SANTIAGO. CAMINO de. A week on the. MAY 2017 Walking one of Europe s favourite routes

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1 MAY 2017 Walking one of Europe s favourite routes A week on the CAMINO de SANTIAGO years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Catch the tradewinds in your sails. Explore Dream Discover. - Mark Twain ( )

2 WALKING THE CAMINO DE SANTIAGO For centuries, pilgrims from all over the world have walked along Spain s Camino de Santiago, following the many paths to Santiago de Compostela and the tomb of St. James. The week-long walk across the Camino will take hikers through rustic villages and spectacular scenery Today, whether walking the Camino for religious or spiritual reasons, to find yourself or to discover its natural beauty and heritage, the Camino de Santiago is a trip of a life time, a unique experience that inspires many, even after their journey is over. Join ILCU International Development Foundation from the 25 th May to 1 st June on a tailor made adventure along the spectacular French way from Sarria to Santiago which covers the last 100 km of the Camino Francés. The Camino will take you across woodlands, farmland and rustic hamlets, following tracks and paths lined by granite stone walls. The green rolling landscape of Galicia is part of each day s walk, until you approach your final destination: the mythical city of Santiago de Compostela. Participants are asked to raise 2,000 in sponsorship in order to take part, with funds raised being invested in our development programmes in Africa. It s a chance for some great exercise, a great experience, an opportunity to meet new people, and a chance to raise vital funds for a worthwhile cause.

3 A GREAT EXPERIENCE TRAVEL ITINERARY Day 1 Arrive in Santiago Airport Transfer to Sarria Meet your guide at the airport, and transfer to Sarria by bus. Sarria s Rúa Maior has a nice atmosphere where you can relax while enjoying a drink or a bite to eat in one of the nice cafes. Visit the Igrexa de Santa Mariña with its evocative pilgrim mural, the castle fortress and the Magdalena Monastery. Day 2 Sarria to Portomarín - 22km Expect a calm walk through pretty villages and peaceful hamlets under the shade of oak trees on quiet country roads. Along the way, you will spot many Galician traditional hórreos (granaries). Visit the beautiful Romanesque church in the village of Barbadelo. Day 3 Portomarín to Palas de Rei - 22km Starting from the lovely village of Portomarin, the Camino will cross the river Miño and rise uphill steadily towards the Serra de Ligonde. You will pass nice hamlets such as Gonzar and Ventas de Narón, stopping along the way to survey the beautiful Romanesque churches. Day 4 Palas de Rei to Melide - 15km Today the Camino trail continues downhill, passing the village of Casanova and the delightful village of Leboreiro finishing in the lively market town of Melide (454m) - why not try octopus, Galicia s classic dish, in one of the many pulperías. Day 5 Melide to Azura - 13km The Camino crosses several streams and follows a forest track bringing you to the village of Boente with its church of Santiago. You will also pass through the pretty medieval village of Ribadiso before reaching the town of Arzúa. Day 6 Arzúa to Amenal - 23km Walking through pretty woods, sleepy villages and across streams most of the day. The chapel of Santa Irene, with its unique statue of Santiago, is worth a visit. The rest of the route to Amenal is on a mix of country roads and forest tracks. Day 7 Amenal to Santiago de Compostela - 14km After Amenal, your next point of interest is Lavacolla in the outskirts of Santiago, where pilgrims used to wash themselves in the river in preparation for their arrival in Santiago de Compostela. Tall eucalyptus trees line your journey to Monte do Gozo and it is from here that you will catch your first glimpse of the Cathedral of Santiago. When you arrive in the city you will have time to explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site s architecture and delight in the wonderful atmosphere of this spiritual and cultural mecca. You should be in Santiago in time for the pilgrim mass. Day 8 Santiago de Compostela End of the Tour, explore the beautiful city of Santiago de Compostela before you head home.

