2021 is the Holy Year for the Camino de Santiago and a great excuse to walk this iconic trail.
The Camino de Santiago is one of the most ancient and popular pilgrimage destinations around the world, but it’s far from being just a religious experience. After an eleven years gap, 2021 is the Holy Year, which is celebrated when the 25th of July, the day of St. James the Apostle, falls on a Sunday.
This year the Camino de Santiago will be made extra spectacular by performances and special events taking place along the way. Upon arrival at Santiago de Compostela, pilgrims will enjoy all sorts of cultural celebrations and sangria-fueled fiestas.
It’s possible to start the Camino from any town along the way but most pilgrims start their Camino journey from the town of Sarria, in Galicia, and walk the last 111km to Santiago. The reason for this is mainly that you will need to walk at least the last 100kms of the route in order to receive your Compostela pilgrim certificate in Santiago.
After the year we have had, a bit of spirituality could be good for anyone but the Camino de Santiago is far from being the only reason to visit the beautiful city of Santiago de Compostela, the last stop of the pilgrimage.
The ancient Galician town is a Unesco Heritage site, that has been a religious symbol but also a must-visit for any curious traveller. Just like in most Spanish cities, you will find delicious food, incredible architecture and, if you go between April and October, amazing blue skies – perfect to sip a fruity sangria while eating tapas in the sun.
Where to stay: A Quinta da Auga Relais & Châteaux
This gorgeous family-run boutique hotel just minutes from the city centre comprises 51 individually designed rooms in chic and classic Galician style, with original stone walls and rich wood flooring bedecked with an elegant combination of antique and contemporary furnishings and artworks. It provides guests with traditional yet delicate regional cuisine championing seafood sourced from the neighbouring Atlantic, while its dedicated Spa annexe boasts a skylit roof pool and its own flotarium – where you can experience flotation, a type of therapy that helps relaxation – inspired by the healing powers of the mineral-rich Dead Sea waters.
To celebrate the 2021 Holy Year, the hotel has launched a Pilgrims Package from 900€ for two, which includes 2 nights’ B&B accommodation, 1 dinner at Filigrina, 1 “pilgrim therapy” at the spa, 1 guided city tour discovering the Santiago de Compostela legacy and a surprise gift for pilgrims.
Visit their website to discover more about A Quinta da Auga Relais & Châteaux.
Picture: Manuel Bern
