This is a walking holiday, with no coach backup, so a certain level of fitness is required and perhaps a few preparatory walks before departure. (but If you do decide to miss a day, or need a rest, a taxi can be arranged) At journey s end, we will enjoy two nights in a four star Santiago hotel with time to explore and visit the great cathedral of St James. What s Included Group meals are a highlight so breakfasts and dinners are included. The cost also includes a room with private facilities, flights, airport transfers in Spain, local guiding, and gratuities to those who help us on our journey. Special Requests For instance, special diets, should be printed on the booking form. A deposit is payable now with the balance due eight weeks prior to departure. Final details will be confirmed in your travel wallet two weeks prior to departure, which will include boarding passes. Financial Security This pilgrimage is ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. The McCabe ATOL number is McCabe are also members of the Association of Independent Tour Operators and abide by the Associations code of conduct. Reserve your place on the phone by calling the McCabe office with a debit card, or complete a booking form and send it to us. The deposit is 200 (plus the insurance premium of 49 if required) Please make cheques payable to McCabe Pilgrimages. McCabe Pilgrimages 11 Hillgate Place London SW12 9ER Tel: info@mccabe-travel.co.uk

Our Hotels Sarria and Santiago at the beginning and end of our week

The four single nights of our walk will be in simpler hotels, but all

Wednesday 10 July 1 Night Monday 8 July 1 Night Friday 12 July 1 Night

**** Hotel Ruta Jacobea, Lavacolla *** Tuesday 9 July 1 Night Saturday

4 Our Hotels Sarria and Santiago at the beginning and end of our week offer good four star accommodation. The four single nights of our walk will be in simpler hotels, but all are of an acceptable standard and all rooms have private facilities. Wednesday 10 July 1 Night Monday 8 July 1 Night Friday 12 July 1 Night Alfonso IX Hotel, Sarria. **** Hotel Ruta Jacobea, Lavacolla *** Tuesday 9 July 1 Night Saturday 13 July 2 Nights Hotel Pousada, Portomarin *** Hotel Compostela, Santiago **** Pension Complejo Cabana, Palas de Rei ** Thursday 11 July 1 Night Hotel Rua, Arzua **

PROGRAMME 8-15 July 2019 Monday 8 July Travel to Spain An early departure from Gatwick Airport on easyjet flight EZY8589 departing at 05:45 direct to Santiago de Compostela, arriving at 09:00.

5 PROGRAMME 8-15 July 2019 Monday 8 July Travel to Spain An early departure from Gatwick Airport on easyjet flight EZY8589 departing at 05:45 direct to Santiago de Compostela, arriving at 09:00. We drive 70 miles to Sarria, a traditional stop on The Way, with plenty of time to relax and recover from our early start. Dinner and overnight stay at the four star Alfonso IX hotel. In Sarria. Tuesday Sarria to Portomarin (14 miles) We walk through the shady oak woods and quiet country roads to the village of Barbadelo. We continue through the Galician countryside, ascending to Pena dos Corvos to take in the panoramic views, before reaching our destination for the evening, Portomarin. Wednesday Portomarin to Palas de Rei (15 miles) From Portomarin, the Camino crosses the river Minho and climbs uphill to Gonzar, passing the Romanesque Church of Santa Maria, Castromaior. A downhill walk takes us to our overnight stop, in Palas de Rei. Thursday Palas de Rei to Arzua (18 miles) Today the Camino continues downhill, passing charming villages before reaching Melide, a popular town, with plenty of restaurants serving Pulpo! We walk through forest track in the eucalyptus woods, before reaching Arzua for our overnight stay. Friday Arzua to Lavacolla (18 miles) One of the quieter parts of the Camino. We walk through sleepy villages, on flat roads and quiet country paths towards our overnight stay in Lavacolla, where originally pilgrims washed themselves in the river before their arrival in Santiago. Saturday Lavacolla to Santiago (7 miles) Following the Lavacolla River, we reach the Mount of Joy (Monte Del Gozo), where medieval pilgrims first saw the spires of Santiago Cathedral. We leave behind the countryside as we walk to our final destinaton, Santiago de Compostela Cathedral. We stay two nights in the city. Sunday Santiago de Compostela In the morning, we have a guided tour of Santiago Old Town. The Cathedral has a Baroque façade hiding the much earlier Romanesque building set on the site where in the 8th century the tomb of St James was discovered. We join the Pilgrim Mass at noon and hope to see the Botafumeiro swing. Free afternoon, and in the evening we enjoy a farewell dinner in a local restaurant, featuring the traditional Quiemada drink ceremony. Monday 15 July Departure Our return easyjet flight EZY8590 leaves at 09:40 arriving back at London Gatwick at 10:35. Flight times may be subject to change.

