Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela

[greenshank]

Hallo folks! I'm slowly beginning to upgrade my blog with the rest of my trip. The Madrid-Tres Cantos part is there now as well as Coca-Alcazaren.
Deirdre, where do you want to start? City centre, Plaza Castillana or outside Madrid?
The Amigos' office is very close to Sol:
c/ Carretas 14, 7, B-1 (metro Sol)
28012 Madrid

I started at the Santiago church in Madrid, but there are, as mentioned no arrows until Plaza Castillana, so I brought one of the free roadmaps. It was very easy to find the way, you just keep walking north on Calle de San Bernardo/Calle de Bravo Murillo. (the one issued by El Corte Ingles, it covers not just the city but the suburbs all the way up to Fuencarral.)

If you use google maps, you can use the "find directions" from Plazuela de Santiago, 28013 Madrid, Spain (That's where the Santiago church is situated.)

[McGregor]

I´ll go the Camino Madrid end of September 2008. Does anyone know cheap accomodation in Colmenar de Viejo and Cercedilla ? Many thanks.
McGregor

[Javier Martin]

In Colmenar Viejo, look for the Hostal Chaveli (91 845 11 65). I've heard that the woman who run it is very nice, she is a pilgrim too.

In Cercedilla you can choose between the albergue Villa Castora (91 852 12 67) (1 km outside the town) with your own room, breakfast, lunch and dinner if you want ... and the Residencia Miradero de Calasanz (91 852 34 66). My information says that the first own is much better but ... I don't know exactly.

I hope this old information (taken three years ago) it's useful for you.

Buen Camino de Madrid,

Javier Martin
Madrid, Spain.

[greenshank]

Hiya,
I had difficulties finding somewhere to stay in Colmenar Viejo. For a town of it's size it has very few pensions and hostales. It may be wise to try to book ahead. Something I'm not prone to do, so after a few hours of wandering the streets of Colmenar I took the bus back to Madrid. Felt a bit stupid, but at least I got a room there
There's a hostal called Gran Hostal, not too cheap but an option if the small pension Javier mentioned is full or closed. They don't have instant internet booking, but you can dend them a mail via their web page. (http://www.granhostalelchiscon.com) I can't give a personal recommendation of the establishment, as I was refused. But according to their web page a single room is 44 €. Not too cheap, but after Segovia you will find free or almost free albergues! And next time, I'll either book with the Chavali or adapt the etapas so I stay somewhere else.

Check in with the Amigos before you start walking, you will get a list of albergues and other useful info!


¡Buen Camino!

[Javier Martin]

I've just call by telephone to the hostal in Colmenar. The woman has told me that the hostal is still opened.

The best way to call her is phoning to her mobile: +34-626.88.22.37. I've been lucky to find her at home, but it doesn't happen always ...

And of course, in the Amigos office they know all the details about this Camino. And it's the best and easiest place to take the Credencial.

Don't forget to visit the fantastic albergue in PuenteDuero.

Buen Camino de Madrid,

Javier Martin
Madrid, Spain.

[greenshank]

Hola Javier, ¿que tal?
That's great news! I'll definately stay there next time in Colmenar Viejo!

[McGregor]

Thanks very much to Javier Martin for the useful information.
McGregor