Walking Holidays in Camino - Stages - The French Way - Stage 3 - Burgos to Leon
For the previous Stage of the Camino click here
In the province of Castilla y Leon, this is the land which named the Spanish language of Castillian dating back to the Muslim Invasion. Inhabitants are swarthy and the food robust. Villages are timeless combinations of ancient adobe houses, hillside ‘hobbit’ like storage cellars and imposing, lonely churches. Castrojeriz and Mansilla de las Mulas provide cultural stops amongst the plains.
Arriving
in Leon is breathtaking as a Gothic Cathedral of majestic proportions dominates
the sky line. Within the Cathedral, a
riot of colour reflecting from its magnificent stained glass windows dances off
the cool stone walls providing the Pilgrim with a perfect place to reflect on
their journey across the Meseta.
The Walking
Walking the Camino involves average daily distances of about 14 miles and follows well marked paths with good surfaces. Some days are long and where possible we offer a split with accommodation midway. In more remote regions, where accommodation is sparse, this is not always possible. We provide a step by step guide to the trek and location of your overnight hotel along with other supporting notes such as language and history. You may wish to spend an extra night in one of the cities exploring its architecture and culture, especially Santiago at the journey’s end to relax and reflect on your journey. On rare occasions, we offer a short transfer to avoid less attractive sections but if you wish to walk every step it can be arranged! We show the route as five separate sections starting in St Jean Pied-de-Port and ending in Santiago de Compostela, which may be combined as desired. Each section has a brief summary followed by our standard itinerary with approximate distance, ascent and descent.
The Experience
Without doubt this holiday is about more than the usual joys of walking! The Camino may be walked for religious or non-religious reasons or perhaps just the desire to hop out of the fast lane to reflect on life and refresh the soul. For whatever reason, a very special atmosphere arises from the comradeship quickly established between pilgrims of many nationalities - each walking for their own personal reasons. With our fully flexible stages and accommodation grades you can walk all or part of the Camino – many walk a week each year until completed….and then start over again! The experience is recommended for everyone from Church Groups to the solo walker, all joining together at the Cathedral in Santiago to witness or participate in the daily Pilgrims’ Mass – an intensely memorable and moving experience.
Variations
Our basic itineraries can be varied when possible. You may make the walking days shorter by adding additional nights, take rest days in one of the existing stops or stay longer at the beginning or end to explore the historical and vibrant cities. Just contact us with your wishes and we will provide a quotation.
Luggage Transfers
Luggage may be transported from each hotel to the next enabling you to travel with a day rucksack. Unlike our other treks, baggage transfer is an optional extra as many Perigrinos (Pilgrims) prefer to travel light and carry their own. See price section for costs.
Easy, with long days. Total for standard itinerary:- Ascent 1250m, Descent 990m, 112 miles.
Click here for the next Stage of the Camino
Click here for Burgos to Santiago de Compostela
To view the pricing for this holiday, please scroll down to "Pricing Details" tab below.

Your hotels have been selected to be friendly welcoming and comfortable. We offer standard and higher grade hotel options. Our standard grade
hotels all have rooms with private bathroom, and are generally 2* in
category. The higher graded options utilises superior accommodation
(where available) that is generally 3*.
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Day 1 Travel to Burgos and overnight in the city centre.
Day 2 Burgos to Hornillos del Camino The Camino soon leaves the city and passes through attractive rolling farmland. Cross a few rivers, climb a few hills before reaching the pretty village of Hornillos. As no accommodation here, transfer to Burgos for overnight and opportunity to explore more of the city.
Distance | 12.5 miles | Ascent | 250m | Descent | 200m | Time | 4.5 hours |
Day 3 Hornillos del Camino to Castrojeriz A day of remoteness crossing typical ‘paramo’ landscapes of bleak moorland. Folds in the gentle hills hide picturesque villages – some of the most beautiful along the Camino.
