Autorondreis Pelgrims en Natuur - Frankrijk Spanje Portugal

About the destination: Bergerac is located on the banks of the Dordogne in Aquitaine, France. Castles, chateaux, and other important historical museums are sprinkled throughout the region. The whole area is well known for its wine production. Bergerac is another of these beautiful towns and villages that abound in the Dordogne. It is a fascinating town which is steeped in history. The historic old quarter is full of patios, balconies and churches. The old port area of Bergerac is lovely. There are spots both on the quay and on the banks of the river to sit and gaze over the Dordogne. Unfortunately, Bergerac's most famous son, Cyrano, seems to have had absolutely nothing to do with the town at all, although there are now two statues of him hereQuiet, modest and unassuming, Bergerac is the type of quiet town that sneaks up on you.

About the destination: San Sebastian is the capital of the province of Guipuzcoa. It became a popular touristic destination in the late XIX century thanks to Queen Christina of Austria, who spent her summers there. The beauty of the city and its gastronomy are two of its main tourist attractions. La Concha Bay presides over the city flanked by the Monte Igeldo and Monte Urgull. Facing La Concha is the Island of Santa Clara, where the lighthouse is located and it is accessible by boat from El Puerto. To the left of La Concha we find Ondarreta beach and at the far end of it, we have the set of sculptures “Comb of the Wind" by Eduardo Chillida. The old town, located at the foot of Monte Urgull between the port and the mouth of the Urumea, comes alive each evening when tapas and Basque specialities such as shellfish, seafood and squid specialities, can be enjoyed in local bars. The old town displays a Belle Époque splendour that will amaze all visitors. The city is home to the San Sebastián International Film Festival and the Quincena Musical, among other important events, that attract spectators coming from all over the world. Elegant, sophisticated and with a fin-de-siècle feel to it, San Sebastian is considered one of Spain’s most beautiful cities.

About the destination: Bilbao is the capital of Biscay in the Basque Country, in northern Spain. The city is situated on the banks of the Nervión, a tidal river. Bilbao was till the 90s a grey big industrial town, the economical heart of the Basque Country. But since the opening of a new Guggenheim Museum by the river, the city has become an arty and stylish city and is now a major touristic destination. The main attraction that put Bilbao on the map was the construction of the Guggenheim Museum by Frank Gehry, it is now one of Spain’s most visited attractions. The building is impressive and there are some very interesting sculptures outside the museum and in the atrium. Centred on the Plaza Nueva, a busy and colourful square, and the Santiago Cathedral the old quarter of Bilbao is pretty compact and a walk around its streets doesn't take long. The impressive church of San Nicolas, built in 1743 in honour of the sailors from Bilbao, stands at the entrance to the Casco Viejo. Located in the very heart of Bilbao's old centre, the cathedral of Bilbao is the oldest church in the city and the main Gothic construction in Biscay. Vital and exciting Bilbao is famous for its great food, its culture and its active nightlife.

About the destination: Santillana del Mar is a historic town in Cantabria. Situated on the northern route of the Pilgrim's Road to Santiago de Compostela, Santillana del Mar is a beautiful medieval town which was developed around the collegiate church of Santa María. Its various defence towers and Renaissance palaces make Santillana one of the most important historical areas of Cantabria. Santillana del Mar is one of the most historic towns and artistic of Spain. Speaking of Santillana is also doing Altamira Caves, described as the Sistine Chapel of cave art, this cave contains what is probably most famous prehistoric paintings in the world.

About the destination: Avilés is a port city in the province of Asturias. The historic quarter of Avilés has been declared a Historic-Artistic Site, since it houses significant gems of civil and religious architecture. Some of the main attractions are the pedestrian streets of Galiana and Rivero, Plaza de España with its City Hall, the old church of Sabugo, from the 13th century, and the modern Santo Tomás de Canterbury.

About the destination: Since medieval times until this day, Santiago de Compostela is considered a major destination for pilgrims. This holy city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. Situated in far northwestern Spain, 100km north of the Portuguese border, Santiago is the capital of the autonomous region of Galicia. The city harbors Spain’s most famous church. La Catedral is majestic, a harmonious melding of styles and eras beneath two soaring towers. Just inside the main entrance is the Pórtico de la Gloria, one of the outstanding ensembles of Romanesque sculpture in Europe. Near the cathedral, there is the Museo do Pobo Galego, museum of the Galician people, housed in the Monasterio de Santo Domingo, contains replicas of ancient Celtic ruins. Nearly half of Santiago’s population is made up of rowdy students itching to have a good time. Bars and pubs can be found throughout the medieval streets of the old town and along Calle Santiago de Chile. The nights have special light in the streets of Santiago de Compostela. The moonlight makes the town a timeless scenario where landmarks bring out the city’s most beautiful and nostalgic side. And for those looking for atmosphere, Santiago’s nights are eternal.

About the destination: Guimarães is a city in Minho, Portugal and is one of the most historical cities in Portugal, said to be where "Portugal was born". It is the first city of Portugal, and have a beautiful Castle, and a Palace to visit, from the beginnings of the country. The Castle has been classified as one of the New Portuguese Seven Wonders. The first King (D. Afonso Henriques aka D. Afonso, I of Portugal). Placed about 50 km from Porto, Guimarães is placed near to a mountain, Penha, with wonderful views to all the city. In Guimarães, there is a bus that lets you travel through the city centre. But there is not a very big city centre so you probably will prefer to walk by foot and enjoy the harmony of this medieval city. If you usually purchase a long time ticket in other cities, to travel, here you may not afford it. to travel by bus, To go to Penha Mountain the best solution is getting the Elevators - Teleférico da Penha - and climb up. If you prefer to have a walk through the mountain it's very safe, and you have nice roads to go up, but it will take about 30 minutes. Renting a car can be a very nice solution, because, in a small city there is not many traffic jams, and if you want to stay in a place "far" from the centre, it can be a wonderful transport. It's not so expensive to rent a car. But, if you want to feel the city, you can make longer trips, because the city centre has a lot of small medieval streets, that you can only enjoy walking. You can see: Guimarães Castle, l Dukes of Braganza Palace (Paço dos Duques de Bragança) Penha Mountain, Largo da Oliveira (Olive Square) Casa de Sezim (Sezim Manor), located in Nespereira (about 5 km away from the city centre),

About the destination: Lamego is a city and municipality in the Viseu District, in the Norte Region of the Douro in northern Portugal. Located on the shores of the Balsemão River, the municipality has a population of 26,691,in an area of 165.42 km².

About the destination: Salamanca is an architectural tapestry woven in sandstone. Though there are excellent examples of Roman, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and baroque structures, the golden stone itself is the thread of continuity and harmony. Nonetheless, this ancient university town, has many monumental highlights. Plaza Mayor, considered by many the most beautiful main square in Spain is a fine place for admiring architecture. The town hall is the large, elegant building in the centre of the square. Two beautiful cathedrals stand side by side: the New Cathedral boasts beautiful Plateresque facades and it is the only entrance to the connecting old, Romanesque Catedral Vieja. The university, the focal point of the city, is one of the best examples of Spanish Plateresque style. Salamanca at night is a party. The illuminated city is the meeting point for hundreds of students collecting tapas and beer. But make no mistake, it is also a city to enjoy a quiet night, savoring some wine on a terrace of Plaza Mayor.

About the destination: Santo Domingo de la Calzada is a municipality in La Rioja, Spain, situated on the banks of the Oja River. Its name refers to its founder, Dominic de la Calzada, who built a bridge, hospital, and hotel here for pilgrims on the French Way the most popular path of the Way of St. James. He began construction of the town's Cathedral of Santo Domingo de la Calzada is buried within and it is dedicated to him. Philosopher Gustavo Bueno Martínez was born here in 1924.

About the destination: The ancient capital of Navarra, a medieval kingdom with Basque roots, performs a quick-change act for the Fiesta de San Fermín or the Running of the Bulls, Spain’s most wildly celebrated festival and Pamplona’s irresistible attraction. But Pamplona has many other interesting things to do and explore in Pamplona for the traveller since it is the first main city on the route of the St. James's Trail. Pamplona has a beautiful medieval city centre, an impressive citadel, several museums, great wines and gastronomy and lots of green spaces. Pamplona’s citadel is very well kept and one of the best examples of a Renaissance's fortification in Europe. Surrounded by a massive park, nowadays its interior holds art exhibitions and occasional cultural events, especially during the summer months. The Plaza del Castillo is the principal square in the centre of the city where you will find lots of bars and cafés, the Teatro Principal and the seat of the council of Navarra. Located in the old town area of Santo Domingo, near the start of the famous bull run, is the interesting Museo de Navarra, displaying a collection of altarpieces and religious artwork from the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The Gothic Cathedral of Santa Maria La Real is the main religious building of the city. The Cathedral combines a neoclassical façade with a Gothic interior. Pamplona's history and monuments make it a very attractive city. The city has two universities, which help keep the city vibrant and cultural.

About the destination: Jaca is a city of northeastern Spain in the province of Huesca, located near the Pyrenees and the border with France. Jaca is an ancient fort on the Aragón River, situated at the crossing of two great early medieval routes, one from Pau to Zaragoza. Jaca was the city out of which the County and Kingdom of Aragon developed It was the capital of Aragon until 1097 and also the capital of Jacetania.

About the destination: Lourdes is a large town in the French Pyrenees. It is a global center of Marian pilgrimage, receiving hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Catholics believe that the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, appeared 18 times at the Grotto to a young girl, St Bernadette Soubirous.Originally a sleepy market town on the road to the spas of the Pyrenees, Lourdes has grown into the largest Marian pilgrimage center in the world. The town has two sections: the international portion by the river, consisting of the spiritual area containing the Grotto and churches, known as the Domaine or the Sanctuaries, and the French portion, centered around the Marketplace and Hotel de Ville.Lourdes is a pedestrian friendly city with several pedestrian only streets and it is very easy to get around the town center. It really is worth walking and exploring. Don't miss the nightly candlelight procession in front of the Basilica and around the main square, with singing, prayer and a rosary said in many languages.

About the destination: Sarlat-la-Canéda, or simply Sarlat, is a commune in the Dordognedepartment in Aquitaine in southwestern France. The most famous town in the region and one of the most renowned and visited in France. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS • The old town, dating from both medieval and renaissance times. • The cathedral was originally the church of Sarlat Abbey. Over the centuries it has been added to and transformed and is now a mix of Roman, Gothic and other styles. • The cour du cloitre and the nearby cour des fontaines and the cour des chanoines were all originally part of the abbey. • The jardin des Enfeus just above the cathedral is the ancient abbey cemetary and there are several sarcophagus and 'enfeus'. • 'Le Présidial'. This attractive 17th century building has an original lantern structure on its roof and was the headquarters of the royal court in the 17th century. It is now a well known gastronomic restaurant.