Welcome to Santiago de Compostela

Welcome to Santiago de Compostela, the Sacred City, built stone by stone around the said resting place of the Apostle Saint James.

The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela at sunset

The Galician novelist Valle Inclán wrote that: “… of all the old Spanish cities, the one which seems to be trapped in a dream of granite, immutable and eternal is Santiago de Compostela…. although it doesn’t appear ancient, but rather everlasting. But Compostela, in the ecstasy of the pilgrims, unites all its stones in one single evocation. There, the passing hours are just one hour, repeating itself eternally, under a grey rainy sky…”

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You are beautiful, you are the biggest gift!

It’s Valentine’s Day 2021! So we’d like to talk about Love, on the Camino de Santiago. Did you fall in love or back into love on the Camino? Share your Camino Love stories below!

I meet the love of my life, Emilio, in Santiago de Compostela, 6 years and a week ago and we couldn’t be happier together.

We had clients asking us for ideas on how to propose at the end of their Camino (in Finisterre or the Obradoiro Square); help on how to get married on the Way ; meeting on the Camino, changing their plans to walk together and returning to the Camino together months later ; celebrating their honeymoon or a special anniversary on the Camino… ( and by the way, we absolutely love getting these types of requests and having a small part in your love story)

But many forget that before you can love someone else, you need to love yourself. Many walk the Camino in Holy Years like this year and the next, to obtain plenary indulgeance from the Church but I also believe taking time off for yourself, to introspect while you are walking, see the good in people, reunit with your beliefs, is a very powerful therapy and the occasion to forgive yourself and fall back into love with yourself.

You are beautiful, you are the biggest gift! (these were messages found near the Iron Cross in Foncebadon)

HAPPY SAN VALENTINE’S DAY TO YOU ALL!

Love from Santiago,
Nellie

Review: If You Stand Here: A Pilgrim’s Tour of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela by Anne Born

Want to learn about the Cathedral Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, the final resting place of the Apostle Saint James and the end of the Camino de Santiago?

If You Stand Here: A Pilgrim's Tour of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela by Anne Born

It is the largest Romanesque Cathedral in #Spain. 94 m long with a transept of 63 m, a maximum height of 32 m and construction of the building started in 1075.
But although this is useful information, the importance of this building is not in these details. What interests Anne Born @nilesite in her new book If you stand here… is the stories of those who were lucky enough to stand in this great Cathedral.

Anne will guide you through the Nave, the Cloister, the different squares and even the rooftop, telling you what events took place at the very spot you are standing and which historical figure were involved. And there were many, from the Spanish princess Catherine of Aragon, to Cosimo de Medici III, to Eva Perón, Cary Grant, Frederico Garcia Lorca…

She mentions this about Georgiana Goddard King’s own guidebook of the Cathedral, but this is also true with If you stand here… “you will feel like as if she were in fact present beside you, guiding you by the hand, as she would with a friend.”

Reading this book, we not only learned about the building but the History of Santiago de Compostela and to a greater extend Spain and Europe.

If you want to learn about what it feels to follow her footstep go to
tumbleweedpilgrim.com/2021/01/12/a-new-tour-of-the-cathedral-for-pilgrims/

Birdwatching in Galicia

Galicia, in North-Western Spain is renown for its culture, traditions, gastronomy and for being the final destination of the Camino de Santiago but it is also an excellent choice for those who are looking for bird watching holidays.

The unspoilt landscape and rich wildlife of Galicia makes it perfect destination to observe in particular migratory seabirds and cliffbirds like raptors.

We found a wonderful local partner we trust to show you the best birdwatching spots in the region of Galicia and ensure you have a wonderful nature experience.

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