Sarria to Santiago - additional points of interest?

[123timesalady]

Hi all,

Setting out on my first 'mini' camino to get a feel for it then hope to complete the entire Camino Frances next year. I have flights to Santiago 1st july and will get to Sarria that same day then have nine days to complete the walk. From reading it may not take that long, wondering if there is any additional points people have stopped or recommendations of places to stop in addition to the usual. I guess naturally I will heAd to Santiago then stay there if all else fails but sounds expensive option! Any help greatly appreciated.

Buen Camino.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

There is a side trip to Vilar de Donas before Palas de Rei.

Lugo has lots of history on your way to Sarria. You could stop there a day.

At the end you could take a bus to Fisterra or Muxia or both.

 

[scruffy1]

I can only second Falcon's recommendation concerning Vilar de Donas, there is a small albergue/cafe-bar right at the turn offat Portos where you may leave the mochilos, it's a short easy walk and the church/museum is a jewel. One should never say disparaging words concerning the Camino so I will try. You will find the villages Ligonde Lobreiro etc very pleasant and nature in Galicia to be very beautiful (close your eyes coming out of Portomarin but hey people have to make a living), the cities Melide or Arzua much less, very much less. The puplo so heartily recommended in Ezekiel's place in Melide? Vastly over rated. There is much better to be found as far away as O'Cebreiro which is beyond the scope of your walk and even in Santiago.

 

[mspath]

123timesalady,

I, too, agree with Falcon and Scruffy about Vilar de Donas. However another further detour might be made the Sobrado dos Monxes monastery. In March 2007 I walked north to there from Arzua; it was quite a day! Stayed at the pilgrim albergue within the Cistercian monastery. This complex is a Baroque masterpiece, but my pilgrim dorm was a actually a renovated stable; no other pilgrims were there and it was freezing! Earlier I wandered in awe through the other structures. Attended Vespers with one other 'outsider'. The service was held in a splendid circular contemporary space. Walls were painted white or natural wood. All was lit by thick candles. The monks wearing their white robes responded in unison. It was a privilege to share such a timeless ambiance.

For more info check their Spanish web >> http://www3.planalfa.es/sobrado/sobrado.htm and the Wikipedia info page >> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sobrado_Abbey

Buen Camino!

Margaret Meredith

 

[123timesalady]

Wow, thanks all for the responses! Much to look forward to now. C

 

[Cepinot]

Hi!
If I were you and I had 9 days walking, i would definetly start from Ponferrada!
you cant miss O cebreiro!!

 

[123timesalady]

Good idea and seems easy to get to. I think will go for this option, and try going off the path next year when I am a little more experienced. Thank you for all responses, really touching that you took time out to help a fellow pilgrim xx

 

[pilgriminlife]

Being last week in a beautiful coffee shop in Palas de Rei, i think the name was 'casa outeiro' or something like that, it's warm and confortable stone house, with a library next to the fire place, and music instrument avalaible to play, could not leave the place, the waitress spoked perfect english and we get the nicest and gentlefull experiencie on our way to finisterre there. very recomended!!