tagged as santiago de compostela tag leader BeluChi

Departed from Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain at 7:12am CEST. Arrived at Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain at 1:11pm CEST.

Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain at 7:12am CEST.

Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain at 10:38pm CEST.

Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain at 7:00pm CEST.

Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain from 4:13pm to 6:17pm CEST (2 hrs, 3 mins).

Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain at 10:46pm CEST.

Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain at 1:40pm CEST.

Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain at 6:15pm CEST.

Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain at 5:51pm CEST.

Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain from 3:09pm to 5:18pm CEST (2 hrs, 9 mins).

Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain from 1:19pm to 2:23pm CEST (1 hr, 3 mins).

Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain at 1:07pm CEST.

Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain at 1:02pm CEST.

Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain from 9:07pm to 9:40pm CEST (33 mins).

Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain from 2:22pm to 2:45pm CEST (22 mins).

Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain at 12:01pm CEST.

Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain at 10:25pm CEST.

Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain at 9:33pm CEST.

After a bit of a rough stretch, we finally reached the smaller town of Santiago de Compostela in the corner of north-western España! A 7hour delay in Madrid, a 9hour train ride through the night, a bus dropping us off on the highway of hills of who-knows-where, and napping in a park waiting for the reception to open that turns to not even be the right place. However, at the top of Monte de Goso, closer to the city of San Marco, we found our hostel. Nice little rooms right on the side of fields and trees and a great view of the nearby neighborhoods.

This town is run by hundreds of backpackers, reaching their destination in the center of Santiago. Starting from a few points in Europe, the hike is 800km, and it just went in my bucket list. Through the most beautiful regions of Spain, in my opinion, Christian pilgrims traveled this route for over a thousand years. It began in the medieval times and was called the Way of St. James, and to this day, people turn away from modern life, grab a pilgrim stick, follow the sign of the sideways sun and hike their way.

So, the campsite we're staying at is where the pilgrims gather, and we've seen many groups come in and go out, chanting words of encouragement for their next hike, and walking together carrying large packs and walking sticks toward the city center.

The city of Santiago is gorgeous! and reminds me a little of a Cinque Terre in the mountains. It's set up in a medieval circle, With the most fantastic cathedral we've seen. In the shape of a cross with huge towers, it is definitely the thing to see, and inside is the largest and most stunning organ! There was a stone carving completion going on, and the Apostle festival as well.

This is one of my favorite places. The smells of fresh air, manure, good food, pastries and wood & fire lit up my senses. I got up for early hikes both mornings, and enjoyed the end of the sunrise on the second. AND, the raspberries began to ripen! The perfect little break from our vacation. :)

Estacion Autobuses de Santiago at 6:35pm CEST in Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain.