Starting in Burgos - Advice pls

[Stu]

I'll be starting my first camino from Burgos, arriving there Friday 13th afternoon. Can anyone tell me where I can get my credencial and how much it costs? My guide says there's 2 formal albergues in Burgos - does anyone know if they'll be open this time of year?

On a more general note, for folks who sightsee in cities, what do you do with your rucksacks? I would tend to leave mine in a station lockers or left luggage but do any pelegrinos out there have other solutions?

Lastly, anyone know any (cheap) restaurants in Burgos they can recommend? It being my first night I thought I'd treat myself.

Thanks

[HuskyNerd]

Hi Stuart ~
Congrats on your upcoming camino. The municipal albergue in Burgos (located behind the cathedral) is open all year and will have a credencial you can purchase. As well as the albergue's stamp you should plan to get a stamp from the cathedral museum which is located below the cathedral, off the south square. Also, with your credencial you can get a discount on admission to the cathedral itself (more of a museum than a functioning church building), which is quite beautiful and worth the small cost. It is perhaps the most elaborate cathedral in Spain and one of the best examples of Gothic Baroque anywhere in the world. Look up into the many domes once you're inside -- and bring your camera.

There's a fine vegetarian restaurant behind the Meson El Cid Hotel, which is across the western square from the cathedral. There are also many restaurants throughout the city, but it's easy to find a nice place in the main cathedral square, which is on the south side of the cathedral. If you want a more specific recommendation I'm sure the hospitalero at the albergue can help. If you don't see it posted outside, do ask about a "Menu del Peregrino" to see if you can get a discount on your meal. Burgos isn't as pilgrim-centered as smaller camino towns, so a Menu for pilgrims is not always posted outside.

Most people either leave their rucksack at the albergue or haul it along with them while sightseeing. Sorry!

[netia]

Haha Sandy and Stuart!
I was going to recommend that exact restaurant!! I had two delicious meals there, as i had a rest day in Burgos, the food was beautiful and the waiters were great and very cool : ) Nice healthy fare to set you up for the next day. Also VERY good value.
Great cheap local wine as well : )
Enjoy the walk Stuart.... only negative will be that life will never be the same after... and your dreams will be filled with all the walks in the world that you can next conquer!
Happy wandering : )
Netia

[Stu]

Hi Sandy and Netia

Thanks for the advice. Less than a week to go now. I'm very happy to have the opportunity to go as I've been hoping to do this for a long time now.

Best wishes
Stuart

[Maria and David]

Hi there
My husband David and I are planning to start our first camino journey this year in October- we thought at first to be adventurous and start the camino france- but because of many factors such as age, lack of experienece (our first time ever to have to walk this long! and lack of time, we thought maybe to start halfway- about 400 km and start in Burgos to Santiago. ( my estimate is around 20 days?- am I right? we have only 4 weeks max of time off from work)
I'd been reading the threads, but I need more reassurance- we are flying from australia, and into Madrid. from there can anyone guide us how to get to Burgos please- we prefer train as a means of transport but bus is ok too. Thank you so much.
Maria & David
PS : any suggestions of best way to reach Santiago that will take only 20 days would be appreciated.

[HuskyNerd]

Congrats on your upcoming camino. It's almost 500 kms from Burgos to Santiago, but with 4 weeks off from work it should be doable in your timeframe, depending on your pace. If you choose to start later than Burgos I believe the next time the train intersects the camino is at Sahagun, about 370 kms from Santiago.

There are several train departures each day from Madrid's Chamartin station to Burgos' Rosa de Lima station. Look on the web at either the Renfe site (in Spanish) or the www.raileurope.com site in English. Buen camino!