Jeff Crawley
Veteran Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- A "Tourigrino" trip once Covid has passed, so 2023
I apologise in advance - this post is a bit wordy!
A work colleague is thinking of booking a "walk the Camino" holiday in September and asked my views on her trip - will she be getting the full "Camino experience"? Is it good value for money? She's going on an unguided tour from Leon. She's mid 40's and a regular hiker.
This is the itinery taken straight from the company's trip notes - the only change I've made is the highlights in bold. The trip is costing about €1600 not including her travel to and from Leon.
Not quite sure what to tell her . . .
Day 2 - Leon to Molinaseca
After a 1hr transfer to Cruz de Ferro, a remote hilltop chapel high in the smoky Montes de Leon, the Camino winds downhill through fragrant pines where once the Knights Templar protected pilgrims from bandit attack. An easy path lined with wild chestnuts, cherries, peppers and fennel leads to riverside Molinaseca, where you'll meet your hosts Noemi and Javier.
Day 3 - Molinaseca to Ambasmestas
After a short transfer (30 mins), you ascend the Rio Valcarce valley, climbing into moody oak woods strung with lichen and strewn with early purple orchid. O'Cebreiro is an C11 village in the heart of the Cordillera Cantabrica. Walk to the viewpoint above the village for a perfect sunset and views over four ranges of hills before a transfer back to your hotel in Ambasmestas.
Day 4 - Triacastela to Sarria
After a short transfer we drop you off at Triacastela. As the Camino meanders between heather clad villages overlooking the Monastery of Samos, you can hear the bells ringing! On reaching Sarria - the antiques capital of Galicia, you'll be whisked to Javier and Raquel's elegant country rectory, (10 mins), complete with chapel and al fresco dining patio area.
Day 5 - Sarria to Portomarin
A Roman bridge leads out of Sarria up the Celerio Valley, where you'll traverse the hamlets of the southern flank of the Sierra del Paramo. Descend into Portomarin - the original village was flooded by the Belesar Reservoir, and houses still shimmer below the surface! This evening, meet Mario's horses and enjoy wine from his vines, before a waterside stroll after dinner.
Day 6 - Portomarin to Lestedo
Drop into Portomarin's church then follow the Torres stream passing between cornfields lined with ox-eye daisies. Stamp your pilgrim's passport in country churches dedicated to the Order of St James before arriving at your home for this evening, a beautifully restored rectory.
Day 7 - Lestedo to O Coto
Country lanes lead past fortified farmhouses into the hillside town of Palas del Rei (Palace of the King) as you enter the province of A Coruna. You'll pass typical raised Galician granaries and chickens scamper across narrow streets as you enter vineyards, with views east to the Montes del Vacaloura.
Day 8 - O Coto to Arzua
Your first stop is Melide; a thriving country town with tavernas brimming with locals enjoying Galician seafood in specialist pulperias (octopus restaurants). Drop into the Romanesque church to admire the frescoes, before lanes lined with bright yellow celandine bring you into the lively market town of Arzua. Continue on to your elegant manor house, surrounded by tranquil countryside, just outside of town.
Day 9 - Arzua to Rua
Arzua's colonnaded streets lead you into open country where local farmers wear berets as they tend vines and build haystacks with pitch forks. Your route rises and falls through river valleys crossing rushing streams. This evening you can marvel at Javier and Maria's breath-taking converted water mill, where original machinery has been turned into spectacular period features!
Day 10 - Rua to Santiago de Compostela
Excitement mounts as you set off towards Monte do Gozo - the Mount of Joy - where pilgrims of old caught their first glimpse of the spires of Santiago. It is a bit busier these days! On reaching Santiago's historic centre, congratulations are everywhere as a steady stream of pilgrims reach journey's end below the cathedral's spectacular Baroque facade. Drop into the Pilgrim Office to collect your certificate if you wish, before checking into our historic hotel near the old marketplace, still a riot of colour!
Essential Equipment and Clothing
Light walking boots (good walking trainers will suffice)
Small daypack for camera, guidebook, etc.
