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Galicia Travel Blogs

Background: Spain's powerful world empire of the 16th and 17th centuries ultimately yielded command of the seas to England. Subsequent failure to embrace the mercantile and industrial revolutions caused the country to fall behind Britain, France, and Germany in economic and political power. Spain remained neutral in World Wars I and II, but suffered through a devastating civil war (1936-39). In the second half of the 20th century, Spain has played a catch-up role in the western international community; it joined the EU in 1986. Continuing challenges include Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA) terrorism and further reductions in unemployment.

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By diegocastro
December 27th 2009

O Caminho de Santiago... de trem Europe » Spain » Galicia » Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela

Dias 116 e 117 - Longas caminhadas não são o melhor momento para se pensar na vida. A única coisa que vem a sua mente é a dor que você sente no pé e a vontade de chegar logo ao destino. Uma longa caminhada acaba por ser interessante mais pelas pessoas que você conhece do que pelo ato de caminhar em si. Poderia ter feito o caminho de Santiago com essa intenção, não estivesse eu viajando há tanto tempo, já tendo conhecido tantas pessoas e estando ansioso por chegar a Portugal para finalmente falar meu idioma. Fiz o caminho de trem [View Full Entry]

By Lulu Marie
October 19th 2009

Fonfría, Sarria and Portomarin Europe » Spain » Galicia » Sarria

Last time I wrote was a week ago, on Monday night, sitting in the living area of the beautiful hostel in Fonfría. I have not been able to use a proper computer for some time! So much has happened.... Very early Tuesday morning I was woken by an interesting situation. I was sharing a room with my new friend Deborah, and I had bandaged my foot too tight so woke up around 2.30am with throbbing toes. I sat up and took off the bandage, then noticed an itch on my shoulder. I rubbed it in the dark, feeling a small soft [View Full Entry]

By Lulu Marie
October 19th 2009

Portomarin, Palas de Rei, Arzúa, A Rúa and... Sanitago de Compostela! Europe » Spain » Galicia » Santiago de Compostela

On Friday Debbie and I woke up at a reasonable time in Portomarin and met Gib downstairs for some breakfast before heading off. We were the only people in the hotel and it was very quiet! I had firmly decided that I was now going to stay in hotels all the way to Santiago in the hope of avoiding the bugs. Debbie's foot was giving her trouble so I walked in the misty, cold, foggy morning wit Gib, across the scariest bridge I have seen on the Camino. The night before we had crossed a very high bridge into Portomarin, but [View Full Entry]

By Lulu Marie
October 12th 2009

Cacabanos, Ruitelán and Fonfría Europe » Spain » Galicia

On Saturday I woke up at 6.30am, keen to make an early start so I didn´t miss out on a bed! My mantra has now turned into ¨step your foot ahead, and you will get a bed!¨. The road is getting a bit busier now, as more people start walking in the hope of obtaining their ¨compostella¨, obtainable by walking the last 100km into Santiago. At least it is now the off season, going into winter, which reduces the number of people. I started walking at 7.30am after an in-house breakfast, with a canadian couple who set a slightly faster pace [View Full Entry]

By buddymedbery
October 4th 2009

Friday, October 2, 2009 - Porto to Santiago de Compostela Europe » Spain » Galicia » Santiago de Compostela

Cambados

A relatively easy travel day, but long on interest. We drove almost straight up the coast from Porto to Santiago de Compostela. We had been advised by our friends Alan and Sue to visit Holy Bom Jesus near Braga in Portugal. We could not remember what was there, so we e-mailed them and Alan (typically) told us of the opportunity for a meal on top of a small mountain reached by a cablecar, and Sue told us of pilgrims going up on their knees. It was too early to eat, and we weren't going anywhere on our knees, so we bypassed [View Full Entry]

Reliaquary of "St. James" in Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela

By Blackie1
October 1st 2009

Just one more day! Europe » Spain » Galicia » La Coruña

Hi everyone Well we are literally just one more day away from Santiago and my final destination. It is very hard to believe that we are so close! Today we walked about 20kms through beautiful woodlands including many groves of eucalyptus trees so at times it felt just like being back at home. Truly amazing! Bill is certainly getting stronger each day and with another 700kms or so I´m sure would be doing the camino just fine! Actually he is doing really well. I can remember those first few days of acclimatising to the camino... the long days walking, carrying that [View Full Entry]

By Blackie1
September 28th 2009

The Last Leg Europe » Spain » Galicia » Sarria

Hi everyone, Well finally my best buddy has joined me on the walk of a lifetime! We have both walked 23kms today to now be in Portamarin... a tiny town just four days walk from Santiago. Bill arrived in Lugo last night after 3 days travel which inlcuded four flioghts and a bus trip. needless to say I have left him sound asleep right now in our room. He is exhausted and after such a trip and carrying a far-too-heavy pack he is a shattered pilgrim. I am sure though that with a good nights sleep maybe helped along by a [View Full Entry]

By Blackie1
September 25th 2009

In Saria for th final leg Europe » Spain » Galicia

Hi everyone Frstly forgivemy spelling errors as Iam using a very strange keyboard as always seem against timedue to money needed.No worries. Its Friday and I m now in Sarria. Only had 13 kms walk today...a breeze really! Hardest part was again having to say goodbyeto friends. I havebeen walking with a japanese anadian lady, a glassartist , and a spanish guy and together we have become the tres amigos. Its been lovely walkig and talkig with others asusual esp trying to speak to spanish! Lastnight we stayed in Samos a most spectacular place because of it monastery. Amazing ! We [View Full Entry]

By joblessandhomeless09
September 19th 2009

The roadtrip Europe » Spain » Galicia » Santiago de Compostela

Santillana del Mar

The sky still looks dark so we decide to keep heading west. To contrast yesterday´s contempory art showing we hunt down some paintings that have been around a little longer, 20,000 years to be exact. The cave housing them is pretty impressive itself, all huge stala-ctites/gmites and where minerals have ´flowed´over rocks over the centuries creating an odd vision like a solid waterfall. Then continuing the historic theme we bed down for the night in Santillana del Mar ... a 16th century preserved village. When we wake the sunshine is still not playing ball so we go on a little trip [View Full Entry]

By Korora 4 on Tour
August 31st 2009

Bayona - Ria de Vigo - North West Spain Europe » Spain » Galicia

Bayona Harbour

Bayona - Ria de Vigo North West Spain Well after getting into Bayona and seeing our old British chum in safe and sound we entered the Monte Real Yacht Club Marina which has to be in one of the most picturesque settings in this part of the world. The Marina is beneath the very impressive Monte Real Yacht Club Building which is perched up nice and high, built of sandstone and smacks of gin and tonics and big fat Cuban cigars and very pukka Spanish yachties and power boaties. All of this sits below the ramparts of centuries old Castle ramparts [View Full Entry]

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