advise sought for 4 days on the VDLP

[P Rat]

Hello fellow travellers. I have got a little bit of advise on a different thread, which prompted me to ask for some more here. When we are walking the VDLP/Sanabres starting 1 April, our daughter, who lives in UK, would like to come visit us and join for about a week. Of that week she may end up walking with us for about 3-4 days. (So we'd spend the other days exploring whatever town we're in) My question is therefore: which part is the most scenic and still accessible for entry and exit to the route? Fitness will not be such an issue, she'll out walk any of us... She had initially thought Salamanca to Zamora but apart from these two towns itself, the walk seems a little bit boring....
Thanks in advance , Patty

 

[MichaelC]

I don't have a VDLP-specific answer, but my general thought - which would apply to any camino route - would be to have her join you at the very beginning rather than on the trail.

I met a few people who were aiming to meet friends and family en route, and it always seemed stressful to me. Some were stuck in towns for longer than they wanted to be while they waited for their friends; others were rushing through long stages, or busing ahead, to get to their rendezvous point.

 

[P Rat]

I don't have a VDLP-specific answer, but my general thought - which would apply to any camino route - would be to have her join you at the very beginning rather than on the trail.

I met a few people who were aiming to meet friends and family en route, and it always seemed stressful to me. Some were stuck in towns for longer than they wanted to be while they waited for their friends; others were rushing through long stages, or busing ahead, to get to their rendezvous point.

Yes, this thought occurred to us as well. Ultimately it is up to her, but the first bit out of Seville would be quite pretty with wildflowers etc. Thanks!

 

[Paul J W]

Seville to Merida, yes.

 

[Bradypus]

I would second the idea of starting together from Sevilla. Sevilla and Italica would make a magnificent start to any walk. The next day's walk to Castilblanco is beautiful without being too challenging. The long day from Castilblanco to Almaden is very demanding but rewarding for the beauty of the Berrocal park. I wouldn't have missed the next day's walking through oak dehesa and jamon iberico still on the hoof for anything Monsterio would make a useful end point after four days: a fair sized town with bus links back to Sevilla.

 

[Azelia]

I am not quite clear on when your dayghter would join: beginning (as many suggested Sevilla), middle (as you mentioned Salamanca) or perhaps the end? What about meeting you in Ourense? It is the about 100km to SdC and can be done in 4 days. She can have a Compostela if that means something to her. And you finish it together with her. Ourense as a city is bigger than SdC if I am not mistaken; as such there is train and bus connection for her to get there, Have a peaceful and wonderful walk. We just did!

 

[P Rat]

Thanks for that. She is still working out what her best access spot is, as she is flexible in that aspect. And the last part is one she would appreciate, as Santiago is a sight to behold. Don't think she worries too much about the compostella, but whatever part she'll join for, I feel she'll come back to do more!

Thanks everyone for the input!

 

[Azelia]

Ourense is a nice town to spend a day also. The Roman thermal bath is great and there are several of them. The cathedral has a nice museum.

Just sharing my thought — If I were to walk this route again, honestly, I would take a local bus to Quitela from Ourense. I made a note that there is a bus stop across from a store called Gomez y Crespo about 4km from Ourense old town. There were lots of city traffic just to get out of Ourense.

 

[alansykes]

I'd recommend Mérida to Cáceres, 2 fabulous world heritage cities, both with excellent transport links. 3-4 days apart. Roman grandeur in one (longest bridge in the Empire, amazing theatre, aqueduct, temples etc), conquistador glory in the other, (palace built for Montezuma's daughter, ramparts, churches etc), lovely countryside in between, and a perfect visigothic church half way.