My husband and I (and two kids) have two weeks in which to do some of the VdlP and are looking for advice.
Originally we had thought of just counting back 12 or 13 days from Santiago (to allow for rest days and/or changes in itinerary), but on closer inspection this would mean that we start right in the middle of the massif central. I remember from our last camino how loooonng that first day of 18km felt (with no elevation gain), and how welcome a short 12km day the next day was. I think that it takes a few days to get into things and that the most gruelling part of the trip is probably not the best starting point.
I am a more camino by the book kind of person, so I would prefer to walk from at least from Ourense. My husband feels that since we have already done one Camino he does not feel the need for another Compostela and is more inclined to be interested primarily in the most beautiful walking days. In fact, if not for me he would probably choose to spend this time in Andalusia or Extremadura
As a compromise, we are going to start somewhere around Zamora, and use a mix of walking/other transportation to get to Ourense after around a week. That could entail a few days walking, a little jump on the bus and a few days more walking, or 7 straight days of walking followed by a bus.
Can anyone recommend areas that they found particularly beautiful between Zamora and Ourense? Or areas that they would gladly give the miss? (For example, if the trail is following the highway for most of the day, or if there are stairs or overly narrow or rocky trails, or if the AVE work is still going on). *Actually, as I type, my husband is coming by to say "not just from Zamora, ANYWHERE is fine, if it is beautiful!"*
From what we have read so far, Mombuay looks like a nice place to start, but we don't have a clear idea of how to get there. And, actually, everything looks so beautiful it is difficult to know what to cut out! We would like to do the Massif Central because it looks gorgeous, but just not perhaps as a starting point. I hope I have made my ideas clear, and any advice is welcome.
Originally we had thought of just counting back 12 or 13 days from Santiago (to allow for rest days and/or changes in itinerary), but on closer inspection this would mean that we start right in the middle of the massif central. I remember from our last camino how loooonng that first day of 18km felt (with no elevation gain), and how welcome a short 12km day the next day was. I think that it takes a few days to get into things and that the most gruelling part of the trip is probably not the best starting point.
I am a more camino by the book kind of person, so I would prefer to walk from at least from Ourense. My husband feels that since we have already done one Camino he does not feel the need for another Compostela and is more inclined to be interested primarily in the most beautiful walking days. In fact, if not for me he would probably choose to spend this time in Andalusia or Extremadura
As a compromise, we are going to start somewhere around Zamora, and use a mix of walking/other transportation to get to Ourense after around a week. That could entail a few days walking, a little jump on the bus and a few days more walking, or 7 straight days of walking followed by a bus.
Can anyone recommend areas that they found particularly beautiful between Zamora and Ourense? Or areas that they would gladly give the miss? (For example, if the trail is following the highway for most of the day, or if there are stairs or overly narrow or rocky trails, or if the AVE work is still going on). *Actually, as I type, my husband is coming by to say "not just from Zamora, ANYWHERE is fine, if it is beautiful!"*
From what we have read so far, Mombuay looks like a nice place to start, but we don't have a clear idea of how to get there. And, actually, everything looks so beautiful it is difficult to know what to cut out! We would like to do the Massif Central because it looks gorgeous, but just not perhaps as a starting point. I hope I have made my ideas clear, and any advice is welcome.