Sea Route

Introduction
Galicia Spain
For a great many reasons, the Route of Santiago de Compostela is a special case within the context of Spanish heritage. It is an historic road which is partially comprised of ancient routes used in previous periods (mostly pre-Roman and Roman) and which has remained in use for over 1200 years, naturally with periods of splendor and decadence. Today it is once again a cultural and religious landmark exercising influence over a large proportion of the north of Spain, linking it to the rest of the European continent. The Camino de Santiago (translated: the Way of St. James or Jakob Trail) is a large network of ancient pilgrim routes stretching across Europe and coming together at the tomb of St. James (Santiago in Spanish) in Santiago de Compostela in north-west Spain.

We have been offering trips on these routes for a few years now as walking and cycling trips, but finally have we now also have the opportunity to take you on some of these ancient routes on horseback. The Way of St. James has existed for over a thousand years. It was one of the most important Christian pilgrimages during medieval times, together with Rome and Jerusalem, and a pilgrimage route on which a plenary indulgence could be earned. Legend holds that St. James's remains were carried by boat from Jerusalem to northern Spain where he was buried on the site of what is now the city of Santiago de Compostela. One of the major merits of the "Jacobean" route down through the ages was having served as a place of meeting and dialogue between Europeans, leading some to even refer to this route as a veritable European "thoroughfare".

Accomodation

Accommodations
This is a progressive ride so nights are spent in different locations.

Description
Accommodations will be in small hotels, guesthouses and rural inns along the way - most will have private bathroom facilities.
Free Wi-Fi internet and laundry facilities are available in almost all accommodations on the trail.

Sea Route Accommodations Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Hotel in Vigo
Night 2: Hotel in Pontevedra
Night 3: Hotel in Cambados
Night 4: Hotel in Vilagarcía
Night 5: Hotel in Padron
Nights 6 & 7: Hotel in Santiago de Compostella

Hotel in A Guarda
This rural accommodation offers simply decorated bedrooms featuring free Wi-Fi access, air conditioning, a safe and a TV. The property has a garden with farm animals and an outdoor pool. From the garden, you have amazing views of the surroundings.
Laundry services are available for an additional charge.

Hotel in Baiona
This 300 year-old country house has been recently restored and offers rustic bedrooms, each with a unique décor. All air-conditioned rooms feature garden views, a TV and private bathroom. Public areas include a garden with an outdoor pool and a dining room and library. Free Wi-Fi is available at the property.

Hotel in Vigo
This small hotel offers simple accommodations with ensuite facilities, a TV, free Wi-Fi and air conditioning.

Hotel (option 1) in Pontevedra
This hotel is located in the heart of Pontevedra’s city center and offers 85 simple and comfortable bedrooms. Each room comes with temperature control, satellite TV, free Wi-Fi access and private bathrooms. Laundry services are available at this hotel at an extra cost.

Hotel (option 2) in Pontevedra
This small hotel is located in the historic quarter of Pontevedra. The 22 bedrooms are simply furnished and all feature a TV, free Wi-Fi access, air conditioning and private bathroom.

Hotel in Cambados
This charming stone house dates back to the 15th century and is surrounded by a garden and vineyards. The building was restored but the original Galician architecture was kept. All of the 11 guestrooms are tastefully furnished and come with air conditioning, private bathroom and a TV. Guests are welcome to explore the gardens or relax in the lounge, where there is free Wi-Fi access.

Hotel in Vilagarcía 
This hotel offers great views of the ocean thanks to its idyllic location, just on the seaside. The rooms are modern and feature air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, internet access, a TV and ensuite facilities. You can go for a swim in the outdoor swimming pool or soak the sun on the patio.
Laundry services are available for a small fee.

Guesthouse (option 1) in Padron
This charming was built during the 18th century and has been welcoming guest for over 30 years. The interior features exposed stones and wood and the décor includes many antiques. Each room has its own bathroom as well as a TV and internet access.

Hotel (option 2) in Padron
This beautiful historic property dates back to the 16th century and used to be the place where the archbishops of Santiago came to relax. The complex is set on a huge parcel of land including gardens and woods. The interior is tastefully decorated and mixes perfectly history with comfort. The air-conditioned rooms all come with a TV, private bathroom and free Wi-Fi. Guests are welcome to explore the many public areas including lounges, gardens and the outdoor swimming pool.


