PRIVATE GROUP TOUR. St. Paul's Episcopal Church walks the Camino,

Private group Tour:
St. PAUL’s Episcopal Church walks the Camino

JunE 1 - 10 2024
10 DAYS

Palloza houses

The French Way, Galicia

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church walks the Camino de Santiago

June 1 – 10, 2024

We are to embark on the Camino de Santiago. Christian pilgrims in the Middle Ages walked this spectacular path to be inspired spiritually for centuries. There are three historic Christian pilgrimage sites in the world: Rome, Jerusalem and Santiago de Compostela. Santiago became a destination point for pilgrims because since the 12th century, the cathedral was said to house the remains of St. James. We are about to follow in the footsteps of these pilgrims.

There are many routes to Santiago de Compostela, one of the most popular being the Camino francés, the French Way, which originates in Saint Jean Pied de Port in France. This pilgrimage takes us through different landscapes and places on our journey. We start in Madrid and finish in Santiago de Compostela with five walking days covering the 73 miles of the French Way with the opportunity to walk as much or as little of the way as you would like.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

♥ Welcome dinner hosted by Bishop Carlos López Lozano, Bishop of the Spanish Episcopal Church.

♥ Guided tour with an art historian to see collection highlights of the Prado Museum

♥ Visit to the Catedral del Redentor, where guests receive the Pilgrim’s blessing, their Passport, and the Concha Shell blessed by Bishop Carlos López Lozano.

♥ A private guided visit followed by dinner at Botin, the world’s oldest restaurant.

♥ Flamenco show

♥ Private tour of guided walk along the famous city walls of the medieval town of Ávila, its Cathedral & Monastery of Incarnation to see the drawing of the crucifix by St John of the Cross.

♥ Lunch at the converted 16th century Palace in Ávila.

♥ Pilgrim’s mass for our group in a small chapel followed by an aperitivo style dinner & music with an opera singer singing the Pilgrim’s hymn & music related to the Galician culture.

♥ Privately guided visit of the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, its museum and a walk through Santiago.

♥ Farewell reception in the Parador de Santiago, the oldest hotel in Spain, built by the Catholic Monarchs as a hospital to cure and save the lives of pilgrims as they arrived in need of medical attention at the end of their long and arduous pilgrimage.

MEET YOUR HOST

JOANNA WIVELL Originally from Yorkshire, UK, Joanna Wivell has always felt a natural attraction to Spain. She lived in Madrid for 19 years, where she first worked in television for the lifestyle channel, Canal Estilo, and then the National Geographic Channel. For the last 16 years, she has been showing visitors Spain with a personal, insider’s view through her company’s Insider’s Travel. Joanna has enjoyed walking on her travels through South America and in Europe. She has a love for flamenco dancing, languages and connecting visitors to Spain.

GALLERY

WHAT'S INCLUDED

♥ 2 nights 5* Barceló Torre de Madrid

♥ 2 nights at Hotel Vistalegre in Portomarín

♥ 1 night at Hotel Parada Das Bestas

♥ 2 nights at Casa Rural, A Painza

♥ 2 night at 5* Palacio del Carmen in Santiago de Compostela

♥ One lunch, all breakfasts and dinners (with wine for adults).

♥ Insider’s Travel Tours host(s), & two Camino guides (subject to number of pilgrims)

♥ All entrances as mentioned in the itinerary, including the botafumeiro, & flamenco show.

♥ Comfortable private coach from Madrid to Santiago de Compostela.

♥ $200 USD donation to the Friends of the Anglican Centre in Santiago. Sales tax included.

♥ All applicable taxes

Notes : luggage will be transported from hotel to hotel

Transportation options will be available for those who would like to walk just a small part each day.

Not included: Flights, airport transfers, travel insurance and guide /driver

Price: $4,115 USD ($3995 USD if payment is made by wire transfer)

Single Supplement: $930 USD ($900 USD if payment is made by wire transfer).

Deposit: $500 USD per person

What past 'Explore the Camino' clients have said...

"This Escorted Camino tour was everything I'd hoped for. Inspirational, delicious, and uplifting. Highly recommended" (Google Review)

"My wife and I went on the Escorted Camino tour and cannot believe how lucky we felt to be on such a well put together, comprehensive experience. Joanna went above and beyond to make sure that we all felt taken care of. I still dream of the stunning landscapes, unforgettable meals (and the *wine*), and the friends we made. Can't wait to join another Insider's Travel tour." (Google Review)

"Even atheists can appreciate this one! The sensational Spanish countryside, the exquisite meals, the wine (and the cases I sent home), the irreplaceable company and the unique experiences along the Way, really was something I couldn't have ever dreamt of." (Google Review)