4 ITINERARY A WALK ON THE CAMINO DE SANTIAGO YOUR TRIP WILL INCLUDE: Return flights from Dublin to Santiago de Compostela All internal transfers including luggage transport during the walk Accommodation including bed, breakfast and dinner Fully guided tour and historical notes for each section of the walk OUR SUPPORT: If you wish to participate and need a hand fundraising to take part, please contact Orla in our office. We have some great suggestions and will help you every step of the way. We can also provide you with t-shirts, coin collection units, personalised sponsor cards and posters to help with your fundraising efforts. For more information contact Orla on or at ocooke@creditunion.ie. Helping Credit Unions Fight Poverty ILCU International Development Foundation has been providing financial and technical assistance (training) to credit unions in the developing world for about 30 years. Our aim is to alleviate poverty through the creditunion model. Our work seeks to empower the poor and marginalised people in society to increase the level of financialinclusion in the world. Over 2 billion people worldwide are financially excluded women and the rural poor are generally the most affected. This means that the poorest people are the most vulnerable, and a natural disaster, unplanned health emergency, theft or loss can push them into total poverty. In 2017, we expect our work to support over three million people and their families. The organisation currently partners with credit unions in Belize, Ethiopia, Ghana, The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Albania, The Ukraine and Russia, providing varying degrees of support. Your participation in this year s Camino Walk will provide a valuable contribution to our work. Find out more: Tel (0) ocooke@creditunion.ie Our charity number is 9704

5 CAMINO 2017 Registration Form To register, return your completed form (including signed terms & conditions), registration fee, and a photocopy of your passport to: Irish League of Credit Unions International Development Foundation Limited, Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2. PERSONAL DETAILS Title: Surname: Forename: Preferred Name: Address: Tel (work): PASSPORT DETAILS Passport Number: Date of Birth: Nationality: Next of Kin Name: Tel (in case of emergency): Date and Place of Issue: Place of Birth: Expiry Date: Relationship: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Can we share your contact details with other CAMINO participants? YES NO Do you want to join the ILCU Foundation mailing list? YES NO Accommodation: Option A) Shared Twin Room Option B) single occupancy (additional fee: 160) I would like to share a room with (where possible we will make every effort to accommodate this) Please indicate any medical conditions or any medication you are currently on. REGISTRATION FEE & PASSPORT I have enclosed a photocopy of my passport YES NO Important Note: Passports must be valid for at least six months after your date of return, and must have three full pages free.

6 Declaration: Terms & Conditions 1. A clear photocopy of your passport should be attached to this registration form. 2. You will undertake to raise the minimum specified funds for the CAMINO 2017 ( 2,000). Cheques/ postal orders should be made payable to the Irish League of Credit Unions International Development Foundation Ltd. (ILCU Foundation), or payments can be made by transferring money by CU/Bank transfer (see below). The balance to be paid no less than 5 weeks prior to departure. 3. The participant must be 18 years of age before the departure date of the event. 4. We reserve the right to alter the itinerary should climatic or any other unforeseen circumstances make this necessary. 5. Participants take part at their own risk and hereby indemnify the Irish League of Credit Unions, Irish League of Credit Unions International Development Foundation Ltd. and its agents/subsidiaries against claims for loss or damage to personal injury (or death) and any claim arising from the participant s own actions. 6. Your passport must be valid for 6 months from the date of your return and must have 3 full blank pages free. 7. You are responsible for your own travel insurance. A copy of your travel insurance must be sent to us at least 4 weeks prior to departure. 8. If you are refused passage and/or entry/exit to or from Spain any additional costs incurred are your responsibility. 9. If you have any medical conditions that could be affected by strenuous activity, or you are over 65, you must get written clearance from your doctor. In signing below to the conditions you confirm that your general state of health and fitness is good and that you take full responsibility for yourself. 10. You accept that all instructions given to you on the trip must be observed for your own safety. 11. There will be no refund on any monies raised, if you withdraw from the trip. 12. All flights and travel arrangements are subject to change. You will be notified of any changes with the soonest possible notice. 13. Transfers to/from Dublin airport are at your own expense. 14. The Irish League of Credit Unions International Development Foundation Ltd. reserves the right to cancel the event if there is an advisory issued against travel or if there are too few participants. I am registering to take part in this event Signed: Name (print): Date: YES I agree to abide by the above terms and conditions. I accept responsibility for my actions and safety whilst in Spain. I also confirm that to the best of my knowledge, my state of health and fitness is good and I take full responsibility for my fitness to take part in this event. Deposit Payment Details Option A) I enclose a cheque/postal order for 150 payable to ILCU International Development Foundation Option B) I have made a 150 bank/cu transfer EFT reference CAMINO 2017 to ILCU Foundation: CAMINO 2017 my name IBAN: IE95 BOFI ; BIC: BOFIIE2D ILCU International Development Foundation Ltd Irish Registered Charity No Lower Mount St., Dublin 2. Tel: ocooke@creditunion.ie Web: