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CAMINO DE SANTIAGO, SPAIN
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January14
Santiago is a great place to relax after
the journey. The old quarter surrounding
the cathedral is a labyrinth of narrow
streets lined with inviting restaurants,
bars and the sort of all-night festive
atmosphere you find only in Spain.
Rebecca and I toasted our achievement
– as the bar mirror revealed two figures
somewhat leaner than those that had
taken the train to León from Bordeaux
after a fortnight of duck confit, foie gras
and soft cheese.
The Camino is unique: unstructured,
challenging, an encounter with a vibrant
culture and a landscape that varies
from melancholy to uplifting. It brings
you to earth in a way that’s hard to find
in a sanitised world, and it’s spiritually
rewarding if you’re that way inclined.
Buen Camino!
Camino Fast Facts
Getting there:
It’s a four-hour train trip fromMadrid north to León. Multiple
airlines fly from Singapore to Madrid, but there are no direct flights.
When to go:
April to June is best: it’s generally cool to warm and dry.
December to February is wet and cold. July and August are hot and
crowded.
Getting started:
There’s a wealth of information online. Start with Lonely
Planet’s
Walking the Camino: our tips. A Pilgrim’s Guide to the Camino
de Santiago
by John Brierley is a lightweight guide covering routes,
maps, refugios and alternative accommodation.
Where to stay:
In Santiago, Hotel Airas Nunes and Casa Hotel As Artes
are both small, charming hotels in renovated old mansions, close to the
cathedral and with mid-range rates.