Our guide Sylvia was superb and looked after us so very well. Our bus driver was very careful and drove very safely the whole week. Most of our hotels were also very good as were the meals. We would recommend Sylvia and the Portuguese Camino to our friends. Thank you.
An exhilarating pilgrimage walk through northern Spain to the tomb of St James in Santiago de Compostela. This stage of the Camino pilgrimage route offers a fine balance of walks in spectacular natural settings with visits to inspiring cultural sites including the magnificent cathedral city of Leon. En route there are numerous reminders of the pilgrims past who travelled the route including crosses, statues and grain silos. In the valley of Ponferrada, O Cebreiro welcomes you to the gates of Galicia and leads you to the fabled Santiago de Compostela. Longer 17 and 18 day versions are also available.
We very much enjoyed the walk through the interesting and beautiful landscape of Galicia on the way to Santiago de Compostela. The combination of hiking and overnight stays in very pleasant and high Standard Hotels and Paradors left excellent memories on the Camino in our memories.
A self guided walk along the original Camino trail used by pilgrims walking to Santiago de Compostela. The pilgrim's trail to Santiago de Compostela is one of the great historical 'long distance footpaths' through Europe. According to legend, it all began in the 9th century when the bones of the apostle St James, beheaded in Palestine, miraculously appeared in a village in what is now Galicia. Word spread around the Christian world, reaching (among others) King Alfonso II of Asturias. He undertook the pilgrimage, travelling through dark woods and daunting mountains, from Oviedo to Lugo to Santiago and invited fellow kings and noblemen to follow in his footsteps. The 'original' route became very popular in the early Middle Ages when areas south of the Cantabrian mountains were continuously at war. Walked by millions of 'peregrinos' over the centuries, this self-guided walk reveals the beautiful natural settings, captivating historical monuments, gorgeous rural farmland and authentically friendly villages of northern Spain. Near Lugo, the 'Camino Primitivo' joins the more popular French route.
What a fabulous week we had walking in Andalucía, Spain in and around the National Park of Grazalema. Everything worked perfectly: from collection at the train station, great accommodation, transference of baggage and taxi collection between villages. Our hosts where helpful and the accommodation of an excellent standard. And then there was the walk - sublime! A diverse range of tracks through magnificent landscapes, over rocky mountains, across high plains, along paths lined with wild flowers taller than me, and beside rivers. As we were walking in June, there were no other walkers, so if you are planning to walk and socialise, pick a cooler time of year. Would do it all again in a heartbeat!
The Finca el Cerrillo is a firm Headwater favourite, this holiday combines gentle walking to the nearby white villages of Sedella, Salares and Competa with a local wine tasting, visits to the caves at Nerja and Nerja's famous Balcon de Europa. On your free day, perhaps take a trip to in Malaga (payable locally), the birthplace of Picasso or enjoying a day relaxing at the Finca's pool. The week ends with a spectacular 4x4 drive to Loma del Daire with views of the nearby peaks and distant views to Nerja and the sea.
Our experienced walking leader will accompany you on all walks. Some of our paths will take us off the beaten track in the Sierra de Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama Natural Park and on other days, we'll be exploring the pretty white villages and olive-planted hillsides that date back to Moorish times. The walks are short, typically allowing for free time in the afternoon to relax in the beautiful grounds of the Finca.
Luca's was a fabulous guide and very knowledgable about the area. He was the perfect advocate for the group. The walk was more of a challenge than I expected and not for the faint hearted. It was great to start the walk a few days before the 100km mark when the crowds joined in. The accomodation was mostly good but a few places were a little poor.
Let yourself be charmed by the sunny Andalusian lifestyle and discover the culture, cuisine, and history of southern Spain. Explore Costa del Sol’s beaches, boutiques, and cafés during a 5-night stay in the seaside town of Fuengirola. Immerse yourself in Andalusian culture during a visit to the picturesque, whitewashed village of Ronda. Tour and experience the vibrant energy of the capital city during a 2-night stay in Madrid. Revel in the magic of this unique region, from the sparkling waters of the Costa del Sol to the cosmopolitan elegance of Spain’s historic city centers.