The Camino de Santiago -the"Way of St. James" is Europe's ultimate pilgrimage. Since the middle ages humble pilgrims have trod hundreds of miles across the north of Spain to pay homage to the remains of St. James in his namesake city Santiago de Compostela. The route begins in the French foothills of the Pyrenees in the Basque village of St. Jean-Pied-de-Port. Today thousands do the 500 mile trek (or a portion of it) taking a month or so to do the total pilgrimage. In order to qualify for a Compostela certificate (and receive a scallop shell - the symbol of the route) you must do at least 100 km. or 62 mi. This Monastery in the Rioja valley is along the route and offers pilgrims a drink of wine or water from "The Wall". We drove a scenic road that accompanies the route for several kilometers and met one of the travelers on the path and two that were resting here for mid day as it was 34.5C !