After the Camino where to spend an extra week?

[iris]

After the Camino (Ruta Frances) we have an extra week to explore and would like to know where other pilgrims have gone or would recommend! Open to Portugal, Spain or even back to France. We won't be able to splurge for "big" luxury but can do want to enjoy a nice experience with comfort afterwards! Would appreciate hearing from you!

[Sil]

You can hire cars very cheaply in Spain. We hired a car for 7 days after our camino in 2007 and drove to Finisterre, Muxia and spent a night in Lugo. Lovely town with the best preserved Roman walls in Spain.
We then drove north to spend a night in Oviedo where the 2nd most famous Christian relic - the Sudarium - is kept in the Camara Santa of the cathedral.
Then we drove along the camino to Castrojeriz and spent a night there. Down to Santo Domingo de Silos for a night to hear the Gregrorian chants. Then to St Jean Pied de Port and back to Roncesvalles for a night and two nights in Pamplona before flying home.

[Covey]

Lugo is a fascinating town and well worth a visit although sadly most pilgrims only visit Lugo bus station when changing to get the Sarria bus.

You could spend time walking to Finesterre and watching the sunset. In Aug09 I had to wait two days for the clouds to clear before we had a spectacular sunset at the end of the world.

[beccablue2803]

Whats the best/cheapest way to get to Portugal from Santiago?

[Sil]

By Bus: ALSA (http://www.alsa.es) goes from Santiago bus station to Porto There are buses every day at 10am (arriving at 12:45 Portuguese time) and at 17:15 (arriving at 20:00 Portuguese time). On Fridays and Sundays, there is also a 22:00 bus that gets you in at 00:45 Portuguese time. This bus stops at a few places like Vigo, Viana do Castello and Porto Airport. It costs ?30 euros. The timetable says that it is valid until 31-03-2010.

By Train: You have to change at Vigo. There are many trains from Santiago to Vigo (check the RENEFE site). The important think is the onward connection to Porto (http://www.cp.pt). There is a train leaving Vigo at 7:40 which arrives at 9:55 Portuguse time and one leaving Vigo at 19:42 and arriving at 21:55. Both cost 14.15 euros. To connect with the 19: 42 train from Vigo you need to take the 16:21 train from Santiago which gets you to Vigo at 18:05.

You can buy your tickets for Porto from the Alsa office. The No 5 takes you to and from the station to the city centre.

[beccablue2803]

Thankyou so much!

[Priscillian]

Hi Becca,
Portugal is so close and so lovely. Trains are very cheap and I have always found the people very helpful. Meals and drinks are also much less than in Spain although if you do rent a car be warned: the petrol is more expensive. Better by train or bus. I walked the Camino Portuguese last year and made many friends along the way. If you are interested do see my blogspot for last July and August at www.pilgrimagetoheresy.blogspot.com
Un saludo Xacobeo!
Tracy Saunders
www.pilgrimagetoheresy.com

[soni]

You have to stay in Galicia, it´s a very beautiful place that everybody have to know. There are a lot interesting places in the coast, in Lugo there is the Cathedrals´ beach, with specials landscapes and also you can go to Finisterre and Costa de la Muerte.. this place is amazing.
And don´t forget that Galicia is a very good place to eat (the food is cheap and very good) and the people are very friendly.
No more hesitation: Galicia it´s the best place to relax after the camino.
A galician girl.

[soni]

You have to stay in Galicia, it´s a very beautiful place that everybody have to know. There are a lot interesting places in the coast, in Lugo there is the Cathedrals´ beach, with specials landscapes and also you can go to Finisterre and Costa de la Muerte.. this place is amazing.
And don´t forget that Galicia is a very good place to eat (the food is cheap and very good) and the people are very friendly.
No more hesitation: Galicia it´s the best place to relax after the camino.