Water bottle to use when walking and sightseeing
Sun cream
Hat
Sunglasses
Waterproofs
Warm clothes
Optional items:
Walking poles
Swimwear
A work colleague is thinking of booking a "walk the Camino" holiday in September and asked my views on her trip - will she be getting the full "Camino experience"? Is it good value for money? She's going on an unguided tour from Leon. She's mid 40's and a regular hiker.
This is the itinery taken straight from the company's trip notes - the only change I've made is the highlights in bold. The trip is costing about €1600 not including her travel to and from Leon.
Not quite sure what to tell her . . .
Day 2 - Leon to Molinaseca
After a 1hr transfer to Cruz de Ferro, a remote hilltop chapel high in the smoky Montes de Leon, the Camino winds downhill through fragrant pines where once the Knights Templar protected pilgrims from bandit attack. An easy path lined with wild chestnuts, cherries, peppers and fennel leads to riverside Molinaseca, where you'll meet your hosts Noemi and Javier.
Day 3 - Molinaseca to Ambasmestas
After a short transfer (30 mins), you ascend the Rio Valcarce valley, climbing into moody oak woods strung with lichen and strewn with early purple orchid. O'Cebreiro is an C11 village in the heart of the Cordillera Cantabrica. Walk to the viewpoint above the village for a perfect sunset and views over four ranges of hills before a transfer back to your hotel in Ambasmestas.
Day 4 - Triacastela to Sarria
After a short transfer we drop you off at Triacastela. As the Camino meanders between heather clad villages overlooking the Monastery of Samos, you can hear the bells ringing! On reaching Sarria - the antiques capital of Galicia, you'll be whisked to Javier and Raquel's elegant country rectory, (10 mins), complete with chapel and al fresco dining patio area.
Day 5 - Sarria to Portomarin
A Roman bridge leads out of Sarria up the Celerio Valley, where you'll traverse the hamlets of the southern flank of the Sierra del Paramo. Descend into Portomarin - the original village was flooded by the Belesar Reservoir, and houses still shimmer below the surface! This evening, meet Mario's horses and enjoy wine from his vines, before a waterside stroll after dinner.
Day 6 - Portomarin to Lestedo
Drop into Portomarin's church then follow the Torres stream passing between cornfields lined with ox-eye daisies. Stamp your pilgrim's passport in country churches dedicated to the Order of St James before arriving at your home for this evening, a beautifully restored rectory.
Day 7 - Lestedo to O Coto
Country lanes lead past fortified farmhouses into the hillside town of Palas del Rei (Palace of the King) as you enter the province of A Coruna. You'll pass typical raised Galician granaries and chickens scamper across narrow streets as you enter vineyards, with views east to the Montes del Vacaloura.
Day 8 - O Coto to Arzua
Your first stop is Melide; a thriving country town with tavernas brimming with locals enjoying Galician seafood in specialist pulperias (octopus restaurants). Drop into the Romanesque church to admire the frescoes, before lanes lined with bright yellow celandine bring you into the lively market town of Arzua. Continue on to your elegant manor house, surrounded by tranquil countryside, just outside of town.
Day 9 - Arzua to Rua
Arzua's colonnaded streets lead you into open country where local farmers wear berets as they tend vines and build haystacks with pitch forks. Your route rises and falls through river valleys crossing rushing streams. This evening you can marvel at Javier and Maria's breath-taking converted water mill, where original machinery has been turned into spectacular period features!
Day 10 - Rua to Santiago de Compostela
Excitement mounts as you set off towards Monte do Gozo - the Mount of Joy - where pilgrims of old caught their first glimpse of the spires of Santiago. It is a bit busier these days! On reaching Santiago's historic centre, congratulations are everywhere as a steady stream of pilgrims reach journey's end below the cathedral's spectacular Baroque facade. Drop into the Pilgrim Office to collect your certificate if you wish, before checking into our historic hotel near the old marketplace, still a riot of colour!
Essential Equipment and Clothing
Light walking boots (good walking trainers will suffice)
Small daypack for camera, guidebook, etc.
Water bottle to use when walking and sightseeing
Sun cream
Hat
Sunglasses
Waterproofs
Warm clothes
Optional items:
Walking poles
Swimwear