Driving summer CDS 2016

[Sandra Gunn]

Hi,
I know I would be in the least respected group of pilgrims but I am anxious to have this journey! Have no idea which route(s) would be best and would like some of your guidance please as to which routes, car companines and lodging. I will be coming in from Munich to the start point and have 5 days. I will fly back to the US at the end. Thank you.

 

[naplesdon]

I have a very good friend who tried to walk the Camino Frances with me in 2014. He has serious knee problems and decided rightfully so that Orisson was his limit. He's a true competitor and his older brother and I bragged about our walks on the Camino and many of it's tributaries. After hearing us share our stories of the walk and our trumped up tales of the agonies and ecstasies, etc.; he wanted to see SdC, the Botafumeiro swing and go to Finisterre.
So we drove from Biarritz and returned in one weekend in 2015. We drove the Autopistas most of the way but there were still several opportunities to see pilgrims trekking; but if you really want to see the "pilgrim's way" from a car begin with following the N-135 from SJPdP to Pamplona , then pick up on the other National Routes that were originally the route of the Camino, ending with the N-547 into to Santiago.
You will be able to make this a road less traveled as far as automobile vacation and you could include side trips to many historic sites rarely seen by pilgrims limited by their foot travel (See The Pilgrims Road to Santiago by Gitlitz and Davidson) and visit many regional vineyards and wineries. You can stay in small villages with pilgrims and vicariously share their experiences over dinner. Five days, no problem!
Car rental has usually been tricky in Europe. You will pay a heavy surcharge for a car rented in one country and returned in another. So if you plan to return a car in Spain make sure you rented in Spain. This from an expat who hasn't rented a car in Europe since 2010. So maybe you can find a better way to do this.

 

[Sandra Gunn]

I have a very good friend who tried to walk the Camino Frances with me in 2014. He has serious knee problems and decided rightfully so that Orisson was his limit. He's a true competitor and his older brother and I bragged about our walks on the Camino and many of it's tributaries. After hearing us share our stories of the walk and our trumped up tales of the agonies and ecstasies, etc.; he wanted to see SdC, the Botafumeiro swing and go to Finisterre.
So we drove from Biarritz and returned in one weekend in 2015. We drove the Autopistas most of the way but there were still several opportunities to see pilgrims trekking; but if you really want to see the "pilgrim's way" from a car begin with following the N-135 from SJPdP to Pamplona , then pick up on the other National Routes that were originally the route of the Camino, ending with the N-547 into to Santiago.
You will be able to make this a road less traveled as far as automobile vacation and you could include side trips to many historic sites rarely seen by pilgrims limited by their foot travel (See The Pilgrims Road to Santiago by Gitlitz and Davidson) and visit many regional vineyards and wineries. You can stay in small villages with pilgrims and vicariously share their experiences over dinner. Five days, no problem!
Car rental has usually been tricky in Europe. You will pay a heavy surcharge for a car rented in one country and returned in another. So if you plan to return a car in Spain make sure you rented in Spain. This from an expat who hasn't rented a car in Europe since 2010. So maybe you can find a better way to do this.

Thank you!!!!1

 

[Mike Savage]

Welcome Sandra and Buen Camino!
(Sorry I don't have any practical knowledge to help you)

Mike

 

[Rosebud]

I have a very good friend who tried to walk the Camino Frances with me in 2014. He has serious knee problems and decided rightfully so that Orisson was his limit. He's a true competitor and his older brother and I bragged about our walks on the Camino and many of it's tributaries. After hearing us share our stories of the walk and our trumped up tales of the agonies and ecstasies, etc.; he wanted to see SdC, the Botafumeiro swing and go to Finisterre.
So we drove from Biarritz and returned in one weekend in 2015. We drove the Autopistas most of the way but there were still several opportunities to see pilgrims trekking; but if you really want to see the "pilgrim's way" from a car begin with following the N-135 from SJPdP to Pamplona , then pick up on the other National Routes that were originally the route of the Camino, ending with the N-547 into to Santiago.
You will be able to make this a road less traveled as far as automobile vacation and you could include side trips to many historic sites rarely seen by pilgrims limited by their foot travel (See The Pilgrims Road to Santiago by Gitlitz and Davidson) and visit many regional vineyards and wineries. You can stay in small villages with pilgrims and vicariously share their experiences over dinner. Five days, no problem!
Car rental has usually been tricky in Europe. You will pay a heavy surcharge for a car rented in one country and returned in another. So if you plan to return a car in Spain make sure you rented in Spain. This from an expat who hasn't rented a car in Europe since 2010. So maybe you can find a better way to do this.

What a thoughtful, nonjudgmental response, Biarritzdon. Very refreshing. Well done.

Sandra, I hope you enjoy your journey to the fullest! Buen Camino!

 

[SYates]

Have a look at http://www.gronze.com/camino-frances The reddish-brown accommodations are for pilgrims on foot/bike etc but the black ones are open to everybody.
Have a look at rental companies in Pamplona, then you could drive up to Saint Jean Pied de Port/Roncesvalles, explore that stretch and then back via Pamplona and up the Camino Aragones towards Somport/Jaca http://www.gronze.com/camino-aragones

On the Aragones you have little visited (by pilgrims on foot) gems like Monestary Leyre, Castillo Javier and Foz de Lumbier plus the enigmatic little church of Eunate near Puente la Reina and continue towards Santiago and Finisterre.