Distance | 12 miles | Ascent | 120m | Descent | 150m | Time | 5 hours |
Day 4 Castrojeriz to Fromista Depart the beautiful castellated village of Castrojeriz by crossing a Roman walkway and bridge over the river before a short, sharp climb to Alto de Mostelares brings the reward of magnificent views. Descending across rolling hills of many shades to walk alongside a canal to Fromista with its fine examples of Romanesque architecture.
Distance | 15 miles | Ascent | 290m | Descent | 260m | Time | 6 hours |
Day 5 Fromista to Carrion de los Condes Two options of route are available today as the Camino splits between a quiet but longer path with a distinct mediaeval feel to it, or a shorter faster roadside route. Both converge at the beautiful village of Villacalzar de Sirga. Overnight in the mediaeval town of Carrion de los Condes.
Distance | 12.5 miles | Ascent | 60m | Descent | 60m | Time | 5 hours |
Day 6 Carrion de los Condes to Calzadilla de la Cueza An easy day of absolute flatness, much of the route following a Roman Road, but if skies are clear you will see the Cordillera Cantabrica in the far distance – stunning if snowcapped.
Distance | 10.5 miles | Ascent | Minimal | Descent | Minimal | Time | 4 hours |
Day 7 Calzadilla de la Cueza to Sahagun Endless flatness, endless views and a birdwatchers’ paradise.
Distance | 14 miles | Ascent | 180m | Descent | 200m | Time | 5.5 hours |
Day 8 Sahagun to El Burgo Ranero A choice of routes again, either follow the road or detour through the isolated village of Calzadilla de los Hermanillos with its fine examples of adobe houses. A few small hills, groves of trees and flowing streams signify a change in the landscape as you approach El Burgo Ranero.
Distance | 11 miles | Ascent | 100m | Descent | 30m | Time | 5 hours |
Day 9 El Burgo Ranero to Mansilla de las Mulas The sweeping, open countryside gives constant views of the horizon and the Cordillera Cantabrica ahead. The complete absence of settlements and trees creates an almost desert like landscape with the land becoming more fertile as you draw closer to the walled town of Mansilla.
Distance | 12 miles | Ascent | 90m | Descent | 90m | Time | 5 hours |
Day 10 Mansilla de las Mulas to Leon Hills and mountains now fill the horizon as you continue on to Leon. At the end of this stage, there are magnificent views as you descend into the city. Overnight in Leon.
Distance | 11.5 miles | Ascent | 160m | Descent | 80m | Time | 4 hours |
Day 11 Return home

Burgos to Leon can be walked all year although summer temperatures may be too hot for enjoyable walking. Winter can be cold but clear and bright.
When to book your walking holiday in Camino - Stages - The French Way - Stage 3 - Burgos to Leon | |||||||||||
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Good | Good | Best | Best | Best | Good | OK | OK | Best | Best | Best | OK |

The best airport for both Burgos and Leon is Madrid. Madrid can be reached from most main UK airports.
To get from Madrid to Burgos and Leon to Madrid it is necessary to take a bus (included).

Prices displayed in Sterling. View prices in £GBP | View prices in $USD | View prices in €EURO
Our prices as shown below; are available in GBP, USD, EUR, AUD, CAD and NZD and we accept payment in all these currencies.
Burgos to Leon
2020
All Pilgrim prices include:
o Accommodation in the grade indicated
o Breakfast every day
o Hotel location maps and useful notes
o Our unique walking book compiled by one of our team from personal experience walking this stage
o Experience of Camino specialist consultant in arranging the right trip for you
o Walking map
o All documents sent to your home in advance to travel
o Pilgrims Passport (so you can claim your compostela)
o 24 Hour support line, manned by English speakers
o General useful notes for your journey
Optional:
o Baggage transfer between hotels, so you just walk with a day pack (1 bag per person @20kg)
o Transfers to/from the local airport or bus station
o Flight, train or bus arrangements to/from Santiago, from a Spanish city or the UK
o Dinner on each night in non-city hotels, recommended to ensure a meal is available at the end of a long day walking
Prices are per person
Prices in US Dollar (USD), Euro (EUR), Australian Dollar (AUD), Canadian Dollar (CAD) and New Zealand Dollar (NZD) include all bank charges and costs of couriering documentation to your home. This enables you to study them before you set off and peace of mind as you will not have to worry that the documents will not be at your first hotel. These prices are fixed so that you know the total price up front.
