SANTIAGO TO ROME

Ever since a French pilgrim walked from Bordeaux to Jerusalem and back in 333AD, ordinary people with an extraordinary wanderlust have trekked long distances to sacred places.

The Anonymous Bordeaux Pilgrim

http://www.scribd.com/doc/26855737/The-Anonymous-Pilgrim-of-Bordeaux-333-a-d

My good friend "Little John" is one of those extraordinary pilgrims who is planning on walking from Santiago to Rome next year. He has already done most of the Camino routes - Norte, Ingles, Frances, Primitivo, Via de la Plata, Madrid, Portugues etc and the Via Francigena from Canterbury to Rome and from Brindisi to Rome in the south.

John now wants a new challenge and has decided to walk the Jesus Trail from Nazareth next year and then fly to Santiago to walk to Rome. John will be 77 years-old in October and is walking the Annapurna Circuit in Tibet in November. Quite an inspiration!)

Why not walk from Rome to Santiago?

 The route to Rome isn't that well marked and John feels that it could be difficult to follow it in reverse. The Camino is so well marked that it shouldn't be too difficult to walk it the other way.

How long will it take?

It is about 2 800km from Santiago to Rome. John is a good steady walker and plans to cover about 25km per day. With a few shorter days and rest days it should take him about 4 months. He has a British passport so can take as long as he likes. Anyone needing a Schengen visa would have a problem with the 90-day maximum time allowed.  Its not impossible to walk it in 90 days. In the summer of 2009 Herman walked from Rome to Santiago in 78 days averaging more than 35km per day. You will find some info on his blog in English even though most of it is in Dutch. http://herecomesherman.wordpress.com/camino-roma-santiago-under-construction/

Live on the trail!

http://burkinaschool.blogspot.com/

Babette Gallard and Paul Chin have been on the Arles to Rome trail on horseback since April with the idea of writing a guide book on the Santiago to Rome route and also to raise funds to build a classroom in a school in Burkina Fasso. You can contact them through their website Pilgrimage Publications: www.pilgrimagepublications.com/  

mail@plgrimagepublications.com

Dan and Hilary are walking from Rome to Santiago and then potentially back across Spain (different route) and up the west coast of France.

http://www.travelpod.com/s/hotel+pavia+rome+italy

Rome to Santiago
http://trollpilgrimage.blogspot.com/

OTHER PILGRIM TALES

http://zinaztli.blogspot.com/ Bike from Rome to Santiago

Ann Milner walked from Santiago to Rome in 2006

She started on 4th April in Santiago and arrived in Rome on 2nd September. http://www.w2r.fammaprojects.co.uk/p2006home.html

Her Route

Camino Frances to Puente la Reina

Camino Aragones to Somport.

A detour to Lourdes 

Via Toloana at Maubourguet all the way to Arles:

Via Domitia to Montgenevre

Via Aurelia heading south-east to Menton.

At Genoa she walked inland joining the Via Francigena at Pontremoli and then on to Rome from there.

 Assisi to Santiago

Starting from Assisi, north along the Via Francigena: From Sarzana along the Italian Riviera, crossing the border into France before following the Cote d’Azur and heading west , passing through Arles, Montpellier, Toulouse, Auch, and Pau. Then cross the Pyrenees into Spain along the Camino Aragonese to Puenta La Reina, onto the Camino Frances, and finishing at Santiago de Compostella
http://assisi2santiago.com/route.html

Resources:

Santiago to Puente la Reina:

You can follow any of the Camino Frances guides - CSJ, John Brierley, Pili Pala Press, or just follow the arrows.

Puenta la Reina to Somport:

You can follow the directions and arrows for the Aragones route to Somport - CSJ, Rother, Miam Miam Dodo - or follow the arrows.

Somport to Lourdes: 

From Somport to Oloron Ste Marie and Lourdes you can follow the Chemin du Piemont Pyrénéen.

Lourdes to Arles:

From Arles:

From Arles, there are two routes to choose from.
North east towards Montgenevre or South east to Menton.
Some websites suggest that the Montgenevre route is easier.

This website offers information and maps from Arles to Italy:

http://www.compostelle-paca-corse.info/

La Provence - Alpes - Côte d'Azur is the natural pathway, both for pilgrims coming from Italy or southern Europe towards Compostela, and those who sailed from Spain or France en route to Rome. Founded in 1998, the Association "Provence - Alpes - Cote d'Azur - Corsica" Friends of Pathways of St. Jacques de Compostela and Rome currently has over 600 members in seven departments of the region.

• Help and advice to prospective pilgrims (information, documentation)
•  Support for pilgrims crossing the region;
• Creation and Maintenance, in association with the French Federation of hiking trails, routes between Arles and the Italian border;
•  Looking for accommodation with the municipalities, parishes and individuals;
• Studies and research on local heritage and history of pilgrimages;
• Promotion of pilgrimage by organizing exhibitions
• Maintain links with associations pursuing the same goal, in France and abroad, especially in Italy;
• Maintenance of friendships between former and future pilgrims through periodical publications and events (meetings, visits, walks, lectures.

Somport Pass between Spain and France

http://santiago.via.arles.free.fr/montgmen/frjusstmax/frejstmax.htm

Discover the way to Arles , Italy (Col du Montgenèvre Mortola or near Menton) to Spain over the Somport pass using maps and map the paths and their alternatives.  This site will inform you of routes and associations that can help you in your pilgrimage to Compostela and Rome .

This site has a description of the route from Montginevro Pass to Torino

http://www.moncalieriincammino.it/monginevro_oulx.htm

Guide Books

http://shop.terre.it/

Guida alla Via Francigena

A 900km walk from Montgenevre to St. Peter's, from the border with France to Rome, through Piedmont, Lombardy , Emilia Romagna, Tuscany and Lazio. 

La Via Francigena, Cartografia E GPS -

The first complete and detailed mapping of ViaFrancigena - over 900 km on foot, in 38 stages , retracing the journey from ancient Rome to Montgenevre . Step by step through Piedmont, Lombardy , Emilia Romagna, Tuscany and Lazio : the maps and all the data necessary to navigate.

USEFUL WEBSITES

For accommodation on the different routes

http://camino-medieval.webs.com/accommodationlists.htm

 http://www.compostelle.alpes-haute-provence.fr/saint-jacques-dans-les-alpes-de-haute-provence/le-chemin-dans-les-alpes-de-haute-provence-la-via-domitia/

http://www.compostelle-paca-corse.info/Chemin/viaaurelialesami.html

http://www.confraternitadisanjacopo.it/Francigena/guida/guida.htm 

http://www.ffrandonnee.fr/boutique/topo-guide.aspx?ref=6531

http://pilgrim.peterrobins.co.uk/routes/details/francigena_i.html

http://www.camminideuropageie.com/

For a list of VF links in Italy
http://www.francigenalibrari.beniculturali.it/news3_en.html


THE VIA FRANCIGENA

Once you get onto the Via Francigena at Pontremoli (or elsewhere) you can follow the

VF signs and guides - such as the Lightfoot Guides published by Babette and Paul.

Useful website for the Via Francigena

 http://www.pilgrimstorome.org.uk/  Check their extensive list of links to VF organsiations including the two main Italian Via Francigena organisations in Italy and the VF Forum on Yahoo.

http://www.francigena-international.org/

http://www.viafrancigena.eu/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/via-francigena

And a few blogs:

Eric Slyver's Blog:  http://www.walkforitaly.com/eng/index.php

My 2006 blog: http://www.vfpilgrims.blogspot.com/

Cycling:  http://www.puglia2010.com/

ULTRALIGHT BACKPACKS

This post is all about ultra-light backpacks.

(Don't you just love this picture?  I couldn't resist posting it here!)

There are many backpacking websites that use the words ‘ultra light’ and ‘ultra lite’ when describing backpacks but, to qualify as an ultra-light backpack for this post, I am only including those that weigh 1kg / 2.2lbs and under. 

To my mind, anything over 1kg /2.2lbs is not ultralight!

Most camino pilgrims only need to carry their clothing and toiletries.  They don't need a heavy duty, steel framed, army-type backpack unless they are planning to camp along the way. After all, medieval pilgrims carried their stuff in a sack or a bundle over their shoulder - so surely we can manage with a diddly-little backpack!

UBER-ULTRA-LIGHT PACKS
New generation backpacks are made of ultra-lightweight, rip-stop fabrics (like the Gossamer Gear Murmer pictured here) and have features like foam backing for comfort and rigidity, hip belts that can be stuffed with socks or towels, and are stripped of extraneous extras like ice-pole hooks, ski fittings etc. 

Some people say that weight doesn't matter - that comfort is the most important thing and that if you have a pack with a good, strong, waist belt that takes all the weight on your hips you'll be fine.
That is OK for big, strong people who can carry heavy weights on their hips. It makes a huge difference if you are a  small person like me, 5'3" / 160cm tall, 55kg, with fairly severe osteoporosis.  I can't carry heavy weights on my hips or my back.  Other people have back problems or other reasons why they can't carry heavy packs. 

Comfort is important, but for me, weight is a top priority too and I am very happy with my 575g OMM 32L ultra-lightpack which holds all my clothing, toiletries, papers, extra shoes and has space for extra food when necessary.  Fully packed, my OMM never weighs more than 5kg or 6kg. 

Obviously, if you walk in winter you will need more clothes – probably heavier too – so you might need a larger capacity backpack but you can still choose a lightweight model rather than a heavier pack.  When you find the right pack it will become a part of your body and after a few days of carrying it, you won't even know that it is there - like a snail's shell!

Find a pack that really fits well:
Some packs have models for men and for women.  Women's packs are generally lighter, smaller and come in great colours!

• A good fit is essential. Packs come in different torso lengths and if you're buying online, measure the length of your torso from the base of your neck to the end of the spine (level with your hip bones).
• Check all the specs carefully before hitting the ‘Buy Now’ button. Many websites will give you the sizes – S, M, L, XL – as well as the torso length of their packs.
• Most specs for ultra-light packs will also give recommended maximum weight to carry. If you intend carrying 12kg – don’t buy a pack that recommends a max of 9kg.

(Osprey - with ventilation (all 3 sizes are under 1kg)

• Read the reviews, check out other websites that test backpacks to ascertain the comfort ratings.
• As some packs don’t include the weight in the specs, take a digital scale with you when you go shopping so that you can weigh the pack before you buy. Call or email the online manufacturer to ascertain the gross weight of the pack before buying.  They might advertise the pack as 'Ultra Lite' when, in fact, it weighs almost 2kg empty.
• Packs with inner frames and those that offer back ventilation will weigh more than most ultra lght packs.

Ultra-light backpacks:

Gossamer Gear:  http://www.gossamergear.com/

Nobody beats the Gossamer Gear range for ultra-light packs. 
The Murmur is for loads of 9 kg (20 lbs) or less, and for trips of 1 000 miles or up to 50 trail days. This is a one-size-fits-most pack and weighs in at a paltry 212g (7.5 oz). The Murmur has side pockets, side compression straps, a pad holder pocket, an adjustable sternum strap and a minimal hydration bladder shelf.
The Gossamer Gear Gorilla is a sturdier pack that comes in three sizes that all weigh under 700g. Small: 22.7 oz. (644 g.) Medium: 23.2 oz. (658 g.) Large: 24.2 oz. (686 g.)

 Terra Nova:  http://www.terra-nova.co.uk/

The Laser isn’t bad at 526g (476g without the foam back pad). It sports a full length water resistant zip, hip storage, chest strap with whistle, side compression and multiple gear attachment points and loops. What it lacks is extra mesh compartments and a top pocket which are always useful.
Granite Gear:   

http://www.granitegearstore.com/Ultralight-Backpacks-C7.aspx  

The Virga weighs 540g but is very basic, has very few pockets and no lid.

