Spain; In the Footsteps of Pilgrims
The Camino de Santiago

In the 12th century, A French monk named Aymeric Picaud wrote a comprehensive book about a journey from the French border to Santiago de Compostela, a journey of 750 kilometers or 450 miles.

This extraordinary journey in search of the tomb of the Apostle James became the Camino de Santiago. St. James (or Santiago in Spanish) was one of the 12 original apostles, a fisherman who left his nets by the Sea of Galilee to follow Jesus and help establish the Christian church. By tradition we are told that after Jesus' death and resurrection, James traveled across the Mediterranean to Spain to preach. He returned to Jerusalem around 44 A.D. and was the first apostle to be martyred, beheaded by Herod Agrippa.

Legend goes that to prevent its desecration, Saint James' disciples secretly sent the saint's body back to Spain in a stone boat and buried it near the northern coast. It lay undisturbed for nearly 800 years, until 813 A.D when shooting stars led a hermit to the site of the tomb. Within 100 years, people all over Europe were making the harrowing, frequently life-threatening journey to pray at the gravesite. Pilgrims soon built a church over the bones of this patron Saint of Spain, and around it arose the town of Santiago de Compostela. By 1000 A.D. it was one of the most popular of Christian pilgrimages and remains so today.

The book by Aymeric Picaud was actually the first guidebook ever written and recommended safe havens to stay and eat. It warned of potential danger such as thieves and bandits and described the various monuments, relics and holy sites along the way.

To accommodate the weary faithful in the Middle Ages, shelters or albergues were created along the route that were sponsored by the Church, nobles and royalty. There travelers could rest their tired bones on a bed of straw, warm themselves by a fire and have a sip of wine.

Upon arriving at the great Cathedral of Santiago, medieval pilgrims would break down with tears of joy as they reached their final destination. They would embrace the statue of Santiago journey (Saint James) and give thanks for their arrival. Today, emotions still run high. After completing this journey there is a special bond and camaraderie among all who have walked it. In a world where things change so quickly, the Camino de Santiago is so refreshing as things have not changed so much after all!

We will begin this journey by flying into Madrid and then traveling by private coach to Leon, where we will be taken to our first village. There we will stretch our legs and be introduced to the wonderful countryside, marketplaces, and villages with tiny churches dating back to the 12th and 14th century. For the next nine days we will walk around 100 miles, between 9 and 14 miles per day, before arriving at the magical city of Santiago. Unlike the earlier pilgrims, we will stay in restored inns, hotels and country manors.

Because we will have walked the required number of miles, we will qualify for the official Compostela Certificate, with ours names in Latin. The demand for this document has grown such that there is now a special Pilgrim's Office that issues these Certificates. It does not matter what your religion is; this is a special part of our entire religious heritage and is to be treasured.

Our guide, Alex Change, has led more than 50 groups and 500 pilgrims along the Camino de Santiago. An American by birth, he is lucky to call two places home as he has lived in Spain for the past 9 years. He has worked very hard to accommodate all of the things I have asked for, including two bi-lingual guides and a support vehicle. He has tailored all of our accommodations, plus all of our breakfasts, 8 lunches and 8 dinners with wine.

Whatever your reason for doing this journey, be it spiritual or just to experience the wonderful things and sights that this part of Spain has to offer, you will not be disappointed.