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Prices Include Following |
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GBP |
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USD |
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EUR |
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AUD |
CAD |
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NZD |
Standard Grade |
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Bed and Breakfast based on two |
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565 |
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785 |
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636 |
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997 |
997 |
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1054 |
accommodation |
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sharing a twin/double room |
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Supplement for Half Board/ |
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142 |
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199 |
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163 |
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249 |
249 |
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263 |
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Dinner/MAP |
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Single room Supplement |
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220 |
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308 |
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253 |
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385 |
385 |
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407 |
Higher Grade |
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Bed and Breakfast based on two |
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592 |
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857 |
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696 |
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1091 |
1091 |
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1153 |
accommodation |
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sharing a twin/double room |
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Supplement for Half Board/ |
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147 |
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206 |
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169 |
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257 |
257 |
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272 |
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Dinner/MAP |
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Single room Supplement |
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244 |
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342 |
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281 |
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427 |
427 |
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451 |
Baggage |
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Transfer of Baggage Maximum |
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102 |
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143 |
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117 |
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179 |
179 |
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189 |
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20kg per bag |
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Flights from UK |
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Approximate cost of flights to |
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160 |
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224 |
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184 |
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280 |
280 |
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296 |
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return between London & |
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Santiago |
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Local Access |
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Approximate cost of a bus from |
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25 |
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35 |
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29 |
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44 |
44 |
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46 |
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Madrid to Burgos |
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Approximate cost of a bus from |
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25 |
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35 |
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29 |
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44 |
44 |
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46 |
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Leon to Madrid |
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For important details of our flight price policy click here
SG31 - QK06/U041-E511-A571-C571-N581


Here are some comments from clients who have walked the Camino with us:- |
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All hotels ideally situated and were more than suitable for our needs. |
Service: Excellent Hotels: Excellent Documentation: Excellent Mr GT, Merthyr |
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We both really enjoyed the Pilgrimage & would like to thank you for your efficiency & organization. |
Service: Good Hotels: Average/Good Documentation: Good Ms MK, Northampton |
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Would look at your website before any other company if booking another walking holiday & would recommend to friends & family. |
