ROML 297 – Walking the Portuguese Caminho de Santiago

Image of a bridge in Portugal along the Camino de Santiago.

Washington and Lee University Center for International Education Spring Term Abroad Spring Term Abroad 2026 ROML 297 – Walking the Portuguese Caminho de Santiago
Center for International Education
Four credits, EXP, HU
One week on campus; three weeks in Portugal and Spain
Professor Matthew Bailey
In this course we study the Portuguese route to Santiago de Compostela and the cultural history of the Camino de Santiago and then walk the 144-mile (232-kilometer) route from Porto, Portugal to Santiago de Compostela in northern Galicia, Spain to the shrine of St. James the Greater, the patron saint of Spain and one of the twelve apostles of Christ. The first week is spent on campus studying the cultural history of the route, modern concepts of pilgrimage, and an introduction to the Portuguese language. While on campus, students choose a specific town or city along the route to research and explore. We convene again in Lisbon, the cultural and political capital of Portugal, visit cultural sites and further our Portuguese-language skills. We then travel to Porto, Portugal’s most beautiful city and from there embark on the pilgrim route. The pilgrimage is divided into twelve stages, averaging a demanding 12 miles per day. We take a rest day in Tui, on the border with Spain, and end with two nights in Santiago de Compostela, where we visit the Cathedral and the tomb of Saint James.

The course counts as a 200-level elective for the Spanish, French, and Romance Languages majors and the French minor. 

Prerequisite: Fitness compatible with 12 consecutive days of 10-14-mile walks.

Program fee (paid to W&L): $6,129
Includes programming, room, all breakfasts, the majority of dinners (13 out of 20), and in-country transportation for all program activities. 

Additional costs: airfare, most lunches, some dinners, cell phone, spending money, passport, and visa fees (if applicable).

For further details, please reach out to Professor Bailey.

The information session for this course will take place on October 6, 2025, at 7 pm in Tucker Hall, room 114.

Center for International Education

Mark Rush

Director

Hunter Swanson

International Student Advisor

Cindy Irby

Associate Director and Study Abroad Advisor

Jillian Murphy

Assistant Director of International Education and Study Abroad Coordinator

Kristy Reed

Center for International Education Office Manager

Center for International Education

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    Ruscio Center for Global Learning
    Room 145
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    204 W. Washington St.
    Washington and Lee University
    Lexington, Virginia 24450