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Our guided tour of El Camino de Santiago covers the last 100 km of the French Santiago Way and will grant Pilgrims the Compostela, which is an official document that recognizes you as a Saint James Pilgrim. You will be accompanied by an officially licensed guide who will plot your route and travel requirements with sections visited via private vehicle and visiting small Spanish villages and sampling authentic local cuisine along with staying in luxurious accommodation.
The Camino de Santiago, also known as the Way of St James, is a pilgrimage to the shrine of the Saint James the Great in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, where the remains of the apostles are said to be buried. Join pilgrims from all over the globe on the Camino de Santiago and return home renewed and recharged!
What Is The St. James Way (Camino de Santiago)?
As the medieval legend has it, the remains of the apostle Santiago El Mayor were discovered in Galicia at the beginning of the 9th century. The city of Santiago de Compostela and one of the most exquisite Romanesque churches in the West were built in his honor.
Ever since pilgrims have come from the world over to travel the routes that lead to St. James’ relics.
What Route do we take on our St. James Way Tour?
Your tour will begin with a private transfer to Estella as you travel to Villamayor, Viana, and Logrono.
Crossing the Iratxe monastery is the high point of the day. Founded in the 10th century, you’ll be offered their traditional red wine, impossible to refuse!
We will then leave the Navarra region and enter La Rioja, famous for its reputed vineyards! The medieval towns and fortress walls of Viana are reminders of the harsh battles that took place along this border.
Logrono - Najera - Santo Domingo De La Calzada
Morning transfer to Nájera, a place that holds its name from the medieval Arabic root, meaning ‘place between the rocks’. Located on the river banks and surrounded by bright orange cliffs, it’s an obviously-appropriate name.
The day ends by discovering the village of Santo Domingo de la Calzada. Founded by and for pilgrims, by a hermit who settled close to the river.
Santo Domingo De La Calzada - Villafranca De La Monte De Oca - Atapuerca - Leon
Morning transfer to Villafranca de Monte de Oca. We will walk past the 11th-century Monastery of San Juan de Ortega. Famous for its decorative columns that depict the duel between Roland and the Moor Giant Ferragut.
The walk will end in the tiny hamlet of Atapuerca, renowned for a story that is not linked to the Camino in the least. In 1992, archeological excavations discovered the remains of what is known as the ‘first European’, a Neandertal skeleton dating over 800,000 years ago. Shuttle to León for the evening, where you will enjoy the renovated Hostal de San Marcos.
Leon Astorga - Foncebadon - Acebo - Villafranca Del Bierzo
We climb to Cruz de Hierro (the Iron cross), an emblematic place along the Camino francés. Located atop of Mount Irago at 4,970 feet, it is the highest point along the entire Camino francés, including the Pyrenees.
Adding a stone at the foot of this cross has become an important Camino ritual with many pilgrims over the centuries. A long downhill awaits on the other side.
Today we will have a 45-minute transfer at the end of the day to our inn.
Villafranca Del Bierzo - O’cebreiro - Triacastela - Samos
Morning transfer to start the day at one of the prettiest, and also popular, villages on the entire Camino Frances, O’Cebreiro. This village looks, feels, and to a certain extent, is, completely Celtic.
We will walk along this mountain crest for a while prior to being shuttled to Triacastela where a peaceful section through the forest will lead us to one of Spain’s oldest and largest Monastery (Samos).
We spend the evening here so you may opt to attend the unique monastery mass with the monks in the evening. Occasionally, they treat visitors to some Gregorian chants.
Samos - Sarria - Portomarin
Transfer to Sarria where you will then spend most of the day in the quiet countryside, discovering the peacefulness of rural Galicia. You’ll end with a long downhill walk into Portomarin, your home for the evening, along the banks of the Miño River.
Portomarin - Palas Del Rei
Another peaceful day in the countryside, enjoyably meandering through local villages and hamlets. Some interesting untended Celtic ruins can be seen along the way if one has the strength to make a short 1 km detour.
Palas Del Rei - Castenada
Today takes you through Melide, a village that has made Pulpo Gallego legendary throughout the country. A simple recipe of octopus, potatoes, and paprika but when prepared just right, lights up your taste buds!
10-minutes shuttle to lodging at the end of the day.
Castenada – Pedrouzo
As you get closer to Santiago, you start walking through more and more Eucalyptus treed forests. The aroma is delightful as is the rest of the trail.
A short 30-minute transfer will return us to our lodge for the night, as we are still staying in Pazo Santa María.
Pedrouzo – Santiago De Compostela
A shorter distance walking in the last Camino’s day in order to take full advantage of the city’s sites. Enjoy the fulfillment of reaching your destination!
Afternoon: Private guided visit to Santiago’s Cathedral.
Why A Guide is Required for the Camino De Santiago?
The intrigue of the Camino De Santiago goes far beyond the holy experience. Walking for several days on the Camino del Sol (from east to west), with your guide explaining the significance of the route, the tales and historic episodes at each station, and utilizing their expert local knowledge to plan the best food, wine, and choice of luxury hotels provides a completely new experience for our guests walking the St. James Way.