Service: Excellent Hotels: Excellent Documentation: Excellent Miss DL, Surrey |
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Excellent thank you, tailormade to our needs as always! |
Service: Excellent Hotels: Good/Excellent Documentation: Excellent Mr VS, Gt Yarmouth |
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Everything worked perfectly & was organised spot on. |
Service: Excellent Hotels: Excellent Documentation: Excellent Mr DE, Lancashire |
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The whole trip worked smoothly and efficiently especially knowing that at the end of the day we had our luggage, a comfy bed and a good meal. Job well done. |
Service: Good/Excellent Hotels: Good Documentation: Good Mrs CM, Guildford |
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All the travel arrangements worked out very well, very impressed with our taxi driver and the way our bags were always waiting for us. |
Mr LG, Kent |
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Service when booking: Helpfulness 5/5 Efficiency 5/5 |
Service: Excellent Hotels: Average Documentation: Good Mr WA, Henley |
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Despite trying situation with the ash cloud chaos you endevoured to communicate regularly and get me on the next flight with no additional cost. |
Service: Good/Excellent Hotels: Good Documentation: Good Ms JT, London |
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Very Comprehensive… A good way to do the Camino de Santiago if you have a limited time and are booking late. |
Service: Excellent Hotels: Good/Excellent Documentation: Excellent Ms SB, Middlesex |
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We had a great time - a really amazing holiday. Your organisation and arrangements worked out very well. We look forward to our next trip. |
Service: Excellent Hotels: Average/Good Documentation: Excellent Mr DF, Berkshire |
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We couldn't fault you! We were very happy with your excellent arrangements. |
Service: Excellent Hotels: Good Documentation: Excellent Mr PG, Oxfordshire |
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Travel documentation: Quality 5/5 On time delivery 5/5 |
Service: Excellent Hotels: Average/Good Documentation: Average/Good Mr PA, West Midlands |
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We are all still raving on about our pilgrimage and regard it as a huge success, with all sorts of ever-deepening benefits. |
Service: Excellent Hotels: Excellent Documentation: Excellent Ms SS, London |
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Exceptional service with extraordinary attention to detail. Travel documents included more than I could have expected. |
Service: Excellent Hotels: Average/Good Documentation: Excellent Miss LB, Kent |
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I was going to telephone you to say that it was the best holiday I've ever had. Thanks. We shall be going to Spain again. |
Service: Excellent Hotels: Excellent Documentation: Excellent Mrs LS, York |
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We were very impressed by the high standards of efficiency and arrangements made for our holiday. |
Service: Excellent Hotels: Average Documentation: Good/Excellent Mr KB, Sheffield |
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A sheer delight. |
Service: Good/Excellent Hotels: Good Documentation: Excellent DR IG, Devon |
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Really appreciated personal service + speed of communication + advice + suggestions during booking process - Great! |
Service: Excellent Hotels: Average/Good Documentation: Excellent Miss LB, Kent |
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Service when booking: Helpfulness 5/5 Efficiency 5/5 |
Service: Excellent Hotels: Good/Excellent Documentation: Average/Good Miss GC, Belfast |
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Excellent service with a very helpful personal touch. |
Service: Excellent Hotels: Average Documentation: Good/Excellent Mr KB, Sheffield |
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The luggage handling was faultless. Most certainly we will return. |
Service: Good/Excellent Hotels: Good Documentation: Excellent DR IG, Devon |
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Travel documentation: Quality 5/5 On time delivery 5/5 |
Service: Excellent Hotels: Average/Good Documentation: Good/Excellent Mrs CC-T, Shropshire |
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Having walked with several other companies, we were very impressed with implementation and arrangements provided by New Experience. |
Service: Excellent Hotels: Average Documentation: Good/Excellent Mr KB, Sheffield |
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Service when booking: Helpfulness 5/5 Efficiency 5/5 |
Service: Good/Excellent Hotels: Good Documentation: Good Mr AC, Surrey |
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Very happy with the service provided & prompt response to emails. |
Service: Excellent Hotels: Average/Good Documentation: Good/Excellent Mrs MM, London |
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The organisation was absolutely brilliant. The transfer of our luggage was a very slick operation from hotel to hotel and could not have been better. |
Service: Good/Excellent Hotels: Good Documentation: Good Mrs CM, Guildford |
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Very friendly and helpful. |
Service: Excellent Hotels: Good/Excellent Documentation: Excellent Mrs AP, Walsall |
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Travel documentation: Quality 5/5 On time delivery 5/5 |
