The French Way Premium

Premium Tour

Length

13 Days / 12 Nights

Dificulty

Moderate

Start & End

León - Santiago - Finisterre

Distance

120 Kms

Group size

Min 8 - Max 16

Accommodation

Superior & Paradores

Rated 4.5 out of 5

OVERVIEW

  • This trip has an activity rating of moderate; travelers should be experienced hikers, physically fit, and prepared for multiple hours of activity each day, as well as some full-day hikes. Hikes range from 3 to 6 hours (5 to 13 miles) on good trails with moderate to steep grades. Vehicle support is provided at various points along the way.
  • Accommodations We will stay 12 nights in historic hotels , national paradors and country houses that are ideally located and reflect Spanish charm.
  • Expedition Team One or two seasoned adventure guides will lead this trip, often accompanied by local guides.

INCLUSIONS

INCLUDED

● Transportation by private Minibus
● Meal services as detailed in the itinerary (Drinks included)
● Accommodation in Superior and Historic hotels
● Expert English speaking guide
● Snacks and fruit, as well as water throughout the tour.
● Pilgrim’s kit (Backpack included)
● Informational program and route map
● Visits with local guides
● Tickets to monuments and particular sights.
● Management of the “Compostela” certificate at the Santiago Pilgrims Office
● Travel insurance.
● Photos of your camino
● Farewell dinner
● Private transfer from Santiago to the airport or train station.

EXCLUDED

● Flights/trains
● Extra drinks
● Single supplement 1.390€

OPTIONAL INCLUSIONS

● Extra nights
● Day trips

ITINERARY

french way madridWe will meet at our hotel in Madrid at 1:00 pm with our team of guides, who will accompany us on our trip. Here we will make our introductions, share an overview of the tour, before we leave for a panoramic tour of the capital of Spain by bus. During this visit we will show you the most emblematic places of the city and we will walk through its historic centre. After the visit, we will enjoy a welcome dinner in a carefully selected restaurant, and continue getting to know each other before the beginning of our journey. Return to the hotel and lodging.

Accommodation: Hotel 4 stars

Meals:  Dinner

Included Activities:  City Tour

Breakfast and our departure towards León. City of Roman foundation, and one of the key points of interest of the French Way, it is home to a great historical-artistic wealth, as well as being the nominated Gastronomic Capital 2018. Here we will enjoy a magnificent meal in a popular restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the historic centre on foot with a local guide to discover its Cathedral, the Basilica of San Isidoro and its well-known Palacio de Botines, designed by the great architect Gaudí. We will finish the visit with a private organ concert in the Gothic Cathedral – this is without a doubt a spectacular start for our Camino. Dinner at your own leisure, enabling you to explore the culinary delights of this fine city. Accommodation overnight at the hotel

Accommodation: Hotel 4 stars or Parador

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Activities: Guided City Tour

Today we will walk our first stage on the French Way of St. James. We will make a brief stop to visit Hospital de Órbigo, its Puente del Paso Honroso and the history of Don Suero de Quiñones, after which we will start the stage until the Santo Toribio cruise (12km). Once finished, and pause to recover your strength, we will enjoy the typical lunch of the area in Castrillo de los Polvázares, at its famous Cocido Maragato. After lunch we will stay in the historic city of Astorga. In the afternoon, accompanied by a local guide we will take a stroll to see its Roman walls, the Cathedral and the Bishop’s Palace, designed by Gaudí and which houses the Museum of the Roads. Dinner at your own lesuire.

Accommodation: Hotel 4 stars

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Activities: Guided City Tour

Our stage today will take us to the highest point of the French Way, La Cruz de Ferro, where for centuries, pilgrims perform the ritual of depositing a stone brought from its place of origin at the foot of this Cross. We enter the Bierzo region, walking from Foncebadón to the beautiful village of El Acebo (11km). Lunch at Molinaseca at Casa Ramón. After lunch, we will make a stop at the Templar Castle of Ponferrada. We will then venture on to our accommodation, a charming hotel surrounded by vineyards, where after relaxing, we will enjoy a visit to the vineyard, with a tasting of wines and enjoying typical products of Bierzo.

