Meeting with the guide, welcome and briefing in San Sebastian, at 9.00 am at a hotel. In the morning we will enjoy a walking tour in San Sebastian, and we will learn more about its history, its commercial streets, its famous Concha Bay and its beach… Then we will have lunch and enjoy the famous Basque gastronomy, internationally known and awarded every year by the Michelin Guide. In the afternoon we will go to Loyola, birthplace of St. Ignatius, and visit his medieval house and the majestic basilica. Accommodation and dinner in Loyola.
In the morning, after breakfast, we will attend a short Mass in a small chapel inside the tower-house of St. Ignatius (Chapel of Conversion). Our pilgrimage will be blessed and we will start walking from Loyola! The stage is easy, and runs along an old railroad track that has been converted into a path for hikers, parallel to the Urola river and with several stone tunnels that cross the valley. All green and quiet, until we reach Zumárraga (the town where Miguel de Legazpi, conqueror of the Philippines, was born). Accommodation and dinner in Oñate.
Before walking we will visit the Sanctuary of Aránzazu, nestled between mountains and forests. The Virgin Mary appeared here in 1469 and today it is a place of pilgrimage. Today’s stage begins with a steep climb of several kilometers, but it is possibly the most spectacular of this Camino. We will ascend through forests and be surrounded by mountains. We will cross paths with the local shepherds, who take care of their horses and sheep. We will not be alone, the Basques are very fond of walking in these mountains. The second part of the route is completely downhill to the village of Araia. Accommodation and dinner in Vitoria.
To regain strength, today’s stage is simple and very beautiful. We will cross the valleys of a Natural Park and several small towns with old stone houses (San Vicente de Arana, Orbiso…). We breathe tranquility and meditation atmosphere until we reach Santa Cruz de Campezo. We are still in the Basque Country. Accommodation and dinner in Vitoria.
Today we will cross a small mountain range and we will be able to feel the change of landscapes. From the green mountains we will walk to the valleys and vineyards of the ochre soil of La Rioja, where some of the best wines in Spain are produced. From the end of the stage we will move to the picturesque and medieval town of Laguardia, surrounded by vineyards. In the afternoon we will visit an emblematic winery. Accommodation in Laguardia.
An easy stage, crossing vineyards and visiting villages that live on grape growing and winemaking. In Lapuebla de Labarca we will cross the Ebro River, the natural border between the Basque Country region and La Rioja. And from Fuenmayor we will move to Navarrete, where the Ignatian Way crosses the Camino de Santiago. We will visit its majestic church, where a statue of St. Ignatius is preserved, since he lived in Navarrete in the 16th century. Accommodation and dinner in Calahorra.
We enter a new region, Aragon, whose capital is Zaragoza. We will walk through a flat land, surrounded by crops. Easy stage that crosses the valley of the Ebro River. We will see examples of “Mudejar” architecture. After the walk we will move to Zaragoza, where in the afternoon we can visit the famous Basilica of the Virgen del Pilar. In the evening we will enjoy the nightlife and gastronomy in the old streets of “El Tubo” area. Accommodation and dinner in Zaragoza.
Today we will have a well-deserved rest day in Zaragoza. We do not walk. It’s time to go shopping, stroll around the city, look for a good place to have dinner… Our legs will thank us for relaxing a bit and recovering strength to continue the Camino the next day. Accommodation in Zaragoza.
In the 16th century, St. Ignatius crossed a vast expanse of arid land, called the Monegros desert. Several centuries later, we will follow his footsteps in this stage. Very lonely, but easy and flat, through a desert landscape, perfect for meditation. Then we will move to Lerida, in the autonomous region of Catalonia. There we will be able to see the impressive medieval cathedral of La Seu Vella on top of a walled hill. Accommodation and dinner in Lerida (Lleida).
We are in Catalonia. Another language, another landscape, another culture. Today we will walk through its rural hinterland, crossing fields of fruit trees and olive groves. Verdu and Tarrega offer us their old streets with stone houses, towers, churches… Accommodation and dinner in Fonolleres or rural tourism nearby.
We continue walking through fields and simple villages, full of Mediterranean culture. We will end up in Cervera, a town known for its 18th century university. From there we will move to another iconic place in the history of the Ignatian Way. This is the Monastery of Montserrat and its sanctuary, where the virgin of the “Moreneta” is venerated. Accommodation and dinner in Montserrat.
Today will be a special day, full of happiness to reach Manresa, where after crossing the medieval bridge we will arrive at the famous “Cave of St. Ignatius”, where he lived in 1522. There he had the mystical experiences that moved him to write in that cave the “Spiritual Exercises”, so important for the Jesuits. This is the end of our Camino. We will enjoy a guided tour of the city, learning about its strong links with the life of St. Ignatius. Accommodation and dinner in Manresa.
In the morning our bus will transfer us to the city of Barcelona (estimated arrival time to the city center: 12.00 pm). It is recommended not to book any flight before 17.00 pm. We return home full of energy and loaded with memories and experiences, and who knows if transformed in our hearts by the action of St. Ignatius…. End of the tour and our services.
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