A Youth Pilgrimage to Spain

Following the Path of Pilgrims of Old on the Road to Santiago De Compostela

Led by:

Mary Wisnom
St. Monica’s Episcopal Church Youth
Naples, FL

June 8 - 17, 2018

The Camino de Santiago, or the way of St. James, actually begins in St. Jean de Port, France and continues some 500 miles to Santiago.  This same path has been taken for hundreds of years by the faithful making their holy pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.  The path was also used by Roman, Moor and Saracen invaders, the Knights Templar and the armies of Charlemagne and Napoleon.  Therefore, this journey is not only steeped in spiritual significance as you travel to the place believed to be the burial site of St. James, but it also has much historical and cultural significance.

DAY 1: Friday, June 8, 2018 - Depart the Miami Airport for our trans-Atlantic flight on Iberia Airlines into Madrid, Spain. M

DAY 2: Saturday, June 9, 2018 - Upon arrival in Madrid, we clear immigration and travel to Burgos. Burgos is a small city set on the banks of the Arlanzón River and home of Spain’s most outstanding medieval architecture.  Upon arrival we visit Burgos Cathedral, the third largest in Spain with 19 chapels.  Dinner and overnight Burgos. D

DAY 3: Sunday, June 10. 2018 - This morning we drive into the hills to the village of San Millán de Cogolla.  We visit the Monasterio de Suso, built to guard the cave where hermit San Millán lived and where poet Gonzalo de Berceo penned many of his works.  We also visit Monasterio de Yuso, where the first written record of the Castillian language was discovered in the library.  Twelve lines in a manuscript called the San Millán Glosses were translated from Latin to Castilian by an anonymous monk here in the 10th century.  We continue to Nájera to see the Monasterio de Santa María la Real, originally built in the 9th century and rebuilt in the 15th and 16th century with a striking Romanesque altar.  Dinner and overnight Nájera. BD

DAY 4: Monday, June 11, 2018 - Today we walk 21 KM of the Camino de Santiago, the way of St. James.  This same path has been taken for hundreds of years by the faithful making their holy pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.  Upon arrival in Santo Domingo de la Calzada, we visit the Cathedral, built in 1158 in the Gothic Style.  At the rear of the cathedral you will find a chicken coup which is home to a cock and hen.  This was built to serve as a reminder of a miracle which took place here when a roasted cock and hen were miraculously revived proving the innocence of a young man who had been wrongfully hanged but survived his sentence.  Dinner and overnight Santo Domingo de la Calzada. BD

DAY 5: Tuesday, June 12, 2018 - Departing Santo Domingo de la Calzada we head north along parts of the coast of the Bay of Biscay before continuing through the deep gorge of La Garganta de la Hermida in the Picos de Europe Mountains.  We visit Monasterio de Santo Toribio Liebana where we see the largest claimed piece of the True Cross and the extraordinary Mozarabic paintings (now replaced by reproductions) of the Vision of the Apocalypse.  We continue to Cosgaya for dinner and overnight. BD

DAY 6: Wednesday, June 13, 2018 - This morning we drive through the valley to the cable car station at Fuente Dé where the road terminates at a huge natural amphitheatre formed by an escarpment.  We enjoy a cable car ride to the top of the mountain and a day of hiking.  We return to Cosgaya for dinner and overnight. BD

DAY 7: Thursday, June 14, 2018 - After breakfast we drive through the mountains to Leon where we visit the Cathedral with its magnificent stained glass windows; the Romanesque Basilica de San Isidoro with its well-preserved wall painting; and the Old City.  Dinner and overnight Leon. BD

DAY 8: Friday, June 15, 2018 - Today we travel by bus along the Camino de Santiago stopping at emblematic Camino sites such as Astorga, Cruz de Ferro and O'Cebreiro.  Upon arrival at Monte do Gozo (Mount of Joy) we will exit the bus and walk the last 4 km of this journey together into the city of Santiago de Compostela.  Dinner and overnight Santiago de Compostela. BD

DAY 9: Saturday, June 16, 2018 - This morning we visit the squares around the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela and take a look at the old and new Pilgrims Office where those who walk at least the last 100 km of the Camino go to collect their Compostelanas (certificate of completion of the Camino de Santiago).  We visit the Cathedral, the tomb of St James and attend the Pilgrims Mass.  The afternoon will be free to explore on our own in small groups with a chaperone.  Dinner and overnight Santiago de Compostela. BD

DAY 10: Sunday, June 17, 2018 - After breakfast we transfer to the Santiago Airport and board our Iberia Airlines flight to Madrid where we transfer to our Iberia Airlines flight back into the Miami, FL Airport. BM

Price:  $3,719.00* Double/Triple occupancy per person.  Air from Miami Airport on Iberia Airlines.

* Excludes airline taxes & fuel surcharges that will be added to your final payment invoice and tips for the driver and guide that are payable upon completion of services.  The estimated taxes & fuel surcharges are $95.00 per pilgrim.  The price is not guaranteed and may change due to the fluctuation of the Euro and the US dollar.  We make every effort to avoid any increase and will only do so if the value of the dollar falls against the Euro.  Your pricing was based on the exchange rate of $1.20 to the Euro.  Optional activities, taxis taken instead of walking and sites visited during your free time are not included in the cost of the pilgrimage and are to be paid for at the time of your visit.

Roommate needed.  If a roommate cannot be found, I understand that I will be charged for the single supplement.

A non-refundable deposit of $500.00 per person due with application and copy of passport by October 22, 2017.

Single Supplement: $569.00 (limited space)

Terms and Conditions:
◊ PRICES ARE CASH. AMERICAN EXPRESS ACCEPTED FOR FINAL PAYMENT ONLY ADD'L 4%.
◊ Names as on passport. If name is incorrect & tickets reissued, $50 fee plus change fees from airline.
◊ $100 deviation fee plus any additional airfare, hotel, tour or admission charges.

Price includes the following travel insurance: ◊ Trip Cancellation for covered reasons:  100% of Insured Trip Cost
◊ Trip Interruption:  150% of Insured Trip Cost
◊ Trip Delay:  $1,000
◊ Baggage & Personal Effects:  $500
◊ Baggage Delay:  $ 250
◊ Emergency Medical & Dental Expenses:  $15,000
◊ Emergency Medical Evacuation & Repatriation:  $50,000
◊ Travel Assistance & Concierge Services are provided By Travelex's designated providers.

Final payment due March 1, 2018.

Cancellation Penalties
◊ Until February 28, 2018:  $500.00 plus any unrecoverable fees.
◊ March 1, 2018 or later:  NO REFUND

Meals: B Breakfast, L Lunch, D Dinner, M Meals on Aircraft

The itinerary is subject to change due to local conditions or at the discretion and direction of the leader or guide.