Friday, July 31, 2026 - Thursday, August 13, 2026
Spain,
International,
Spain
Enjoy two weeks filled with moderate hiking, history, cultural intrigue, and interesting dining experiences among a group of active, like-minded adventure travelers as we witness the 2026 solar eclipse in totality, Europe's first in 27 years. The trip will begin in Madrid, visiting some of its famous sites, including the Prado Museum, known for its rich collection of Spanish, Italian, and Flemish masterpieces. We will also visit some historic sites and attend a Flamenco concert. From Madrid, we will take the high-speed train to Sarria and pick up our Pilgrim Passes to begin our journey along El Camino Francés. We will walk at a comfortable pace of two miles per hour with minimal elevation gain, taking time to fully appreciate this historic route's geography, architecture, culture, and cuisine, each step of the way. El Camino de Santiago, The Way of St James, dating back to the 9th century, is a network of pilgrims' ways or pilgrimages, leading to the shrine of the apostle James in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Santiago, located in Spain's most northwestern region, Galicia. Walk in the footsteps of ancient pilgrims along the last 114 km (71 miles) of El Camino to Santiago de Compostela, and experience its spiritual essence while enjoying unique landscapes, cuisine, and cultural attractions along the way. At each daily destination, we will stay at hotels, pensions, and country inns, to where our luggage will be transported. Our El Camino hike will finish in the legendary city of Santiago de Compostela; its Old Town, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985, where, in its majestic Cathedral, according to legend, rests the remains of St James the Great. From Santiago we will travel to the northwestern coastal city of A Coruña to explore its stunning geography, rich history, and delicious cuisine. On A Coruña's jutting peninsula stands the world's oldest extant Roman lighthouse, Torre de Hércules, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009. In this northwestern city with sweeping coastal views, we plan to witness Europe's first solar eclipse in twenty-seven years. What could be more awe-inspiring and rewarding after completing our El Camino?
