Join us on a Trekking Adventure to the. Camino Santiago de Compostela

Transcription

1 Join us on a Trekking Adventure to the Camino Santiago de Compostela 30th August 6th September 2014

2 The Camino Santiago, or Way of St. James, is one of the most famous pilgrimage walks in the world. The full route stretches some 800 kilometres across Europe and comes together at the tomb of St. James located in Santiago de Compostela in north-west Spain. Join Irish Guide Dogs on a choice of two tailor-made trekking adventures. Led by experienced tour guides, these 8 day treks are the perfect trip for solo adventurers or groups of friends. By taking part, you will be supporting people living with sight loss or autism achieve greater independence and an improved quality of life. What s more is that you ll experience one of the world s most historical journeys and your effort will be recognised through a special certificate ( Compostela ) issued to you by the famous Cathedral s Pilgrims Office. Highlights include: Walking through meadowlands and staying in rural towns and villages, some dating back to the 9th century with remains of Romanesque churches, bridges & pilgrim s hostels Walking on well maintained tracks and paths through meadowlands and forests of poplars and eucalyptus Entering the World Heritage city of Santiago and visiting the many historic buildings including the imposing Cathedral which evolved into the magnificent structure it is today over hundreds of years Enjoying the company of fellow walkers you meet along the way Itinerary - Trek 1 Day 1 On arrival from Dublin, we will travel by private bus to the town of Sarria, a journey of less than two hours where we will spend our first night. After settling in and relaxing, we meet up that evening for dinner at a riverside café, just a five minute walk from the hotel. There, we issue you with your very own Pilgrim s Passport which you will get stamped along the Camino and present at the Cathedral office at the end of the journey in order to receive your Compostela. Day 2 Sarria to Portomarin, 23.4km (ascent 220m) Today s walk takes us through narrow streets and over the remains of an original Roman bridge before passing under a newly constructed highway. It sets the tone for the week with wide open spaces, quiet country roads and forests. Following an early coffee break in the morning, lunch will take place at Ferreiros, a little hamlet of a few buildings. The walk ends at Portormarin, our destination for the night.

3 Day 3 Portomarin to Palas de Rei, 22.4km (ascent 340m) The centre piece of Portomarin is the church of San Nicolàs standing in the town square. Our walk begins here before crossing the river on a narrow foot bridge and over farmland to arrive at our first coffee break 6km away. After another 9km, there will be a lunch break before we depart for Palas de Rei, which is said to be on the site of the original Roman road between Lugo and Astorga. There we rest for the night. Day 4 Palas de Rei to Arzua, 27.3km (mostly even terrain) This is the longest walking day of the journey and it takes us through oak and pine forests passing from the province of Lugo to La Coruna. A lunch stop will take place at Melide prior to heading on to Arzua. There in the village square we will enjoy a well earned drink while waiting to be collected by bus to go back to Melide for the night. The trip includes: Return flights from Dublin to Santiago de Compostela All internal transfers including luggage transport during the trek Accommodation includes bed, breakfast and dinner Fully guided tour for each section of the walk Enjoy the beautiful scenery

4 Itinerary Day 5 Arzua to Rua, 18km (descent 40m) In the morning we travel by bus back to Arzua to begin our second last day s walk. We stroll through the mixed countryside of pine and eucalyptus forest paths, wide open spaces and quiet country roads. We enjoy a late lunch and begin a 40 minute walk to the hotel for the last night s sleep before we enter Santiago, our ultimate destination on this significant journey. The perfect trip for solo adventurers or groups Day 6 Rua to Santiago, 19km, (ascent 100m) Today is a special day as we walk where millions of pilgrims before us have walked. We pass through Labacolla where tradition has it that pilgrims washed themselves before entering the city. We continue to the Monte de Gozo or Mound of Joy and then begin our final 5km walk into the city, finally arriving at Praza do Obradoiro where the Cathedral is located. There, at the Pilgrims Office, we will hand in our completed Pilgrim s Passports and collect our certificates confirming we have walked the Camino Santiago de Compostela. The evening is free to be spent exploring the city. Further information: Please call Sinead O Keeffe on or sokeeffe@guidedogs.ie On receipt of your application form (see pages 11 & 12) and deposit, you will receive our welcome pack. We will also provide the following information in preparation for the trek: Confirmation of your place on the trek Further details on the trek Fundraising authorisation and fundraising hints and tips Tips on preparing for the Camino from diet to fitness Advice on what to pack for the journey

5 Day 7 Free day in Santiago Today is a day to wander at leisure through the city of Santiago, which is a living museum of narrow, winding streets, magnificent Romanesque and Baroque buildings, plazas, cloisters and elegant arcades. An option is to go along with pilgrims, walkers and visitors to the mid-day Mass at the Cathedral. Just before Mass, if you listen carefully, you can hear the Grupo Irlanda when the names of each walking group who completed a leg of the Camino is called from the altar. There is an endless list of sights to see around the city and parks to visit for a quiet moment. We also enjoy our final meal together on our last evening in this beautiful city. Day 8 Return Santiago to Dublin On the final day, we have breakfast and we bid farewell to Santiago de Compostela, before heading to the airport for our return trip to Dublin. Cost summary: Trek support: Participant cost: e2,200; this includes the trip cost (e930) and the minimum fundraising target (e1270). Single supplement e100. If 2 people sign up together, enjoy a special rate of e2100 each with a deposit of e500 due 31st March to secure your places The Irish Guide Dogs Camino Trek is fully supported by J. Barter Travel Group, an Irish licensed travel agent specialising in the Camino de Santiago de Compostela. An Irish Guide Dogs representative will also join you as host. * The trip cost covers flights, transfers, accommodation and meals (breakfast & dinner only). Travel insurance is not included.

6 Itinerary - Trek 2 Day 1 We arrive from Dublin and private bus transfer from Santiago airport South to Valenca crossing the river Minho which acts as the border between Portugal and Spain. The highlight of the evening will be visiting the huge Fortaleza fortress which overlooks the border. It is a former major military site and is now a great attraction with its narrow streets full of small shops, cafes and bars. You can even stroll across the 1886 road and rail bridge to Spain if you wish! Day 2 Valenca to O Porrino, 20km (ascent 100m) Our first day s walk brings us across the bridge into Spain and to the town of Tui. This historical border town has a beautifully preserved medieval centre with its Romanesque Cathedral de Santa Maria. Our path through the town is on narrow streets which wind their way to the outskirts and open country to our coffee stop at Orbenlle. The recently opened country path and quiet road from here to Porrino is a welcome alternative to the long slog through industrial estates endured by walkers up to Day 3 O Porrino to Redondela, 15km (ascent 235m) A relatively short day s walk today sees us reach the high point at Monte Cornedo from where the coast on our left comes into view. Our coffee break is 7.8km into the walk and from there it s a welcome downhill stroll into the town of Redondela for lunch. Our hotel however is not in the town itself, as we will transfer to the coast and stay at Hotel Antolin which is literally a five minute walk from the beach. Day 4 Redondela to Pontevedra, 18km (ascent 153m) Our day s walk is actually shorter because Hotel Antolin is on the right side of Redondela! An early coffee break at Arcade after 6km or so and then on to Pontevedra which is the regional capital and lively town with a population of 75,000. We re staying in the town centre and will be spoilt for choice when it comes to enjoying the evening.

7 Day 5 Pontevedra to Caldas de Reis, 23km (ascent 135m) We leave Pontevedra along the Rua da Santina and on through chestnut groves. After our coffee break at San Amaro, 10km, we pass through small villages and on to the town of Caldas where Thomas Becket rested in 1167 on his pilgrimage to Santiago. The church built in the 1890 s and dedicated to him, can be visited in the old quarter. The town is famous for its thermal waters which have been at a constant 40 degrees for thousands of years and enjoyed by early Celtic tribes, the Romans, and kings of Spain during the Reconquista. Day 6 Caldas de Reis to Padron, 18km (ascent 160m) Today s walk takes us along natural pathways and woodland and through river valleys stopping at the 6.5km mark for our coffee break. Then it s on to Padron which is one of the most famous towns on any of the Camino Santiago routes. According to legend, it was here that the stone boat carrying the remains of St. James after his martyrdom landed on the shores of Galicia. Day 7 Padron to Santiago, 25km (ascent 260m) Our final day s walk brings us to the Praza de Obradoiro and the Cathedral in Santiago. It is the longest stage, so we ll leave early to get full value for our time on arrival. Although we are nearing the City, our route takes us along pathways and through small hamlets before entering the suburbs where we can see the Cathedral spires in the distance. The comfort of our four star hotel awaits us before exploring the city that evening. Day 8 Free morning in Santiago Relax, explore or go shopping! Visit the Cathedral for the famous Pilgrim s Mass at midday, present your stamped passport, Credencial do Peregrino and collect your Compostela from the Pilgrim s office. We will then meet up for our airport transfer and flight home. Cost summary: Trek support: Participant cost: 2,200. This includes the trip cost and the minimum fundraising target. Single supplement 100. If 2 people sign up together, enjoy a special rate of 2100 each with a deposit of 500 due 31st March to secure your places. The Irish Guide Dogs Camino Trek is fully supported by J. Barter Travel Group, an Irish licensed travel agent specialising in the Camino de Santiago de Compostela. An Irish Guide Dogs representative will also join you as host. * The trip cost covers flights, transfers, accommodation and meals (breakfast & dinner only). Travel insurance is not included.