The Vapor Trail and Vapor KI each weigh 1kg

OMM : http://www.theomm.com/ClassicMarathon32L.html
The Classic OMM 32L has a lean weight of 575g when the ski pole loops and extra cords are removed, and weighs 770g with all fixtures. This is my pack and I love it! It has a lid pocket, large mesh on the front, mesh bottle pockets, compression straps, sternum strap, zip pockets on the waist belt and two large compartments inside.

The lean weight of the OMM 35Lt is   1 040g but strips down to 675g by removing the Multi Sport Compressor, axe/ski fittings, Duo-Mat™ and side pockets (one time removable without impacting on strength or guarantee). I would leave the side pockets and be happy with a pack that weighs under 750g.

GoLite : http://www.golite.com/Product/proddetail.aspx?p=PA5951&s=2
The 43L Golite Jam 2008 weighs 620g / 1 lb 6 oz.
The 36L GoLite Peak weighs 745g / 1 lb 10 oz

The Jam weighs 785g / 1 lb 11 oz.

Lowe Alpine: http://www.lowealpine.com/

The Lowe Alpine Mountain Marathon 32L, 760 g

32L Alpine AirZone ND 32 . This little pack just makes it at 1kg / 2.2lbs

It is one of the few ultra-light packs that has a breathable back maximising airflow and an easy access zippered front pocket.

ULA - OHM pack: 

http://www.ula-equipment.com/ohm.asp

39L - 640g   $175

A very basic pack with side pockets and top pocket.




WILSA - SPORT
http://www.wilsa-sport.com/
Raid 20 - 400g
Raid 38  - 650g
Bariloche 20 : 600 grs
Bariloche 35 : 700 grs
Bariloche 50 : 800 grs

Other packs that have been recommended on various forums but didn’t make my list of ultra-light packs because they are all over 1kg include:

Circuit by ULA:   http://www.ula-equipment.com/circuit.asp
Just over the 1kg but with good features and up to 42L capacity.

Lowe Alpine Hyperlite 1.1kg and 1.3kg

Gregory Jade 50 from 1.3kg

Osprey Talon and Kestrel from 1.3kg

Deuter womens Futura Pro 34 litre pack. 1.6kg

For keeping your pack weight down, have a look at this post:

http://amawalker.blogspot.com/2008/07/weight-watchers-for-backpacks.php

And, if you don't want to wear a pack, or can't carry one, try a hiking and backpack trolley with special harness:

"I bought the Carrix as I could no longer carry a backpack. This means that when the going is to steep, or the rocks too big or too loose, I cannot put the sac and Carrix on my back. Accordingly, where the guide book says the Camino stage is unsuitable for cyclists and they should take to the road, so do I, walking on the left towards the approaching traffic."  http://carrix.ch.tripod.com/

SLEEPING BAGS ON THE CAMINO

One of the most frequently asked questions about equipment for the camino is,  “Do I need a sleeping bag on the camino?”
The answer is YES. 
Even though you will be sleeping indoors in a bed or bunkbed, if you are planning on staying in the pilgrim shelters you will need either a sleeping bag or a sleeping bag liner. Most pilgrim hostal owners insist that you have a 'sack' of some description. They don’t appreciate having hot, sweaty bodies lying directly on their mattresses - and many don't even have a mattress cover.
Some shelters don’t have blankets and even if they do, you don't really want to wrap yourself up in a blanket that has been used by a million hot, sweaty bodies that season! Some of the monasteries and albergues in high places can be chilly at night so you will need a sleeping bag for colder times of the year, but a sleeping bag liner will suffice for the warm, summer months.

HOW TO CHOOSE A SLEEPING BAG
At PHDesigns  you can design your own sleeping bag.  However, most of us will visit an outdoor shop to buy one off the shelf.
Sleeping bags come with two different types of fill, down and synthetic fibre. Down is considered superior because it is more efficient with higher warmth to weight ratio than synthetic fillers. It is also much more expensive than synthetic sleeping bags. Down sleeping bags fill spreads more evenly than synthetic fill and they generally last much longer. The main disadvantage is that if they get wet they are almost impossible to dry and become useless – so they are not easy to wash if you are walking for 35 straight days in a row. Some people have or can develop allergies to goose down, whereas virtually no one is allergic fiberfill. If you have multiple allergies, you probably should get a fiberfill bag. Synthetic bags are cheaper, dry quickly, compact easily and don’t cause allergies.

CHOOSING THE WEIGHT

If you are going to carry a backpack for weeks or months, you obviously don’t want to schlep a sleeping bag that weighs the same or more than your backpack. Most sleeping bags weigh between 500g and 1.5kg. The lighter the better, and the more compact the better. However, you might find that the lighter the bag the higher the cost.  The German company YETI make three ultra-light sleeping bags and claim that the Yeti Passion One is “the lightest sleeping bag in the world" at a mere 255g. But, at €300 - €330 it is not the cheapest bag in the world! (That is $400 or £275)

CHOOSING THE LENGTH AND WIDTH
The new YETI ultra-light bags come in M - 175cm, L- 190cm and XL  -205cm.

Don't buy an extra large sleeping bag just to have more space.  Extra space in a sleeping bag is difficult to keep warm. However, if you are sleeping outdoors in winter, a bag that is longer than your body is a good idea because you can keep a hot water bottle in it, as well as fleece and clothing at the bottom of your bag for the next day. Some manufacturers make bags for ladies and for men – ladies' bags being a little wider at the hip area.

CHOOSING THE SHAPE

The two main shapes of sleeping bags are mummy and rectangular. Mummy bags are smaller and therefore weigh less; rectangular bags offer more movement and comfort. Mummy bags insulate better – rectangular bags can usually be unzipped and opened to form a duvet.  My Colibri rectabgle bag weighs 600g and is perfect for spring and autum hikes: http://www.ferrino.it/en/homepage/products/SLEEPING_BAGS/synthetic_filling_112/COLIBRI_1034
If you sleep all night curled up in the foetal position you could get by with a mummy bag but if you sleep like a star-fish, better buy the rectangular bag. A new design is the Montbell Hugger which is a mummy shaped bag reviewed by OutsideAway.com “The Ultra Light Super Spiral's major tech innovation—spiralled baffles (pockets with fill) —made it the most comfortable and best-functioning bag we tested this year. Because the seams are sewn with elastic thread, the bag literally hugs the 800-fill down insulation to your body at rest, and expands by up to 20 percent when you move around. We could actually sit up and cross our legs inside it — a boon for restless sleepers. Another benefit of the diagonal construction is that the baffles are longer, meaning fewer seams to let heat out.

