Silver Haired Gappies
Northern
Spain
5 day tour: Santiago de Compostela to Madrid. Trip 1
Santiago de Compostela
Day 1
Stay
Enchanting hotel, perfectly positioned close to the Cathedral. Relax in this tranquil 18th Century converted convent, with all the luxuries of a 4* hotel.
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Visit
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Cathedral of St James
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Monasterio de San Martino Pinario
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Convento de Santo Domingo de Bonaval
On the way to Leon:​
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Monasterio de Oseira
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O'Cebreiro: the church & enjoy a Peligrino lunch at Venta Celta.
Day 2 Leon
Stay
Savour every moment in this 16th Century former monastery of San Marcos, brimming with antiques and tapestries.
Visit
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Catedral de Leon
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Basilica of San Isidoro
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Convento de San Marcos (church & museum)
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Plaza Mayor & the old quarter
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Eat
Parador de Zamora for lunch on way to Salamanca, converted 15th century Renaissance Palace.
Day 3 Salamanca
Stay
Enjoy staying at this glorious converted Dominican Convent in the centre of Salamanca (World Heritage Site).
Visit
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Catedral Vieja and Catedral Nueva
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Iglesia-Convento de San Esteban
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Plaza Mayor and surroundings
On way to Segovia:
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Alba de Tormes - where lie the remains of St Theresa of Avila
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The walled town of Avila
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Eat
Restaurante Valencia, Salamanca​
Day 4 Segovia
Stay
Charming hotel built within a former monastery which is a National Monument of Segovia. Sister Clara nuns still maintain a Convent adjacent where Mass is held.
Visit
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Cathedral of Segovia
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The Aqueduct
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Alcazar
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The Old City
On way to Madrid Airport (Day 5):
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Monasterio de Santa Maria del Parral
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El Escoria
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Eat Meson de Candido​, Segovia
Eat in Gastronomic Santiago De Compostela
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A Horta d'Obradoiro
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Restaurante Pedro Roca
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Casa Marcelo (Michelin Star)
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A Tafona (Michelin Star)
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Hostal de los Reyes Catolicos (a Parador but also historic building - enter the salon for a drink)
Self Drive
Fabulous trip through stunning scenery and fascinating towns.
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Galician cuisine;
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Santiago de Compostela with streets buzzing with pilgrims;
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University city of Salamanca;
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Alba de Torres
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Tomb of St Theresa of Avila
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Cathedral of St James, Santiago;
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Basilica of San Isidora, Leon;
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Convent of San Antonio el Real, Segovia
How to get there: Fly to Santiago de Compostela, hire a car to drop off at Madrid.
5 day tour : Oviedo to San Sebastian and Calzada. Trip 2
Day 1 Oviedo
Stay
Behind its baroque facade, this national monument provides an elegant, historic hotel filled with antiques and tapestries with 2 glorious courtyards to relax within.
Visit
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Plaza del Fontan
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Monasterio de San Pelayo - join the Benedictine nuns for sung Lauds
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Convento de Santo Domingo de Bonaval
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Catedral de San Salvador de Oviedo
On way to Santander leave plenty of time for:
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Lastres,
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San Vicente de la Barquera,
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Santillana del Mar.
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Parque Nacional de Los Picos
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de Europa.
Day 2 Santander
Stay
Classic Victorian Style seaside hotel, representing the glory of a bygone era.
Visit
Old town was ravaged by fire in 1941 destroying all historic buildings.
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Museo de Bellas Artes
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Palacio de la Magdalena
On the way to San Sebastian leave plenty of time for:​
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Laredo's old town
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Castro Urdiales
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Santuario de Loiola (home of San Ignacio)
Another time:
Would stay at Santillana del Mar and avoid Santander
Day 3 San Sebastian
Stay
Exceptional elegant hotel designed by the architect of the Paris and Madrid Ritz, with lavish Belle Epoque interior.
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Visit
​Explore Spain's most elegant seaside resort built within a natural harbour, and savour the lively narrow streets packed with restaurants, tapas bars and boutiques.
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The old town - Parte Vieja
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Iglesia de San Vicente
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San Telmo Museum
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On the way to Calzada
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Palmplona
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Estella
Day 4 Santo Domingo de la Calzada
Stay
Characterful hotel in converted 12th century hospital, decorated in rustic Spanish style. Dramatic ground floor with stone pillars and gothic arches.
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Visit
Wander the cobbled streets of this unique and intimate village on The Way of St James.
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Monasterio de Nuestra Senora de la Anunciacion
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Catedral de El Salvador
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Ermita de la Virgen de la Plaza
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Eat Restaurante Los Cabelleros
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Day 5: Drive to Madrid Airport
EAT
All meals throughout this trip were excellent, whether simple or lavish. The area's specialities are fish and cheese, but they also produce the most excellent stews.
Fabulous trip through stunning scenery and fascinating towns.
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​
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Oviedo;
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Lastres,
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San Vicente de la Barquera,
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Santillana del Mar
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San Sebastian
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Laredo's old town
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Santuario de Loiola (home of San Ignacio)
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Santo Domingo de la Calzada
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Monasterio de San Pelayo (Oviedo);
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Iglesia de San Vicente (San Sebastian);
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Monasterio de Nuestra Senora de la Anunciacion
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How to get there: Fly to Oviedo, hire a car to drop off at Madrid.
