Follow in famous footsteps along the Camino de Santiago
Actor Martin Sheen first achieved his dreams of walking the ancient 800km pilgrimage across Northern Spain in 2003 but pledged to return as the walk ‘proved too magical to experience in such a short space of time’.
His new film ‘The Way’ – due for release in the UK and Ireland on 13 May - allowed him to do just that as he returned to tell the story of a father who travels to France to collect the remains of his son - played by real-life son Emilio Estevez - who was killed in a freak storm whilst walking ‘the Way of St James’.
With the main pilgrimage route from St Jean Pied de Port, known as Camino Frances, playing such a key role in the film, audiences will be inspired to follow in the footsteps of the actors, who also include James Nesbitt.
Catherine Crone, Managing Director for walking holiday specialists Headwater, said: “I don’t know if it’s the beauty of the walk, the history behind it or the camaraderie along the way with people who’ve travelled from all over the world but, when our guests reach the spectacular Baroque cathedral at the end of the Camino de Santiago, the sense of achievement people enjoy is amazing.”
Headwater offers an independent 11-day Camino de Santiago walking tour that provides an insight into the history behind the pilgrimage route as guests stay in converted water mills, hilltop monasteries, noblemen’s houses and stylish farmhouses.
As ‘The Way’ was filmed on location walkers will be able to recognise sights along the hotel-to-hotel trek. Starting at a remote hilltop chapel in the Montes de Leon mountain range they then embark on a 90 mile walk. The route takes walkers along shady oak woods, pretty villages and quiet country roads where they can visit the traditional pilgrimage sites that pay homage to the patron saint of Spain, St James, and also refuel on hearty local food en route.
Prices for the 11-day linear Camino de Santiago walk start from £1259pp including flights from London Heathrow and onward rail travel, accommodation on a B&B basis plus eight evening meals, the transfer of bags between hotels, route notes, regional information and a local map kit. Tour only prices start from £1028pp.
For more information and to book online, visit: headwater.com
