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Itinerary
Day 1: Paris
Arrival in Paris. Transfer to hotel, dinner and overnight stay.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Paris
As part of your tour, today you will see not only the Notre Dame Cathedral, but also the exceptional specimen of outstanding Gothic architecture – Sainte Chapelle. You are then given free time to explore Paris. Dinner in a typical bistro.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3: Paris – Lyon – Le Puy
In the morning you leave Paris by TGV, the high speed train that takes you to Lyon in just two hours. Here our friendly guide is waiting to introduce the beautiful old town and the cathedral to you. Then it goes to Le Puy in the Massif Central. Bishop of Le Puy, moved with a hundred followers on today's „Via Podiensis" from Le Puy to the grave of St. James and established Santiago as a pilgrimage site. Michael's Chapel on a pointed volcanic cone leads you to the magnificent Cathedral of Notre Dame. Overnight in Le Puy.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4: Conques – Cordes sur Ciel – Albi
Your day's journey begins with travel through the beautiful Massif Central to Conques. Its Benedictine monastery dates from the 9th Century and houses the relics of the Holy Fides. The tympanum of the west portal is among the nicest of the road to Santiago. Its long-hidden treasure of the church contains pieces of French sacred art from the 9th to the 18th Century. Because of its beauty, Cordes-sur-Ciel was given the nickname "The Heavenly"in the Middle Ages. The Gothic houses are on steep slopes - so you will take the little train through this picturesque village. Overnight in Albi.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5: Albi – Toulouse
Albi has a fantastic brick gothic cathedral – a sign of victory over the Cathars in the 13th Century. Continue on through the vineyards of Gaillac to reach Toulouse, the „pink city". Enjoy the space of the Capitol and visit the beautiful Romanesque basilica of St. Sernin, one of the main churches on the Camino de Santiago, and the Jacobin cloister with the fantastic Gothic pillar. Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6: Toulouse – Lourdes
Travel over the foothills of the Pyrenees to reach the old county of Comminges. The walled town of St. Bertrand is of Roman origin and has a magnificent cathedral, with spectacular views over the area. At noon you reach Lourdes. You live central in one of our typical hotels. Opportunity to participate in the nightly procession of candles.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7: Lourdes – Pamplona
Travel about the famous pass of St. Jean Pied de Port to Spain and Pamplona in the area of Burgos. On the way enjoy a wine tasting at a bodega in the Rioja region. Dinner and overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8: Burgos – Leon
Morning guided tour of the Cathedral of Burgos and walking tour of the birthplace of the famous knight „El Cid". At Carrion you can visit the Benedictine monastery San Zoilo and the St. James Church from the 12th Century. Dinner and overnight stay in Leon.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9: Leon – Santiago
In Leon you will see the Gothic cathedral. When you reach Ponferrada, you will ride over to the castle of the Knights Templar, who protected the pilgrims from robbers, according to Santiago. Stay in Santiago de Compostela, where you can visit the Cathedral. The pilgrims touch the central pillar of the magnificent portal „Portico de la Gloria". Then free time to devote yourself completely to the sanctuary and the Roman city center. Dinner and overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10: Santiago– Gijon
Morning at leisure in Santiago. In the afternoon you drive to the Galician coast. Overnight in Gijon.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 11: Gijon – Bilbao
In the morning your pilgrimage continues along the coast to Bilbao. Visit the world famous Guggenheim Museum by architect Frank O. Gehry. Overnight and dinner in Bilbao.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 12: Biarritz – Bordeaux
Along the Gulf of Biscya your journey leads to the seaside resort Biarritz in France and carries on to Bordeaux. The pilgrim's gate and the hospice in the Rue St. Jacques were once focal points for the pilgrims. In the Basilica of St. Michel, there is a pilgrim's grave. Dinner and overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 13: Cognac – Tours
Return to the north. In Cognac visit and sample the world famous distillery Hennessy. Then pause in Poitiers to see the incredible facade of Notre Dame. In the evening you will reach Tours, the city of St. Martin. Overnight and dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 14: Chartres – Paris
After a short sightseeing tour the trail leads to Chateaudun and his great fortress over to Chartres Cathedral. The most famous cathedral in France is the exemplar of all Gothic cathedrals. After the visit proceed to Paris and overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 15: Journey home
Transfer to the airport and return home.
Meals: Breakfast
Escorted Package Includes:
- 14 x accommodation with HB in 3* hotels or restaurants as per program
- Sightseeing with local guides in Paris, Lyon, Albi, Toulouse, Burgos, Leon, Bordeaux, Tours and Chartres
- Tour guide throughout the tour
- Trip in TGV Paris - Lyon 2nd class
- Admission - Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao
- Admission fee museum in Conques
- Cognac sample
- Rioja Wine Tasting
- All transfers and tours by modern air-conditioned bus
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