Service: Excellent Hotels: Good/Excellent Documentation: Good/Excellent Mr WD, Surrey |
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Everything went like clockwork. Excellent - Well done. |
Service: Excellent Hotels: Average/Good Documentation: Average Mr RK, County Down |
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Very happy with personal service I received. |
Service: Excellent Hotels: Good/Excellent Documentation: Excellent Miss JS, Staffordshire |
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Very smooth & well thought out. Wonderful experience. |
Service: Excellent Hotels: Excellent Documentation: Excellent Miss DL, Surrey |
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The hotel accommodation was far better than I had anticipated, locations were good and the food was absolutely excellent. |
Service: Good/Excellent Hotels: Good Documentation: Good Mrs CM, Guildford |
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I was VERY impressed with the whole service. It was personal & tailored for me. This was my first solo walking trip & I felt supported. |
Service: Excellent Hotels: Average Documentation: Excellent Mrs LR, Leeds |
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For a first time using a package holiday like this we were very impressed with the hassle free way it was organised. |
Service: Good Hotels: Good/Excellent Documentation: Excellent Mr RB, Belfast |
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We really enjoyed our holiday. All hotels were very clean and comfortable. |
Service: Good/Excellent Hotels: Average/Good Documentation: Excellent Mrs LH, County Down |
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All taxi transfers were punctual, efficient & friendly as always. |
Service: Good Hotels: Good Documentation: Average Mrs SN, Oxford |
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Overall all very enjoyable. |
Service: Average/Good Hotels: Good Documentation: Average/Good Ms LS, Oxford |
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Overall I was very impressed from start to finish of my holiday. |
Service: Good/Excellent Hotels: Good Documentation: Excellent Mrs JB, Essex |
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A really good start and information. |
Service: Excellent Hotels: Good Documentation: Good/Excellent Mrs AN, Leeds |
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All my dealings with you have me feel valued and reassured about the walk. |
Service: Excellent Hotels: Excellent Documentation: Excellent Mr RB, Edinburgh |
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We had a great holiday. Thank you. We were sad to leave the Camino at Burgos. |
Service: Good/Excellent Hotels: Good Documentation: Good Mrs DC, Hampshire |
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Travel documentation: Quality 5/5 On time delivery 5/5 |
Service: Excellent Hotels: Average/Good Documentation: Good/Excellent Rev PF, Dorking |
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Member of staff put me at ease & chatted through my options patiently - very kind as this was mt first trip of this kind. |
Service: Excellent Hotels: Good Documentation: Excellent Ms NH, Reading |
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Service when booking: Helpfulness 5/5 Efficiency 5/5 |
Service: Good/Excellent Hotels: Good Documentation: Average Dr AG, Lincolnshire |
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Our advise to others is "Go for it". It is an unforgettable experience. |
Service: Good/Excellent Hotels: Good/Excellent Documentation: Good Mrs ME, Weston Super Mare |
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The quality of the accommodation was great. All very welcoming and helpful. |
Service: Good Hotels: Good Documentation: Good Ms MW, Liverpool |
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All hotels had great staff and good location. |
Service: Excellent Hotels: Excellent Documentation: Excellent Mr RB, Edinburgh |
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Service when booking: Helpfulness 5/5 Efficiency 5/5 |
Service: Good/Excellent Hotels: Good/Excellent Documentation: Excellent Mr AC, Surrey |
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New Experience Holidays is smooth, efficient and made my first holiday alone very easy. |
Service: Good/Excellent Hotels: Good Documentation: Excellent Mrs JB, Essex |
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Very helpful and responsive. |
Service: Excellent Ms EC, USA |
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We had a wonderful time and were very impressed at the organisation of bags, standard overall and service. Thank you. |
Service: Excellent Hotels: Good/Excellent Documentation: Excellent Mrs O, Surrey |
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Thank you for a wonderful "new experience". |
Service: Excellent Hotels: Average/Good Documentation: Excellent Mr JD, Hexham |
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Very useful to have notes about route as we were self-guided. Handy size to carry. |
Service: Good/Excellent Hotels: Good Documentation: Good/Excellent Mrs DE, Gloucestershire |
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Overall this was a great trip which exceeded our expectations in several regards. |
Service: Good Hotels: Good Documentation: Average/Good Dr RK, USA |
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Travel documentation: Quality 5/5 On time delivery 5/5 |
Service: Good Hotels: Good/Excellent Mr RD, Warwickshire |
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It was an excellent trip and I would have no hesitation in booking with New Experience again. In fact my husband has already looked at some of their other walking holidays. |
