Camino de Santiago, The Old Way

Day 1  Tui    
Arrive in Tui at any time.      

Day 2  Tui    
Today you have the full day to leisurely explore the attractive city of Tui with its ancient cathedral, historic old quarter and riverside walk. Strolling across the bridge to Valença takes you over the border into Portugal, discover this little-known, fortified town with its cobbled squares and views over the River Minho.    

Day 3  Tui to Saramagoso    
A transfer takes you to O Porriño where you join the Camino de Santiago to begin your pilgrimage, the first milestone showing you have 102 kilometres, 616 metres ahead of you on your journey. The Camino passes through farming communities and the pretty little centre of Mos before arriving into Redondela. An ascent along forest roads takes you away from the Camino to reach the rural idyll of Saramagoso.    

Day 4  Saramagoso to Pontevedra    
Leaving Saramagoso, a short walk takes you back to re-join the Camino from where you descend to cross a Roman bridge into the alluring village of Arcade; this sits at the mouth of the Verdugo river on the Atlantic coast and is famous for its oysters. The Camino climbs from the coast, passing through the narrow streets of the medieval village before joining a lovely forest path.  

Day 5  Pontevedra to Meaño    
Crossing the River Lérez, re-join the Camino as it heads out of Pontevedra and continues its journey northwards. Shortly beyond the city, you leave the main Camino to head west on the Variante Espiritual, which the body of St James was carried in AD 44. Hugging the Galician coastline, the route passes through the captivating coastal village of Combarro. Opt to take a taxi from here to your destination to shorten the route (pay locally); alternatively, a steady climb out of the village and into the forest takes you to the Monastery of Armenteira where two inviting bars provide a welcome place to await your transfer for the short drive to Meaño.    

Day 6  Meaño      
Today you have a full day to discover the Rías Baixas region. Enjoy a delightful, out-and-back woodland trail along the Ruta de los Muiños where the remains of 17th and 18th Century mills line the banks of a stream which tumbles and cascades through rolling hillsides and valleys.  

Day 7  Meaño to Vilanova de Arousa    
A short transfer takes you back to San Amaro monastery where you re-join the Camino along the breathtaking ‘Route of Stone and Water’ which follows a cascading river of waterfalls as it tumbles through dappled woodland before joining a delightful riverside path. Heading due west, you then trace the coastline towards Vilanova de Arousa, a traditional Galician fishing town with a small old quarter.  

Day 8  Vilanova de Arousa to Lestrobe    
Today, you board a river launch to travel along the only waterborne pilgrim route in Europe. Stopping at mussel platforms, your crew will explain the process of harvesting the mussels, as well as pointing out landmarks, and sharing some of the legends and cultural events of the area. Disembark in Pontecesures, from where a short walk takes you to your penultimate accommodation in Lestrobe, on the outskirts of Padrón.    

Day 9  Lestrobe to Santiago de Compostela
The final leg of your pilgrimage takes you first into historic Padrón – a town named for the stone to which the boat carrying the body of James the Apostle was moored. Although this is the longest day, the kilometres seem to pass quickly as the route meanders along forest tracks and through a potpourri of charming hamlets set in verdant countryside. Arriving into the outskirts of Santiago, path gives way to asphalt as you push on for the final few kilometres, finally reaching the Plaza de Azabachería and the iconic Cathedral.      

Days 10-11  Santiago de Compostela    
You have a full day to rest and to enjoy the singular beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage Site where Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque buildings blend with lively bars and restaurants, and the sound of Galician bagpipes drifts through ancient plazas. After breakfast on day 11 your tour comes to an end.