All this in a tiny package: The gossamer-light 12-denier fabric and high-grade down make for a bag that packs to the size of a bread loaf.” At $379 it is in the upper range for sleeping bags.

WHAT DEGREE BAG TO CHOOSE
Remember - you will sleep indoors, on a bed, with a good chance of blankets being available so don't go for an arctic, -30°C bag!
All bags come with a temperature rating. Some experts claim that temperature ratings are misleading and inaccurate because everyone has a different comfort level and a different body temperature so they really are just a guide. The rating on the bag is the lowest temperature at which the bag should keep you warm.

Unless you are planning to walk in the dead of winter and camp outdoors, you don’t need a -10° or even a +10° down sleeping bag on the camino. Few plces on the camino get colder than 10°C inside.  And remember, the warmer the bag, the more fill it contains and the heavier it will be. If you are planning on staying in the pilgrim shelters, all you really need is lightweight slumber bag – like your children use when on a sleep over!

(Photo from ToyZone)

CHOOSING THE RIGHT SIZE
You might find the perfect, ultra-light sleeping bag that is so big it takes up all the space in your backpack! Carry on looking. There is a perfect bag out there for you – you just have to find it.

SLEEPING BAG LINERS and SLEEP SACKS

Remember, if you walk in summer, a micro fibre, fleece, polyester, thermolite or silk sleeping bag liner is more than sufficient.  Silk is cool in hot weather and warm in cold weather and is luxurious to lie on!   For a really luxurious sleep try the toxin free, 100% organic silk Dream Sack that only weighs 155g (5.5oz) and the extra roomy sack at 7oz (198g).  There are a number of other brands on the market, like Sea to Summit or The Silk Sleeping Bag Company which has bags for tall people, single liners and doubles  that weigh from 200g. Some come with anti-insect properties. 
The 10oC, Mont-bell Sprial down thermal liner weighs 381g (13.8oz) and costs around $190  https://montbell.us/products/list.php?cat_id=795

EXTRA TIPS:

• If it is cold, do a few warm up exercises before you get into the bag. Your body will generate heat which will help to warm the sleeping bag more quickly.

• If you wear too many layers of clothing your body heat won’t be able to escape and won't raise the temperature of the air inside the bag.

• Long underwear or thermals will help keep you warm and will let some body heat escape.

• Most of your body heat escapes through your feet and your head, so wear socks and a beanie or night-cap to bed  just like grandma and grandpa used to in the olden days!

If you don’t like any of these, you could buy a ‘Snuggie’ or a ‘Selk’ which is like an adult romper!

International Market:  From lightest - 255g to ± 650g

Yeti Passion 1: A total weight 9oz (255g) of which 4oz down fill.  $400
Yeti Passion 3: A total weight 16oz (455g) of which 11oz down fill.
Yeti Passion 5: A total weight 24oz (680g) of which 18oz down fill.
http://www.draussen.de/

Laser 300 Elite 330g (11.5 oz.) £205
Laser 600 520g (18.3 oz)
http://www.terra-nova.co.uk/Clearance/Terra_Nova_Sleeping_Bags

Nunatak Arc Edge 10oz 11oz 12oz 283g - 340g   $309 to $361

Minimum Ultra 345g (12oz)  £189
Piqolo 395g (14oz) £152
Minimus Down 465g (16oz) £192
Minimum 400 down  670g  £240
http://www.phdesigns.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=198

Western Mountaineering Highlite $260 -$280
Short: 15 oz. (425g)
Regular: 16 oz. (453g)
Long: 17 oz. (482g)
Western Mountaineering Tamarak $200
15oz (425g)
http://www.westernmountaineering.com/

Ratatosk Gold  16.5 oz  460g
Ratatosk 200  490gr  $179
http://www.yeti.com.pl/

Marmot Atom  595g (20 oz)  $259
http://marmot.com/products/atom

Nunatak Arc Edge  10oz 11oz 12oz  (283g - 340g)  $309 to $361
Nunatak Ghost  16oz, 16oz, 18oz   $326 to $399
Nunatak Arc Specialist 16oz 17oz 18oz   $365 to $433
Nunatak Alpinist   595g (21 oz)  $399 to $464
http://www.nunatakusa.com/

Wilsa-Sport
Down Unltralite 300  - .600g
& 150 - 440g
KL 250 - 800g
Oxygene - 800g
Tarifa - 600ghttp://www.wilsa-sport.com/

Roman Palm  600g  $72 AUD

Mountainsmith Whisp  595g

South African Market

Rab Quantum 200 Sleeping Bag (+2ºC) 480g
R1 999

Cape Storm Midge – 500g (530g with sack) Extreme 0°C
Cost: R1099
Cape Storm Wasp – 630g Extreme – 2°C

R1,372
http://www.capestorm.co.za/

Vengo Venom 640g (575g excl sac) - 7°
R1,175

First Ascent Adventure Light Sleeping Bag (+5ºC) 660g
R1395
http://www.firstascent.co.za/

IN SEARCH OF SAINT JAMES IN RUSSIA

In 4 weeks time, I'll be flying to Europe with my sister to fulfill her dream of visiting Russia.
We will join the Viking Kirov in St Petersburg for a 13 day, 1300km cruise to Moscow called "Waterways of the Czars".  After a few days in St Petersburg, we will sail down the Neva to Lake Ladoga, along the Svir River to Mandrogy, the “Blue Route” to Lake Onega visiting Kizhi island, Goritzy, Yaroslavl and Uglich then down the Moscow canal to Moscow. 
I am hoping to find evidence of St James the Greater in Russia but, although I've done some research on the Internet, I haven't found much.
I've learned that In 1917 the Bolsheviks closed all churches and prohibited religion. Over the next few decades, more than 90,000 churches were either demolished (many blown up) or allowed to become ruins. Of the approximately 7000 that remained many became workshops, storage uits, museums or even a swimming pool - St Peter's Lutheran Church in St Petersburg.
One of the churches that fell into ruin was an Orthodox Church built in 1268, dedicated to Saint James, son of Zebedee, in the Kaliningrad region of Koingsberg which fell into disrepair and was finally demolished in 1970.
There is a church of St. James the Apostle in Kazyonnaya Sloboda, Moscow - and a Saint James the Apostle Lutheran Church in Novokuznetsk, Siberia. (I won't be visiting there!)