Accommodation: Hotel Boutique

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Activities: Wine Tasting

We leave in the direction of Galicia, to begin our stage in the village of La Faba, in the mountain of Los Ancares, up to O Cebreiro (8 km). We will visit his pre- Romanesque church of the ninth century, where we will learn about the history of the Chalice of the Miracle. From O Cebreiro, we travel along the road by bus, through beautiful mountain landscapes and charming Galician villages to the Monastery of Samos, one of the oldest in Galicia and of great importance for centuries. After lunch at a quaint restaurant, we will venture on to the region of the Ribeira Sacra, a place of passage of another of the Ways to Santiago. Check in at the hotel and overnight lodging.

Accommodation: Hotel 4 stars / Parador

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Activities: Visit of Church of Cebreiro

We will dedicate this day, to get to know the Ribeira Sacra and the canyons of the river Sil. We will visit a typical winery, where we will taste its delicious wines, fruit of the so-called “heroic vintage“, due to the difficulty of growing and harvesting the grapes on the steep slopes. We will enjoy a magnificent lunch and a cruise through the Sil canyons, from which we will admire the incredible natural beauty of this Galician region. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Monforte

Accommodation: Hotel 4 Stars

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Activities: Wine Tasting

In the morning we will put on our boots, to walk from the outskirts of Sarria to Vilachá (11km), through beautiful paths and villages where we will see the way of life of its people. In Portomarin we will have time to visit the Church of San Nicolás, from the 12th century. Lunch by your own. After lunch we will travel to the capital of the province, Lugo, where we will visit its 3rd century Roman Wall, (World Heritage site), as well as the Cathedral and experience the lively atmosphere of this city. We will enjoy an exclusive tapas tour through its medieval village. Accommodation in the centrally located hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel 4 Stars

Meals: Breakfast

Activities: Tapas Tour

Today’s stage will take us from the village of Gonzár to Airexe (10 km), where we will visit Castro de Castromaior, an ancient Celtic settlement and the Templar Chapel of María Magdalena, in Ventas de Marón. Next, we will visit another Romanesque jewel of the Camino de Santiago, the church of Villar de Donas, with its tombstones of Knights of the Order of Santiago. Eating our lunch today in a fabulous rural restaurant; one of the best rural restaurants in Spain. This afternoon we will learn first-hand about the production of the famous Arzua Ulloa cheese. There, in this traditional village, we will make cheese with our own hands! Return to Lugo. Dinner at the hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel 4 Stars

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Activities: Castro of Castromaior

Our steps take us today, to another beautiful stretch of road from San Xulian do Camiño to Melide (11 km). We will walk among chestnut and oak forests that will take us to one of the capitals of the octopus of Galicia, where we will taste this delicacy in one of its typical restaurants. After lunch, we will go to our accommodation in a Galician country house, where we will enjoy a relaxing afternoon with the option of enjoying a massage, or simply relaxing by the pool or gardens. Dinner at our lodging.

Accommodation: Country house

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

On this day we will walk to the very gates of Santiago de Compostela! Leaving from Pedrouzo, journeying on to Lavacolla (10 km). We will visit the Monte do Gozo, a place from which we will see the towers of the Cathedral and feel the emotion that so many millions of pilgrims have experienced for centuries when they see the longed-for goal. Eating lunch in our carefully selected restaurant, we move, without leaving the Monte do Gozo, to our accommodation. In the afternoon we will have a Cooking Class in this fine establishment. We will be taught by an exceptional cook, with dinner included.

Accommodation: Country House

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Activities: Cooking Class

Finally, our big day arrives, the arrival in Santiago. Departing from Monte do Gozo, we will travel the last 5 kilometres to reach the Cathedral and attend the Pilgrim’s Mass, after which we will admire the flight of the famous Botafumeiro, (whenever it is operational). Then we will arrive as medieval pilgrims to our lodging in the Parador de los Reyes Católicos, in the beautiful Plaza del Obradoiro. We will enjoy a free afternoon to explore this World Heritage city. At night, we will have a very special farewell dinner full of surprises – and you will receive a Certificate of visit to the Cathedral issued by the Cathedral Chapter. Accommodation at the Parador.

