PixieAuror
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 22 April 2018 if all goes well
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Between Leon and Santiago there seems to be quite a long stretch. Where would anybody recommend resting? Is there a particularly scenic town somewhere in the middle of the two?
Same here!I don’t do rest days anymore; I prefer to walk a short day (5 to 8kms), and then treat that afternoon as a “rest” day for things like sightseeing, museums, art galleries, etc. There is usually enough time, and if there isn’t, well, then just stay another day!
Jill
Hola @Pixi, I agree about rest/recovery days in Pamplona / Burgos & Leon -but unless you are really fatigued I would not worry too much about a stop over in Logrono (in fact in two caminos I have always staged through this city - never stopped/over nighted). By Leon you should be really road/camino fit and I doubt you will need a rest day after here.I'm planning on hiking the camino de frances sometime during June - August (don't have official dates yet). I would like to rest once a week.
My current idea is to spend 2 nights in Pamplona, Logrono, Burgos and then finally Leon - does this seem reasonable or too much?
Between Leon and Santiago there seems to be quite a long stretch. Where would anybody recommend resting? Is there a particularly scenic town somewhere in the middle of the two?
For me I would avoid stopping in either Villafranca del Bierzo or Sarria
I loved the food and buzz of Logroño, a short walk from Viana, another fascinating town..I did stay 2 nights in Astorga.. arriving on market day seduced me to a two night rest in an hotel. The Guadi was fabulous, the cathedral synical..I went in to celebrate Mass, but was told I had to sit whilst awaiting the service and pay to visit, via the museum, later..I speak good Spanish and was astounded at the reception! If you do decide to eat the traditional food of Astorga, do so at lunchtime! The heaving plates of boiled meat, chickpeas and cabbage were not good for sleeping when I foolishly had it for supper!I'm planning on hiking the camino de frances sometime during June - August (don't have official dates yet). I would like to rest once a week.
My current idea is to spend 2 nights in Pamplona, Logrono, Burgos and then finally Leon - does this seem reasonable or too much?
Between Leon and Santiago there seems to be quite a long stretch. Where would anybody recommend resting? Is there a particularly scenic town somewhere in the middle of the two?
I loved Logroño only just over a couple of hours from Viana which I also thoroughly enjoyed ( eating my first ever pig's ear tapa and getting a taste for orujo hierbas! The advice about walking shorter stages is the best advice...I took five and a half weeks in spring on my first Camino. What I learned was that next time ( hopefully end of September next year) I'll happily take ten weeks! I did spend two nights in Astorga, but found it over rated, save for the Gaudi house.
I think two nights in Leon and Burgos would be worthwhile.. especially for the black pudding of Burgos.
I agree, Ponferrada is the place. I was waylaid there by injury and spent the extra night. I did some errands and found that everywhere I went people were very nice and helpful. The Templar Castle (free on Wednesdays I found) was super but it was the people in town I met, whether looking for a new book or sandals that made it a place to return to for me.Ponferrada. I love this city. Visit the Templars castle. But, as others have stated the camino will tell you when to rest based upon many factors: friends made while walking, your body, et cetera.
Buen camino.
Not sure whether to thank you or not @TimRozgonyi. I didn’t want to walk the CF again and probably wont but if I ever do, this stay at Rabanal will be high on my list. Sounds like bliss.@PixieAuror
I'm with @VNwalking and @mspath on this. It depends on what you are looking for but for quiet time to pray and study, Rabanal, in the monastery physically next door to the CSJ Albergue Gaucelmo, is unbeatable. They are very hospitable and have a fine small library. They have a monastic guest house where you can stay but ONLY generally if you stay for two nights. This sets it apart from regular albergues. I am slightly biased as the Abbot and I were work colleagues for many years, in another continent.
http://en.monteirago.org/camino/rabanal--a-spiritual-centre-on-the-camino-de-santiago
You would need to contact them in advance if you wished to stay.
Oh I have just checked the website and see they now specify a minimum stay of three days. It may be still worth discussing with them if it appeals to you.
Having said all of that, I never found much time for study along the Camino.....
Oh and again see this page, which specifies two days in the albergue-like section:
http://en.monteirago.org/monastery/the-mater-salutis-hospital/welcome-of-pilgrims
That's easy. Rabinal.
The Benedictine monks there have a guest house where you can take retreat time.
Well, it would be my choice anyway, because I tend to the contemplative side of things.
Rabinal is a lovely little mountain town, with the monks offering glorious gregorian chants in the chapel to mark lauds and compline.
No! They sing the offices in the little chapel near Albergue Gaucelmo, and all are welcome to attend. It is very very special. And albergues are not the only place in town to stay. There is a nice small hotel with a restaurant up the road a little.Do you have to be staying with them to attend lauds and compline?
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