Vilar de Barrio to Santiago de Compostela

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Lizbeth Ball
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CAMINO VIA DE LA PLATA AN INNER & OUTER JOURNEY OF SELF-DISCOVERY & WELL-BEING Vilar de Barrio to Santiago de Compostela A 10-day pilgrimage spanning 150kms through some of the most stunning

Hosted by Louise Marra, a highly respected and well renowned teacher and coach of leadership, personal growth and consciousness expansion.

1 CAMINO VIA DE LA PLATA AN INNER & OUTER JOURNEY OF SELF-DISCOVERY & WELL-BEING Vilar de Barrio to Santiago de Compostela A 10-day pilgrimage spanning 150kms through some of the most stunning countryside that Spain has to offer. This specially crafted itinerary is focusing on self-discovery and well-being. Hosted by Louise Marra, a highly respected and well renowned teacher and coach of leadership, personal growth and consciousness expansion. Louise will combine the discovery of new places and curiosity of culture with the explorer part of yourself. You will learn new skills of mindfulness, of presence, of expansion and connectedness. TRIP LENGTH: 10 Days/9 Nights DEPARTURE DATE: June 18, 2016 GROUP SIZE: Min 12, Max 16 MEALS: 9 Breakfasts, 8 Dinners OTHER: Luggage Transfer 20KG TRIP GRADE: Easy/Moderate TRIP TYPE: Self-guided & Learning journey hosted by Louise Marra PRICES FROM: AUD3,565 SINGLE SUPP: Compulsory if there is no gender share option of AUD1,025

2 BRIEF HISTORY The Via de la Plata or Camino Mozarabe is by far the longest Camino de Santiago route in Spain, totaling 1000km, starting in the South from Andalucía to Galicia in the North. This Camino route was traditionally taken by North African Christians on their way to Santiago de Compostela. Our chosen journey explores the last 150km. Also known as the Silver Way, we commence our pilgrimage in Vilar de Barrio and this ancient path explores a remote section of the Camino that is rarely visited, despite the beauty and charm of the forests and mountains of Galicia. Clearly it is another of Spain s well kept secrets. ABOUT LOUISE MARRA Your host, Louise, is passionate about helping people connect to their own wisdom and resilience, to other cultures and to the land. She has worked in many leadership roles in all sectors, and now works in the field of teaching, coaching and facilitating leadership development, social innovation and personal growth. Louise believes that conscious travel can enable us to deepen and transform our lives through changing our patterns. Her style is open, and values individual wisdom that can be brought to light and used in a more effective way. Pillars of our pilgrimage: Learning being a life adventure! Opening yourself to transformation Interacting with the unknown Listening to and sharing stories Explore and reinvigorate Rekindling our creativity Learning new tools for our life s journey - presence, mindfulness, greater consciousness, wholeness and happiness Connection and conversations the fuel of chiefs. All of this as we wander the beauty and magic of the Via de la Plata Camino. It is not just that we walk the Camino, it is how we walk the Camino that will help us make the biggest shifts. Each evening we will gather as a group to learn new tools for our pilgrimage. A chance to connect with each other and reflect on our journey. There will also be opportunities for one on one coaching. THE WALKING Although this trip is escorted, it is very much an individual journey, and therefore you are free to walk at your own pace in your own time, hence self-guided. You will be equipped with easy to read maps and instructions complete with directions to guide you on the well-marked paths and tracks. Wandering the World takes care of all your accommodation and luggage transfer so you can relax and enjoy the walking. This itinerary is carefully designed for easy to manage walking days. There is a basic level of fitness required and some uphill stretches in part, however, given you only need carry a lightweight day bag and your water supply, which can be replenished in the various villages on route, it makes this trip very manageable for the inexperienced walkers.

ACCOMMODATION The accommodation selected is largely Properties located in the countryside, or centrally located and all with friendly hospitality.

3 ACCOMMODATION The accommodation selected is largely Properties located in the countryside, or centrally located and all with friendly hospitality. Typically, mama will be in the kitchen preparing a three course hearty meal known as the pilgrim s staple. The language is Spanish, English is difficult to find, which adds an exciting dimension, a great reminder that you are travelling in a foreign land. HIGHLIGHTS ARRIVE OURENSE - Day 1/Night 1 Ourense is the third largest town in the region of Galicia. A train ride from Madrid between 4 to 5 hours (which departs every 3 hours from Madrid Chamartin Station), then a short 20 minute taxi ride into the countryside to our accommodation at AC Hotel Vila de Allariz, a spa property nestled on the banks of a slow flowing river. We will meet for a briefing prior to sharing the evening meal. The following morning we will transfer to Vilar de Barrio an ideal place to commence the pilgrimage to Santiago on the path of the Camino Via de la Plata. A beautiful town located in the very centre of Ourense province in the Galicia region of north-west Spain, just 160 kilometres from Santiago. AC Hotel Vila de Allariz (2 nights) VILAR DE BARRIO - XUNQUEIRA DE AMBIA - 15km. Estimated walking time approx. 3 to 4 hours Day 2/Night 2 Buen Camino meaning good walking are the two most common words uttered by the locals as you pass through villages and fields. Today there are plenty of villages on the 15 kilometre journey to Xunqueira de Ambia. The scenery is a mix between panoramic views and dense woodlands. After our walk, we transfer back to AC Hotel Vila de Allariz. Transferring back to AC Hotel Vila de Allariz (night 2)

