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must in Spain |
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Listed
as the main European Cultural
Itinerary, dotted with delightful
monuments such as old pilgrims'
hospitals, and sanctuaries,
this route remind us constantly
that it is the oldest, most
celebrated and frequented route
in Europe. It runs through the
north of Spain and allows us
views of the most breathtaking
landscapes, the most unique
monuments and the most typical
villages in this part of our
country. You will savour the
rich Spanish gastronomy, offering
traditional regional cuisine
with excellent wines.
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Itinerary |
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Day
1 LEON
In León, you will
find all necessary to do
this memorable trip at your
hotel: a complete package
including hotel vouchers,
your touring bike with all
accessories, detailed documentation
with maps and a road book.
Founded in 884 AD, León
has abundant gastronomic
and architectural riches
- dinner is best enjoyed
by having tapas in the atmospheric
bars located along the narrow
streets of the Barrio Húmedo.
The cathedral is a gem from
the Gothic period. |
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Day
2 León - Astorga
48 km
Today’s
49-km route takes us through
classic Castilian landscapes,
complete with holm oaks,
golden wheatfields and gentle
ups and downs. It’s
hard to get lost: the route
never strays far from the
N120 highway. The landscape
in the first half of the
route is relatively dry,
but gets greener the further
west you get; you’ll
cross fields full of diverse
crops, such as wheat, corn,
hops and wine grapes. Wildlife
isn’t a big feature
of this first part of the
trip, though you will see
geckoes, birds of prey and
lot of dairy cows!.
This town is home to
three national monuments
and one of the best Romanesque
facades. |
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Día
3 Astorga - Villafranca
75
km. A climbing.
From Astorga, the Camino
starts to climb gently until
it meets the first mountain
on the way. Once you've
reached the top of Foncebadón,
take it easy and enjoy the
sweeping downhill ride and
the gorgeous views on the
ride through wine country
to Villafranca.
The town of Villafranca
del Bierzo is a historical
and artistic monument, was
created to give refuge and
sanctuary to the pilgrims
before initiating the most
difficult part of their
pilgrimage. The monastery
cloister is a Renaissance
jewel. |
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Día
4 Villafranca - Portomarín
85
km. The most difficult day.
The most challenging day.
From Villafranca you ride
slowly towards the mythical
O'Cebreiro pass, the most
demanding peak along the
western section of the Camino.
With a little patience it's
more than possible to reach
the top, but in any case,
the sag van (or a taxi,
for those on the self-guided
trip) is there to avoid
it. Then it's downhill all
the way to Sarria, and onward
via a rolling route to Portomarín.
The older neighborhoods
once belonged to the
Order of Saint John of Jerusalem,
but now lie submerged, covered
by the waters of the Miño
River dam. |
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Day
5 Portomarín - Arzua
51
km. This day provides a
lovely alternative to the
previous day's hard work.
Several easy and long uphills
and downhills go through
rolling terrain, giving
cyclists a view of Galicia's
rural landscape. |
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Day
6 Arzua - Santiago Compostela
38 km. 200 mts. gradient
(ascent)
Don't let the short length
fool you; the final stage
is short, but kind of demanding!
After approximately four
hours of riding, cyclists
become pilgrims upon arriving
at the Pórtico de
la Gloria ("The Façade
of Flory") at the Cathedral
of Santiago. After taking
a breather (and celebrating
with others arriving by
foot and on horseback!),
you can visit the Pilgrims'
Office where you can obtain
the "Compostela"
certificate which certifies
you as an official pilgrim
(good for John Wayne jokes
in the future!). Accommodation
is centrally located, giving
you the opportunity to explore
the streets and bars of
the atmospheric historic
centre after dark.
This city, without any
doubt, is the most important
of the Christian Middle
Ages. It has world-wide
renown and each year thousands
of travelers come to visit
its treasures. |
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Day
7 End of the trip
Rest
your weary legs and bask
in the glory as you ride
back to Madrid!
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PRICE
(EURO):
730
€ in hotels 2*-3*
160 € single
supplement |
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DAYS/ NIGHTS:
7
d / 6 n
LEVEL:
Medium-high
DATES
(Sundays):
March
22
April
5 and 18 (Sat)
May 3 and 23 (Sat)
June 14
July 4 (Sat)
August 29 (Sat)
September 27
October 11
INCLUDED:
Accommodation,
buffet breakfast, road
book and maps, welcome
drink, and luggage transfers.
NOT
INCLUDED:
Lunches
and dinners.
OPTIONS:
- Bike rental: 120 €
- Travel insurance: 20
€
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- The friendship along
the way with all pilgrims.
- The Cathedral and atmospheric
streets of the city of
León.
- Riding along gorgeous
paths through ancient
oak forests.
- Replenishing your energy
with local cuisine and
wine.
- The thousand-year-old
ritual of congratulating
yourself on your achievement
in front of the Cathedral. |
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