Here is what you need to have and know to make your pilgrimage as
enjoyable as ours. Print out this page for future use.

Maps

Recommended maps:
        Michelin's  Northern Spain map number 442.  This map will assist 
        you from France to St.    jean Pied de Port and the trailhead of the 
        Camino de Santiago.  It covers about half your trek.
        Michelin's  Northeastern Spain  number 441.  This map covers 
        Northwestern Spain and Santiago.

Travel Guides

Two field guides are highly recommended:

Insight Guide: Northern Spain, ISBN: 0-88729-286-0.  Insight Guides, 
PO Box 7910, London SE1 8ZB, England and  in the United States: 
Langenscheidt Publishers, Inc., 46-35 54th Road, Maspeth, NY 11378.  
Fax: (718) 784 0640    E-Mail:  insight@apaguide.demon.co.uk.  This book 
provides excellent broad based and detailed coverage of places to see 
along the two Camino de Santiago covered in this program.  Photos are 
superior.

Everest Publications:  A Practical Guide for Pilgrims, The road to Santiago, 
by Millan Bravo Lozano,  ISBN: 84-241-3833-3.  Here is a remarkable 
accomplishment complete with detailed maps for each days trek and 
all logistical and support information you will need.

Rental Cars

As mentioned in the program we rented from an American Company.  Our car
was broken into and damaged.  I don't know how much a hassle it would have
been with a foreign agent but Avis was most accommodating.  They took care 
of our problem immediately.  We did not have the extra car insurance offered 
by Avis.  This was no problem because we had insurance coverage through 
our gold Visa card we rented the car with.  Visa and Avis worked quickly to 
resolve the problem with little loss of time and no extra cost to us.  Reserve 
your car before you go overseas.  We got a better price in advance than what 
we would have on sight.

Airlines

We have flown Continental, Lufthansa and American Airlines to Paris.  They all 
did a good job.  Price is important, look for bargains.  Go in late May and save 
money over June, July and August fares.

Paris is a great place to start from, but flights to London are cheaper.  A best 
bargain may be to fly into London and take London's regional air carrier 
Stangsted to Biarritz, France on the Spanish border.  Rent a car in Biarritz.  
The published price from London to Biarritz was $96 dollars one-way in 2000).   
Other regional carriers flying out of London are: EasyJet www.easyjet.com.  
Ryanair www.ryanair.com. Go www.go-fly.com. Virgin Express www.virgin-express.com.  
Buzz: www.buzzaway.com. And Air One: www.air-one.it (in Italian only).

Trains

Should you prefer to fly to Paris, see the sites, then train down to Bordeaux or 
Biarritz contact Rail Europe for prices and reservations.  Rail Europe: (800) 438-7245  
website: www.raileurope.com.  The TGV high speed from Paris to Bordeaux is a three 
hour trip for about $70 each way.

Lodging

Reserve your hotel in Paris from the United States.  You do not want to go hotel
hunting in Paris. The cab fare from the airport will be about $25 dollars equivalent 
U.S.  American Airlines will help you "freelance" a fly drive program.  They will 
arrange your lodging, rental car and flight.  For first time travelers to Paris these 
"freelance packages" are virtually hassle free.

Also arrange lodging in Paris the night before you return.  Or, as in our case, we 
stayed in Bordeaux the night before taking the morning TGV train to Paris.  Then 
flew out of Orly airport in the afternoon.

The only reservation we had in Spain was at the La Perla in Pamplona.  It was our most expensive hotel.  With the car you can get lodging outside the cities and save money.  If you are pilgrim the lodging is cheap or free at hostels along the Camino de Santiago.

Clothing

Money and Documents

Be certain to have a debit card.  There are cash stations everywhere in France and Spain.  We had no problem getting money.  A debit card gives you the an excellent exchange rate.  Traveler's checks are not recommended.  In fact, in many places you will not be able to cash them.  Purchase a money belt and keep some spare cash in it, should you lose your wallet or purse. 

It's a good idea to get about $50 dollars worth of  Euro equivalent before you leave the United States.  When you get of the plane, having some cash in the local currency speeds you by taxi to your hotel where you can unpack and take your time finding a cash machine...But trust me cash machines are everywhere.

Credit cards are not accepted in as many establishments as in the United States.  When you can use a credit card, use it!  The exchange rate for credit cards purchases is most favorable.
 

Tourist Information

To call Spain from the United States dial 011 34 then the City Code plus number.

Camino de Santiago Tourist information Phone numbers:

Roncevalles   011 34 (948) 76 01 93
Pamplona   011 34 (948) 22 07 41
Puente la Reina   011 34 (948) 34 00 07
Estella   011 34 (948) 55 40 11
Logrono   011 34 (941) 25 77 11
Burgos   011 34 (947) 20 31 25
Sahugun   011 34 (987) 78 09 40
Leon   011 34 (987) 23 70 82
Portomarin   011 34 982 54 51 13
Santiago de Compostela   011 34 (981) 58 40 81 
and 011 34 (981) 58 29 00 extension: 110)

Medical

As of this writing (January 2000) it is not necessary to get any inoculations
to travel in Spain.  Do take your health insurance card.  You will be required
to pay any medical bills on the spot.  Make certain you get a receipt with a
diagnosis and description of the treatment.  This is typically all you need to
make a claim after returning to the United States. 

For peace of mind, before you leave for Spain make a phone call to your
medical insurance company will relieve your mind.  They will tell you exactly
what they will need from you for reimbursement for any medical expenses
while abroad.  We have purchased pharmaceuticals in foreign countries
and returned with the receipt and have received reimbursement.

There are numerous Red Cross First Aid Stations here are phone numbers
to a few:

Burgos (947) 23 22 22
Fromista (979) 81 01 95
Carrion de los Condes (979) 88 01 06
Sahugun (987) 22 22 22 or (987) 75 01 45
Leon (987) 22 22 22
Astorga (987) 22 22 22
Ponferrada (987) 22 22 22

Hospitals along the Camino between Burgos and Villafranca del Bierzo:

Burgos area:  General Yague Hospital (24 hour a day emergencies)
(947) 2818 00 or
(947) 28 18 12.

Province of Palencia:  Rio Carrion General Hospital 
(979) 72 29 00 or (979) 72 29 31

Province of Leon:  Leon Hospital (987) 23 74  00  or (987) 23 49 00.
                                    San Juan de Dios Hospital (987) 23 25 00.

Ponferrada:   Hospital Del Bierzo (987) 45 52 00
                          Reina Catolica Hospital (947) 42 74 42