Spain | Food Lover's Pilgrio Santiago de Compostela
escorted by food author dee nolan
When Dee Nolan began her journey along the Compostela Trail, nothing prepared her for the gamut of experiences she encountered, culminating in the publication of her stunning book, A Food Lover's Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. In the footsteps of thousands before her, this unique approach to a classic pilgrimage route combines her passion for good food and produce (Dee produces the award winning organic extra virgin olive oil, Nolan's Road), with the incredible history of the trail crossing northern Spain. With fully supported day walks on the best sections of the pilgrimage trail paths, including the original route from Oviedo, cooking demonstrations and numerous samplings of the local cuisine from the heart of Spanish modern cuisine in the Basque region to the small rural villages on the Camino, as the pilgrimage is commonly called.
| Duration: | 15 Days |
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| Tour Code: | ITW672 |
| Trip Style: | Moderate - 3 star |
| Departure Dates: | 01 Sep 2012 |
| Price: | $5,590 |
| Single Supplement: | $720 |
| Places you'll visit: |
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| Highlights: |
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Ideal for Solo Travellers
Being a small group and special interest tour, you will be with like-minded active people with an interest in food. The group would usually comprise a mix of couples and singles.
If you would like to share a room with someone of the same gender, please request and we will do all possible to match you. However, if we are unsuccessful you will be required to pay the single supplement.
Trip Details
GROUP SIZE: 4 - 16
DETAILED ITINERARY
Note: The planned itinerary should be seen as a guide only. Where opportunities arise we will also visit local producers or markets not detailed in this itinerary. The itinerary from Bilbao to Oviedo is filled with special dinners and a strong gourmet focus while the second half enroute from Oviedo to Santiago is more directed towards the walking landscapes, the pilgrimage experience and the consumption of quality local cuisine.
Day 1 - Arrival in Bilbao
On arrival into Bilbao transfer to your hotel and check-in. In the early afternoon you will meet with your tour host, Dee Nolan, as well as your local Spanish guide. Later we visit the impressive Guggenheim Museum before sitting down to our first special gourmet dinner at a men's cooking club (sociedad gastronómica).
meals: d
Day 2 - Drive to Logroño via Pamplona
We'll transfer from Bilbao to Pamplona to enjoy a local coffee before taking a stroll on Running of the Bulls route. Cross the beautiful medieval Puente la Reina and climb uphill to gently rolling farmland and beautiful views over the river valley. Pass through the village of Maneru with its strong links to the pilgrimage in the Middle Ages, then walk past vineyards and olive groves to the hilltop village of Cirauqui. On the other side of the village is a fine example of a Roman road.
After the walk we'll drive the 85km to Logroño, where your choice of tapas bars for dinner await. We will provide recommendations but the choice is yours as to where you wish to dine this evening.
meals: b
Day 3 - Wine tasting, walking and a Michelin star restaurant
The day will be spent enjoying a guided visit and wine tasting at Marqués de Riscal Winery and enjoying this special wine region before transferring be vehicle to Ezcaray where an afternoon walk will build your appetite for the anticipated dinner at El Portal del Echaurren.
meals: b,d
Day 4 - To Burgos
Arise early this morning for a visit to the impressive Cathedral at Santo Domingo de la Calzada before the crowds. We'll take a short drive before embarking on a walking route to San Juan de Ortega. In medieval times this stage was one of the most dangerous for pilgrams. The walk inspires great stories and even more superb scenery.
Mid afternoon you will reach Burgos and enjoy free time to roam the city before dinner. You may wish to visit the Gothic cathedral where El Cid is buried. For dinner this evening, a traditional meal of lechazo castellano at a lamb restaurant near the centre.
meals: b,d
Day 5 - Visit León. Travel to the Asturias region
We'll reach Leon after a two hour drive in the morning where we'll take a fascinating guided visit to the Panteon in León. The Panteon Real is the home to sarcophagi of late royalty and lie beneath some of the finest examples of Romanesque frescoes in Spain. Our visit will be followed by a walk on the meseta before driving into the Asturias to the town of Arriondas in the afternoon. To Spaniards, "Asturias" means rural, green, friendly, tasty and authentic.
This is the place to relax, walk, swim and sample fresh products, straight from the garden, mountain meadows or the sea. Thanks to a relatively mild and humid climate, temperatures are pleasant, even in the height of summer, and the landscape is green year round. Rural Asturias is a patchwork of walled pastures, dense forests and farming villages, bordered by a magnificent coastline to the north and steep limestone massifs to the south. A rich cultural tradition, vibrant historical towns, (pre-) Romanesque churches and superb regional cooking combine to make travellers feel at home instantly.
Your accommodation this evening is in a small rural hotel near Arriondas where the owner is a wonderful cook and has an organic garden on the premises. You will enjoy a tour of the grounds with Joanne or Nigel. Dinner at Casa Marcial.
meals: b,d
Day 6 - Walk in the Picos de Europa National Park
Transfer to Oviedo. This morning we'll take the opportunity to visit the Cabrales Cheese regulating council as well as a working dairy to gain a further understanding of local food production. Our walk for today is a real treat as we hike up to an authentic ageing cave in the spectacular Picos de Europa National Park and stop to enjoy a picnic lunch along the way. In the afternoon we'll take in Valdediós Monastery, before continuing on to Oviedo where dinner will be taken on the Bulevar de la Sidra.
meals: b,d
Day 7 - Morning in Oviedo. Walk towards Salas
Oviedo is a beautiful place. It boasts Gothic Cathedrals as well as Pre Romanesque UNESCO World Heritage listed monuments. This morning we will visit the Cathedral and take in some key sights before joining the first walking route on the Camino Primitivo, otherwise known as the original pilgrims' route, to Santiago. Follow Jacobean copper shells through narrow lanes, then out into the green Asturian countryside. Tarmac lanes and old foot paths take us between quiet villages, some of which still have pilgrims hostals and historic inns. In the afternoon we will visit the Cornellana Monastery (founded in 1024) before checking in to our hotel in the historic village of Salas.
