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How exciting for you! Planning is a lot of fun but if you don't have much time I can see that it could also be quite stressful. This forum has threads on every Camino topic you can imagine, I have found it quite helpful to not only work out what I want/need, but also what I don't want/need. Boots for example. I changed my mind on that quite quickly and will instead opt for light trail runners when my time comes.Thanks everyone!
After speaking to a friend I may do the Sarria - Santiago route
I am taking leave from work and need to book this off ASAP! I was hoping to have 10 days from start to finish and can see some cheap flights from London at the end of Sept flighing into Santiago and then getting the bus the next day to Sarria. I did wonder if I got the but I think arrives at Sarria around 1pm how far I could really get on the first day?
I have some good boots aready and although slightly neverous I do feel I could manage the walking ok!
Hi thanks for your replyRoutes and stages are shown in Gronze. If you give everyone an idea of how much time you want to spend, we'll all chip in with starts and routes.
El Camino de Santiago | Gronze.com
Bienvenido a Gronze, tu Guía del Camino de Santiago: Información práctica, actualizada y participativa de los principales Caminos de Santiago.www.gronze.com
This is my recommendation (including Variante Espiritual). It has all the pilgrim infrastructure you need and while busy, it's not at the level of the CF from Sarria. I also think it has more to offer in terms of nature and history/culture (just my opinion of course). Tui is easy to reach from Santiago - bus to Vigo and then local bus to Tui.Sarria to Santiago is a beautiful route by all account, I've not yet walked it. For short Camino's you can also look at the Ingles from Ferrol which I have walked. Also, and as a first timer I suggest you take a good look, the Camino Portuguese from Valenca or Tui. (The Ingles has a lot more incline than the Portuguese.)
The best place to start is at the beginning . Start at St John Pied port . In France on the border . It’s the most common starting point . Most everyone you meet there will be just like you, apprehensive and ready to start . It’s easier to talk and make friends if you all start together. It’s a tough beginning but everyone will be in the same boat .Hi everyone!
I have had a pretty tough year and really want to do this so I can find some peace and time for reflection! The only issue is I've never done anything like this before and feel a little overwhelmed at where to begin
Can anyone offer any advice and how do I even approach planning this trip? I am hoping to leave the UK around the 26th of Sept
Thanks in advance
Caz
For short Camino's you can also look at the Ingles from Ferrol which I have walked. Also, and as a first timer I suggest you take a good look, the Camino Portuguese from Valenca or Tui. (The Ingles has a lot more incline than the Portuguese.)
From the UK it is very easy to fly to and from Porto directly. From there you can take a bus (Alsa) to Valenca which is the Portuguese side of the river with Tui on the Spanish side. It is fun walking across the bridge and crossing the border, marked by red and yellow footprints either side of a line on the floor. Once you reach Santiago you can easily bus back to Porto (a lovely spot to visit if you have the time).
This is my recommendation (including Variante Espiritual). It has all the pilgrim infrastructure you need and while busy, it's not at the level of the CF from Sarria. I also think it has more to offer in terms of nature and history/culture (just my opinion of course). Tui is easy to reach from Santiago - bus to Vigo and then local bus to Tui.
Hi Caz323!Hi everyone!
I have had a pretty tough year and really want to do this so I can find some peace and time for reflection! The only issue is I've never done anything like this before and feel a little overwhelmed at where to begin
Thank you! I did look at this but cannot seem to see a bus on the say I was due to arrive but will keep lookingThis is my recommendation (including Variante Espiritual). It has all the pilgrim infrastructure you need and while busy, it's not at the level of the CF from Sarria. I also think it has more to offer in terms of nature and history/culture (just my opinion of course). Tui is easy to reach from Santiago - bus to Vigo and then local bus to Tui.
Buen camino whatever you choose!
Porto is the second most popular starting point on any camino after Sarria. It won’t be lonely.Going from Porto will be lonely - but it may be what you want.
Unlikely, it’s a long way to PortomarinHi thanks for your reply
It seems there is only 1 bus rfom Santiago to Sarria @11am getting in around 1pm - Is it unrealsitc to think you can get to Portomarín the same day? I was just thinking of accomodation booking
What a refreshing and encouraging response to those of us who are “newbies on the journey “.Id also suggest the Portuguese camino from porto to Santiago even the first week of it. Its beautiful and it sounds like after a tough time maybe you might need to be somewhere beautiful. I didn't find the Sarria to Santiago leg as magical as everything else ive done on the camino. For you to get a true sense of the Camino magic. Lots of flights to porto cheap enough too.
