Brierley - guide book or maps?

[eliskahol]

Hey everyone,
We plan to walk camino portugues in August and I want to get a guide. We will walk with a baby so I want to have the best information about all possible albergues and other accomodation. What guide whould you suggest? I found only John Brierley but cant decide whether to buy just the guide book or also book of maps. Do these separate maps differ from the ones in the guide book (are they more detailed and better for my purpose?) thank you so much and buen camino to all!

 

[jsalt]

Hey everyone,
We plan to walk camino portugues in August and I want to get a guide. We will walk with a baby so I want to have the best information about all possible albergues and other accomodation. What guide whould you suggest? I found only John Brierley but cant decide whether to buy just the guide book or also book of maps. Do these separate maps differ from the ones in the guide book (are they more detailed and better for my purpose?) thank you so much and buen camino to all!

Hi, welcome to the forum! The maps are the same in both books. I recommend that you get the full guide book, as it contains a lot of detailed info, like telephone numbers and historical places to visit. I saw people walk past really interesting sites because they didn’t know they were there. Jill

 

[KentuckyJay]

Hey everyone,
We plan to walk camino portugues in August and I want to get a guide. We will walk with a baby so I want to have the best information about all possible albergues and other accomodation. What guide whould you suggest? I found only John Brierley but cant decide whether to buy just the guide book or also book of maps. Do these separate maps differ from the ones in the guide book (are they more detailed and better for my purpose?) thank you so much and buen camino to all!

I agree with Jill. Just got back from Porto to Santiago and the Brierly book was valuable. Plus there is not a great deal of difference in cost with his map. Bom Camino.

 

[t2andreo]

Doing a Camino route for the first time, and you need as much information as possible, in as concise a format as possible. So, DO get the FULL Brierley Guide for the Portuguese Route. This will provide the full information you need, as well as a step-by-step map guide. He also has online updates available on his web site. Check this before you depart for Portugal. The web site is in the printed guide.

I usually bring the guide book, even if I have done the route previously. There is always some nugget of information I find that I need that comes more quickly to hand in the book, than by electronic means.

I believe there is a valid place for both a printed guides, and smart-phone app-based information. Among smart phone apps, the Wise Guides are among the best, IMHO. Many of the Spanish speaking and reading pilgrims use the Spanish language guide available at: www.Gronze.es.

As regards printed guides, there are many. Ask five pilgrims and you will likely get seven or eight answers. But IMHO, for a first timer, the Brierley Guides are among the best, albeit slightly heavy. They have downsized them recently to reduce weight though.

I hope this helps.

 

[onwayhome]

Hey everyone,
We plan to walk camino portugues in August and I want to get a guide. We will walk with a baby so I want to have the best information about all possible albergues and other accomodation. What guide whould you suggest? I found only John Brierley but cant decide whether to buy just the guide book or also book of maps. Do these separate maps differ from the ones in the guide book (are they more detailed and better for my purpose?) thank you so much and buen camino to all!

I also found the full Brierly CP guide really useful but to save weight did some editing with a scalpel and superglue to chop out some of the general history and sections I wasn't walking. Have a great Camino.

 

[willydp]

You can't find it cheaper then on the Camino Forum Shop (+ free Camino Passport)
P.S. I don't get payed for this

 

[Mark Francis Auchincloss]

The maps of Luis Frexio are essential for all the Portuguese caminos....http://www.caminador.es/

 

[willydp]

@MyDestinationGalicia
Thanks for the very informative URL

 

[Stephen F.]

I used Brierley's book last year. I found it quite valuable, all I needed really.