I found a picture of Saint James the Greater, a Russian icon from the first quarter of the 18th century, in the Church of the Transfiguration on the island of Kizhi - which we will visit on 28th June. The three-tiered Preobranzhenskaya (Transfiguration) Church is a fairy-tale structure built in 1714 without a single nail. There is a Virtual reconstruction of the iconostasis of the Transfiguration Church here
 http://kizhi.karelia.ru/architecture/en/iconostasis/  The third tier of the Kizhi iconostasis is a Dieses tier and "Jacob, son of Zavadeev" is located in the centre of the frieze.
I have also researched the Scallop shell as decoration and discovered that The Cathedral of the Archangel Michael, commissioned in 1505 and built by the Venetian architect Alevisio, has notably foreign features such as the scallop-shell decoration of its gables. Are these facies of the Italian architect, or do they represent, in any way, the Santiago shell?

And how about those scallop-shell gables on the Novodevichy Convent? I found this beautiful photograph by Yeowatzup on the www.moscow-russia-insiders-guide.com/ website. She says: "When you visit this beautiful, quiet place right by the shores of Moskva river, you immediately feel how the sweet tranquility fills up up your entire being.

I don't know how how to describe that feeling. Some call it "holiness", others "wholeness", and buddhists call it "Nirvana", but as I said - words don't apply here, and even pictures do not. Seeing this place on a photo is not enough - you absolutely have to visit it, because only then you will literally feel 'The Force' flowing through you."
Can't wait to visit it!

I've seen a number of pictures of Faberge eggs with scallop shell designs on them but I doubt these have anything to do with the Santiago shells.

LUGGAGE & PEOPLE TRANSPORT ON THE CAMINO

If you are unable to carry a heavy backpack  - or are unable to walk very long distances over difficult terrain - you can still do the camino by having your pack (and yourself) transported by taxi or transport services on most of the camino routes.   In order to do this, you must have pre-booked accommodation along the way.  This means that you will not be allowed to stay in any of the pilgrim albergues that do not allow pre-booking or vehicle back-up.  However, many private albergues do allow pilgrims to stay who have backpacks transported along the route.  Have a look at the private albergues lists at Red de Albergues.  (For pre-booking accommodation in hotels, casa rurals, small inns and private albergues, have a look here.)
Many local taxis will transfer your backpack to a pre-booked establishment for a few euro.  Ask a hotel or bar to recommend a reliable local taxi service known to carry pilgrims and/or packs or contact one of the transport companies a day or two ahead of time.


FRANCE AND SPAIN

http://www.expressbourricot.com/
Express Bourricot
People and luggage from Saint Jean Pied de Port or Saint Jean le Vieux to Logroño, or even Navarette
People: France - from St Jean pied de Port to Moissac ( ex : Ostabat, Navarrenx, Aire sur l'Adour, Condom, Lectoure, etc...)
Spain: from St Jean Pied de Port to Burgos ( ex : Roncevales, Pamplona, Logrono, Sto Domingo de la Calzada, etc...)

http://www.taxi-ostibarret.fr/
jean-claude.lafuente@nordnet.fr
Taxis will transport luggage and pilgrims in the Pays Basque area.
Baggage: France - On the Chemin du Puy - d' Aire sur l'Adour to Roncesvalles. Link daily between Navarrenx and Roncesvalles.
People - From Le Puy en Velay: ex d' Aire sur l'Adour to Roncesvalles
In Spain: (Camino Frances or other destinations)
Home-back to the airport / train stations in the Midi-Pyrenees

http://factage.free.fr/
Three sections - Transporting baggage and pilgrims
*  Le Puy to Figeac: Factage E2R - factage@free.fr

*  Figeac to St Jean Pied de Port: Rapid Bag - rapid_bag82@hotmail.fr
*  St Jean to Leon: Express Bourricot - apcaroline@hotmail.com

http://www.lamallepostale.com/accueil/accueil.asp

contact@lamallepostale.com

La Malle Postalle transports your luggage from stage to stage on the Chemin de Saint Jacques de Compostela between Le Puy en Velay and Conques

http://www.lacoquilletransport.fr/
la.coquille @ orange.fr
People and baggage: Chemin du Puy - Chemin du Arles – Rocamadour

http://www.lauzerte-tourisme.fr/web/62-le-chemin-de-saint-jacques-de-compostelle-en-tarn-et-garonne.php
To enjoy your halt at Lauzerte to the full and to ensure that this stage goes smoothly, prepare your journey on the Lauzerte-Durfort Lacapelette leg carefully: where to stay, where to eat and buy food, transport of luggage or people, etc.
Transport for pilgrims
- Taxi Lorette 05 63 94 77 00.
- Taxi Victor 05 63 94 65 66.
Transport of luggage and pilgrims
- Taxi Bas Quercy Autos – Fréjabise Transport of luggage and pilgrims (between Montcuq and Auvillar) estimate on request.
Maryline Fréjabise – 82390 Durfort Lacapelette Tél. : 05 63 04 56 56 & 06 87 064 066, bqa@wanadoo.fr
- Rapid-Bag (from Le Puy en Velay to Saint Jean Pied de Port) 05 63 04 22 98 & rapid_bag82@hotmail.fr


SPAIN

Aragones:
taxijavi@yahoo.es
Jaca, Huesca Tel: 637 503 920

Camino Frances:

The only taxi service that covers the whole route between Roncesvalles and Santiago:

Taxi Belorado
http://www.taxibelorado.com/
contacto@taxibelorado.com
We transport services for people, backpacks or luggage in stages over the Way from Roncesvalles to Santiago
Fco.Javier Rioja Sáez: Tlf: 947585002 610798138


St Jean to Lorgono: to Burgos: to Leon

Jacotrans

http://www.jacotrans.com

We carry the pilgrim step by step, day by day on the Camino de Santiago - backpacks, suitcases, bikes ... anything that may make more convenient the hard work of making the pilgrimage. The site is in English, Spanish and French.

