Logrono to start?

[rherstell]

Hi there,

I am very excited about starting, but am wondering if the place I have chosen to start is Okay? I have Chosen Logrono, and can I get my Pilgrims Passport from there? I would love to start further back, but I dont have the time.

Looking forward to meeting new and amazing people on the track!

 

[Deleted member 3000]

The credential is available at the church and the albergue. There is an excellent tourist office, too, and it is open the usual hours.

http://www.spain.info/en/antes_del_viaj ... grono.html

http://www.logroturismo.org/en/inicio/presentacion.php

 

[peregrina2000]

Hi rherstell,

I think Logrono is a fine place to start. It's a nice small city.

And make sure to take the time to do a tapas "crawl." There are some amazing tapas places there, all crowded together on the same couple of streets. And here's what we did -- we went into one place that had been writtten up in the New York Times and we ordered their signature tapa -- it was mushroom with a little shrimp on top. At the bar, we then told the waiter that we wanted to sample the "next best" tapa in Logrono because we were only going to be there for one night. He sent us to a tortilla place that was terrific, and so we went for one or two more, one included some little crunchy ham sandwiches, etc. We found that there was no snarkiness or unwillingness to recommend the competition, I think it was their town pride that meant they wanted us to leave with a good impression of their community. (This was quite a contrast to the previous time I had been in Logrono, back in the 1970s when I was standing calmly on a street corner having just met a bunch of spanish students, when all of a sudden a police car drove up, the grises (cops in grey) came out swinging billy clubs, and we scattered as quickly as possible. Never did find out what that was all about). Buen camino! Laurie

 

[rherstell]

Thankyou both of you for your messages, it makes me feel A lot more confident.

Approximately how long did it take you from here? I have given myself one month, will this be sufficient?
Thankyou again!

 

[sun is shining]

Hey there,

my Camino is going to start from Logrono as well. From what others told me its a lovely place with loads of tapas bars

We are planning on arriving in Logrono on the 6th of August and starting to walk on the 7th. By the 10th of September I have to be in Porto to catch my flight home so idealy I plan on arriving in Santiago on the 2nd of September, giving me time to go (unfortunately not enough time to walk) to Finisterra. Before flying home I'd love to see a bit of Porto as well and have some relaxing post camino days.

When do you plan on walking?

 

[WolverineDG]

A few years ago, I walked from Logrono to Leon in about 2 weeks. IIRC, it's about 2 weeks from Leon to Santiago, so if you have a month, you should be fine.

There are at least 2 albergues to choose from. I've never been able to stay at the main one as it is always full by the time I get there. I've stayed at the one in the church & it was nice, but my body couldn't handle sleeping on the floor. When I was there in 2009, I stayed at the hotel just outside the old city wall, Hotel Portales, I believe. Nice room, free internet access, right on the Camino.

If your first night in Spain is in Logrono, I suggest getting a hotel so you can get over jet lag.

Kelly

 

[Deleted member 3000]

A reasonably priced hotel in Logrono very near the Camino, the tourist office, and the bus station:

http://www.hostalnumantina.com/

A high priced restaurant (opens about 2130) worth the money:

http://www.asadoremilio.com/marcos.htm

The albergue will close before your dinner is finished, so you need to be in a hotel. It was the best meal (their specialty roasted lamb) I had in Spain.

 

[peregrina2000]

Hey, falcon,

Do you have any restaurant recommendations between Sahagun and Ponferrada? I'm going to be walking that segment as it connects me from the Camino de Madrid to the Camino de Invierno, and I wouldn't mind a splurge or two along the way. Thanks, Laurie

 

[Deleted member 3000]

In Astorga, the Hotel Gaudi, but avoid the Pilgrim Menu. The regular menu is more expensive, but more edible. Try some of the carte items, too, if your wallet is fat.

In Villadangos del Paramo, across from the albergue and down the hill is a nice restaurant with good food at pilgrim prices.

In Hospital del Orbigo, several restaurants have trout soup -- sopa de truchas -- worth a lunch or dinner.