4 XUNQUEIRA DE AMBIA - OURENSE 22km. Estimated walking time approx. 5 hours - Day 3/Night 3 Todays destination is Ourense, a town that was built by the Romans, a location blessed by its hot water springs great to enjoy after a day of walking. Ourense has a population of just over 100,000 people and is one of the largest cities on the Silver Way. Staying in Ourense (2 nights) OURENSE - CEA - 21km. Estimated walking time approx. 5 to 6 hours Day 4/Night 4 There are some challenging ascents on today s path. You pass through Tamallancos and past the beautiful architecture of Santa Maria Church. You cross the Barbantino River by the XIII Century bridge before arriving in Cea, a village renowned for its bread. Transferring back to our hotel in Ourense (night 2) CEA DOZON - 21km. Estimated walking time approx. 6 hours - Day 5/Night 5 Picturesque countryside and farmland are the highlights on this easy walking day to the village of Dozon. It is worth taking some of the famous bread from Cea to picnic along the way. Transferring in the afternoon to our spa hotel in Lalin (2 nights) DOZON - LALIN - 17km. Estimated walking time approx. 5 hours - Day 6/Night 6 Although today is one of the shorter days in terms of kilometres, there is an uphill climb as you pass through the rural communities on the way to Lalin. Staying at our spa hotel in Lalin (night 2) LALIN - SILLEDA - 15km. Estimated walking time approx. 4 hours - Day 7/Night 7 Today is a really pretty walk. Take your time to not only look forward at the lush countryside, but also to look back. Quaint villages and cattle farms support the area.

5 SILLEDA PONTE ULLA - 15km. Estimated walking time approx. 5 hours - Day 8/Night 8 Spoilt by the countryside again today with rolling green hills and some terrific landscape. It is worth a stop at Bandeira to taste the locally acclaimed empanadas. PONTE ULLA SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA - 20km. Estimated walking time approx. 5 hours Day 9/Night 9 Another rewarding day starting with a climb to Pico Sacro and then easing your way into Santiago through the quiet outskirts of this incredible city. The last day of the pilgrimage is usually a feeling of not wanting the journey to end. It is worth the early morning start to arrive at the Cathedral for the Pilgrim s midday mass, making your way past the pied piper (donations welcome), to the final stage at the steps, then to the seats of the congregation. Following the service, it is a trip to the Compostela office to show your stamp book to the team of volunteers, who are eagerly waiting to hear your story and stamp your certificate highlighting your name in Latin. Santiago de Compostela is a special, rare city with a particular magic that can only be enjoyed by walking around its streets. Its historical centre has been designated a World Heritage Site and offers dozens of churches and religious buildings, including the impressive cathedral, which is both Baroque and Romanesque at the same time and contains the sepulcher of the Apostle St James (known in Spanish as Santiago). Santiago is the perfect place to reflect on your pilgrimage and your life s journey ahead. SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA Day 10 Although the trip finishes after breakfast today, the memories of the Camino will live on. Wandering the World hope you have had a journey of a lifetime and welcome your choice to wander with us again. The full cost of the Via de la Plata Inner & Outer Journey, per person on a twin share basis (including baggage transfer of 20kg per person), starts from AUD3,565. A deposit of AUD is required at the time of booking to secure your place. Single supplement will apply if Wandering the World is unable to provide a gender share option. A preferred single supplement is subject to availability - AUD1,025. The rate in AUD will be determined at the Westpac Telegraphic Transfer rate of the day. Currency surcharges may apply. Please note the balance is due 60 days prior to the trip departing. Please your enquiry to either: Louise Marra: louise@spiritedleadership.co.nz OR Glenyce Johnson: glenycej@wanderingtheworld.com.au

A Fresco Start Camino 115KM Your Self-Guided Walk to Santiago

A Fresco Start Camino 115KM Your Self-Guided Walk to Santiago Your Self-Guided Walk to Santiago - an adventure from our backyard - A Fresco Start 115KM www.frescotours.com Page 1 of 5 I first walked the Camino de Santiago in 1999 and since then I ve led over 90 groups