Jacotrans@jacotrans.com Tel: 0034 610 983 205

Jacotrans Navarre Tf 610983205 Juanjo

Jacotrans Rioja Tf 636099299 Anthony
Jacotrans Burgos Tf 650451540 Luis Angel
Jacotrans Leon ..... Tf 606049858 Jose Luis


Logrono: Pamplona to Burgos:
Toni Transporte
http://toni-transporte.webcindario.com/
Toni.transporte@gmail.com
Telefono: 636 099 299
SERVICES: ** Transport in Logroño and area from 4€ ** Transport between Pamplona and Burgos ** Luggage Transportation and Pilgrims Services on the Way of St James

 Viana to Burgos

Globetrotter Transportes

http://www.chemindecompostelle.com/globetrotter/index.html
Tel: 0034 667 386 387 F: 0034 948 537 295
This company offers transport of rucksacks, bicycles etc from Viana to Burgos from April to September
Transport luggage solo 7 euro per person per step, contact us for groups
Baggage must be available to the driver at 8 am. Approximate times of taking care of luggage: Viana 7am, Logroño 9am, Navarrete 9.30, Nájera 10h, Santo Domingo 10:30 Belorado 11h, 11h Agès-Atapuerca, Burgos 12, Castrojeriz 1:30 p.m

Burgos to Leon

Luis Angel Acero

http://www.taxiluisangel.com/

Luisacero2005@yahoo.es Tel: 650 451 540

Castrojeriz to Leon
http://www.taxisahagun.com/mochilas.htm

mavi46@gmail.com Tel: 659 563 390 689 399 556


Leon to Villafranca del Bierzo

http://www.albergueavefenix.com/
info@albergueavefenix.com
Public transport of bags:  En Villafranca, transporta las mochilas de sus peregrinos a Travadelo, Ruitelan, Herrerias, La Faba y O Cebreiro.

Leon and Ponferrada

Marimar Transportes - Taxi Astorga
marimartransports@hotmail.com.
(Tel: 606 732 207 /
Marimar Gonzalez: Covers the route from Leon to Ponferrada. The price is EUR 7 per pack and stage of 20-25 km Special prices for groups.



Leon to Santiago

Camino de Santiago 2010

http://www.caminodesantiago2010.com.es/

Info@caminodesantiago2010.com.es

Tel: 606049858 José Luis Pardo Rodriguez

Sarria to Santiago:

 
 
Xacotrans
http://www.xacotrans.com/XACOTRANS/SERVICIO_XACOTRANS.html
info@xacotrans.com,
We have more than fifty points for collection / delivery from Sarria, passing the towns of Portomarín, Palas de Rei, Melide Arzúa, O Pino, Lavacolla and Santiago. Including Disabled transport

Palais de Rei to Santiago

Embajada del Peregrino
http://www.embajadadelperegrino.com/sintesis.htm
WE carry excess weight and deliver it to Santiago de Compostela in a specially designed box.
From Palas de Rei to Melide, Arzu O PINO etc but only in private establishments.




Mundicamino – only as a part of a pre-booked holiday.
http://www.mundicaminoreservas.com/reserveEq/default.aspx?codmant=1

http://www.turgalicia.es/iacobus/iacobus.asp?ctre=iacobus&cidi=G

Camino Norte
Le P'tit Bag transports bags from Bilbao to Irun.
http://greencartrans.webcindario.com/

The Peregrine Express will transfer your luggage on the Camino Norte between Irun and Santander.

If you are travelling in a big group and you have a minimum of 12 bags for transport they can transport as far as Oviedo. For information on transport past Oviedo please contact them.
Email: christel.langeveld@gmail.com
Contact number: 0034644589217
http://theperegrineexpress.blogspot.com/

Camino Primitivo
http://www.taxicamino.com/
They provide:

Taxi-Service
Pick-up Service from/to Asturias Airport
Back packs and luggage transport
Shuttle-Bike
Support Vehicle Service
Information service for Peregrinos
http://www.taxicamino.com/

WHAT’S ON THIS HOLY YEAR?

The commemoration of the Año Xacobeo will be celebrated with the organisation of numerous activities and cultural events such as exhibitions, musical concerts, publications…etc, along all the routes of the Camino de Santiago), including those directly connected with other European countries: France, United Kingdom and Portugal.
A significant part of the events have been organised by the Ministry of Culture though the SECC, Spain's state company for cultural commemoration and in collaboration with the autonomous regions of the Jacobeo Council.
During this year there will also be a special ceremonial opening of the "Camino's" principal monuments, thanks to the agreements signed between the Jacobeo Council and the Church, which owns the majority of the monuments on the Way of St James. To date, the initiative has been joined by the autonomous regions of Asturias, Catalonia, Castilla y León, Aragon, Galicia, La Rioja, Navarre , Cantabria and the Basque Country.

There are also a few 'unusual' events this year! 

In the albergues in La Rioja, free monodois grape cream for walkers will be delivered. This Holy Year, the Government of La Rioja has thought to alleviate some of the most common problems for walkers: tiredness and sore feet.
The cream was prepared in a cosmetic laboratory in Rioja and has passed all health checks. It is a decongestant and moisturizer for the feet, relaxing because it contains essential oils of lavender, rosemary and mint, and also grape extract.
This laboratory has a long experience in making wine therapy creams. The cream for the pilgrims' feet is based on the virtues of the grape seeds, whose properties help cell regeneration, detoxify the skin and helping to improve blood circulation.  The Government of La Rioja has 100,000 samples to be delivered free to the pilgrims who carry credentials from February in community shelters.