Accommodation: Parador Santiago

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Included Activities: Pilgrim´s Mass

DATES & PRICES

Starting / Ending

April 30 / May 11, 2025

Avaiability / Prices From
Fully Booked / Eur €3,950
Starting / Ending

October 07 / October 19, 2025

Avaiability / Prices From
Fully Booked / Eur €3,950

MAP

REVIEWS

Publicado en Google Google
William Wade profile picture
William Wade
30 Noviembre 2024
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifica que la fuente original de la reseña sea Google.
This past September Helder Cerejo from The Way Tours put together an outstanding bike trip for 10 of us. The route from Sintra Portugal to Santiago Spain that was planned and pre- ridden by Helder himself, following the Portugal Camino, was challenging and breathtakingly scenic. Helder did an exceptional job in supporting the ride while allowing us to explore and ride at our own pace. He was personable and flexible making everyone feel comfortable. Helder was very particular with following our requests, be it booking quaint and unique accommodations, to renting quality gravel bicycles. The entire trip was a once in a life time experience. This was our second experience with The Way Tours and as previously, they did not disappoint.
Publicado en Google Google
kristen S google profile picture
kristen S google
22 Noviembre 2024
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifica que la fuente original de la reseña sea Google.
We had a fantastic almost 2 week bicycle trip through Portugal with The Way Tours in August 2024. Our tour director Helder was wonderful. He was kind, funny, organized, at every stop, was where he said he would be, had food and water for us along the way. When it rained, he picked me up in the van. He had a well organized itinerary on paper and digital. He did two city walking tours for us as well. The bikes they had for us were very good. We did a road/gravel trip and the bikes handled everything well. Thank you so much for a wonderful trip. I have too many great pictures to upload.
Publicado en Google Google
Greg Longson profile picture
Greg Longson
20 Noviembre 2024
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifica que la fuente original de la reseña sea Google.
Fantastic cycling trip on the Camino from Sinatra, Portugal to to Santiago De Compostella. Hélder was a excellent guide and I would recommend The Way Tours to anyone looking to cycle the Camino.
Publicado en Google Google
Greg Longson profile picture
Greg Longson
20 Noviembre 2024
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifica que la fuente original de la reseña sea Google.
The Way Tours trip cycling from Sintra to Santiago De Compostela was a fantastic experience. Very well organized and wonderfully supported by our guide Helder Cerejo. I would highly recommend this trip for anyone looking to cycle the Camino.
Publicado en Google Google
Lidia R.C. Viaxeira Li Li profile picture
Lidia R.C. Viaxeira Li Li
7 Diciembre 2021
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifica que la fuente original de la reseña sea Google.
Agencia especializada en el Camino de Santiago
Publicado en Google Google
Fernando Conchello profile picture
Fernando Conchello
18 Julio 2021
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifica que la fuente original de la reseña sea Google.
In 2019 I hiked The Portuguese Costal Camino. It was an amazing experience. I love hiking the Camino — even more not having to worry about anything because everything was so well planned. Our guide Helder took really good care of every single detail, allowing me to just focus on hiking and enjoying the beautiful landscape.
Publicado en Google Google
Susana Alvarez De Neyra profile picture
Susana Alvarez De Neyra
18 Julio 2021
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifica que la fuente original de la reseña sea Google.
Publicado en Google Google
Lorenzo Merin profile picture
Lorenzo Merin
27 Junio 2021
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifica que la fuente original de la reseña sea Google.
Publicado en Google Google
ML GE profile picture
ML GE
5 Junio 2021
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifica que la fuente original de la reseña sea Google.
El camino tiene otro aliciente añadido al ir de la mano de the Way Tours. Muy profesionales , entusiastas de su trabajo, muy cercanos, experiencia recomendable al cien por cien. Repetiré seguro.
Publicado en Google Google
manchuence Peregrino profile picture
manchuence Peregrino
3 Junio 2021
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifica que la fuente original de la reseña sea Google.
He podido disfrutar de dos viajes con The Way Tours y solo tengo palabras de agradecimiento por el excelente servicio recibido. Muy profesionales y buenos conocedores de los Caminos de Santiago.

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