First, thank you for your responses to my last post.

Here is my Potential Interary. Let me know what you think. The only thing booked now is my flight there.

9th - leave US on overnight flight

10th - arrive in Lisbon and see the city (got a flight discount for doing a one day stopover here)

11th - mid day flight to Madrid. See the city.

12th -morning in Madrid than train / bus to Leon mid day. See the city a bit that evening.

13th / day 1 of walking. León to Villar de Mazarife, 21 km/13 mi Later morning start after lifting in gym in Leon

Day 2 . Villar de Mazarife to Astorga, 31 km/19,2 mi

Day 3. Astorga to Foncebadón, 26 km/16 mi Later morning start agreeing lifting in Gym in Astoria

Day 4. Foncebadón to Ponferrada, 27 km/16,7 mi

Day 5. Ponferrada to Villafranca del Bierzo, 24 km/15 mi Later start - Gym in ponferrada

Day 6. Villafranca del Bierzo to O Cebreiro, 28 km/17,3 mi Later start - Gym in villa franca

Day 7 O Cebreiro to Triacastela, 20 km/12,4 mi

day 8 . Triacastela to Sarria through Samos, 25 km/15,5 mi 10 Or Triacastela to Sarria through San Xil, 17 km/10,5 mi

(Does the route split here? Which one should I take?)

Day 9 . Sarria to Portomarín

Later morning start after lifting in gym in Saria

Day 10. Portomarín to Palas de Rei

Day 11. Palas de Rei to Arzúa Gym in palas de rei

Day 12 Arzúa to O Pedrouzo Gym at the pool in Arzua - maybe

October 25th Day 13. O Pedrouzo to Santiago de Compostela

How long should I stay in Santiago? I absolutely want to do a mass and spend some time praying in the Cathedral.

Would a 6pm bus out of town the same day be too Early? That lets me fly out of porto early next morning. Should I stay an extra night? Flights are more expensive the next day as of now (this would have me leaving Santiago on the 25th and flying out 26th.

Yes I know it comes off as insane to be going to the gym while on the Camino. I also could skip it fine, I won’t lose muscle in two weeks and I certainly won’t be adding fat kilometers of walking. For me, the lifting is just really important mentally right now. I think I’ll be able to do the walks, and if I exhausted myself and have to taxi a few KM each day I’d prefer that (but don’t expect that).

Besides the gym thing. Does this itinerary look ok? I just found it on Google (and then googled which towns had gyms). Anything you’d recommend changing? Different route, stopping at different towns? Also, can I book lodging that day or do I need to do it in advance? I like the idea of spontaneity. I have some flexibility but it would be best if I’m home by the 26th or 27th at the latest.

I also thought about going straight from madrid to Astorga to account for my extra day in Lisbon and Madrid - but Leon seems like a cool city to see even if just for an evening.

Another question- can I expect to find Catholic masses during the week? Is it dependent on there being a priest traveling same places or do most churches in these towns offer evening masses during the week? Similarly, any churches along the way you’d recommend stopping for a short rest and prayer time?