A little help from veterans

[Jim McMurtrie]

Okay. We have a flight to Madrid arriving on April 7. We will probably want a day or two to resolve the jet lag in Madrid. We don't have a return flight until May 30 so I think we will have time to not only do Finisterre but explore more of Spain. Should we leave our non-pelegrino luggage in Madrid or take it to Pamplona where we will be catching a bus to SJ. I'm thinking that from Pamplona we could visit Barcelona and find some good cavas.
AQny input would be appreciated.

 

[wayfarer]

You could ship your luggage to Ivar in Santiago and pick it up when you return from Finisterre and Muxia then continue to explore Spain.
Buen Camino.

 

[trecile]

Last year I left my a bag in Madrid. This year I used Express Bouricott to send my bag from St Jean to Santiago. It was so nice to have something different to wear after a month of wearing the same two outfits! And I didn't have to go back to Madrid before I spent time elsewhere in Spain. I initially wasn't sure where I wanted to go right after the Camino, and ended up spending 3 wonderful days in A Coruña. I was happy that I didn't have to backtrack to Madrid to get my regular tourist clothes.

The Express Bouricott service couldn't be easier. You just go to their office near the Pilgrims Office in St Jean, fill out a tag for your suitcase and pay them. They will then pick up your bag from your gite or hotel in the morning. No need to go to the post office. It is more expensive than sending it through the post office, but the two of you could share one larger suitcase. The cost is the same regardless of the size of the bag (within reason I assume). They send them to a hotel/albergue in Santiago, Hostal LaSalle, where they keep them until you pick them up - no time limit. The hotel also gives you a 20% discount on a room. I was able to get a single bed room with bath for less than some of my friends paid for an albergue bed. I then left my bag there again while I walked to Muxia and Finisterre with no additional charge.

 

[HedaP]

Was in a similar position to you though didn’t have any excess luggage. Travelled quite well without anything extra that we couldn’t buy at Santiago or beyond. Did feel a bit odd being so old and travelling only with a back pack as haven’t done that for many years but hey!
When we got to Santiago we had enough time left to head down to Portugal for a week before travelling back through Spain and Gilbratar. We used bus and trains the whole way with a preference for buses because the trains are so efficient and go so fast that you can see more from a bus. Loved that whole time. Have to admit we did book a few holiday apartments because we were by then over hostels and hotels. There is a certain pleasure that comes from having your own space and being able to cook your own meals using all those lovely local ingredients.
IMO you’ve made really good choices!
Buen camino, pereginos.

 

[linkster]

I was in Madrid before and after my Camino. I sent a bag to Ivar through the Correos. There was a Correos office in the lower level of Cortes Ingles (think Macys) in Puerta del Sol near where I stayed. The process was pretty easy; although, I do remember having a little difficulty trying to explain that Ivar was going to store the bag ... somehow they kept trying to get me to store the bag with the Correos in Santiago. It was no big deal once they understood, just have the shipping info for Ivar, and say he is your friend. I think I had ATT: my name under Ivar's, and that is what sparked the confusion since I was in the TO and FROM. It was nice being able to have my stuff when I got to Santiago. Send your bags from the last spot you will need them (Madrid, Pamplona, SJPdP). Pamplona is a cool city...you will be there in 4 or 5 days after you start the Camino (maybe an extra day and/or night). You might end up whittling down the contents of your pack by then if you haven't already, and can always ship another package to Ivar or just ditch the stuff (donativo box at the albergues).

 

[grayland]

I have sent an after-Camino bag to Ivar many times via Post Office.
Never a problem!

 

[CaminoDebrita]

I sent my bag ahead to Ivar, and considered it a very small payment for the use of our forum. If it helps him and his family, why not? If you want to pick up your stuff in Santiago, you can meet him, too. Kind of nice!

 

[natefaith]

Welcome to the forum, Jim!

I agree with the many above; send it on to Ivar. You know you plan to end up in the Santiago/ Finisterre area and it won't be a burden for you to pick up your luggage once you're here, instead of the possible burden of needing to go back to Madrid or Pamplona to pick up luggage that you'd enjoy having for your travels.

Buen Camino!

 

[Jim McMurtrie]

Once again, sage advice from those who went before us. I think we will do Madrid, forward our bags to Ivar in Santiago, train and bus to SJ. Maybe rent a car in Santiago or train to Pamplona, Zaragoza, Barcelona. Thank you all so much.

 

[scruffy1]

Leave right away for San Sebastián instead, much quieter than both Madrid and Barcelona fir fighting jet lag, much much better better tapas than both as well, and the Basque wine is fantastic. You are alo headed in the right direction for Pamplona and SJPP which can more easily be reached by train from San Sebastián into Bayonne/Biarritz.

 

[Robert Long]

Okay. We have a flight to Madrid arriving on April 7. We will probably want a day or two to resolve the jet lag in Madrid. We don't have a return flight until May 30 so I think we will have time to not only do Finisterre but explore more of Spain. Should we leave our non-pelegrino luggage in Madrid or take it to Pamplona where we will be catching a bus to SJ. I'm thinking that from Pamplona we could visit Barcelona and find some good cavas.
AQny input would be appreciated.

Don't miss Madrid as part of your travels post Camino. Be sure to visit the Prado and the Mercado de San Miguel. The Mercado is by Plaza Mayor, it is a fantastic experience of dining. All the tapas you can eat, just take a pocket of coin to pay.

Buen Camino Bob

 

[PEI_Heather]

Not to take business from Ivar, but you could just go with your Camino gear and when you get to Santiago, go shopping for some new clothes. There are lots of great stores with nice things. The prices aren't too bad either. And when you get home, and someone comments on your new shirt, you can reply, "Ah yes, I bought this in Spain when I was last there..." (How continental!)
This way you are continuing to contribute to the economy of Spain.
And what was I thinking, by the time you get to Pamplona you'll be unloading the extras from your pack and sending them to Ivar to hold on to until you get to Santiago anyway! Everybody wins! (If you're lucky, it will be Ivar you meet at his shop/Casa Ivar. He is a really nice nice person and very easy to have an interesting conversation with.

Buen Camino

 

[MichelleElynHogan]

goiIng to Barcelona, it makes sense to leave luggage in Madrid as your travels will likely require you to pass through there on your way South. But honestly, anything is possible as Spain has goos air connectios as well as cheap bus and train options to just about anywhere you want to go.