John Fraser
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- April 2017
For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here. (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation) |
---|
the journey is the destination....
I always liket the way more than santiago which is quite a culture chock
It depends on you and what you are looking for. Santiago de Compostela is a wonderful city and there are many tourist pleasures to enjoy. However, for other pilgrims, an intermediate step of a quiet place to reflect, contemplate, and plan for the next step before returning to real life is appreciated. You can do this in Santiago or elsewhere. Do what feels good to you.
For those doing a longer pilgrimage I would recommend staying an extra day if just to meet with friends arriving a little later than you. In your case John I say to decide early on your camino after discussing the idea with some veteran walkers you meet on the way. They can ask you questions about your interests and inclinations and steer you better. And asking the question of others along the way can be a great way of meeting others.
Of course you should disregard this response if you are asking on the forum so you can firm up transportation reservations ahead of time.
That is interesting. I hadnt thought about meeting the people from my travels. I am only there for 9 days walking but expect to meet people. thanksFor those doing a longer pilgrimage I would recommend staying an extra day if just to meet with friends arriving a little later than you. In your case John I say to decide early on your camino after discussing the idea with some veteran walkers you meet on the way. They can ask you questions about your interests and inclinations and steer you better. And asking the question of others along the way can be a great way of meeting others.
Of course you should disregard this response if you are asking on the forum so you can firm up transportation reservations ahead of time.
I alrready booked the retirn flight for 10/5. I just wasnt sure whethe to try to get to Santiago ealier to have a full day tehre.
For those doing a longer pilgrimage I would recommend staying an extra day if just to meet with friends arriving a little later than you. In your case John I say to decide early on your camino after discussing the idea with some veteran walkers you meet on the way. They can ask you questions about your interests and inclinations and steer you better. And asking the question of others along the way can be a great way of meeting others.
Of course you should disregard this response if you are asking on the forum so you can firm up transportation reservations ahead of time.
I like the time I spend in Santiago catching up with other pilgrims that I met along the way. I'd hate to fly home the next day.
the journey is the destination....
I always liket the way more than santiago which is quite a culture chock
I do.Does anyone feel that is worth it
Thank you for your thoughtsIt depends on you and what you are looking for. Santiago de Compostela is a wonderful city and there are many tourist pleasures to enjoy. However, for other pilgrims, an intermediate step of a quiet place to reflect, contemplate, and plan for the next step before returning to real life is appreciated. You can do this in Santiago or elsewhere. Do what feels good to you.
I was able to book a return flight from Santiago to Madrid so I’m all set with that. Thanks for suggestionMargin is always good. In your case, depending on the transportation options to Madrid, you may even need to get the train or bus to Madrid on October 4 to make sure you make your October 5 flight (there are only a few bus/ train options each day and during busy periods they can be full). So you may want to look at those now and see what you can find from Santiago to Madrid, and then decide from there how much time you'd like in Santiago. Buen Camino!
Unfortunately I did not book cushion but it does make senseI would always book more time for my Caminos than I think it could possibly take. Then if something goes wrong you have that cushion of time and you are not racing towards an airplane. At the end, I'd you want to spend an extra day in Santiago, it is there. If not, there is plenty else to see in Spain (or, in the case of my upcoming Camino, in Portugal).
I already have a flight booked from Santiago to Madrid so I better get there!Why even try to get to Santiago, John?
You can come back another time with more spare days. And enjoy it. Or extend it to Fisterra/Muxia.
Buen Camino!
OK, but you don't have to walk INTO Santiago because the Camino goes around the landing strip of Santiago airportI already have a flight booked from Santiago to Madrid so I better get there!
I was able to book a return flight from San Diego to Madrid so I’m all set with that. Thanks for suggestion
Yes. Completely worth it.Does anyone feel that is worth it or should I just enjoy the journey to Santiago arrive mid to late afternoon on October 4th and basically spend a few hours and sleep there?
I like the time I spend in Santiago catching up with other pilgrims that I met along the way. I'd hate to fly home the next day.
I like the time I spend in Santiago catching up with other pilgrims that I met along the way. I'd hate to fly home the next day.
I like the time I spend in Santiago catching up with other pilgrims that I met along the way. I'd hate to fly home the next day.
