The agents were selected based on their merits and the participation varied from across the country
Declared a World Heritage Site and a European Cultural Route by the European Council, the Camino de Santiago or Way of Saint James, attracts hikers and believers from all over the world. It is a breath-taking route that gives trekkers ample opportunity to reflect.
They say that there are as many routes as there are pilgrims: from the classic French Way, the green Northern Way, the magical Silver Way and the never-ending English Way, to the oldest of all, the awe-inspiring Primitive Way. And all of the 50 different routes interweave to arrive at the same destination: the majestic Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, a stunning example of Romanesque art.
From September 4-11, the Tourism Office of the Embassy of Spain in India, Turespana, in collaboration with Official Tourist Agency of Galicia – Camino de Santiago, successfully organised an agents FAM trip, hosting six travel agents to explore the niche tourist segment of the Camino de Santiago. The group was accompanied by a guide.
A press statement says that the agents were selected based on their merits and the participation varied from across the country. This 7-night, 8-day extensive niche trip covered the Maritime route of the Apostle, Portuguese way of the Coast and Fisterra-Muxía, French Way, English Way and the final culmination point of the Santiago.
The starting and end point of the trip was Santiago and the work itinerary covered all important aspects and nuances of the various routes of Santiago listed above. The group of agents had an enthralling experience and were able to gather many touristic offerings on their routes which they have committed to offer to their frequent customer travellers for their next trip to Spain.
The group of agents had an enthralling experience and were able to gather many touristic offerings on their routes
The agents were thrilled to be taken on an important but little known heritage of Spain and indeed Europe. “I was amazed at the various choices available for Camino de Santiago to reach Culmination at the Shrine of the Apostle Saint James the Great in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia. The best moments for me were the few occasions we got the walk amongst the pilgrims, I felt the chills and trills of what they must feel on completion at the Cathedral of Santiago. The Cathedral itself left me in awe, its imposing structure and its Sanctity within,” says Mildred Noronha-Smith of All About Travel.
“Enroute meeting people of varied nationalities, languages, age groups, some most on foot and some on bicycles we even saw some on wheelchairs all with a common intention following the arrows in Yellow and Scallop Shell to Camino De Santiago. The days for us were hectic, early mornings before Sunrise ending at midnight. The long days helped and I truly commend the efforts and execution of the familiarisation tour packing in the most to ensure we got to best out of the days we had. We got the opportunity to experience some of the routes, the various levels of accommodations as most of my clients would look for comforts in ensuite bathrooms etc. There is something for everyone,” she adds.
For Noronha-Smith, the discovery of the local cuisine on this journey was equally inspiring. “I loved the freshness and elegant style of the variety of seafood, delicious pork and beef dishes that melt in the mouth, and the crunch in the salads, accompanied by aperitifs or wines of each region and not to forget the overindulgence in the deserts. We soon learned that if the main intention was to walk, sharers made better sense. Each meal seemed like a ritual which took its time and concluded in the famous Cortado to get you back on the road,” she says.
“First of all hats off to your organisation for extending such a level of support to promote Galicia. I personally loved the days when we all visited the Cathedral and then the city of A Coruna. And I don’t want to miss out to mention that throughout our whole journey Pitusa and Fon were so helpful. From my side, I would introduce this product to our existing clients who had done or shown interest in our pilgrimage tours. Need to understand their interest first, cause people who would be going on this trip would certainly have strong reasons to do. This will take time,” says Tony Thomas of Oasis Tours India.
