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Trace the route devout pilgrims have walked since the middle ages.
Follow in the footsteps of medieval pilgrims as you make your way through France, Spain, and Portugal on this immersive tour. As you go, admire some of the holiest sites in Christendom and step inside soaring churches where people have prayed for centuries. From bustling Toulouse and historic Lourdes to the ancient streets of Santiago de Compostela, spirituality comes to the forefront on this memorable journey.
Your tour package includes
12 nights in handpicked hotels
12 breakfasts
5 dinners with beer or wine
7 sightseeing tours
Expert Tour Director & local guides
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Included highlights
Basilica of St. Sernin
Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes
The Way of St. James
Burgos Cathedral
Santiago de Compostela Cathedral
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Start planning today
An expert specializing in tours of this region is here to help.
Welcome to France! Meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers at tonight’s welcome dinner.
Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Toulouse
Included meal: Breakfast
Set out with a local guide for a walking tour of Toulouse.
Explore the Place du Capitole, a square lined with grand government buildings
Browse fresh flowers as you stroll through the outdoor market (seasonal)
Step inside the Basilica of Saint-Sernin, a UNESCO World Heritage site
Admire the imposing Church of the Jacobins, the city’s historic Bernuy Mansion, and the Hôtel-Dieu Saint-Jacques
Lourdes2 nights
Day 4: Transfer to Lourdes & sightseeing tour
Included meal: Breakfast
Transfer to Lourdes, France’s most sacred Christian pilgrimage site, for a guided sightseeing tour.
Visit the houses of Bernadette
Enter the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes to see the Rosary Basilica and the Grotto of Massabielle, a healing site where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared
Step inside the Basilica of Saint Pius X, completed in 1957
Enjoy a free evening to attend the Marian Procession, which has occurred every night since 1872, ending at a mass in the Grotto of the Apparition.
Day 5: Free day in Lourdes
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Spend a free day in Lourdes. If you choose, attend an international mass in the Basilica of St. Pius X during the morning. This afternoon, you may spend free time attending the Blessed Sacrament Procession at an open-air altar.
Please note: The procession lasts one hour. In the event of inclement weather, the procession will take place inside the Basilica of St. Pius X.
Sit down for an included dinner this evening.
Zaragoza1 night
Day 6: Zaragoza via Jaca
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Make your way to Zaragoza, Spain, driving along a French portion of the Way of St. James in the Pyranees Mountains as you go. Stop in the Spanish town of Jaca for free time before arriving in Zaragoza, the capital of the historic Aragon region.
Sit down for an included dinner this evening.
Burgos2 nights
Day 7: Sightseeing tour of Zaragoza
Included meal: Breakfast
Join a local guide for a tour of Zaragoza.
See the Plaza de las Catedrales and La Seo, an architecturally impressive cathedral
Enter the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, a major pilgrimage center that was built after a Marian apparition appeared on the bank of the Ebro River
This afternoon, transfer to Burgos, another important city along the Way of St. James.
Day 8: Sightseeing tour of Burgos
Included meal: Breakfast
Join a local guide for a sightseeing tour of Burgos.
Stroll through the city center and take in the beauty of Burgos Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site
Step inside the enormous Gothic structure to admire the architecture of its chapels
See the tombs of El Cid and his wife, both buried in the cathedral in 1919
Enjoy a free afternoon in Burgos or add an excursion.
Burgos & the Way of St. James Walk
From $59 per person
León1 night
Day 9: Transfer to León & sightseeing tour
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning, continue on to León for a guided walking tour.
View Plaza Mayor and the 14th-century Palace of Count Luna
Admire the Palacio de los Guzmanes and the striking Casa de los Botines, designed by famous architect Antoni Gaudí
Step inside León Cathedral, which was built over ancient Roman baths
Enter the Romanesque Basílica de San Isidoro, which dates back to the 11th century
Sit down for an included dinner.
