Tourism in Santiago de Compostela (2010)

[aussieval]

Hi everyone, I might have a few days to spare in Santiago after my walk from SJPP. I'd like to spend some time 'pampering' myself and getting to know the surroundings... Any ideas of accommodation (more after a bit of 'luxury' than hostels), places to visit, things to do, in Santiago or surroundings? I don't want to go too far because my flight back to London leaves from Santiago. I'm particularly interested in things 'spanish' as this is my first visit to Spain, flamenco classes or shows maybe? Any tips?

 

[jl]

My last time in Santiago I really enjoyed the Cathedral Museum, and the tour of the Cathedral roof. I ALWAYS make a point of spending time at the Casino cafe - inside, so that I can enjoy the delightful interior of the place - with a hot chocolate or two! Also, if you make some friends who like driving on the "wrong" side of the road you could hire a car and drive down to Finisterre for the day, and come home via Muxia.

Backtracking to Lugo is possibly an option too - lovely place. Cheers, Janet

 

[peregrina2000]

Hi, aussieval,

Not sure what your definition of luxury is, but for me at the top are the Parador de los Reyes Catolicos (the only 5* parador in Spain) http://www.parador.es/en/cargarFichaPar ... rador=103; and the Hotel San Francisco (in an old convent). http://www.sanfranciscohm.com/

Going down a notch or two, but all very nice, would be Costa Vella ,http://www.costavella.com/ A Tafona do Peregrino, http://www.atafonadoperegrino.com/ Rua Villar http://www.hotelruavillar.com/es/ , Virxe da Cerca http://www.pousadasdecompostela.com/

There are many many more, but these are some of the ones I have stayed in over the years and enjoyed (I have also stayed in a bunch of plain, clean, comfortable cheap pensiones, but you said you were looking for something nicer). We keep going back to Costa Vella, you just can't beat their beautiful cafe/garden. In fact, I hope to be there this June!

And I would second Janet's suggestion about Lugo -- I walked through it on the Camino Primitivo last year and it's a really nice city.

Buen camino, Laurie

 

[aussieval]

Thank you all for your suggestions. Really helpful! I'll check the places and make a decision.

 

[Ribeirasacra]

Oh dear, Flamenco classes????? You might find something but please beware that here in Galicia Flamenco is not natural to this part of Spain. You are more than likely to happen upon Gaitas and Muiñeira. Galicia is very different to the tourist brochure ideal of Spain.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JI-ZPKqkyxo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoZ-ZR74ap4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BvpO8IghYw