Camino de Santiago - Day 1

We are meeting our fellow travelers at midday in the room at the entrance to the Parador.

This room has a wonderful carved ceiling.

Once again the weather is brilliant and we are ready to start our special pilgrimage.

But what's that parked at the entrance?

It's a luxury coach!

This coach is the best we have ever been on - it even had WiFi!

However, we weren't doing the pilgrimage by coach, (that would be cheating!). Instead we were traveling on board Al Andalus, a luxury train built in the 1930's. To save a lot of time and explanation, to find out about the train, click HERE.

The "Welcome on board" meeting went down well.

The team of staff were impeccable throughout.

Our cabin was more than adequate and came with it's own bathroom and shower.

We were in coach number 6 which meant it was a long way from the lounge and dining coaches but we needed the exercise.

Only 35 minutes from León was our first stop of Astorga where we were taken from the train station in the same luxury coach to the village of Castrillo de Polvazares...

This is a small and very peaceful village...

...with lovely rich coloured stone buildings...

...and we had come to the restaurant, El Almacén del Arriero for lunch.

Aperitivo was Cecina de Astorga which consisted of smoked and cured local beef.

This was followed by a selection of cooked meats...

...a dish of cabbage and beans...

...then soup with noodles, la sopa de Cocido con fideos...

...generously ladled by our new friend Enrique.

...followed by natillas caseras con caramelo, limón fresca y galleta, home made custard with caramel, lemon and crumbled biscuit.

In the afternoon we toured Astorga and saw the Palacio Episcopal designed by Antoni Gaudí.

On the outside it is quite a stunning building.

Unfortunately the Palace has never been used as a home for the Bishops. Money ran out before it was finished and another architect completed the top floor. 

Gaudí never returned to see the finished building.

Next to it is the Catedral de Santa Maria de Astorga...

...which had been built in parts, hence the different colours of the stone used.

Our visit then included seeing the inside of Gaudí's Palace...

...and the inside was pure Gaudí architecture...

...with decorative arches and columns forming a very pleasing structure.

All around are works of art; paintings, sculptures and carvings.

The top floor designed by another architect houses a further range of works of art which have been donated to the building by the artists.

In the crypt is a display of old artifacts dating back to when the Romans were in this town.

Just a short walk away is the Chocolate Museum which opened on February 14th.

In the 16th century the cocoa bean arrived in Spain and Astorga is the European birthplace of chocolate.

Every aspect of the making, packaging and advertising of chocolate is covered.

As well as celebrating the skills of the chocolatier there is also the opportunity to try the end product.

After this very busy afternoon it was back to the train and for the evening meal on board.

A tomato salad with cheese, oregano oil and lobster...

...was followed by Cantabrian tuna with creamed mushrooms...

...and finished with a selection of local sweets...

...accompanied by delightful music on the violin. 

An incredible start to our pilgrimage.