Route questions - Ponferrada to Santiago

[Bert Sanchez]

Dear Mr Nowell,

I just returned after walking the Camino all of September.  There are many
nice hotels in Ponferrada that you guys can choose from although I stayed at
the newly built Albergueria de Peregrinos near the church of Virgen del
Carmen which was much better than the rest of them - only 4 to a room even as
that was the 3 Albergue I stayed in.  Yes, I did try to avoid them and stayed
at hotels, hostals, paradors, etc. At Villafranca I stayed at Hostal Mendez
which was okay. At O Cebriero there are many inns and at this time of year
you probably won't have any problems because it is very cold up there.
Remeber, it is a very steep 8 kms climb up to O Cebriero, this will really
test your stamina. In Saria stay at the Hotel Alfonso IX, very nice and a
bargain.  At Portomarin I stayed at the Pousada  - very expensive but worth
your money.  I would recommend the newly opened Hotel Jardin, clean and
cheap. At Palas de Rei I stayed at Hetel dela Plaza, at Melide at Xaniero II,
Arzua at Casa Frade.  I stayed at Hostal San Piao in Lavacolla, only 10 kms
from Santiago so I could be in time for the noon Mass...

BERT