Not to be outdone, in Navarre you can get a 'Ruta del Vino' credencial to have stamped at wineries and accommodation on the 'Wine Route' between Pamplona and Logrono.  You'll earn rewards for the number of stamps you get in your credencial - discounts on wines, meals and even a room for two at a top hotel.
Read more here:

“2010 se hace el camino” Exhibition ("2010 makes the Way")

This exhibition includes a selection of works based on the journeys of national and international contemporary artists. The exhibition is scheduled to take place from June to October 2010 and will be divided into five or six centres, based on the autonomous regions involved:

• Aragon: San Juan de la Peña Monastery, Huesca.

• Asturias: Banco Herrero exhibition hall, Oviedo.

• Galicia: Museo do Mar (Sea Museum), Vigo

• Navarre: Navarre Museum

• Basque Country: Santa María de Vitoria-Gasteiz Cathedral.

“Stories along the Way”

A project dedicated to the revival and study of folklore literature and the popular stories about The Way of St James. The initiative will be spread by national and international storytellers who will give performances in hostels and town squares along the Way. The project includes the production and issue of a CD of a selection of stories that will be distributed by the hostels.

• Aragon: Hostels: Jaca, Santa Cilia, Arrés, Artieda and Undués de Lerda / Public Squares: Canfranc, Villanúa, Berdún, Martes and Maianos.

• Asturias: Hostels: Gijón, Tineo, Avilés, Rivadesella and Navia.

• Galicia: Hostels: Triacastela, Portomarín, Palas de Rei, Ribadiso, o Pino (Arca), Monte de Gozo (Santiago de Compostela), Ribadeo, Mondoñedo, Bahamonde, Sobrado Dos Monxes, Neda, Bruma, Tui, Redondela, Padrón, A Gudiña, Xunquiera de Ámbía, A Laxe (Lalín), Camping Medelo (Silleda), Oliveiroa, Fisterra, Padrón (A Consagrada) and Lugo.

• Basque Country: Irún, Pasai Donibane, Donostia, Orio, Zarautz, Deba, Beasaín, Salvatierra, Alegría, Pórtico de la Catedral de Vitoria.

Souvenir Publication “The Way of St James”

Published by the SECC, this anthology brings together a selection of pictures by the photographer Xurxo Lobato, that show the architecture, landscape, countryside, habitat and human factors that represent the Way of St James. The publication includes texts from every era chosen by Miguel Murado, which provide a chronological tour of the Jacobean culture and history of the Way.

Las huellas de la Barraca (Footprints of La Barraca)

The 2010 edition of “Las huellas de la Barraca” (Footprints of La Barraca) will be dedicated to the Año Santo Xacobeo. The SECC organised a competition among the Spanish and Latin American theatre schools and schools of dramatic arts, from which several different groups will be selected to perform in different villages along the Way during July and August. All the groups worked on subjects relating to the Año Santo Xacobeo.

Series of Classical Music Concerts.

In July a series of concerts will be performed to showcase spiritual and sacred music from across Europe and throughout the ages of the Way of St James based on a selection of groups and musical pieces by Pablo Álvarez de Eulate. The programme by autonomous region is as follows:

• Aragon
- Echoes of a Battle. Roncesvalles, Orreaga, Roncevaux. Performed by:Ensemble Durendal. Venue: Jaca Cathedral. Date: July 2010
- Medieval dances and poems. Performed by: Ars Combinatoria. Dir. Canco López. Venue: Church of Canfranc. Date: July 2010.
- Dowland, Sermisy, Attaignant, Pisador, D. Ortiz, Monteverdi, Johan Sebastián Bach . Performed by: Jose Miguel Moreno (vihuela) and Raquel Andueza (soprano). Venue: San Juan de la Peña Monastery. Date: From 2 to 19 July 2010.

• Asturias
- Music from the Way of St James. Performed by: Elena Gragera (Mezzosoprano) and Antón Cardó (Piano). Venue: Basílica de Santa María (Llanes). Date: July 2010.
- Medieval Dances and Poems. Performed by: Ars Combinatoria. Dir. Canco López. Venue: Basílica de Santa María (Llanes). Date: July 2010 .
- Homo Viator. Performed by: Psalterium. Venue: Basílica de Santa María (Llanes). Date: Saturdays during first half of July.

• Catalonia
- Music from the Way of St James. Performed by: Odhecaton. Venue: Montserrat Monastery. Date: July 2010.
- Medieval Dances and Poems. Performed by: Ars Combinatoria. Venue: San Pere de Rodas. Date: July 2010.
- Medieval Dances and Poems. Performed by: Ars Combinatoria. Venue: Claustro Monestir Santa Maria de L´Estany. Date: July 2010.

• Galicia
- Festival Via Stellae. A variety of shows in different Galician locations. Performed by: Jose Miguel Moreno (vihuela) and Raquel Andueza (soprano); Speculum; Odhecaton Dir. Paolo da Col. Date: July 2010.

• Basque Country
- Misa Sancti Iacobi de Dufay. Performed by: Odhecaton Dir. Paolo da Col. Venue: Santa Maria Katedrala – Vitoria/Gasteiz . Date: 17 July 2010.
- Misa Peregrina, La puerta del Paraíso (Pilgrim's Mass, The door to Paradise). Performed by: Speculum. Venue: Santa Maria Katedrala – Vitoria/Gasteiz. Date: 3 or 10 July 2010 (awaiting confirmation).
- Medieval Dances and Poems. Performed by: Ars Combinatoria. Dir. Canco López. Venue: Santa Maria Katedrala – Vitoria/Gasteiz. Date: 24 or 31 July 2010.(awaiting confirmation)

Info from: http://www.eu2010.es

XACOBEO.ES

1. Contemporary Way

The exhibition projects of a more contemporary way

2. Path of spirituality

To celebrate the spiritual experience of the Way

3. Camino de la cuisine

Promotion of Galician cuisine in the world

4. Path of spirituality

To celebrate the spiritual experience of the Way

5. Musical path

Major festivals, Galician music, emerging projects, ...

