2024 Northern Spain (Fisterra to Burgos) - May 1st-17th.

We've finished walking the Camino. Have a hire car. Smallest automatic we could rent as fully aware of the narrow streets and parking challenges in Europe. Collected the car from Avis at Santiago Airport. Great service, immaculate vehicle and we can drop it into Madrid Airport without a return to Santiago fee.

We now plan to drive and explore Muros, Finisterra, Muxia, and the northern coastline. Got some airbnb's booked to allow us 4-5 days in the smaller towns which we enjoy.

Given that Burgos is such a historical town we decided to head directly there. We bypassed the mountainous national parks and incredible small towns (next time!).

In hindsight a wise decision. Burgos. Burgos. Perfecto.

Highlights of Burgos:

• Easy to park the car about a 5 minute walk from our apartment.

• Apartment located on the main plaza overlooking the Cathedral.

• Lots of interesting restaurants and shops in easy walking distance.

• The Cathedral and Churches definitely worth a visit.

• Mass at the Cathedral ended in the Pilgrim's Prayer.

• Had a work day here from the apartment, fast internet!!
  

We head for Madrid and to meet Lexy arriving the next day from London.

Ovieda was an optional stop for us depending on our departure time from Puerto la Vega. And praise the lord we did so.

Found a parking station 200metres from the Cathedral. Ovieda is a starting point for a Camino. And what a Cathedral and town. Had we known we would have also scheduled a couple of days here.

The cathedral is history packed. The self-guided tour simply astounding. Beautiful cathedral. Incredible historical relics .... "the shroud of Jesus"... plus lots more.

And then on to Santander. SO PLEASED we allocated 4 full days. 2 full days to explore. And 2 full days to use the Regus serviced offices to catch up on work.

From our AirBnB we walked everywhere. Staying in the historical parts of Spanish towns costs a little more but we are right in the heart where the locals inhabit the back streets. And parking was 400metres in a safe, underground parking station.

Loved every minute in this city.

Next stop is Burgos. Cannot wait. As this too is on the Camino Francis. An AirBnb booked overlooking the Cathedral.

We arrived in Puerto de Vega on Sabido or was it Domingo? Mucho vino. Anyway, the weekend is clearly the day when everyone's goes to lunch. The place was packed. Parked the carro and tried to find a place for lunch.

No reserva, no mesa. Lo silento.

Hmmm.... finally grabbed a table down near our apartment. And fabulous food, wine and service. A great start.

Even better was that our apartment was literally next door. Havana Apartments. Perfect in all regards.

Our stay in Puerto de Vega. Perfecto. Mucho perfecto.

We depart after four days in this small fishing village. We love out of the way places like this. We were the only touristas and treated like locals. Our espanol este poco. But improving.

Departed Fisterra with lots of rain and wind. Stopped in Muxia. Did not explore as very cold, very windy, very wet. Got soaked on our dash from car to Coffee shop despite raincoats.

A couple of very wet and miserable Peligrinos sighted. Been a few days of this miserable weather.

The drive to Viveiro was wet but uneventful. No issue with driving in Spain. Remarkably empty of traffic.

Our Hotel Ego is adjacent to a highly recommended Restaurante Nino. I chose it because of recommendations on booking.com for the hotel and on google for the restaurant. And it was close to our layover destination for 4 full days in Porto de Vega.

Brilliant Hotel. Super-brilliant Restaurant.

And fabulous views from the lookout and the Cathedral Beach on our way to our next stop.

Finisterra is our destination and planned 2 full days there. Some work to be done. And it's been raining constantly since about 15k out of Santiago. The next 4-5 days is rain which suits us just fine. We wanted a space to chill out for a few days.

Found an amazing church in Muros. And an interesting dining experience in Muros. I've been sworn to secrecy but ask Theresa to explain. Hahahahahaha.

Booked ourselves into a new Hotel. Porto Real and did not disappoint albeit navigating the tiny lanes to offload the luggage took two laps!!! Room is fabulous, space, immaculate, friendly staff and awesome views. Plus just off the tourista route in one of the back streets.

Surrounded by family run restaurants with lots of locals. Small supermercado at the end of the street. Brilliant bar next door. Nirvana!!!

Departed here on day 3 and headed for the Faro Lighthouse which is the end of the traditional Camino. Lots of rain and wind. But definitely worth the effort.

Tour buses arrived. Sigh.

But not equipped for the rain and the wind so they sheltered in the tourist shop. Praise the lord.

Left the end point to the Pellegrino's. Quite a large number arriving soaked to the skin, cold, exhausted, exhilarated to reach this point. Good on them!

Despite driving here, quite moving for T and I. WOW. What a journey.