The Camino
A Modern-Day Pilgrimage
September 22-October 1, 2024
Travel the first leg of the French Camino, also known as the French Way, as we go from Saint-Jean-Pied-de Port to Pamplona, Spain, winding through the stunning foothills of the Pyrenees. This favored route of the nine different Caminos is known for its beauty and well-kept paths.
This is Basque country, where ancient half-timbered homes and lush grassy fields will surround you. Grazing horses and tree-filled forests, wrapped in the colors of autumn, will line our way as we walk 8-10 miles a day (52 miles in total). Go at your own pace and stop when needed, meeting up with the group in the afternoon to enjoy local cuisine, culture and history. Spend evenings with your fellow female travelers as we discuss our days and challenges, our hopes and goals. This is a pilgrimage after all.
We’ll begin our tour in Sare, France where we’ll enjoy an award-winning restaurant and hotel that dates to the 16th century when it served as lodging for Pilgrims. As we continue along the Camino, our accommodations will become quaint countryside guesthouses that offer private rooms and baths. This tour is deemed “the Princess Camino” because there will be no hostels or backpacks to carry. Our carriage (a.k.a. van) will always be a phone call away.
After completing our walk, we’ll celebrate in San Sebastian, considered one of Europe’s most amazing cities. We’ll sample pinxtos and cider, learn to make paella, and absorb the essence of the best of the Basque Country.
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Experience The Camino
$3900 per person, double occupancy
$750 single supplement
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Our Camino tour includes 9 nights accommodations beginning with one night at the Hotel Arraya in Sare and ending with 2 nights at the Villa Katalina in San Sebastian (Camino lodging will be announced closer to the date), all ground transportation after arriving to Sare and ending in San Sebastian, all group activities and tours, expert guides, a cooking class, daily breakfast and lunch as well as the welcome and farewell dinners.
Not included in the tour price: airfare, transfers to Sare and from San Sebastian, alcoholic beverages not listed in the itinerary, and tips to guides and hotel staff.
A $1000 deposit is required to secure your place on the Princess Camino. Since the number of participants is limited and accommodations vary, early registration is advised. Larger rooms will be allocated on a first-to-register basis.
This tour is geared to single female travelers who would like to experience a lighter version of the Camino without the worry of traveling alone. We will help arrange transportation to Sare from whichever starting point you decide. For departures, the closest international airport is Bilbao, Spain.
Delicious Expeditions also offers culinary tours to:
Croatia, France, Guatemala, Istria, Michoacán, San Miguel de Allende, Slovenia, Spain, The Camino, Tuscany, Umbria, Venice & Vienna
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Read our testimonials and see for yourself that Delicious Expeditions are trips of a lifetime!
The French Way
French Charm
Arrive at the Hotel Arraya in Sare. Discover the village that has been named one of Frances's most beautiful. Sample traditional Gateau Basque on the main square or watch a game of pelota, the region’s favored sport. In the evening, meet your fellow travelers over a glass of wine on the hotel’s picturesque patio. Gourmet dinner at their award-winning restaurant.
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A Place of Pilgrims
We'll travel to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, the historic town where the Camino begins. Get your Pilgrim's Passport and its first stamp. Wander the cobbled alleyways full of quaint cafés and stores, ready to supply you with any missing gear. Visit the witch caves of Zugarriamurdi before a countryside lunch of French specialties. Free evening.
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Heading into Spain
We'll begin our journey and head toward the Spanish border, walking along the foothills of the Pyrenees. Move at your own pace, stopping to admire the beauty and serenity of the region. Enjoy the vista of traditional Basque homes, trimmed in red, green, and blue. Spanish farmhouse lunch. Settle in at a quaint countryside inn, enjoying free time to wander, explore, or just relax after a day on your feet.
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On The Road
On days 4-7 our journey will continue through fir and oak forests and into the Spanish land of Navarre, a medieval Basque kingdom that was annexed by Castille in the 16th century. This landscape is dotted with remote villages and a mountain pass. We’ll proceed to Azoleta and the magical town of Roncesvalles, known for its 13th-century monastery and Gothic architecture. As we descend from the foothills of the Pyrenees and into the arid valley of the Rioja wine region, the temperature will rise and the forest will recede. These days will be sprinkled with winery lunches and tastings, visits to cheese makers, and other food artisans.
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Spanish Navarre
We’ll arrive at Pamplona and the end of the first leg of the French Way. Lunch at the historic Café Iruña, a famous Hemingway haunt, on the main square. Explore this fabled city with our guide before heading to the ever-spectacular San Sebastian. Settle into the Villa Katalina, located next to the Cathedral. Evening pinxtos tour.
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Discover San Sebastian
Discover Old Town San Sebastian with a walking tour that delves into history, architecture, and the unique Basque culture. Free afternoon to explore on your own. Farewell dinner and paella cooking class with Chef Benatur.
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Hasta Pronto!
After breakfast and goodbyes, head to another town in Spain or directly to the Bilbao airport.
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Deadline to register for the Princess Camino is June 1. Lodging is limited in these parts and has to be booked far in advance.