After Santiago...

[Kaye Simpkin]

This may seem like a odd question and not sure if this is the right forum, but after 3 weeks of walking, finishing early June, I have a couple of weeks to spare before doing a retreat in France. As I have no idea as to how I will be feeling, I wondered if anyone had has any suggestions as to what I could do? Thank you. Kaye

 

[Vacajoe]

Flights in Europe are incredibly cheap, so you could easily tour around. Or you might want to reverse-walk the CF towards France!

 

[nycwalking]

Many walk from Santiago to Fisterra.

Some walk other short distance caminos.

You could check out Vaughan Town at GrupoVaughan.com. For a week you are given room and board at four or five stars digs with meals included and transport to and from site, to speak English to Spanish speaking professionals. I had a great time in April 2014, after CF camino.

Mods, not certain if above broke forum rules.

As above mentioned stated sightsee.

Or, you could arrive early and take a Spanish immersion class.
Buen camino.

 

[TMcA]

Have you been to Portugal? We had not, so after our first long walk to SdC, we hopped a bus to Porto and later continued on to Lisbon. Then we took a night train to Madrid, toured the great museums there, and flew home.

Porto, Lisbon, Madrid, Seville...Barcelona is a bit further away. All fabulous cities to visit. Yes, and I also love France where you are headed.

Tom

 

[Kaye Simpkin]

Forgot to mention I will be doing Portugese Camino from Porto. Some of the Camino Frances maybe a good idea. Any suggestions as to the best sections as don't need to finish in Santiago?

 

[David]

Rome?????

 

[domigee]

I had a week to spare after walking the Camino francés last Summer so carried on with the Camino inglés. You take a train from Santiago to Ferrol and start from there. It was lovely and quiet.

 

[lt56ny]

I like the idea of a shorter Camino or going somewhere that is tranquil and beautiful. I have made the mistake on my last two caminos of going from peace and solitude to a big city. Last year after a hard and solitary Norte, which was a wonderful camino. I went to Madrid. For me it was a huge mistake. After barely seeing or interacting with people, Madrid was completely overwhelming. It is not a knock on Madrid. It is a fantastic city. Any city would have been too much. For me, from now on if I have time after my Camino I would go somewhere on one of the Caminos I have walked that was beautiful and quiet and will give me an opportunity to let the experience sink in and percolate before I have to reenter that other world we all inhabit.

 

[Calvin & Hobbes]

Have you been to Portugal? We had not, so after our first long walk to SdC, we hopped a bus to Porto and later continued on to Lisbon. Then we took a night train to Madrid, toured the great museums there, and flew home.

Porto, Lisbon, Madrid, Seville...Barcelona is a bit further away. All fabulous cities to visit. Yes, and I also love France where you are headed.

Tom

I'd also suggest Portugal. I had 2 weeks following my Camino. I did the same as TMcA. I bused to Porto and spent a few days there. Then I took a high speed train to Lisbon and spent a few days there. I found a cheap flight from Lisbon to the Azores (Portuguese) and spent a few days there before flying back to Santiago where I did the bus trip to Muxia and Fisterra before my flight back to the U.S. I bought hop-on hop-off bus tickets in Porto and Lisbon. I rented a car on Sao Miguel. I had considered Rome or Barcelona trips, but found flights were difficult and/or rooms were expensive, so Portugal won out, and I'm glad it did. Sao Miguel was enjoyable with a lot of interesting geographic features.

 

[RJM]

Rest your body and feet for a day or two in Santiago and walk the 4-5 days to Finisterre/Muxia. Afterwards maybe make your way to Pamplona or Burgos and walk sections of the Frances at a relaxed pace.