Advice for June trip from Leon-Santiago

[jackchri]

I am planning a trip this summer (mid June to early July) for my daughter's graduation. We plan to do Leon to Santiago. This will be our first partial Camino for both of us. We do not want to rush and may stay at a monastery for a couple days along the way. Does anyone have recommendations for monasteries along the way? My daughter is 17 . I am allowing 14-18 days for this section, does this seem reasonable? We could also start before Leon, but Leon looked like a good starting point with the time we have (25 days including all travel). We are flying into Lisbon, then will take a bus or train to Leon. We would also like to visit Fatima on the way back to Lisbon via bus/train from Santiago. Thanks for any help and suggestions.

 

[mspath]

What a wonderful way to celebrate your daughter's graduation; Buen camino to you both!

For planning re monasteries which host pilgrims perhaps you will find the following resource to be helpful.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/monasteries-convents-and-chapter-houses.37129/

For recent posts/links re walking from Leon check this earlier Forum thread.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/starting-our-camino-in-leon.41643/

Happy research!

 

[jackchri]

Thank you mspath, these look like perfect starting points for me.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Are your flights into Lisbon booked?

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

My Brierley guidebook says that the Leon to Santiago distance is 310 km (192.6 miles) and it suggests it be done in 13 days. That is about an average distance per day of 25 km (15 mi).

If leaving from Astorga the numbers are: 11 days, 260.2 km (161.7 miles)

Since you will be in Lisbon consider walking some of the Camino Portuges instead. I'm not familiar with this route but it is much loved.

 

[jackchri]

Are your flights into Lisbon booked?

Yes, this was by far the cheapest route. I am finding a bit difficult to plan the transport from Lisbon to Leon, want to go as cheap as possible. We arrive in Lisbon at 2:00 PM and planned to do bus/train to Leon, but may take a couple days it looks like.

 

[jackchri]

My Brierley guidebook says that the Leon to Santiago distance is 310 km (192.6 miles) and it suggests it be done in 13 days. That is about an average distance per day of 25 km (15 mi).

If leaving from Astorga the numbers are: 11 days, 260.2 km (161.7 miles)

Since you will be in Lisbon consider walking some of the Camino Portuges instead. I'm not familiar with this route but it is much loved.

Thanks, she has her heart set on the French route for this trip first trip, but maybe we will be back. I would love to try other trips. Sounds like we should be good at 14-18 days, allowing some time for stops along the way.

 

[DurhamParish]

Yes, this was by far the cheapest route. I am finding a bit difficult to plan the transport from Lisbon to Leon, want to go as cheap as possible. We arrive in Lisbon at 2:00 PM and planned to do bus/train to Leon, but may take a couple days it looks like.

Yes. Getting from Portugal to Spain is not as convenient as one would think. I found that out my first time on the Camino. There are not a lot of trains or buses going between the countries. If your daughter has her heart set on the Camino Frances, then I would suggest looking at a cheap airline, such as Easyjet or AirEuropa (just look on Kayak) from Lisbon to Madrid, and then catching a train up to Leon. (It would be well worth it to spend an afternoon and night in Madrid.)

I wouldn't start any earlier on the Camino than Leon. Leon is the end of the stretch across "The Meseta" which is a long flat farming area (picture a Spanish "Nebraska"). It's really great if you have all the time you need, and I do love it and will be on it in a few days; but if that is the start of your camino, it can be a bit disheartening after a couple of days.

Your daughter is going to love it. A couple of years ago I took my 18 y/o nephew on the Camino for his graduation (along with a few days in London, Paris and, of course, Amsterdam). He LOVED it. You are a great parent. I hope you enjoy this special time with your daughter.

Edit. Also, don't forget while planning that Portugal and Spain are in two separate time zones.

 

[jackchri]

Has anyone traveled from Lisbon to Leon by train? I think I found a decent route, but want to run this route by some experience travelers.
I am looking on www.renfe.com, and I find a 2 train option, first one is overnight. We arrive in Lisbon at 2:00 PM, so this should give ustime to do something in Lisbon before the overnight train:

Lisbon -> Valladolid (IDA TRENHOTEL 310?)
Leaves Lisboa Oriente 8:30 PM, arrives Valladolid 6:30 AM
Valladolid -> LEON (IDA Regional)
Valladolid 10.35, arrive Leon 11.45

 

[jackchri]

Yes. Getting from Portugal to Spain is not as convenient as one would think. I found that out my first time on the Camino. There are not a lot of trains or buses going between the countries. If your daughter has her heart set on the Camino Frances, then I would suggest looking at a cheap airline, such as Easyjet or AirEuropa (just look on Kayak) from Lisbon to Madrid, and then catching a train up to Leon. (It would be well worth it to spend an afternoon and night in Madrid.)

I wouldn't start any earlier on the Camino than Leon. Leon is the end of the stretch across "The Meseta" which is a long flat farming area (picture a Spanish "Nebraska"). It's really great if you have all the time you need, and I do love it and will be on it in a few days; but if that is the start of your camino, it can be a bit disheartening after a couple of days.

Your daughter is going to love it. A couple of years ago I took my 18 y/o nephew on the Camino for his graduation (along with a few days in London, Paris and, of course, Amsterdam). He LOVED it. You are a great parent. I hope you enjoy this special time with your daughter.

Edit. Also, don't forget while planning that Portugal and Spain are in two separate time zones.

Ah, thanks for the advice. I have also been looking at the Madrid option. I am hoping the train option below works. We plan to stay in Leon at a hotel the first night (maybe 2?) and visit some of the sitesin Leon, then get our credential and stay at Santa Maria De Carbajal the night before we take our first steps on the Camino from Leon.

 

[mspath]

In Leon the Benedictinas
Hospideria PAX
offers private accommodation which is very nice and which you can reserve.
Here is their web--
http://www.hospederiapax.com/

Their Pilgrim albergue provides dormitory accommodation for 134 with shared facilities but does not accept reservations except for groups. Both facilities are located on the plaza Santa María del Camino.

The Hospideria has a pleasant dining room open to all with a good inexpensive daily menu .

While often staying in the pilgrim albergue I peeked at the Hospideria facilities which appear to be very comfortable. The choice is up to you!

 

[jackchri]

In Leon the Benedictinas
Hospideria PAX
offers private accommodation which is very nice and which you can reserve.
Here is their web--
http://www.hospederiapax.com/

Their Pilgrim albergue provides dormitory accommodation for 134 with shared facilities but does not accept reservations except for groups. Both facilities are located on the plaza Santa María del Camino.

The Hospideria has a pleasant dining room open to all with a good inexpensive daily menu .

While often staying in the pilgrim albergue I peeked at the Hospideria facilities which appear to be very comfortable. The choice is up to you!

Thanks for the pointers mspath, it looks very nice. I am guessing now we will stay in the pilgrim albergue. The night we arrive in Leon, we may stay at a nicer hotel since we are officially on a small 'vacation' before and after the 'camino days'. We fly into Lisbon on June 13h, so lots of time to prepare and plan, but I will also try hard not to do the Camino before we do the Camino .