Self Drive
5 day tour within Spanish Pyrenees, from Madrid Trip 3
Day 1 Sarvisé
Stay Hotel Casa Frauca
(not on Expedia)
Delightful rustic alpine hotel in the Aragonese Pyrenees. Hotel restaurant was closed (visited end October).
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Visit
Village of Torla, gateway to Parque Nacional de Ordesa.
On the way to La Seu d'Urgell:
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visit Ainsa,
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take the on N230 into Pyrenees,
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visit the resorts of Vielha and Baqueira Beret driving within Parc Nacional d' Aiguestortes
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Eat Cafeteria Meliz
Day 2 La Seu d'Urgell
Stay
Exceptional Relais & Chateau chalet style hotel overlooking the Urgellet Valley and Parc National del Cadi-Moixero; has 2 excellent restaurants .
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Visit
La Seu d'Urgell
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Catedral of Santa Maria d'Urgell - romanesque
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Museu Diocesa
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Wander through the old town's cobbled streets
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On the way to Vic-Sau:
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visit Andorra
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Ripoll and the Monastir de Santa Maria
Day 3 Vic-Sau
Stay
In an idyllic remote setting overlooking the Sau Reservoir with panoramic views of the Guillerias Mountains.
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Visit
Vic-Sau
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Walk from the Parador to Casserres Monastery
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The old town of Vic
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Catedral Sant Pere, Vic
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Roman Temple in Vic
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On the way to Calatayud ( an exceptional day):
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Monestir de Montserrat - arrive early
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Monestir de Poblet
Day 4
Stay
Calatayud
Monasterio Benedictino
(not on Expedia)
Boutique hotel within former monastery situated in the historic centre. Excellent restaurant.
Day 5: Drive to Madrid Airport
Fabulous trip through the stunning scenic Pyrenees with plenty of monasteries to visit.
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Dramatic scenery travelling from West to East within the Pyrenees;
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Ainsa;
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the food and hospitality of the region;
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Monasteries of Montserrat and Poblet
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Monasterio de Montserrat
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Self Drive
How to get there:
Fly to Madrid, hire a car to drop off at Madrid. Day One was spent driving to Sarvisé (5hrs driving)
Walking the Camino: O'Cebreiro to Santiago de Compostela
Day 1 arrive O'Cebreiro
Stay: Venta Celta
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Fly in to Santiago De Compostela, take taxi to O'Cebreiro.
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A little Spanish is helpful here!
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Evening Mass at historic church with pilgrims from around the world, followed by cocktails!
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Good breakfast at Vente Celta
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Taxi Carlos used every day to transport rucksacks to next place - 3 euros! Booked daily.
Day 2 arrive Triacastela
Stay: A Horta de Abel
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Walk 22 km along The Camino through mountains and farmyards
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Evening Mass - with animated priest organising the readings to be read in 6 different languages
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Dinner at lively restaurant: Complejo Xacobeo
Day 3 arrive Samos
Stay: Hotel a Viega
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Walk 9 km along The Camino through valleys alongside rivers
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Visited Monasterio Benedictino San Julian and the Capilla de San Salvador
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Evening Mass at the Monastery
Day 4 arrive Sabenche
Stay: Casa Caxigueiro
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Walk 14 km - Sabenche is 4km beyond Sarria.
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Walk through stunning rustic scenery
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Bought pancakes off the locals
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More people on the Camino as many join at Sarria
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Chilled white wine and bath on arrival. Excellent meals.
Day 5 arrive Portomarin
Stay: Santa Marina
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Walk 18 km along The Camino
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Passed the 100km sign
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Bought tortilla on the road.
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Taxi ride, on Palaris, into Portomarin from hotel (on outskirts) for Mass and dinner in the square
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Given lift next morning to the Camino
Day 6 arrive Lestedo
Stay: Rectoral de Lestedo
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Walk 20 km along The Camino through rustic farms
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Lestodo is 4km short of Palais de Rei
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Plenty of bars along the way
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Walked into local village for dinner
Day 7 arrive O Coto
Stay: Casa de Los Somoza
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Walk 11km - O Coto is 6km short of Melide.
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Weather changed from 30 degrees to rain, rain rain!
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Struggled to dry clothes
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First hot lunch of soup in small inn.
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Good dinner and breakfast
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Still damp next morning
Day 8 arrive Castaneda
Stay: Pazo de Sedor
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Walk 17 km - Casteneda is 6km short of Arzua
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Served impromptu lunch of pate negro, salad & wine
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Largest g&t with juniper berries before dinner
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Excellent breakfast
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Thankfully dried damp clothes!
Day 9 arrive Pineiro
Stay: Casa Calvo
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Took taxi to Arzua for early Mass
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Walk 24 km through eucalyptus forests
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Intriguing B&B; very cold room & dining room; 2nd bed collapsed
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Excellent dinner
Favourite B&B's
Casa Caxigueiro
Pazo de Sedor
Note: majority of B&B not on Expedia, but are on other sites.
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Wonderful experience, will return to walk from St Jean de Luz.
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Meet fabulous people.
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First 3 days particularly special, in remote area without the crowds.
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Exceptional Galician food and hospitality
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Monasterio Benedictino
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Cathedral of St James, Santiago de Compostela
Organised with Totally Spain