We're heading to Galicia at the end of June, and would appreciate some advice.

The beginning of the Spanish leg of our trip is settled:
- La Courña - 2 nights

As is the end:
- Vigo - 1 night (before catching the 07:40 the next morning to Porto, Portugal)

In between though we have 3 nights to spend. Our first plan is to rent a car to Vigo via Costa da Morte:
- Camariñas - 1 night
- Somewhere in between - 1 night
- Pontevedra - 1 night

But, since we don't have all the time in the world, and we're unsure how trying the roads might be - or the weather - we're considering an alternative.

I fully realize some would consider missing Santiago de Compostela a sin. Our initial concern was that it might be too touristy or maybe tourist rich. But a more low impact itinerary than Costa da Morte would be to swap a rental for a train:
- SdC - 2 nights
- Pontevedra - 1 night

Has anyone done both that could help with our decision?

While the Costa da Morte is beautiful, it is not that far from Santiago and Santiago should be seen.

I have visited(and stayed) Santiago de Compostela several times, and daytripped to Pontevedra. While Pontevedra has nice old town centre with some lovely little squares, Santiago is in totally different league. No matter how crowded it might be, the beautiful pale stone architecture shalln't be missed.

I live in Galicia and yes SdC is a must, but sin of all sins some of my guests do not like the city. But you should only choose to stay in the city for a day and a night. it is not so big and you will see everything in that time.
Maybe you should choose to stay in A Coruña for more nights and take either the bus or train between the two cities. I would also suggest to stay in the Costa Morte area more nights and maybe skip the southern Rias. The more northern area is much more beautiful. The one thing to see near Vigo is the Islas Cies
http://www.mardeons.com/
Hopefully your hotel in Vigo is near the bus or train stations!
PS Vigo I find is not so interesting as A Coruña or SdC. I would not worry about the weather unless you wish to fry on a beach

Yes, in my book bypassing Santiago would be a sin. It is my favorite place in Spain (although I confess I am by no means a Spain expert). In our last trip to Santiago (I have been there 3 times) , we did a daytrip to Pontevedra. It is a plesant city but I don't see the need to spend a night there. However, in Santiago, just to stand in the huge Plaza de Obradoiro at night , looking up at the spires of the cathedral bathed in light is just magical. And the bagpipes in the background is the icing on the cake.

I don't think you will regret spending a couple of nights in Santiago.

Ok, Ok, I give in. Santiago it will be.

Based on these helpful postings, we've altered our itinerary:
- Coruna - 2 nights, as before
- Rent a car early AM and motor Costa da Morte
- Probably Camariñas - 1 night
- Arrive in SdC about 18:00 to dump the rental car, a 1.5 day rental
- SdC 2 nights
- Finally to Vigo by train for our final night, maybe stopping in Pontevedra for a look around.

Were it not for the train to Porto I doubt we'd be hitting Vigo. And yes our hotel, the Zenit Vigo, is right by the station.

Thanks for the input, and wish us luck.

ckdalz, I believe you have made the right choice. To see just one dusty pilgrim approach the cathedral after days on the road it worth the visit. Not to forget the ambiance of the university and the charm of the young ladies who work in the many bakeries offering almond cakes to pilgrims and tourists alike will be treasured memories, I assure you.

Enjoy Spain....

Good luck in your trip. Let us know how it goes!

If you have a rental car, I suggest that you drive the coastal road from Baiona (Columbus' landfall on his return from the first Voyage of Discovery) down to la Guardia. You may think you are driving down California's Camino Réal. Go to Monte Santa Tecla and see the restored Celtic (Castreño) village from 300AD.

We also had an outstanding seafood meal at a Restaurant along the Malecon near the Fishermen's Monument in la Guardia.

In Vigo, we usually stay in the port area (once at the Bahia Vigo, another time at the Hotel America).

Unless they have made some improvements / betterments, I do not recommend the Tren Internacional from Vigo to Porto. The last time we took that train, it was not air conditioned, it was uncomfortable and it was slow. The only benefit from buying First Class was reserved seating. At Valença do Minho, people not having First Class Tix had to leave the First Class seating for another carriage where eventually it was 'Standing room only.'

Check to see if there's a Bus from Vigo (airport) to Porto (airport). There used to be one operated by Portugalia Airline.

May, I ask, where are you coming in from, to go to this area ? I'm trying to get a feel for N. Spain for future trip hopefully.

I would not stay two days in A Coruna, there is just not that much to see in the town.

Here is a wonderful hotel in Santiago, it doesn't have the pub but should.

http://www.hotelclub.net/hotel.reser...Compostela.htm

marcielee you would be better off starting your own posting and giving more us all the details you can. With this posting we can not help you at all.

We live in S.C. and have seen Madrid, Seville and Granada etc I would like to branch off now and see some of N. Spain, with the idea of renting a car and just roaming around, for next year. Have just been looking at posts so far. Have not done my homework.

one question; S.C. where is that?

Sorry - South Carolina, in the Southern Unitd States.

I see. I use SdC for Santiago de Compostela and thought you used SC for the same city. (blush)
So what are you looking for? The more details you can give us on the forum the better.

Am interested in seeing Glaicia, I think. Again have not done any homework yet. But was first wondering where one would fly in and out of ? Marcie

Galicia only has three airports. A Coruña, Santiago and Vigo. They all connect up with the major airports of Spain, Some have connections to other parts of Europe too. Near by are airports in Asturias or even Oporto in Portugal.