I would suggest getting http://www.amazon.com/dp/0312254164/?tag=casaivar02-20 and creating a list of things you really want to see/you are most interested in.

Have fun and Buen Camino, SY

 

[VNwalking]

Welcome, Sandra.
A pilgrim in a car is still a pilgrim if her intention is to do that.
So buen camino--I hope you have a good journey!

 

[William Marques]

I would suggest staying in the larger towns such as Pamplona, Burgos, Leon and Santiago. Also possibly Logrono, Astorga and Villafranca del Bierzo. There is much to see and do in all these towns especially Leon and Santiago.

As has been suggested picking up the car in Pamplona and dropping it in Santiago is wisest and the journey over and back the Pyrenees will be no hardship. All the major car hire firms operate in Spain and I would look at Holiday Autos who I have often used for comparative quotes.

 

[t2andreo]

Enterprise also has an failrly large office in Santiago, adjacent to the train station.

 

[Sandra Gunn]

I would suggest staying in the larger towns such as Pamplona, Burgos, Leon and Santiago. Also possibly Logrono, Astorga and Villafranca del Bierzo. There is much to see and do in all these towns especially Leon and Santiago.

As has been suggested picking up the car in Pamplona and dropping it in Santiago is wisest and the journey over and back the Pyrenees will be no hardship. All the major car hire firms operate in Spain and I would look at Holiday Autos who I have often used for comparative quotes.

Thank you

 

[Sandra Gunn]

I would suggest staying in the larger towns such as Pamplona, Burgos, Leon and Santiago. Also possibly Logrono, Astorga and Villafranca del Bierzo. There is much to see and do in all these towns especially Leon and Santiago.

As has been suggested picking up the car in Pamplona and dropping it in Santiago is wisest and the journey over and back the Pyrenees will be no hardship. All the major car hire firms operate in Spain and I would look at Holiday Autos who I have often used for comparative quotes.

Thank you.

 

[Sandra Gunn]

I have a very good friend who tried to walk the Camino Frances with me in 2014. He has serious knee problems and decided rightfully so that Orisson was his limit. He's a true competitor and his older brother and I bragged about our walks on the Camino and many of it's tributaries. After hearing us share our stories of the walk and our trumped up tales of the agonies and ecstasies, etc.; he wanted to see SdC, the Botafumeiro swing and go to Finisterre.
So we drove from Biarritz and returned in one weekend in 2015. We drove the Autopistas most of the way but there were still several opportunities to see pilgrims trekking; but if you really want to see the "pilgrim's way" from a car begin with following the N-135 from SJPdP to Pamplona , then pick up on the other National Routes that were originally the route of the Camino, ending with the N-547 into to Santiago.
You will be able to make this a road less traveled as far as automobile vacation and you could include side trips to many historic sites rarely seen by pilgrims limited by their foot travel (See The Pilgrims Road to Santiago by Gitlitz and Davidson) and visit many regional vineyards and wineries. You can stay in small villages with pilgrims and vicariously share their experiences over dinner. Five days, no problem!
Car rental has usually been tricky in Europe. You will pay a heavy surcharge for a car rented in one country and returned in another. So if you plan to return a car in Spain make sure you rented in Spain. This from an expat who hasn't rented a car in Europe since 2010. So maybe you can find a better way to do this.

if you really want to see the "pilgrim's way" from a car begin with following the N-135 from SJPdP to Pamplona , then pick up on the other National Routes that were originally the route of the Camino, ending with the N-547 into to Santiago.
You will be able to make this a road less traveled as far as automobile vacation and you could include side trips to many historic sites rarely seen by pilgrims limited by their foot travel (See The Pilgrims Road to Santiago by Gitlitz and Davidson) and visit many regional vineyards and wineries. You can stay in small villages with pilgrims and vicariously share their experiences over dinner. Five days, no problem!

what are the roads or towns that i would use to chart that road less traveled trip until I get to the N-547? Going solo w minimal Spanish Thank you for your advice!

 

[VNwalking]

what are the roads or towns that i would use to chart that road less traveled trip until I get to the N-547?

Sandra, if you get any decent map of the Camino Frances you'll be able to see what roads access the towns along the way. As SY said, there is Gronze, and I believe this site sells several guides that would be worth checking out--in addition to The Pilgrims Road to Santiago by Gitlitz and Davidson which Don mentioned above.
If you want to feel a little of the magic of the Camino, perhaps consider not planning or thinking too far ahead but just point your nose in the right general direction with a map on your lap, and allow the Camino to offer itself to you bit by bit.
And not to be too concerned about your lack of Spanish! People living along the way have been hospitable to strangers for a millennium...and many of us strangers can't rub more than a few words together in Spanish. You'll be fine.

 

[Tia Valeria]

All the suggestions so far have been for the Camino Frances. You could also consider the Camino del Norte and then turn towards Oviedo and the Camino Primitivo, which is then joined by the Frances at either Palas de Rei or Melide. We have just driven much of these routes (partly in reverse) and it can be by the old N road or autopista in many places. We can recommend some places to stay if you are interested. Sea, mountains and depending on the road travelled also pilgrims.
Buen Camino