Santiago de Compostela2 nights
Day 10: Transfer to Santiago de Compostela
Included meal: Breakfast
Travel to Santiago de Compostela, the UNESCO-listed destination of medieval pilgrims. Stop along the way at the Monte de Gozo, or “Hill of Joy,” which is the site where pilgrims can first look at Santiago de Compostela Cathedral in the distance.
Spend a free afternoon in Santiago de Compostela or add excursions.
Melide & the Way of St. James Walk
From $69 per person
Traditional Galician Dinner
From $85 per person
Day 11: Sightseeing tour of Santiago de Compostela
Included meal: Breakfast
Walk through Santiago de Compostela, a town that once ranked just behind Jerusalem and Rome as one of Christendom’s most important pilgrimage sites.
Stroll along the ancient city’s narrow streets and stop at Parque de la Alameda
Enter the Gothic Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, which marks the end of the Way of St. James
Enjoy free time in Santiago de Compostela or add an excursion.
Cape Finisterre Coastal Pilgrimage
From $69 per person
Fátima2 nights
Day 12: Transfer to Fátima
Included meal: Breakfast
Cross the border into Portugal as you journey to Fátima. Enjoy free time or attend an afternoon mass or evening candlelight rosary procession.
Day 13: Sightseeing tour of Fátima
Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner
Join a local guide for a tour of Fátima, the famous Catholic site where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared six times to three young shepherds.
Step inside the Houses of Jacinta to learn more about the three Secrets of Fátima
Enter the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima and explore its grotto
Later, celebrate your trip during a farewell dinner.
Flight Home
Day 14: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Transfer to the Lisbon airport for your flight home or continue your journey in the Portuguese capital.
Extension to Lisbon
Continue your trip and keep exploring some of Portugal’s most important sacred sites. With stops in the cities of Tomar and Santarém, along with a sightseeing tour of Lisbon, it’s the perfect addition to your journey.
Lisbon2 nights
Day 14: Lisbon via Tomar & Santarém
Included meal: Breakfast
Continue on to Lisbon, making two stops along the way.
Join a local guide during a visit to the city of Tomar, where you’ll enter the UNESCO-listed Convent of Christ
Enjoy a brief visit to Santarém, a city located on the Portuguese Way of St. James
Enjoy a free afternoon in the city or add an excursion.
Fado Show & Dinner
From $99 per person
Day 15: Sightseeing tour of Lisbon
Included meal: Breakfast
Get to know the Portuguese capital on a tour with a local guide.
Admire views of the city from Eduardo VII Park and pass the Praça Marquês de Pombal as you travel along Avenida da Liberdade
Stop at the waterfront to discover the city’s maritime heritage at the Monument to the Discoveries and Tower of Belém
Enter the church at Jerónimos Monastery, built to honor voyagers
Walk from Praça do Comércio into the Alfama district
Step inside Santo António Church, the site where many believe Saint Anthony of Padua was born
This evening, enjoy a farewell drink as you celebrate your trip with your fellow group members.
Flight Home
Day 16: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
EF absolutely did not disappoint with this tour. Leonor was our tour guide and was simply fabulous. Her depth of knowledge, passion for the area and ability to make things happen simply made the trip. Our traveling companions also were incredible! We were able to walk parts of the Camino, attend can...
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EF Go Ahead Tours replied on 9/19/23
Thanks for your review, Emilee! Leonor is the best...
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5.0 star rating
Great Camino trip
5/24/23 by 1st-time traveler Deborah
This tour was so much better than I had hoped. The visits to Lourdes and Fatima were so peaceful and emotional and more beautiful than I had imagined. I originally booked this trip to see northern Spain, Burgos and the area where my ancestors are from. I had watched the movie “The Way” a few years a...
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5.0 star rating
Wonderful Experience
4/5/23 by 6th-time traveler Timothy
The Marian Shrines & The Way of St. James tour was absolutely excellent. Our tour guide Thomas met us at the airport and helped all of us for the next two weeks. Very professional and knowledgeable. Each stop on the tour was amazing and all the hotels were great. Many fascinating places and for me t...