The landscape on this spiritual journey also changes along the way: Santiago can be reached by crossing the forests of Navarra, the rivers of Rioja, the barren plains of Castile- Leon, and, finally, the mountains of Leon and Galicia.
The guide that will accompany you is an expert connoisseur of the best routes and will find the most suitable roads at all times. If it rains, the guide will look for the best paths to follow… If it’s hot, a more shaded area, varying every day so as not to make it monotonous or hard.
Why Choose Magical Spain to Travel the Camino De Santiago?
The MagicalSpain Camino adventure leads our discerning clients to picturesque villages, lost hermitages, savory restaurants, and hidden areas that they would likely not discover nor experience.
We believe active & cultural travel is, at its heart, a way of connecting more authentically with the world. Sure, MagicalSpain provides amazing planning, seamless support and curated guides, superb accommodations, and cultural opportunities you could never arrange on your own, but all of our comprehensive planning and support is aimed at something far simpler: bringing you the immediate, highly personal satisfaction of discovering a new world on your own terms.
Discover tiny Spanish villages with surprising Celtic ties. Gaze out over enchanting and powerful green vistas. Sip refreshing vinos in age-old taverns, paired perfectly with gourmet cheeses, charcuterie, beef, and fresh seafood from the nearby coast.
Meet the Founder of Magical Spain
Hola! I’m Dan O’Beirne C.E.O of Magical Spain, and an American family man who settled here over 20 years ago.
At the heart of Magical Spain lies my two passions in life, travel, and family. After working in the Health and Wellness sector back home in the U.S, my desire to travel led me to Spain where I met my beautiful wife-to-be, and where we now live with our young son. As our relationship blossomed, so did my love for the country, cultures, and people here. It was only natural then that Nuria and I should work together to create Magical Spain as a platform to share this passion and insight into Spain with our American clients.
Step 1
Fill out the form with the destinations, wish-list, & personal preferences for your perfect trip. If you would like your tour planner to offer some inspiration, then we are happy to provide a suggested itinerary which we can then refine with you until you are 100% delighted with it.
Step 2
Soon after receiving your request, your personal tour planner will be in touch to begin planning your custom tour. You will then receive a tailor-made tour itinerary which can be revised an unlimited number of times to ensure total satisfaction and the perfect vacation.
Step 3
Your officially licensed private guide will meet you at the pre-arranged starting point of your tour. You can count on us for 24/7 in-country support and everything else necessary for a wonderful vacation and seamless tour experience. Welcome to Iberia!
Contact Our Camino De Santiago Tour Planners
To talk to your tour planner and discuss ideas and suggestions for your St. James Way tour, then simply send our team an online inquiry below. Just let us know where you want to visit and give us an idea of locations and activities that inspire you, and we will get to work crafting your complimentary tailored itinerary.
California couple did Spain in 2021. Meg shares their experience with Magical Spain…
“Outstanding, seamless planning with a very personalized itinerary executed perfectly…..
In Spain, we felt like VIPs as we met the winemakers in La Rioja and Ribera del Duero, the chefs, the village mayor and flamenco dancer in Sevilla! The unique experiences and memories beat that of 4 or 5 cruises. We will be back to do Andalucia or Portugal in a few years”
“Thanks to the meticulous preparation, contacts, and knowledge of Magical Spain, our trip was sculpted to fit our most personal interests….it was both fun and educational for our two children. Dan and Rachel know more people than a Washington fundraiser and was fantastic…, truly our private Spain tour was a vacation our family will cherish forever.”
“I urge everyone who values unforgettable vacations to contact Magical Spain and talk to Dan or Rachel.
Beyond the personalized planning and fine 24-7 tour support, we loved the quality and care of the licensed guides, the delicious tapas, the exotic ambiance of Seville and Granada, Madrid’s majesty and art, medieval Toledo, and meeting the olive oil estate owners, artist, chef & winemaker.”
The highlight for me was going to the restaurant you picked for us in Cadaqués. Wow, what a treat! Mercedes is an incredible guide. As I reviewed some Rick Steves videos, I noticed that your guides Jesús, and Mercedes featured in them! I’m so glad we had your company to get us to the airport or we’d be standing in Plaza Catalunya waiting to board a bus to the airport after wheeling all our luggage there from the hotel. We’re feeling bad for others but thankful for your excellent planning and the 24/7 support by Inma and Mercedes! Thanks again and we hope to return to do Andalucia and or Portugal soon!”
“I hire lawyers, doctors, tax experts …. well this year I hired the Magical Spain expert team for a custom private guided Best of Spain trip with my granddaughter…. excellent luxury hotels, perfect planning, comfortable transport, no stress and memorable experiences of Spain’s history, cuisine, wine & culture.”
“Our private Spain guided trip was superb and stress-free, thanks for the customization.. we loved the Seville and Granada walking tours, but also the historic hilltowns, medieval castles, wine tasting with the winemaker, tapas on the plazas, flamenco guitar…great insight and memories!”
Click below to read more text reviews, or if you’d like to see our clients’ happy faces for yourself, check out our videos reviews here.
