I'm planning a trip by myself to Galicia in the next couple of months and will be using a Delta friends and family pass (stand-by only). I only have a week's vacation so I'll leave on a Saturday from Los Angeles and return the following Sunday. I have to use the pass by April 22.<BR><BR>Now the big question: <BR><BR>I had originally planned on April 6-14 or 13-21. However, as Holy Week approaches I've done alot of reading and am tempted to go March 23 and return on Easter Sunday so I can witness the processionals.<BR><BR>Will the flights be so booked from the US that I probably won't be able to go stand-by anyways? If not, for my first trip to the region would Holy Week be a good time to go or would the crowds make it difficult to get around? <BR><BR>Thanks in advance for your advice, especially to Maribel and Pedro whose help made my first Spain trip in October 2001 so memorable that I'm going twice in 2002!<BR><BR>I did a search earlier today and printed out alot of previous posts on Santiago de Compostela. After I finish reading them tonight, I'll have some specific questions on itinerary, hotels, etc....

Hi Cathy M,<BR>I really enjoyed your postings about your extremely well-planned trip to Madrid & environs and points south on another message board, and I'm really happy you're planning another Spanish sojourn. Unfortunately I'm not the one to answer your specific question, because I haven't travelled lately in Spain during Holy Week (except for next yr. when I'm headed to Sevilla), but I kind of doubt that the flights from the US will be completely booked during that time, unless they're filled with student spring break tours, which I've experienced. (I'll bet Eddie, on Madridman Message Board, can answer this question! He's unbelievably knowledgeable about those things!) But it can be chilly and rainy in Santiago, so wear layers. The AVE trains to Seville and the Talgo to the coasts will be packed, but since you're headed to Galicia, once in Madrid you shouldn't have too much of a problem getting from Madrid to Santiago someway, taking the bus/train/plane. Santiago is usually busier in July/Aug. Have you done a flight search, Madrid-Santiago, on travelocity, expedia, orbitz, for your dates? Witnessing the processions from any region is an extremely moving, very memorable experience. I've seen them in Sevilla, Merida, Cuenca but never in Santiago. Good luck! Hope Pedro, Jose, Olga and Cova can weigh in with suggestons/caveats for you about travel to Santiago during Holy Week. I'll try to advise in what I can later about lodging, meals, etc.<BR>You're a planner after my own heart!

Hi Cathy,<BR>if you plan to go to Galicia in Easter because of the proccesionals, I would rather go in another date. They are not a big thing in Santiago, as they can be in Castilla or in Andalucia, and you will be travelling during a peak week, with lots of people going there, and problems when looking for a hotel room.<BR>You won´t be missing a lot (my own experience during the last two years).<BR>Either of the weeks you were initially planning sound good, maybe better the last one, weatherwise.<BR>Remember that Galicia is a rainy place, and have some chocolate cake at the Airas Nunes cafe, in Rua do Vilar. There you can find the two tourist offices of the city (nice people, all of them).<BR>Bye.

Thanks covo for the first-hand experience. <BR><BR>In addition to the processionals I also hoped to see the Botafumeiro and I believe that it is only out on special occassions. However, if the processionals are not a big thing in Santiago, I tend to agree with you that the crowds and probably higher costs of hotel rooms may not warrant the trip at Easter, especially if the flights are going to be crowded.<BR><BR>I'm giving myself this weekend to decide.<BR><BR>Maribel - great to hear from you again. I look forward to more great info/insights. I printed out alot of information from the past couple of years to read before I ask everyone to repeat themselves! <BR><BR>This board is a wealth of information.

I would suggest you to make an interesting route that could approach to places as Braga (Portugal) or Zamora, quite interesting during Holy Week and not far from Santiago. So a route Santiago- Orense ( interesting Las Burgas hot spring just in the middle of the city, beatiful cathedral )-Verin ( Parador within an old castle overlooking the valley )-Puebla de Sanabria (old medieval town and nearby biggest glacial-origin lake in Spain )-Zamora (where processions are really serious and impressive, Beautiful Parador installed in the Old Condes de Alba y Aliste Palace)-Bragan&ccedil;a (Portugal, where still remains its walled old town)-Braga (also interesting processions, the religious capital of Portugal, Bom Jesus baroque Sanctuary in the surroundings with a wonderful staircase)-Viana do Castelo (one of the most charming places in Portugal, gorgeous view from the esplanade in front of Sta Lucia Church, a new pousada is located right behind it)-Bayona/Sta Tecla Mountain (similar and also beautiful views over Mi&ntilde;o River Mouth, great Parador at Bayona, delicious seafood there)-Vigo(not much to see although is the biggest city in Galicia and quite lively and vibrant)-Santiago(one of the jewels in Spain).

Hi Cathy,<BR>here you have the URL for the Holy Week in Zamora. Sorry, it´s only in Spanish. It still have the dates for last year, but I think that they should update it in any moment.<BR>In "Itinerarios" you can find the list of the processionals for each day.<BR>In "Cofradias" you can find each of the Brotherhoods, and their "pasos" (the statues they bring out).<BR>http://www.ssantazamora.es/<BR>Pedro, good idea about Zamora.<BR>Cathy, are you flying in and out of Madrid ? That could affect the itinerary, having barely 6, 7 days.<BR>Rgds, Cova

cova<BR><BR>You hit the nail on the head. I only have a week's vacation from work so first I have to fly into Madrid, arriving on a Sunday a.m. and then come back the following Sunday. Pedro's itinerary is great but I also will be by myself and will be using bus/train making it less easy to move around quickly. In addition, I don't speak a lick of spanish (much less gallego). I am taking an 8-week adult school class beginning this week but don't think I'll be really good by April!<BR><BR>By the way, the reason I only have a week in April is I'm planning another 17-day trip in September for Northern Spain - I'm really hooked! So as soon as I return from Galicia I'll be planning that trip.

Hi Cathy,<BR>exactly what I was thinking. In that case, better leave the trip for April.<BR>Don´t worry about the "gallego". It is different to the spanish, but not so different (it has some words like the french and the italian). You will manage quite OK.<BR>The trip from Madrid to Galicia is very long. If you are not flying, I would go by train instead of the bus. More comfortable.<BR>Regards, Cova