If you had an extra day, what would you have done?

Deacon Harbey Santiago · May 21, 2014

Folks,

As I continue to plan my trip in Sept from Leon to SDC I found that I can take a day off for resting. I'm asking this to those who had experienced this route, if you could have an extra day to rest and visit interesting sites, where between Leon and SDC would you take it?

"Viva Cristo Rey!!"
Camino bound, Sept 2014!
Deacon Harbey Santiago

mspath · May 21, 2014

Not a rest day but very memorable one. March 2007 I detoured to the Sobrado do Monxes monastery from the Camino Frances at Arzua; roughly 20 km up and 20 km back. Stayed at the pilgrim albergue within the Cistercian/Trappist monastery where there also is a separate hospderia for visitors. The monastery complex is a Baroque masterpiece; however the albergue dorm was then in the renovated stable. I wandered alone through the various structures in awe. When the porter saw my American passport he delightedly (and silently) pointed to several library shelves filled with the works of Thomas Merton, the renown American Trappist.

No other pilgrims were about; only one other 'outsider' and I attended Vespers. That evening service was held in a splendid circular contemporary space. Walls were either painted white or natural wood. All was lit by thick, sputtering candles. The monks wearing their white robes responded in unison. It was a true privilege to share such a timeless ambiance.

Margaret Meredith

Rambler · May 21, 2014

We took a rest day in Astorga. With the cathedral, Gaudi's Bishop Residence, Chocolate Museum, and local market in the square, we truly enjoyed our day there.

Ponferrada may also be a good choice with the Templar castle, if you enjoy that. I am sure there are other sights there, but we did not have time to visit any.

Rambler

annakappa · May 22, 2014

From Ponferrada you could go and visit Las Medulas, an extraordinary site where the Romans carved out an entire mountain to remove the gold. Anne

verutum · Apr 2, 2021

Time was no factor in my pilgrimage. So, I took several days in Pamplona, a day in Burgos and a day in Leon. We caught the medievaI festival in Hospital de Orbigo would have spent another day at the Festival and watched the knights joust. I could have but I did not stay for a third day. I am kicking myself now for not doing so!!! So if you have time, take some to enjoy the Camino. If you don't you will be kicking yourself later that you did not take some time for yourself to recoup and enjoy.

henrythedog · Apr 3, 2021

The original poster was last seen six years ago, so has probably made up his mind by now.
It’s a shame he was starting in Leon, as my response would have been to have the extra day (or more specifically, night) in Leon

Saint Mike II · Apr 4, 2021

On the Frances I schedule rest days in Pamplona, Burgos and Leon. However in 2017 if I had planned an extra day to two I would have been able to walk to Finisterre and Muxia (with my Camino daughter). So now I will have to build in those extra days after I finish to Porto (hopefully in May 2022). Cheers

mspath · Apr 4, 2021

Saint Mike II said:
On the Frances I schedule rest days in Pamplona, Burgos and Leon. However in 2017 if I had planned an extra day to two I would have been able to walk to Finisterre and Muxia (with my Camino daughter). So now I will have to build in those extra days after I finish to Porto (hopefully in May 2022). Cheers

Mike,
Lucky you planning a camino in Portugal!

Before you leave the Porto area do visit one of the many winehouses which produce this delicious wine.
For further research re wine visits along the CP itself see this handy list of wine areas and vineyard links with maps from Visit Portugal. For further posts re Portuguese wine see this recent Forum link

Happy sipping and Bom caminho!
Margaret

Saint Mike II · Apr 4, 2021

Hello Margaret, if the plans (COVID19 permitting) my brother and I will have one or two days in Porto - to get over the jet lag. Last time I was in Porto it was a monday and as is normal a lot of places where closed. So yes the winehouses (home of Port) will be on the itinerary. I trust you and Bill are keeping well and safe. Cheers

mspath · Apr 4, 2021

Saint Mike II said:
Hello Margaret, if the plans (COVID19 permitting) my brother and I will have one or two days in Porto - to get over the jet lag. Last time I was in Porto it was a monday and as is normal a lot of places where closed. So yes the winehouses (home of Port) will be on the itinerary. I trust you and Bill are keeping well and safe. Cheers

Hi Mike,
Glad to read about your future trip. Do visit Graham's port; they do a great tour. Bill and I are keeping on keeping on as is most of the world.
Stay safe,
Margaret

Marbe2 · Apr 6, 2021

For me, a lot depends on the weather. When I take a rest day, I like to rest and relax. At this point in my life I am more discriminate about which sites I visit. I am not so inclined to visit some deserted crumbling monastery after seeing probably close to a hundred of them. There are a few favorites, but at this point I much prefer to visit an active monastery.

On rest days, I literally rest! I breathe in the beauty of a gorgeous setting, stroll a little, sleep late, eat well, talk to-other pilgrims and just relax. If the weather is good, I take a days rest in Acebo. It is not necessarily because I need a rest day then. It is because I love this place, and the scenery that surrounds it. But I only book a second day if the weather is good and there is an opening.

Another option is taking two short walking days instead of a rest day. So I split 20km into 2days, not necessarily together...and have extra energy for things I want to do. It helps break up the grind.

Albergue La Casa Del Peregrino in El Acebo San Miguel

Way Wanderer · Aug 7, 2021

Marbe2 said:
For me, a lot depends on the weather. When I take a rest day, I like to rest and relax. At this point in my life I am more discriminate about which sites I visit. I am not so inclined to visit some deserted crumbling monastery after seeing probably close to a hundred of them. There are a few favorites, but at this point I much prefer to visit an active monastery.

On rest days, I literally rest! I breathe in the beauty of a gorgeous setting, stroll a little, sleep late, eat well, talk to-other pilgrims and just relax. If the weather is good, I take a days rest in Acebo. It is not necessarily because I need a rest day then. It is because I love this place, and the scenery that surrounds it. But I only book a second day if the weather is good and there is an opening.

Another option is taking two short walking days instead of a rest day. So I split 20km into 2days, not necessarily together...and have extra energy for things I want to do. It helps break up the grind.

Albergue La Casa Del Peregrino in El Acebo San Miguel

That's how I plan to do the Caminho - short walking days so I can savor as I go. I absolutely love Portugal!