Sarria to Santiago OR Santiago to Finisterre

[bossssss]

Hello,

I am planning to do the camino in the begining of August this summer 2010 for 6 days.

Reading other posts, I understand that this period is not a very good one, because of the heat and also because the route from Sarria to Santiago is too crouded.

However, this is the only opportunity for me and my wife so we don't want to miss the chance.

My first dillema is which of the 2 routes is the best.

Which of the two the paths has a more picturesque settings?
We want to be part of the spanish culture and the camino spirit.
In which of the 2 routes the path has more shadow?

Also we would like to obtain a certificate and also we would like to reserve small hotel rooms.
Could you please inform me with a good web-page about hotels in those 2 routes?

[HuskyNerd]

I would recommend Sarria to Santiago if it's your goal to catch some of the Camino spirit and some of the Spanish (Gallego) culture. The walk includes a lot of shade in this area, so that's no problem. Plus, Galicia is much cooler than the rest of Spain, so August heat will be much more tolerable.

One way to plan your hotels is to go to http://www.godesalco.com/plan/frances and choose your overnight locations. From there you can hunt down hotels via the Internet. Another choice is to purchase the Brierley guidebook which gives much more info about hotels. You can get it at Amazon.com: A Pilgrim's Guide to the Camino de Santiago: St. Jean - Roncesvalles - Santiago (Camino Guides) (9781844091928): John Brierley: Books . Brierley gives names of hotels and also contact info.

You will want to purchase a credentiale either from your national Camino Confraternity (e.g. American Pilgrims on the Camino American Pilgrims on the Camino) or purchase it at an albergue in Sarria. Get it stamped along the way and present it at the cathedral office in Santiago for your certificate (compostela).

Hope this helps. Buen camino!

[bossssss]

Thank you HuskyNerd for the usefull information. You helped alot