Day 1: Pamplona

 
Arrival in Pamplona. The accommodation for tonight will be the Gran Hotel La Perla, in the Plaza del Castillo; a hotel that after its complete renovation in 2007 recovered its former splendor. Open since 1881, famous guests such as Orson Welles, Charles Chaplin or Pablo Sarasate have visited its facilities. It boasts a privileged location to enjoy the history and gastronomy of this city. In the afternoon you will count with a local guide who will tell you a story of the city through its most famous events and places: the Sanfermines, Estafeta Street, the Plaza del Castillo, the Camino de Santiago, the Cathedral, the Walls... and of course the gastronomy of Pamplona. For tonight we will recommend some of the best local restaurants.

Day 2: Pamplona-Roncesvalles-Zubiri-Elciego On foot: 12 km

Today we will do our first stage on foot. We think it is a must to start in Roncesvalles, where the tiny town that gives access to Spain to the Camino de Santiago from France is revealed to us as a very important historical site. We will walk from here to Bizkarreta, through the characteristic mid-mountain landscape, between alpine meadows and forests of beech, oak and pine trees. Then we move to Puente la Reina, where our Camino meets the Somport variant; we will visit its beautiful Romanesque bridge and the church of Santiago, as well as enjoy the local gastronomy. By mid-afternoon we will arrive at our incredible Hotel Marqués de Riscal, designed by Frank O. Gehry. The hotel combines the most deeply-rooted winemaking tradition with the avant-garde, luxury and the most advanced technology of the 21st century. . The Marqués de Riscal Wine City offers a wide range of gastronomic options. With the advice of the Riojan chef, Francis Paniego, we offer the Gastronomic Restaurant, recognized with a Michelin Star, and the 1860 Tradition, in addition to the hotel bar, Vinoteca & Bistró.

Day 3: Elciego-Nájera-Cirueña-Burgos Walking distance: 15 km

This morning we will have a very short transfer from Elciego to Nájera, in the Rioja Alta; it will be in this ancient capital of the kingdom where we will begin an easy 15 km hike, with no major hills, in which we will leave behind the vineyard area to enter the vast horizons of the plateau and its cereal fields. At the end of the stage on foot, we will make an essential stop in Santo Domingo de la Calzada, where we will get to know its very interesting historic center, hear the most famous legend of the Camino and enjoy the gastronomy of La Rioja. Shortly after, we will arrive in Burgos, where we will stay at a classic, the 5* Hotel Landa, with an unusual architecture, almost fairytale-like, where the medieval tower and the heated swimming pool are the protagonists of the space. Before dinner we will enjoy a private tour of the old town, and for dinner our suggestion today is a restaurant in the old town. A walk before returning to the hotel is a must, the illumination of the Cathedral and its surroundings deserve it.

Day 4: Burgos - Castrojeriz - León. On foot: 11 km

Today the Camino runs through the provinces of Burgos, Palencia and León. Endless fields and silence, walking and meditation. Each and every one of the villages that we are going to cross show without any doubt their link with the pilgrimage. In addition to the walking section between Castrojeriz and Ítero de la Vega, it is worth stopping to see the fascinating heritage of places like Frómista, Villalcazar de Sirga or Carrión de los Condes. We arrive early in the afternoon in León and our choice of accommodation, without any doubt, is the Parador. Reopened in 2021 after a complete renovation and located in the convent of San Marcos, it is one of the great architectural jewels of the Spanish city of León along with the Cathedral, the Basilica of San Isidoro or the Casa Botines; it is also one of the most important monuments of the Spanish Renaissance. We will discover in a private tour the incredible stained glass windows of the Cathedral of León and the Royal Pantheon of San Isidoro, considered "the Sistine Chapel of the Romanesque". 

Day 5: León - Astorga - Foncebadón - El Acebo - Ponferrada - Canedo. On foot: 11 km

We leave León to head towards the Maragatería region, from Astorga we ascend towards Foncebadón, where we begin today's stage. Accompanied by the wonderful views of the Montes de León we arrive at the Cruz de Ferro, where we fulfill the ritual of leaving a stone, testimony of our pilgrimage and descend towards El Acebo, where we conclude the stage. Already in El Bierzo we stop to regain strength in Molinaseca before heading to our hotel, the "Palacio de Canedo", an old property surrounded by vineyards that is part of the project "Prada a Tope". We will visit the Mencía and Godello vineyards, taste the wines and discover the gastronomy of Bierzo.

Day 6: Canedo - O Cebreiro - Lugo - Santiago de Compostela. On foot: 8 km

Our stage today is short but intense, we start in Herrerías to walk the beautiful stage to O Cebreiro, crossing the symbolic border between Castilla-León and Galicia. At the top of the mountain we find the Sanctuary Church of Santa Maria, from the 9th century and one of the first constructions of the Camino. After getting to know the place we move to Lugo to visit this city surrounded by the best preserved Roman wall of the peninsula, enjoy the atmosphere of its streets full of inns and restaurants and taste the Galician gastronomy. Transfer to Santiago. We will walk into the old town until we reach the Plaza del Obradoiro, where we will find the Cathedral and our accommodation for today, the former Pilgrims Hospital converted into the 5* Parador de Turismo de los Reyes Católicos.

Day 7: Santiago de Compostela

During the morning we will visit the city with a local expert, who will reveal the secrets of this magnificent place. In a relaxed way we will learn about the history, gastronomy, monuments and life of Compostela. Perhaps we will also comply with the rituals of the pilgrims such as entering the Holy Door, visiting the crypt or participating in the "Pilgrim's Mass", maybe we will be lucky and see the botafumeiro in operation. We have reached the end of our experience in the French Way, with many memories of exceptional people, landscapes, flavors and accommodations...