Hi,
We (wife, 17 yr old daughther and I) are planning to walk the last 100kms from Sarria to Santiago in last week of June 2007. Need help with the following please: 1) Where in Sarria do we pick up the papers to be stamped along the way?
2) We are flying to Madrid, how do we get to Sarria by train, bus or both?
3) Do we need to book a hotel in Santiago in advance?
Thanks. Ben

yes, i would book a hotel in advance.
as to the other questions if you google "friends of santiago, or the santiago trail, road to santiago, camino de santiago", i am sure you will find the answer to the papers and transport questions.

the bus and train service is very good, and so many pilgrims use public transport that i am sure it is posted somewhere.

We live in Galicia so hopefully can put you in the right direction.
If you are using public transport then we suggest you get a train to either Lugo or Monforte de Lemos. Then get a bus to Sarria. You have to ensure the timetables match up or you will have to find a hotel for the night in one of those cities. The bus and train station in Monforte are near each other, but in Lugo there are on the opposite sides of the city. Lugo is a much nicer city to visit then Monforte.
In the old quarter of Sarria there is one street, which forms part of the Camino. Here is a town hall. They issue stamps here for the walk. Having never walked the Camino we can't say if they issue books to collect other stamps. Best look a forum that gives better details on the Camino.
June could be quite busy but the local tourist office will be able to help book a room.
Below are some links to web sites that may be of help.

http://www.caminolinks.co.uk/4595.html
http://www.castromil.com/index2.htm
http://www2.alsa.es/portal/index.asp
http://www.turgalicia.es/
http://www.renfe.es/
http://www.santiagoturismo.com/


HTH
Ian and Irene

Thanks so much lincasanova and ribeirasacra (Ian and Irene). These valuable info. Regards.

Hi, Ben,

The document you are talking about is called the "credencial." You will probably be able to get it in one of the "albergues" or "refugios" (the accommodations for walking/biking pilgrims). It is also usually available in cathedrals, but Sarria doesn't have one. In any event, I'm sure that the people running the albergues can help you find one if they don't have it.

Sarria has, to my knowledge, one "official" albergue (meaning that it's run by the municipality and is presumably non-profit), but in the last few years there has been a veritable explosion of private albergues. You will have no trouble finding them, they are all right on the Camino itself as it goes through Sarria. It'll be after you cross the river and begin the upward climb toward the old churches and toward the exit from town. There are also a couple of hotels, but one, the Hotel Londres, is one I would not recommend. The Alonso IX is a modern standard issue moderately priced hotel right on the river, but you won't really get into the Camino spirit there, in my opinion.

Santiago has a ton of hotels and pensiones, but also a lot of tourists. You will see when you arrive that there are lots of women standing outside the pilgrims' office (where you go to get your "compostela", the certificate of completion) who are offering rooms. I have arrived walking in Santiago on four or five occasions and have done it with and without reservations, it's really a matter of taste. If you want some suggestions, let me know your price range.

I would echo Ian and Irene's suggestion that you check out some of the websites devoted just to walking the various Caminos. One very active one, with a forum for posting like this one is santiago-today.com/board . There you can ask any camino-related question you might have and there will always be someone with information to share.

Ultreya!

Thanks Ireynold1. Your input is highly appreciated.
Regards,
Ben