We use one of the following hotels in Santiago de Compostella:
- Option 1: This beautiful hotel is ideally located on a hillside, offering great views over the city. It has a big garden with an outdoor swimming pool and even a small chapel. The rooms are elegantly decorated and all feature air conditioning/heating, a safe, a TV, free Wi-Fi access and an ensuite bathroom.
- Option 2: This modern hotel is offering comfortable and well-designed accommodations, all with air-conditioning, private facilities, a safe box, cable TV, and free WiFi. In addition, the hotel has a small garden with an outdoor swimming pool and a small gym.

Room Occupancy
If we are unable to find another rider to share the room with you, the single supplement fee applies.



Meals
All meals are included with this trip and you will have the opportunity to try traditional Galician dishes in local restaurants.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to all dietary restrictions with prior notice.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding

Horses
We mostly use pure Spanish horses as well as Arabian crosses. All horses have been trained to be quiet and easy-going.

Pace
We typically cover 25-35km in a day (approximately 6-7 hours in the saddle). The hours are broken up by one break in the morning and another for lunch, however we can stop again if necessary. The ride is set at a slow pace, giving you the opportunity to experience the pilgrimage as it first took place in the Middle Ages. There are some opportunities for trotting and cantering.

Itinerary

During the rides, breakfast is usually served around 8 am so that you can start riding at about 9 am. Along the way, you stop for a small break at 11 am. You then stop for lunch and siesta at about 2pm and start riding again around 4 pm, arriving at the accommodation for 6-6:30 pm.
Dinner is generaly served at 8:30 pm.


Sample Itinerary: Sea Route - subject to changes 

--This is only a guideline. the actual itinerary may vary depending on the time of year--

This itinerary follows the waterway by the ria de Arousa and the Ulla´s river, commemorating the arrival by sea in Galicia of the Apostol's corpse of Santiago el Mayor, following his martyrdom in Jerusalem (44 AD).

Day 1: Arrival in Vigo
Pick up from Santiago and transfer to Vigo, where you will enjoy a nice welcome dinner.

Day 2: Soutomaior to Pontevedra
You are transferred to Soutomaior, where the riding itinerary is set to start.

Day 3: Pontevedra to Cambados
When leaving Pontevedra, we observe the coasts of Sanxenxo and Ons island, protected since it has been declared a natural area. We observe the O Grove peninsula and A Toxa island, some of the most famous resorts of the ria. The route then crosses rich viticultural lands before reaching Cambados. The city has been formed by the historic nucleus of Cambados, Fefiñans and Santo Tomé do Mar. It offers an important quantity of historic and artistic monuments, like the Cortegada.

Day 4: Cambados to Vilagarcía
When leaving Cambados, at the entrance of Ria de Arousa, we can see the coastline of Salvora island.
We continue our way in the North direction, passing by A Illa de Arousa. This last island, standing in the middle of Arousa´s sea, is the biggest ria´s island , showing a jagged, rocky coastline with numerous beaches.

Day 5: Vilagarcía to Padron
The itinerary takes us along the course of Ulla´s river, in the direction of Pontecesures and the old river port of Iria Flavia in Padron. Soon, on the two river banks appear, the lands of Valga and Dodro. Valga has got an appreciable complex of romanesque churchs (XII century), like Xanza´s church (reformated during the XVII- XVIII centuries), or Campaña and Cordeiro. Near the Os Martores´s chapel (possible popular derivation of “ martyrs “) exists a necropolis, where we suppose that the sepultures of Prisciliano and his disciples, whose corpses were transportated to the Galice since Tréveris ( Germany ), could lie.
From Pontecesures, we continue until we reach Padron.

Day 6: Padron to Santiago de Comspostella
We take the direction of the Nosa Señora da Escravitude ´s baroque sanctuary, where we will meet a lot of Tea´s ethnographic nucleus, in the middle of the woods, until the Castro Lupario. We eventually arrive at the famous gothic crossroads of Cala (XV century ), one of the oldest of Galicia, near the Compostela´s doors, final point of all the occidental pilgrimage routes. The urban itinerary of this Route in Santiago coincides with the Portuguese Route.

Day 7: Santiago de Compostella
After the cathedral visit, we will transport you to the Airport or train station (departure around noon).

Note: The 10-day itinerary starts from A Guarda, the 9-day ride starts from Baiona, the 7-day trip starts from Vigo and the 6-day route starts from Pontevedra.

Other options to ride the St James Way include:
French Route
Portuguese Route
Northern Route
Finisterre Route


-- click here for larger map

Rates and Dates for Sea Route

Dates Note: * Please inquire about other tour dates

Other Info
Meeting: Santiago de Compostela
Airport: Santiago de Compostela
Transfer: Santiago de Compostela Airport (SCQ) or Railway station.

Climate:
                                    Santiago de Compostela area