Best guide for reading before you go/taking with you??

[caminoforme86]

Hi,

There seems to be so many guide books out there, I set off in just over one month and wondered what guide book most people find useful and the best. One that isn't too heavy if you decide to take it with you...

Many thanks
K

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I like the John Brierley guide for planning and walking.

 

[caminoforme86]

Yeah having looked at previous searches on guide books I see the John Brierley is a very popular choice with great reviews. Thanks falcon269

 

[jirit]

It really depends on what information you want?

If you want the basic facts about the stages, the route and names and phone numbers of various pilgrim style accommodation, then Brierley's map book is lighter and probably the best thing to take.

If you want some additional information about some of the key landmarks and sights then his guidebook, though heavier, is a good choice especially for english speaking pilgrims.

If you want to go deeper into the history, geography, culture and/or cuisine then you might want to search Amazon for your favour book on your favour subject. If you are taking a kindle or ibook enabled device, then a look for a kindle or ibook version of the latter, and take this along with a guide.

 

[dougfitz]

I carried Brierley's guidebook, and would do so again. Whatever guidebook you do choose, remember that any internal breakdown into stages does not compel one to follow these exactly. Where you stay each night is a personal choice. Although I found Brierley's stages sensible, I found some gems of albergues by not sticking to his stages all the time.

Regards,

 

[Trish Clark]

Can I recommend that you have a look at www.guidetothecamino.com where a day by day published guide is now available as an e-book

 

[SYates]

And if you really want to save weight take one of the CSJ guides with you http://www.csj.org.uk/acatalog/index.htm ;-) Buen Camino! SY

 

[DinoCamino]

Brierly is best

 

[dougfitz]

Can I recommend that you have a look at www.guidetothecamino.com where a day by day published guide is now available as an e-book

You can, but you might also have pointed out that you appear to be the author, and then I wouldn't need to point out that a self recommendation might just lack the level of objectivity that other recommendations might have.

If you haven't done so already, why don't you list it in the resources section?

Regards,

 

[wayfarer]

For me it would be the Michelin guide to the Camino de Santiago. The path is overlaid on a real map and it also has elevation charts and distances between towns. It's light, cheap and fits well into a cargo pocket, combine this with Ivars accomodation list above. Thats all you will need.

 

[KinkyOne]

I would recommend Brierley, but haven't walked with any other guidebook though...

If you would want to combine lightweight map-book with some printed material here you can find most useful information:
http://gronze.com/
http://caminodesantiago.consumer.es/

Ultreia!

 

[rickster]

Would recommend Brierley's. Some tear out the pages they don't need before they go and also rip out pages they have completed. Amazing how much it lightens the book. Next time you go you'll probably purchase an updated one anyway.

 

[Deleted member 22638]

Some tear out the pages they don't need before they go and also rip out pages they have completed. Amazing how much it lightens the book. Next time you go you'll probably purchase an updated one anyway.

I couldn't face ripping the pages out - as I quickly be came very attached to my Brierly guide having consulted it frequently over the trip - it's now a delightfully battered momento alongside my credential

 

[codecables]

As a preparation, I would recommend "Priez pour nous a Compostelle" by Barret/Gurgand, but am not sure if there is an English translation. It gives you the medieval/1970s perspective. On the go, the phone app guide "Camino" by Eroski consumers (in Spanish) does not weigh a thing and is excellent, wherever wifi available.