6. Road reflection

Conferences and debates reflection generators

7. Way of the performing arts

Dance, theater, magic shows, acrobatics, ...

8. Audiovisual Road

Film projects, animation and visual image

Calendar 2010 what's coming

9. Road sports

Activities and sports projects

10. Child Road

Projects related to children

11. Xacobeo Raíces (Music • Folk music)

03/06/2010 - 05/08/2010

12. Concert: Luz Casal Music • Pop-rock)

05/28/2010 - 05/29/2010

13. Xacobeo Filme (Series and Festivals)

01/07/2010 - 12/21/2010

14. Compostela and Europe

(Exhibitions • Contemporary arts)

15. icia Ao Vivo (Music)

16. The worlds of Gonzalo Torrente Ballester

(Exhibitions • Contemporary arts)

03/24/2010 - 04/25/2010

Fundación Caixa Galicia, Ferrol

17. El médico a palos, Pinchacarneiro Company

(Theatre) 04/08/2010 - 06/11/2010

Auditorio Gustavo Freire, Lugo

18. Festival Sónar Galicia (Series and Festivals)

06/17/2010 - 06/19/2010 EXPOCoruña

19. Alondra Bentley (Music • Indie music)

04/17/2010 - 21:00

Fundación Caixa Galicia, Pontevedra

20. Saturday Night Fever (Music)

04/15/2010 - 04/18/2010

Centro Social Caixanova, Pontevedra

21. "Momentum" by Mayumana (Shows)

22. Ciclo Xacobeo Importa (Series and Festivals)

23.  Xacobeo Classics

(Music • Classical music)
  1/07/2010 - 12/23/2010

Possibly the most ambitious music programme in the domain of classical music that has ever taken place in Galicia, both for its willingness to reach all audiences in all four Galician provinces and for the quantity and quality of the options presented. From January to December 2010 more than forty shows will take place, covering the main seven Galician cities as well as other 10 towns. In that sense, the programme aims at the decentralization of the Xacobeo activities, turning the whole Galicia into a unique, diverse and plural space.

The programme will bring Galicia back into the circuit of the great international music events, bringing for the very first time renowned stars such as Cecilia Bartoli, Anne Sophie-Mutter, Lang Lang or Dolora Zajick. It has also been conceived to reinforce the pre-existing programmes, consolidating them by making some of these concerts take place in collaboration with festivals, series and programmes that already existed, thus adding an extra appeal to them, without forgetting Galician creators.

Throughout the year several specific projects, conceived to revalue the maturity obtained by Galician orchestras during this last decade, will take place with events like Verdi's "Réquiem" that will be performed by the OSG along with one of the best choruses in Europe, the Orfeón Donostiarra, and four unbeatable soloists; or like Bruckner's "Mass in F minor " to be performed by the Royal Philharmonic as the finale to the 2010 activities.

Especial attention has been paid in the programme to Galician music, both in its historical side (through the recovery of the opera "O Mariscal" from the composer Eduardo Rodríguez-Losada and the great poet Ramón Cabanillas) and in its current one (with a tribute-series to the dean of Galician creators, Rogelio Groba, on the occasion of his 80th anniversary; the recovery of the chamber series of the Asociación Galega de Compositores, and the premiere of one of the best current composers: a violin concerto by Octavio Vázquez).
Tickets for Xacobeo Classics will be available at Servinova (Caixanova):
https://taquilla.servinova.com/entradas/main.php

Or at Caixa Galicia:
http://www.caixagalicia.es/wvio004_contenido/esp/pags/wvio004t_portada_taquilla.asp

OTHER:

Mark Knopfler in Concert in Spain

July 23 to 30 2010 The Dire Straights front man Mark Knopfler in a series of concerts in Spain

July 23 Fri

Pavelló Olimpic de BadalonaBadalona, Barcelona,

July 25 Sun

Plaza de Toros de CórdobaCordoba, Cordoba,

July 28 Wed

Multiusos Fontes do SarSantiago de Compostela, A Coruña,

July 29 Thu

Plaza de Toros de las VentasMadrid, Madrid,

July 30 Fri

Plaza de Toros de BilbaoBilbao, Vizcaya,

Sonar 2010, Catalonia and Galicia


283 artists will be performing including Chemical Brothers LCD Soundsystem at Air.
This year, for the first time in seventeen years, the famous festival will also play out in Galicia.
And Sonar has been chosen as a representative among the cultural activities taking place to celebrate the event.

Santiago

"Santiago, a meeting point. Masterpieces from the Cathedral and Caixa Galicia in Santiago de Compostela"
Exhibition halls - Sede Fundación Caixa Galicia Santiago - SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA. April 29, 2010 to November 7, 2010
Exposure Santiago, a meeting point. Masterpieces from the Cathedral and Caixa Galicia brings together a total of 58 artworks in various formats, from funds of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela and Caixa Galicia Collection. The works away by centuries of history, are spread through ten showrooms facing them, for the first time in open, offering a showcase of exceptional parallels. The See Fundación Caixa Galicia in Santiago de Compostela, which houses the exhibition, he became one of the leaders of the old town of Compostela in this Xacobeo 2010 with this neat exhibition, curated by Juan Monterroso, Enrique Fernandez and Ramon Castiñeiras Yzquierdo. Until November 7 enjoy works never before displayed outside the Cathedral of anonymous medieval or Maestro Mateo, and more recent gems, signing artists like Dali, Picasso, "Santiago, a meeting point."

Every day, from 12:00 to 14:00 and 16:00 to 21:00 h.
Guided tours for the general public Tuesdays and Saturdays at 19:30 Sundays, 12:30 pm
http://www.fundacioncaixagalicia.org/portal/site/WINS001/menuitem.c880ceb66ab3416b791a53a451d001ca/?vgnextoid=74884d211db18210VgnVCM100000140d10acRCRD