6 A bit of history Santiago was the ultimate destination of one of the great pilgrimages of the Middle Ages. Pilgrims set out from all over Europe and converged as they crossed the Pyrenees and entered Spain. Then the Way of St James led across to the great cities of Burgos and León and on to the shrine in the Field of the Star (Campus Stellae - Compostela) where the bones of St James were believed to lie and now a magnificent cathedral stands. Pilgrims traditionally walk, cycle or go on horseback and dedicate months to the journey staying in monasteries and hospices en route. We will not be alone as we walk and will meet up with a colourful band of fellow pilgrims as we progress towards our common goal. Walking the Camino We will set out each morning around 9 and plan to arrive at our destination between 4 and 5 in the afternoon. On the way, we will stop for lunch and visit places of interest which our guide will introduce to us. There is much of interest to see and explore. Depending on the make-up of the party we may walk in smaller groups. Do wear sturdy shoes or boots suitable for walking long distances and bring a day pack to carry principally rain-wear, sun cream, a hat and water. The weather in the Galician region is much like the English summer. We will keep an eye on the daily weather forecast, and dress appropriately. Like England, sunny with scattered showers, is not uncommon. Don t expect the same weather as the balmy beaches of Southern Spain!

7 Travel Insurance We recommend that all travellers take out travel insurance. EHIC cards will cover you for treatment in Spain, but in reality on a short journey, having private cover will speed up the process and give total peace of mind in a real emergency. You will also have cover for your personal belongings and you will be able to reclaim the holiday cost if you cancel late for a medical or other unforeseen reason. Our recommended insurance is 49 up to age 74 or 74 if 75 plus. No medical screening is required. To purchase this policy, simply add the cost to your deposit cheque. Younger travellers will be able to find a cheaper policy elsewhere - or consider annual insurance. A unique feature of the McCabe policy is that you will not need to call a medical help line to discuss health issues. Most pre-existing health conditions are covered as long as your doctor agrees that you are fit to travel. Policy detail Travel insurance is arranged by Global Travel Insurance Services Ltd for McCabe Travel Ltd who are an Appointed Representative of Global Travel Insurance Services Ltd, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Our status can be checked on the FCA Register by visiting by contacting the FCA on This Insurance is underwritten by ERV. ERV is authorised by the Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht (BAFIN and the Prudential Regulation Authority and subject to limited regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority. It has been specifically designed so that it covers all McCabe holidays, protecting you in full if you have to cancel and providing you with the very best and most effective protection if you are unfortunate enough to require medical attention whilst away from home. A unique feature of the policy is that you will not need to call a medical help line to discuss health issues. Most preexisting health conditions are covered as long as your doctor agrees that you are fit to travel. Standard exclusions apply and are listed on the summary document. Please check that you are not affected by the main health exclusions. You will not be covered for any ongoing tests or treatment of an undiagnosed condition, or for any terminal illness, or if you claim as a result of a condition arising within the past twelve months. Note that you will pay an excess of 1,000 on any claim that results directly from a pre-existing medical condition. In our experience very few claims result from pre-existing medical conditions. With this policy you are covered with no declaration of health required. A full policy wording will be sent to you with your confirmation of booking, or ask us and we will send you a copy now. Full details are also on our website. ( If you would like more information or are unsure of any details, please call Global Travel Insurance Services Ltd for further advice on This insurance is only available to persons who are permanently resident and domiciled in the UK.

8 11 Hillgate Place Balham Hill London SW12 9ER Phone

(May 27 You may want to go early to explore Madrid, Barcelona or Lisbon with the great train system.) Mar 28 Arrive Sarria

(May 27 You may want to go early to explore Madrid, Barcelona or Lisbon with the great train system.) Mar 28 Arrive Sarria We begin our adventure in Sarria, high on the ridges of the Galicia peninsula