Thank you. i can play it by earDo you need to decide now? I would play it by ear...as Santiago is large enough that you should be able to find a place to stay at a later date. A lot depends, IMO, on how you are feeling then.
Thanks..I already told them!!As a non-chatty person - I loved my time in Santiago. Just sitting in the plaza talking with other pilgrims. I almost became sociable - but please don’t tell my family
Very good. Thank you for the infoOver the years, I have developed a network of friends who are all similar afflicted with Caminoitis. The more fortunate ones live at Santiago. They are part of an expanding ex-pat community that lives IN the Camino. They learn, share, research, support, help others, volunteer, and generally contribute in many, countless ways to making the Camino experience better for all who follow.
Because of this, when injury, weather, or depression successfully overcome my motivation to finish a Camino I started, I no longer feel badly if I have to leapfrog into Santiago. Some years, this has me arriving as much as a week earlier than planned.
Finding lodging in the off-season is inexpensive and easy. My network of acquaintances and friends is there. Catching up and pitching-in keeps me busy until it is time to fly home.
I am biased as I adore Santiago and spent 4 days soaking up the place...stay as long as you can.Hello all and thank you for your help.
I am arriving in Madrid at 6:30AM on Wednesday the 26th of September and heading to Ponferrada. I am trying to get to Villafranca or close that day. According to Brierly's book, which I have roughly followed in the past, I will arrive in Santiago on October 4th. My return flight is out of Madrid on October 5th at 16:10.
As I now look at it, I wonder if it is worth hustling (for lack of a better term) to get to Santiago late on October 3rd and spend the whole day of October 4th in Santiago.
Does anyone feel that is worth it or should I just enjoy the journey to Santiago arrive mid to late afternoon on October 4th and basically spend a few hours and sleep there?
Thank you all for input!!!
Absolutely. It's a wonderful city. spend as much time as you can there. I loved it and am going bkaHello all and thank you for your help.
I am arriving in Madrid at 6:30AM on Wednesday the 26th of September and heading to Ponferrada. I am trying to get to Villafranca or close that day. According to Brierly's book, which I have roughly followed in the past, I will arrive in Santiago on October 4th. My return flight is out of Madrid on October 5th at 16:10.
As I now look at it, I wonder if it is worth hustling (for lack of a better term) to get to Santiago late on October 3rd and spend the whole day of October 4th in Santiago.
Does anyone feel that is worth it or should I just enjoy the journey to Santiago arrive mid to late afternoon on October 4th and basically spend a few hours and sleep there?
Thank you all for input!!!
Thank youHello John,
When in this position, and maybe it is just me, I do not book my flight home until after I arrive at my final destination, which is Santiago, for most here. Those on a schedule, I understand. Time is an unmovable object.
But if it were me, and Santiago was my destination, I could spend an extra week, or a year there. Some have done it, and are still doing it. Ask Ivar.
thanks!Absolutely. It's a wonderful city. spend as much time as you can there. I loved it and am going bka
Hello all and thank you for your help.
I am arriving in Madrid at 6:30AM on Wednesday the 26th of September and heading to Ponferrada. I am trying to get to Villafranca or close that day. According to Brierly's book, which I have roughly followed in the past, I will arrive in Santiago on October 4th. My return flight is out of Madrid on October 5th at 16:10.
As I now look at it, I wonder if it is worth hustling (for lack of a better term) to get to Santiago late on October 3rd and spend the whole day of October 4th in Santiago.
Does anyone feel that is worth it or should I just enjoy the journey to Santiago arrive mid to late afternoon on October 4th and basically spend a few hours and sleep there?
Thank you all for input!!!
Thanks for the suggestion.I have been to Santiago three times and always find ways to fill in my days whenever I am there. I would strongly recommend two full days, if you have the time. The pilgrim mass (even for non-catholics) is an experience that is part of the pilgrimage. If the botofumero swings so much the better. Cheers
Thank you!Pursuant to my earlier post (above), we never know when or whether we will pass this way again. Sometimes life conspires to preclude the realization of best laid plans; circumstances change and evolve. We move on. I've lived long enough to appreciate the caprice that can lurk just around the bend. Therefore, I've learned to savor the moment I am in, let it wash over me, and absorb its essence. Santiago is like that.
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?