Service: Good/Excellent Hotels: Good Documentation: Good Mrs CM, Guildford |
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All-in-all I had a fantastic, well organised & planned holiday. Something I will never foget - thank you! |
Service: Excellent Hotels: Excellent Documentation: Good/Excellent Miss CW, Kent |
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Location of hotels were spot on and central to shops etc. |
Service: Good Hotels: Good/Excellent Documentation: Excellent Mr RB, Belfast |
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Organisation by New Experience was really good. They had thought of everything and it worked. |
Service: Good/Excellent Hotels: Average Documentation: Good Mrs LM, Buckinghamshire |
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Service when booking: Helpfulness 5/5 Efficiency 5/5 |
Service: Excellent Hotels: Good Documentation: Excellent Mr GP, Derry |
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Travel documentation: Quality 5/5 On time delivery 5/5 |
Service: Excellent Hotels: Average Documentation: Excellent Mr DMW, York |
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(Re documentation) Always concise & informative - much more than some we were compared with! Very helpful hints on where the next break was etc, terrain, distance. |
Service: Excellent Hotels: Good/Excellent Documentation: Excellent Mr VS, Gt Yarmouth |
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A wide choice of hotels, generally very good. |
Service: Good/Excellent Hotels: Good Documentation: Good Mr JA, Bakewell |
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Very helpful and reassuring on the telephone. |
Service: Excellent Hotels: Excellent Documentation: Excellent Mr RH, Hexham |
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All excellent - friendly & helpful service. |
Service: Good/Excellent Hotels: Good Documentation: Excellent Mrs SG, Surrey |
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I had a superb time & valued your organisation. |
Service: Excellent Hotels: Average/Good Documentation: Good/Excellent Mr BW, London |
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Matthew was always there to answer questions however trivial they may have seemed. |
Service: Excellent Hotels: Good Documentation: Excellent Mrs EB, Stoke on Trent |
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Service when booking: Helpfulness 5/5 Efficiency 5/5 |
Service: Excellent Hotels: Good Documentation: Good/Excellent Ms CK-R, London |
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We cannot thank you enough for your excellent service. Choice of hotels were excellent and always right on the Camino route. |
Service: Excellent Hotels: Good/Excellent Documentation: Excellent Mr VS, Gt Yarmouth |
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Amongst the handful of our top holidays. The camaraderie was great. All arrangements worked very well. |
Service: Excellent Hotels: Excellent Documentation: Excellent Mr RH, Hexham |
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Taxis always arrived well before scheduled pick-up time. Drivers mart & helpful. |
Service: Average/Good Hotels: Average/Good Documentation: Mrs SN, Oxford |
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Your organisation of the holiday was excellent. |
Service: Good/Excellent Hotels: Good Documentation: Excellent Mrs SG, Surrey |
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Overall we did enjoy the holiday- and would consider doing more of the Camino. |
Service: Good Hotels: Average Documentation: Average Mr JF, Carmarthenshire |
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Great service, thanks! |
Service: Good Hotels: Good Documentation: Good Ms MW, Liverpool |
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All bookings and baggage transfers were excellent. |
Service: Good/Excellent Hotels: Good Documentation: Good Mrs DC, Hampshire |
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Found the experience enthralling. |
Service: Excellent Hotels: Good Documentation: Good/Excellent Mr GK, Derry |
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The hotels were all very varied and obviously chosen with care. Well situated on the route. |
Service: Average/Good Hotels: Good Documentation: Good Mrs SM, Newcastle |
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Overall, an excellent and very well organised holiday. We loved the experience. |
Service: Good/Excellent Hotels: Good Documentation: Excellent Mr PG, Oxfordshire |
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We've really enjoyed the walks we've done so far. We felt all the hotels were well chosen and it was reassuring to know, while walking, that at the end of a long, hot day the hotels were going to be comfortable and welcoming. |
Service: Excellent Hotels: Good/Excellent Documentation: Excellent Mr DF, Berkshire |
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We had an excellent holiday! Everything went just as it should and the Parador was amazing. |
Service: Excellent Mrs LM, Ayrshire |
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(Re documentation) Easily understood, useful notes and tips! |
Service: Excellent Hotels: Good Documentation: Excellent Mrs LT, Denbighshire |
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Clear and prompt information given to me as I was a late booking. |
Service: Good/Excellent Hotels: Good/Excellent Documentation: Excellent Mrs JP, Denbighshire |
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Thanks for the unfogettable holiday, and for all the help and encouragement. I had the best time ever. |
Service: Good/Excellent Hotels: Good/Excellent Documentation: Excellent Mrs JP, Denbighshire |
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