Wow that is some schlep. It is about 500 miles just from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago and isn't it another 500 miles or so from Paris to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port?

You'd better leave tomorrow.

I would worry about the fire at in the santuario, Muxía because somehow the Galician government has found money to start work straight away to restore the building. Whilst other important buildings are decaying year after year through neglect. It is all down to who knows who again. ;-(
http://www.lavozdegalicia.es/video/c...2031250809.htm

Imdone - I'm skipping the Spain part. The whole crowded aspect of it does not appeal. I've walked parts of The Way in Switzerland, France and Norway. Most of the time I never saw another soul and I liked the solitude. The idea of competing for a bedbug spot every night - nah, that would not be for me.

Got it. Enjoy your walk through France. What would be your stopping point from Paris?

There are less well trodden routes in Spain too.

"The idea of competing for a bedbug spot every night - nah, that would not be for me."

We are walking the Camino Frances through Spain in a few months. We chose this route because we are looking forward to the social aspect of the Camino as well. I wanted to comment though because in my research, it seems that the whole "race for a bed" thing on the Frances is really overblown. There are people who do get up at the crack of dawn and race, but that is their choice. The only people I have found who report not being able to find beds are those who get up late and insist on only staying at the cheapest lodging available. For those who are more flexible - willing to stay in inns and guesthouses if the municipal alberque is full, or walk to the next town, it seems that finding a bed is not hard.

I did a section of it in 1992 from Le Puy to St Alban. We did it through Sherpa and did it by ourselves. It was good staying in hotels and the meals were really good after a day of walking. We did it in October over 4 days and avoided the rain. Back then it wasn't so popular and we didn't meet any other walkers. We had the whole place to ourselves.

I have hiked sections of the Camino de Santiago every year since 2011-- twice in 2013. From my first step on the Camino (French Way), it changed my life. Just incredibly amazing. Going back in July 2014-- can't wait!!

Hello Viajero. That's great news!! Will you pick up where you left off? Wouldnt you care to join me in the Camino Portugués in July?

Hey cruiseluv!-- I would love to do that, but I just have my heart set on finishing the French Way. I'll start in Sahagun! Keeping fingers crossed! Buen Camino!

Viajero, wishing you the best this time around.

Buen Camino!!

(one day we should plan to at least meet in Santiago! :) )

Good idea! :)-- as it stands right now I would be arriving in Santiago around 12-14 July (2014). If you happen to be anywhere near Santiago on those dates, dinner is on me! :) All the best cruiseluv! Have an amazing and blessed time! Buen Camino!

Oh, I didnt realize you would get all the way to Santiago this time. We're arriving Santiago on July 18th. Will you be gone by then?

Hi cruiseluv, I am probably going to arrive in Santiago sometime around July 18th, and then either walk the Inglés or go to Muxia. Maybe we will actually run into each other this time! I am going to be in Santiago for the festivities on the 24th, that's my only certain date, but I will also have a day or two there when I first get to Santiago. What's your itinerary?

lreynold,

Hi!! That's great news!!

Right now we're starting out of Tui on 7/12, arriving Santiago 7/18 and staying in Santiago thru the 26th. I'm going with a couple of friends that have never been to Galicia and they want to use Santiago as base to do other day trips and also be there for the 25th. But frankly, from my perspective this is too many days based in Santiago. So I'm considering proposing to them to relocate for a couple of days ,maybe 7/21-7/22, further north, closer to Ferrol or Ribadeo , to explore the Rias Altas, and then return on 7/23 to Santiago. Or otherwise, leave Santiago for good around 7/22 and go to Rias Altas and towards Oviedo. We have plans to go to Madrid on 7/26.

Are you doing a walk prior to arriving in Santiago?

Do you have any recommendations of what would be a good place to base ourselves for a couple of days to visit Rias Altas?

Hey cruiseluv!-- so wish I had a lot of flexibility because I would definitely take you on adding the last days of the Camino Portugués! Immediately after Santiago my husband and I are flying out of Madrid to meet relatives in Krakow. This will be one busy summer!! Wishing the best to everybody on their Summer plans! :)

Hi cruiseluv,
I'm walking the Camino Olvidado this year, it starts in Bilbao and heads southwest to Ponferrada, and then onto the Camino de Invierno from Ponferrada to Santiago. I've walked the Invierno but not the Olvidado, so it will be an adventure.

I walked the Camino Ingles years ago and liked both Betanzos and Pontedeume. Not sure how far to the east the Rias Altas go, but I loved Tapia and Luarca when I walked the Norte. Ribadeo is nice, too. Tell me some of the Rias Altas towns, and I'll see if I know anything about any of them.

And btw, you probably already know this, but the real hoopla festivities are on the night of the 24th. I don't love big crowds, but lots of people have told me that I should see the festivities in Obradoiro on the night of the 24th, so I'm going to give it a shot since I was planning to be in Santiago close to the date anyway.

Here are pics from my trip last year. Includes Burgos, Bilbao, Oviedo, Gijon, Luarca, Santiago, A Coruna, Leon, Valladolid, and more!

https://picasaweb.google.com/1075540...CPbR6qm-vJjuGA

Viajero, you have a busy summer indeed! Next time we should coordinate better!

lreynold, soon you'll run out of Caminos to do! I had never heard of the Olvidado, looking forward to your impressions of it.
Yes, my thought is to be back in Santiago in time for the festivities on the 24th. I dislike crowds as well, but figure its one of those things that is probably worth seeing at least once. Wonder if they'll modify the celebrations this year given that its the anniversary of the horrific train accident last year.

Do you know anything about Cedeira, north of Ferrol? I'll look at Pontedeume and Betanzos. Luarca might be going too far east, but I've been wanting to go there for a while. I see its not that far from Ribadeo, so if we were to stay there we might be able to at least visit.

joannyc, thanks for posting your beautiful pictures!

I may be joining some of you for a few days.. trying to work it out.