17-26 September 2019 with the Venerable Janet Mackenzie

A ten day pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, Spain

A PILGRIMAGE ALONG THE ‘CAMINO’ TO

SANTIAGO

A PILGRIMAGE TO SANTIAGO with the Venerable Janet Mackenzie 17-26 September 2019

This was one of the great pilgrimages of the Middle Ages.

Three of the routes across France (from Vezelay, Le Puy and

Tours) converged near the mountain passes of the Pyrenees.

Then the Way of St James led across to the great cities of

Burgos and León and on to the shrine in the Field of the Star

(Campus Stellae) where the bones of St James were believed to

lie and now a magnificent cathedral stands.

Some people take the challenge and walk the whole way,

carrying their load and known by the badge of a scallop-shell.

On this journey, we shall be walking along short sections

(though even this is optional), but we are conveyed mainly by

coach. Our visits to the various towns and cities along our route

will also involve quite a lot of walking, some of which will be

over irregular surfaces such as cobblestones and badly

maintained areas.

We shall see cathedrals, monasteries, Romanesque churches,

wayside chapels and bridges which stood on the ancient Way.

We begin in Bilbao, with a visit to see the outside of the

famous Guggenheim Museum, and we see the battlefield of

Roncesvalles, (celebrated in the Chanson de Roland) as we

begin to follow the Way of St James across northern Spain.

As with any pilgrimage, the journey itself is as important as the

destination, and there will be opportunities to grow through

sharing the sacraments and stories, both traditional and our own

as we travel together.

TOUR INFORMATION The cost of this tour is £1,645 sharing a twin-bedded room with private facilities. Hotels are of a good standard and locally graded with three and four stars. Accommodation is on a half board basis with breakfast and table d'hôte dinner included daily.

Our journey along The Way will be in our own air-conditioned coach with a local guide and all visits with entrance fees are incorporated in the tour price. Flights are on the scheduled services of British Airways and Vueling Airways. We fly from Heathrow to Bilbao and return at the end of our journey from La Coruna, a coastal town very near Santiago, to Heathrow. Current travel taxes are included and all gratuities.

The travel insurance premium is £49 to age 74 and £74 if older (and no medical screening is required). Travel insurance is essential but you may have other suitable insurance.

Some single rooms are available at a charge of £395. Please, however, see our note Travelling Alone printed overleaf. Any special requests (e.g. special diets) should be printed on the booking form.

A deposit is payable now with the balance due eight weeks prior to departure. Final flight and accommodation details will be confirmed in your travel wallet two weeks prior to departure.

To reserve your place on this tour please complete the enclosed booking form and send it with a deposit of £200 plus the insurance premium , to the tour leader. Please make cheques payable to ‘McCabe Pilgrimages’.

Capt Andy Crooks 7 The Cleave Harpenden Herts AL5 5SJ www.stalbans.anglican.org/faith/pilgrimages-abroad/

Tel: 07954 417911 Email: andy@stalbanspilgrimages.org.uk

RESERVATION

Day 1 | Tuesday Heathrow to Bilbao

We gather at London Heathrow Airport for British Airways flight BA468 which departs at 15:40 and arrives at 18:45. We transfer to the three star centrally situated Hotel Hesperia for an overnight stay on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.

Day 2 | Pamplona

This morning a two hour drive takes us to Pamplona, the town that inspired Hemingway’s “The Sun Also Rises”. We enjoy a city tour and visit to the gothic cathedral. Two night stay at the four-star Hotel Tres Reyes in Pamplona.

Day 3 | Roncesvalles

We drive along the Pyrenees to the mountain village of Ibaneta. We walk 2 kms to Roncesvalles where the Way enters Spain. We celebrate Holy Communion in the sanctuary. Then a further 4 km walk from Roncesvalles to Burguete, legendary setting of the battles of Charlemagne and Roland against the Moslems.

Day 4 | Santo Domingo de la Calzada

We visit the funerary church at Eunate continuing to Puente de la Reine where the different ways of St James converge as one route. We continue our journey to Santo Domingo de la Calzada, one of the most evocative towns on the Pilgrim Way, and walk 6 km from the Ermita de

Valdefuentes to the church of San Juan de Ortega. We continue to Burgos for an overnight in the Almirante Bonifaz Hotel.

Day 5 | Burgos

Our featured visit today is to Burgos Cathedral with its mighty gothic façade and the Monastery of Huelgas Reales. On

towards Leon with a 4 km walk from Iglesias to Hontanas. We continue through the flat landscape of the Tierra de Campos to Fromista visiting the beautiful Romanesque church of San Martin. Two nights in León at the Los Infantas Hotel.

Day 6 | León

Sightseeing in León includes the Romanesque church and Royal crypt of Saint Isidoro, the fabulous cathedral with its colourful stained-glass windows and the Hostal of San Marcos in Renaissance-style. Afternoon at leisure.

Day 7 | Mountain top experiences

We leave Leon and our first stop is just beyond Astorga where we walk from the deserted spot of Foncebadon up to Cruz de Hierro (Iron Cross) the Way’s highest point. Continue via Villafranca del Bierzo (where we have a break for lunch) to the mountain pass of O Cebreiro where we see a mountain village with celtic-like round huts and the 9th C Sanctuary of Santa Maria de O Cebreiro (Holy Communion). In the afternoon we continue to Sarria for an overnight stay at the Hotel Alfonso IX.