8 Guide to Fundraising We want your fundraising experience to be an enjoyable experience, and the sooner you plan and begin your fundraising the easier it will be to reach your fundraising target. Some important points to remember It must be clear to those sponsoring you that they are sponsoring you to participate in a trek Your non-refundable deposit of 300 (or 500 if two people book) secures your place on the trek You must have completed and lodged your total funds by 18th July.

9 TO DO LIST: Pay your deposit to secure your place Start planning your fundraising Set up an online fundraising page through and tell your friends on facebook Plan to take regular walks and build up to taking one long walk (3-4 hours) at the weekend Some events to get your fundraising off to a flying start: Bag pack contact your local supermarket, secure a date(s), Irish Guide Dogs will supply you with buckets, bibs and posters. Recruit friends and family to support you Ask your employer /colleagues to support you, maybe run a coffee morning at work or in local community Organise a table quiz Keep up the training, enjoy your walks, vary the routes, walk with friends and have fun Deadline for completing your fundraising is 18th July. Are you on target or do you need to plan other events? Maybe you could organise a bucket collection in your local town or shopping centre. Check with Irish Guide Dogs to ensure your dates are not clashing with other collections. Participants over 65 are required to submit a letter from their GP authorising their participation.

10 Help us to change a life forever We are a national charity dedicated to helping persons who are blind or vision impaired or families of children with autism to achieve improved mobility and independence. We work all year round providing vital services to assist people living with sight loss and autism to live independent and fulfilled lives. It costs us more than 4 million to provide our services which are offered free of charge. Some 80% of funds raised come from YOU through fundraising activities and events. To continue to provide our services, we need your help. By taking part in this fundraising trek you are helping us to do this. CEO, Padraig Mallon We help people enjoy a better quality of life through improved independence. Our life-changing services include the following training programmes: 1. Guide Dogs for people who are blind or vision impaired 2. Assistance Dogs for families of children with autism 3. Orientation and Mobility Training (Long Cane) 4. Independent Living Skills Training 5. Child Mobility Programme Improved mobility Get in touch: Phone: sokeeffe@guidedogs.ie Web: Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, National Headquarters and Training Centre, Model Farm Road, Cork Greater independence

11 REGISTRATION FORM Please print all details clearly Trek 1 or Trek 2 PERSONAL DETAILS: First name: Surname: Age: (minimum 18 years) Address: CONTACT DETAILS: Telephone: Mobile: PASSPORT DETAILS: (If you do not have a passport at the moment, please return the completed registration form and forward details when you have them) Full name as on passport: Date of birth: Date & place of issue: Nationality: Passport number: Date of expiry: Marital status: Name of next of kin: Relationship: Address: Telephone:

12 REGISTRATION FORM Please print all details clearly Accommodation Please note there are only a small number of single rooms available. Should you request a single room you will be need to pay an additional 100. Single Room: Yes No If happy to share, are you travelling with someone HEALTH & FITNESS: Do you suffer from any medical conditions or allergies? If yes, please give details: Do you have any dietary requirements? Kindly indicate your estimated level of fitness. Please tick one: Low Average High What size T-Shirt do you require? Please tick: Small Medium Large Extra Large PAYMENT DETAILS: To secure your place on our Camino Trek, a non refundable registration fee of 300 (or 500 for two people) is required. The registration fee can be made by cheque/postal order (payable to Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind). Alternatively call Sinead O Keeffe on to pay by credit/debit card. For any further enquiries, send an to sokeeffe@guidedogs.ie or call Phone: Sinead O Keeffe Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, National Headquarters and Training Centre, Model Farm Road, Cork