I guess re prep you need to be sure your boots are going to work out and try to be getting some miles in your legs before leaving. At least to be comfortable doing 15-20 km before leaving.
Packing is an art in itself. The key is keep everything to a bare minimum. Question everything you put in your pack... Can i survive without it, do i really need a few of them? I find anxiety of the unknown creeps in a little when packing especially for the first time but everyone on here will give you great advice.
The real joy comes in facing the unknown, and discovering that you are well able to deal with everything that is thrown at you.
The people you meet on the road will take you for who you are in that moment. No one cares about your history, status etc.
Its very liberating
There is so much kindness and solidarity on the road
No. Over the course of the typical year, three times as many people start at Sarria, as at SJPP. See the Pilgrim Office statistics here.Start at St John Pied port . In France on the border . It’s the most common starting point
This is a great point id totally agree.The best place to start is at the beginning . Start at St John Pied port . In France on the border . It’s the most common starting point . Most everyone you meet there will be just like you, apprehensive and ready to start . It’s easier to talk and make friends if you all start together. It’s a tough beginning but everyone will be in the same boat .
Just arrive at any of the starting points, you find the wayHi everyone!
I have had a pretty tough year and really want to do this so I can find some peace and time for reflection! The only issue is I've never done anything like this before and feel a little overwhelmed at where to begin
Can anyone offer any advice and how do I even approach planning this trip? I am hoping to leave the UK around the 26th of Sept
Thanks in advance
Caz
From what I hear the vibe from Sarria onwards is very different than on the earlier stages in the CF. I also plan to walk my 1st Camino, soon and I am not walking the entire thing. Sarria onwards might be very rainy.Also more tricky to find accomodation. I dont want that and I also want the nicer more authentic Camino vibe. I also want to walk a very scenic route. I will start in SJPP.Thanks everyone!
After speaking to a friend I may do the Sarria - Santiago route
I am taking leave from work and need to book this off ASAP! I was hoping to have 10 days from start to finish and can see some cheap flights from London at the end of Sept flighing into Santiago and then getting the bus the next day to Sarria. I did wonder if I got the but I think arrives at Sarria around 1pm how far I could really get on the first day?
I have some good boots aready and although slightly neverous I do feel I could manage the walking ok!
Yes, the vibe is different, but not bad, at least IMHO.From what I hear the vibe from Sarria onwards is very different than on the earlier stages in the CF.
Woohoo go you! The nerves are part of the fun. Just remember whatever happens you will be fine! Have a wonderful trip!Thanks everyone for your reply! I have booked my flights so the nerves have kicked in! I have gone for Sarria to Santiago in my mind as it seemed easy to plan and fitted my times!
I hope if I enjoy this experience to return and do a longer trip possible the Portugese coast as some have suggested
Now the real fun begins!
The best place to start is at the beginning . Start at St John Pied port . In France on the border . It’s the most common starting point . Most everyone you meet there will be just like you, apprehensive and ready to start . It’s easier to talk and make friends if you all start together. It’s a tough beginning but everyone will be in the same boat .
Thanks everyone for your reply! I have booked my flights so the nerves have kicked in! I have gone for Sarria to Santiago in my mind as it seemed easy to plan and fitted my times!
I hope if I enjoy this experience to return and do a longer trip possible the Portugese coast as some have suggested
Now the real fun begins!
Great plan. If you need any help with travelling to Sarria or choosing where to stay there is plenty of help here on the Forum. Have a wonderful pilgrimage. Buen Camino!Thanks everyone for your reply! I have booked my flights so the nerves have kicked in! I have gone for Sarria to Santiago in my mind as it seemed easy to plan and fitted my times!
I hope if I enjoy this experience to return and do a longer trip possible the Portugese coast as some have suggested
Now the real fun begins!
Hi Caz,Hi everyone!
I have had a pretty tough year and really want to do this so I can find some peace and time for reflection! The only issue is I've never done anything like this before and feel a little overwhelmed at where to begin
Can anyone offer any advice and how do I even approach planning this trip? I am hoping to leave the UK around the 26th of Sept
Thanks in advance
Caz
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