Day 8 | The Heavenly City

We cross the Mino river and visit the church of San Nicolas in Portomarin then walk a 6 km stretch of the Way from Melide to Boente through eucalyptus woods. We arrive in Santiago de Compostela via the viewpoint at “Monte del Gozo” where pilgrims first saw the spires of the “heavenly” city. We all walk the last 500 metres to the magnificent cathedral of Saint James and our journey’s climax. Two night stay in

Santiago at the Compostela Hotel.

Day 9 | Santiago de Compostela

This morning we visit the Shrine of St James. We have a guided tour of the cathedral which has an amazing Baroque façade hiding the much earlier Romanesque building set on the site where in the 8th century the tomb of St James was discovered. This is the culmination of the Pilgrim route. We join the Pilgrim Mass at noon. We also see the Botafumeiro swing. Afternoon is free, with the opportunity to visit the museum. This evening we go out to enjoy a traditional farewell dinner in a local restaurant (‘Quiemada’ drink ceremony included).

Day 10 | Thursday Homeward Bound

We make the short drive from Santiago to La Coruna. We spend some time in this coastal town before journeying to the airport for flight VY7100 which departs at 18:15 and arrives back at London Heathrow Airport at 19:15.

The walking sections are carefully chosen so

that most party members are able to

participate and the guide will use his

discretion to make the walks fit the walkers.

There will also be quite a lot walking around

the towns and cities that we will be visiting,

some of which will be over irregular surfaces

such as cobblestones and badly maintained

areas.

DAILY PROGRAMME

A NOTE ABOUT OUR WALKS Our walks along The Way will vary in length and degree of difficulty but they have been planned with the expectation that most people will be able to participate. The actual walks chosen will depend on the weather and the abilities of the party. There will always be a coaching option for non-walkers. No special footwear or other equipment is required. Think in terms of stout walking shoes and a day pack to carry water, a camera and the like. If you are worried about the fitness element, have a word with a tour leader or call the McCabe office.

TRAVELLING ALONE Many of our passengers travel alone and object to expensive single room supplements. McCabe Pilgrimages will accept individual bookings on a 'guaranteed share' basis. We charge the basic price and accommodate you with a person of the same sex also requesting shared accommodation. If we do not find someone to share with you, you will be accommodated in a single room at only 50% of the usual single room supplement. For single travellers who do require single accommodation this should be requested when booking and, if available, the normal supplement will be payable.

PASSPORTS, VISAS AND HEALTH Please ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months after the time of this pilgrimage. If you need a new passport apply early as there can be considerable backlogs at the passport offices. A visa is issued free of charge on entering Israel and there are currently no further requirements for entering the Palestinian territories. If you are holding a non-British passport, or require further advice, please consult the McCabe office. No inoculations are required. We do, however, advise you to consult your doctor regarding your own personal requirements.

TRAVEL INSURANCE A unique feature of the McCabe recommended policy is that you will not need to call a medical help line to discuss health issues. Most pre-existing health conditions are covered as long as your doctor agrees that you are fit to travel.

Travel insurance is arranged by Global Travel Insurance Services Ltd for McCabe Travel Ltd who are an Appointed Representative of Global Travel Insurance Services Ltd, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Our status can be checked on the FCA Register by visiting www.fca.org.uk or by contacting the FCA on 0845 606 9966. This Insurance is underwritten by ERV. ERV is authorised by the Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht (BAFIN – www.bafin.de) and the Prudential Regulation Authority and subject to limited regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority.

It has been specifically designed so that it covers all McCabe holidays; protecting you in full if you have to cancel and providing you with the very best and most effective protection if you are unfortunate enough to require medical attention whilst away.

Standard exclusions apply and are listed on the summary document. Please check that you are not affected by the Main Health Exclusions. You will not be covered for any ongoing tests or treatment of an undiagnosed condition, or for any terminal illness, or if you claim as a result of a condition arising within the past twelve months.

Note that you will pay an excess of £1,000 on any claim that results directly from a pre-existing medical condition. In our experience a very few claims result from pre-existing medical conditions. With this policy you are covered with no declaration of health required.

A full policy wording will be sent to you with confirmation of your booking, or ask us and we will send you a copy now. Full details are also on our website. If you would like more information or are unsure of any details, please call Global Travel Insurance Services Ltd for further advice on 01903 235042. This insurance is only available to persons who are permanently resident in the UK.

AITO Quality Statement McCabe Pilgrimages is a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators. The Association represents Britain’s leading independent tour operators and encourages high standards of quality and service. McCabe abides by the Association’s Code of Conduct and adheres to the AITO Quality Charter which can be viewed on www.aito.co.uk. Visit the website to find out more about the Association or call 020 8744 9280.

This pilgrimage is ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. The McCabe ATOL number is 2920.

OUR PILGRIMAGE

11 Hillgate Place Balham Hill London SW12 9ER Telephone 020 8675 6828 Email alistair@mccabe-travel.co.uk www.mccabe-travel.co.uk