I'm not a camino veteren. I haven't gone yet. 20 days til lift off! But am planning rest days and being a regular old tourist. I am about to book a van tour that visits wineries and includes a lunch (out of Pamplona.) I am also planning on splurging on a Michelin star restaurant outside of Najera (very reasonably priced compared to one I did in London several years ago. Like 1/5th of the price...) at the super groovy hotel Marques de Riscal designed by architect Frank Gehry. Other cities I'm going to visit the cathedrals and sites, do real laundry in machines and NOT eat pilgrim meals which look to be tiresome. I am trying for the albergues most nights but my rest days I hope to at least have a private room or even an en suite room to decompress and get better rest.
I have a special goal to visit every church I can and light a candle for my grandma and my friend Tara who have both passed.
Can you all tell that I'm a foodie?
And regarding Frank Gehry. His stuff is weird. And sadly his building in my city is downright ugly! (The MoPOP museum at Seattle Center) But sometimes I like his buildings and he is an alumni of my school, so I have a love/hate for his work.