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Comment: Following the footsteps of St James

Discover Spain’s historic pilgrimage route on Saga’s Santiago walking tour

Tracing the final, scenic 120-kilometre stretch of the ‘Way of St James’ from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela, Saga’s exclusive seven-night walking tour combines the company’s hallmarks of great-value and unforgettable experiences.

Travelling in a small group of less than 23, this tour is accompanied throughout by a local Camino expert who, as well as ensuring guests are going in the right direction, helps them gather stamps for their ‘Camino’ passport, eventually earning guests their official Camino certificate.

A relatively good level of fitness is required to cover daily walking distances of between 20 and 30 kilometres. However, the tour has been carefully planned so guests can set their own pace each day – allowing them to take in the pastoral scenery and traditional villages at leisure, whilst mingling with fellow walking enthusiasts and pilgrimage devotees from around the world.

The tour begins in the medieval town of Sarria, the starting point for the shortest and most scenic route to earn the Camino certificate on, before heading to Portomarin which overlooks the River Miño. From here, guests will walk to Palas de Rei with the backdrop of Mount Ligonde accompanying them. The longest day’s walk will be to Arzua, where the town of Melide marks the halfway point – a great place for guests to pause and share their Camino stories so far. It’s then on to Amenal and finally the city of Santiago de Compostela – the city where St James is believed to be buried, and the Camino de Santiago’s endpoint. For many, reaching the end of this week-long pilgrimage is an emotional experience, especially when receiving the last stamp at the Cathedral’s Pilgrim’s Office and ultimately their certificate.

Expert Holiday Creator, Richard Newsome has ventured along these routes himself and explains, “The Camino routes are well sign-posted, with red and yellow markings, and there’s plenty of points of interest en route – ranging from historic sites to charming cafes that are perfect for a light refreshment. There’s a unique camaraderie on the pilgrimage trails as everyone shares in this incredible experience. Some people are walking the trail as part of a spiritual journey, others as a personal accomplishment, and some are there simply because they have a passion for walking. But, whatever your reason for heading along these pilgrimage routes, you’re rewarded with beautiful scenery and a rich cultural experience.”

Thanks to this tour’s popularity, Saga is planning to introduce a new tour for 2021 featuring the ‘Camino Portugues’ walking route to Santiago from Northern Portugal.

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