Plan for April - Advice Welcome!

[hodgmc02]

So, I know that many of the die-hards may frown on me for mapping out a plan AND busing through stretches of the Camino, but would you indulge these lapses and give me some feedback on the following???

I lived in Burgos for a year, hence the extra day there to show my husband around. We live in Texas, so walking the meseta is not of as much interest as the latter part of the Camino, but I thought the stretch from Pamplona to Logrono might be nice.

I'd like to know if the following is reasonably "do-able" (we're ok fit, not great/not terrible; and we want some time to look around and enjoy ourselves). Also, I'm not sure how the albergues work if you bus into a town rather than walk.

Comments and criticisms welcome! Also "must sees" and "must dos" for this itinerary. Looking forward to hearing from you!

Mary Claire

Camino Plan - April 2-26, 2009

Fri, April 3 ? arrive in Madrid, day "touring"
Sat, April 4 ? Bus from Madrid to Pamplona at 8 am, arrive around 12:30 pm, get credencials, stay at albergue? Possible?
Sun, April 5 ? Pamplona to Puente la Reina (24 km)
Mon, April 6 ? Puente la Reina to Estrella (22 km)
Tues, April 7 ? Estrella to Los Arcos (21 km)
Weds, April 8 ? Los Arcos to Logrono (27 km), book hotel in Burgos online
Thurs, April 9 ? bus/train from Logrono to Burgos (Anyone know schedule?, direct?) Stay at hotel
Good Fri, April 10 ? day in Burgos, stay in albergue? Possible?
Sat, April 11 ? Train/Bus from Burgos to Ponferrada, stay in albergue? Possible?
Easter Sun, April 12 ? Ponferrada to Villafranca del Bierzo (22 km)
Mon, April 13 ? Villafranca to Vega de Valcarce (19 km)
Tues, April 14 ? Vega to O Cebreiro (13 km)
Weds, April 15 ? O Cebreiro to Triacastela (21 km)
Thurs, April 16 ? Triacastela to Sarria (18 km)
Fri, April 17 ? Sarria to Ferreiros (15 km)
Sat, April 18 ? Ferreiros to Gonzar (15 km)
Sun, April 19 ? Gonzar to Palas do Rei (17 km)
Mon, April 20 ? Palas do Rei to Ribadiso do Baixo (24 km)
Tues, April 21 ? Ribadiso to Santa Irene (20 km)
Weds, April 22 ? Santa Irene to Monte del Gozo (16 km)
Thurs, April 23 ? Monte del Gozo to Santiago (5 km)
Fri, April 24 ? Return to Madrid
Sat, April 25 - ?? (may use as rest day mid-walk)
Sun, April 26 ? depart Madrid at 11 am

[Covey]

The plan looks OK and you will not have any problem in staying in an albergue if you arrived by bus.

I would suggest that you spend two nights in the hotel in Burgos, if only to avoid the "lockup". That way you can enjoy the night life in Burgos which you know better than most!

There is a bus service run by ALSA from Burgos to Ponferrada (terminates in Santiago) and you can book your tickets and seat allocation on line:

http://www.alsa.es/portal/site/Alsa/...002301005eRCRD

Have fun

[hodgmc02]

Thanks so much! I like the idea of just staying at the hotel in Burgos versus trying to get into the albergue.

Do you know about the bus or train from Logrono to Burgos? I was having trouble finding that schedule.

Any advice on the best albergues in the various places we're planning on stopping?

[Covey]

The bus service you need is Grupo Jimenez:

http://www.grupo-jimenez.com/conozca.html

The bus service you want is their Zaragoza to Burgos one.

As for the albergues, I tend to stay in different ones each time unless there is only one, which is not often. Go with the flow!