meals: b,d
Day 8 - Walk to Tineo, side trip to the abandoned monastery of Obona
Walk through beautiful countryside to Tineo this morning where we'll pause for lunch in the old centre. From Tineo we'll take a side tour to the abandoned monastery of Obona, which was an important school and retreat for wise men in the middle ages. In the late afternoon we return to our unique accommodation of a renovated old palace in historic Tineo.
meals: b,d
Day 9 - Cross the El Palo Pass
It's a challenging ascent today along one of the most famous stretches of the Camino. Our walk will take us along sections of the original high "ruta de los hospitales" and crosses steep slopes toward Puerto el Palo. Due to extreme winter weather, several pilgrims' hospitals were built on either side of this challenging mountain pass. Superb views will reward your walking efforts. This evening, regional specialities at the renowned Nueva Allandesa.
meals: b,d
Day 10 - Descend to Grandas de Salime
Drive to the hamlet of Berducedo from where we'll descend through fields and woods to the village of Villapedre. Here a boatman will help us to cross Lake Salime, a recentlyconstructed reservoir which has cut off access to parts of the original Camino. This evening, indulge in creative cooking which you will enjoy at your hotel overlooking the reservoir.
meals: b,d
Day 11 - Walk the high route to O Cadavo
In Grandas de Salime, we visit the interesting ethnographic museum before transferring to Fonsagrada.Today's section of the Camino has been surfaced, and is now tarmac from Grandas to Fonsagrada. After driving to Fonsagrada we will walk along one of the most ancient sections on the Camino, the high route which leads to O Cádavo.
Once in Galicia, from Paradanova we pick up an ancient trail, which takes us through green pastures and fields of heather to Póboa de Burón, a village which once had a castle and large pilgrims' hospital. We end our walk in Paradavella. Short transfer to the nearest pilgrims' hotel in O Cadavo. Accommodation at a welcoming rural accommodation nearby.
meals: b,d
Day 12 - O Cádavo to Lugo, join the French route
Our last day of walking is a delight, as we enjoy the pastoral Galician countryside following quiet tarmac lanes and rural tracks from one hamlet to the next. Beautiful examples of traditional architecture such as the well-preserved ‘pazos' and ‘casas grandes', impressive buildings in stone and wood often turned into modern-day hotels. At Lugo, The Camino Primitivo blends with the French Route and we'll stop here for the night to enjoy its impressive Roman Walls and outstanding tapas bars.
meals: b
Day 13 Wine tasting in The Ribeira Sacra wine making region
A treat for the senses today, with wine tasting and lunch in the Ribeira Sacra region. After enjoying our meal we'll transfer to a lovely pazo in the country, not far from Santiago de Compostela, which will mean an easy access to the city the following morning.
meals: b,d
Day 14 - Santiago
Early start to enjoy both the Pilgrims' Mass and the local market. Free time to explore the city. You may wish to share emotions with other pilgrims as they approach the St James Cathedral in the old centre of town. This evening sit down to a superb farewell dinner at Casa Marcelo to close the tour.
meals: b,d
Day 15 - Tour concludes after breakfast
meals: b
YOUR LEADER - DEE NOLAN
Dee Nolan is a journalist, author and the third generation to run her family farm near Naracoorte in South Australia's Limestone Coast. Her Nolans Road organic produce takes its name from the country lane that winds through a canopy of magnificent river red gums along the boundary of Dee's olive grove. Her certified organic extra virgin olive oil has won a wide following among leading chefs and food writers both in Australia and further afield. For food lovers everywhere, Nolans Road has come to mean premium, certified organic produce that is farmed in harmony with nature, resulting in food that both delights the senses and is rich in health benefits.
Dee's recently published first book was inspired by Europe's artisanal food producers, with their heritage in centuries-old traditions and their produce newly cherished by modern cooks in their home kitchens and restaurants. The book is called A Food Lover's Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela and it is published by the Lantern imprint of Penguin.
Dee will contribute her personal insights while accompanying this special journey by foot and vehicle, whilst your local bilingual guide will be a wealth of information on travelling through northern Spain, be on hand to assist with the group arrangements and answer any specific regional questions you may have.
TRIP GRADING: MODERATE
This is a guided walk with average daily stages of 3.5 to 6.5 hours. The trip is graded moderate as it is mainly on well defined trails, with a few off path sections only. There are many ups and downs and walking poles are definitely a good idea. A good level of fitness is required. It is important that you are well prepared. We suggest that you undertake regular exercise - swimming, cycling or jogging, two to three times a week for three months prior to your departure.
ACCOMMODATION
Your accommodation during the trip has been specially hand chosen to ensure that the flavour of the region is captured. Accommodation will range from family run 2 star hotels in the countryside to rustic rural guesthouses and chic boutique hotels in the larger towns and cities.
Inclusions
- 14 breakfasts, 12 dinners (4 special gourmet, 4 authentic regional cuisine, 4 home cooking)
- Accommodation in carefully chosen quality hotels (twin share)
- Internal transfers in private transport
- Expert bilingual guide
- Guided visits and wine tasting as per program
- 10 guided walks on the Camino
- Trip escorted by Dee Nolan
What's Not Included
- Lunches
- Dinner on days 2 and 12
- Arrival and departure transfers
- Tipping
Terms & Conditions
Click here for our Terms & Conditions
For more information, availability and pricing and options, please contact our expert travel specialists at Inspired Travel Worldwide on (02) 9449 8598 or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you.