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EF Go Ahead Tours replied on 4/25/23
Timothy, thank you so much for your review! We are...
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Hotels, flights & FAQ
Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.
Hotels
We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.
Hôtel Mercure Toulouse Centre Wilson Capitole
This modern hotel is located in downtown Toulouse. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi and a bar. Nearby, you'll find the Basilica of St. Sernin, Place du Capitol...
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Mercure Lourdes Imperial
This contemporary hotel is located in downtown Lourdes. Guests enjoy a restaurant, bar, and lounge. Nearby, you’ll find the Gave de Pau River, the San...
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Hotel Hesperia Zaragoza Centro
This conveniently located hotel is in the historic center of Zaragoza, Spain. Guests enjoy the on-site café, bar, and spacious rooms. Nearby you’ll fi...
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Hotel Silken Gran Teatro
This contemporary hotel is located in Burgos. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi, a fitness center, and a seasonal terrace. Nearby, you'll find the Río Arlanzón,...
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AC Hotel Leon San Antonio
This modern hotel is located in León City Center. Guests enjoy WiFi, a Turkish bath, and fitness center. Nearby, you'll find The Cathedral Of León, Mu...
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Eurostars Gran Hotel Santiago
This elegant hotel is located just outside of Santiago de Compostela’s city center in Spain. Guests enjoy the central courtyard, on-site coffee shop, ...
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Hotel Sana Malhoa
This comfortable atmosphere hotel is located on Avenida José Malhoa in the heart of Lisbon. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi, a restaurant, and a bar. Nearby, ...
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Flights
Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.
Add our airfare package and you'll get:
Round-trip flight for your tour
Airport transfers at your destination
A great price locked in today
24/7 support from our dedicated service team
Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
This tour visits France, Spain, and Portugal. In order to enter these countries, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
Beginning in 2024, U.S. and Canadian passport holders must register for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to enter many European countries.
Passport holders from over 60 visa-exempt countries (including the U.S. and Canada) will need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to visit 30 European countries. That means that even if you’ve previously traveled to any of these European countries without a visa, starting in 2024, you’ll need to get ETIAS authorization to visit them again. If you’re traveling to multiple countries with this requirement, you only need to complete the form once. All Go Ahead travelers are responsible for obtaining their own ETIAS travel authorization before departure. For more details, please visit our Help Center.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code SJM.
You will walk for at least 1.5 hours daily across mostly flat terrain and paved roads, with some hills and stairs.
Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times.
Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Toulouse and depart from Lisbon. A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.
Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip flights to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).
At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.
You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code SJM.
For a picnic with French flair, stop at a small grocery store for cheeses, pâtés, cured meats, fresh-baked bread, and fruit. In the cities, sidewalk vendors are known for their steaming crepes, while mouthwatering pastries and hot café au lait beckon from cafes. In restaurants, the prix fixe option is a popular way to enjoy a set three- or four-course menu for a good price.
Although lunch is generally served from noon until 2pm in France, dinner is served from 7:30pm onward. Those wishing to eat earlier can stop at a cafe, where light entrées and sandwiches are available throughout the afternoon and evening.
In Spain, breakfast like a local with just a pastry and coffee. Then, tuck into a three-course lunch featuring a Spanish staple like savory seafood paella or grilled meat and fried potatoes. Dinner is less hearty than lunch and is served late, between 9pm and midnight. Snack on small plates called tapas any time of day.
Portuguese food is fresh, hearty, and delicious. Try seafood stew cooked in a cataplana, a shell-shaped copper pan, or the national dish, bacalhau (salted cod). A couvert, or simple plate of bread, butter, and olives, is often served when you sit down to a meal—while it is free in many restaurants, some will add a charge to your bill for it.
All destinations visited on this tour operate on the European standard 220-240 volts and use Types C, E, or F plugs with two small, round pins.
We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
The strength of the air conditioning in European hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.
Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
We recommend tipping the equivalent of $8USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
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