Camino de Santiago de Compostela

[FreerangerMartin]

Does anyone know whether this is open - or opening - this year please? - Martin

[JohnnieWalker]

Just e mail and ask them

http://www.lindamar.net/

[isabelle304]

If it is not open, I recommend the Embalse de Alcantara albergue turistico which is part of the ALBA group (and which is very close to where Lindamar used to be). It´s not visible from the road/camino but well signed. Price in October 2009 was 15€ (that included breakfast) which would be a bit expensive for a normal pilgrim albergue - but you do get bedlinen there and they wash your clothes for free. There are 4 beds per room, a spacious dining room and a lovely view over the reservoir. They can sell you frozen ready meals/pizzas which you then heat up in the oven. Definitely a good halt and relaxing place to chill out for anyone who cannot quite walk a further 10kms to Cañaveral. During the quiet season, there is a phone number on the door to call if there is nobody there when you turn up (the hospitalera lives just 2mins walk away and only opens up the place if someone needs to stay there); between March and October they are automatically open every day.

Architecture of the building (quite brutalist) not to everyone's taste though.... (as you can see from the photos on their website http://www.embalsedealcantara.com

Isabelle

[AJ]

It was closed in April 2008, but the Albergue Isabelle talks about was open and there was only me and one other pilgrim. Sounds like it may have changed hands since I was there. I enjoyed it very much: the view is excellent.

[FreerangerMartin]

I've now heard from the Pension (which is run by Sharon & Stephen): they say, "We are open as from 1st March for both tourists and pilgrims." They go on to say, "Price for a [twin-bedded] room is 44€ for 2 people incl breakfast. Deposit not necessary but please let us know if you think you will be arriving after 5pm as there will be alot of passing trade and in case of no show by this time your room could be let out to another client. All rooms are en-suite with shower and toilet. We have a restaurant that does set meals 3 times per day 6-8.30am - breakfast (included in room price). 1-3pm menu of the day (8.50€ 2 courses) and evening meal 8pm 12€ 3 courses including table wine/water or juices. Bar meals are also available throughout the day from 11am - 11pm. Hotel is on banks of Alcantara, Spain's oldest reservoir with 2 river systems flowing into it. Fishing/birdwatching holidays are very popular here. I'm sure we can arrange for your rucksacks to be taken to Carnaveral and dropped off at hostal Malaga. It is our local village so if we aren't going for things for the hotel im sure someone will be."

Martin

[peregrina2000]

Thanks, Martin. I had written to them, too, and thought I'd add a little more information about the range of accommodations they described to me:

Rooms vary from double bed for single or double occupancy to double room (2x single beds) triple room (3x single beds) to room of bunks to sleep up to 9 people. Prices are from 10€ per night for bunk bed room to 44€ euros a night for single occupancy in double bed room (incl breakfast) twin room 20€ per night per person incl breakfast.

Meals are served at 6-8.30 breakfast; 1-3 p.m. menu of the day (2 courses) and 8pm evening meal (3 courses plus bread/salad and incl table wine/water/juice); separate meals are available from bar from 11am - 11pm; snacks (ie toasted sandwiches/chips) are available throughout the day.

Hotel has 8 bedrooms, bar, restaurant area, pool and patio area.

By the way, when are you starting out? I'm planning to leave from Sevilla on May 2. Yikes, getting closer to the start date!

Laurie

[FreerangerMartin]

Laurie,

Thanks to you for that! My wife and I leave Seville on 3rd April - even more frighteningly near! All encouragement/tips welcome, from Forum members!

Martin

[martakika]

The albergue is open all year, from October to February while the doors are closed in the absence of pilgrims. However there are several phone numbers you can call for you to open in half an hour or 5 minutes. Reservations can be made.
It is very comfortable and friendly, the hospitalero is very attentive to everything you need. It costs 15 euros per person, includes breakfast and washing machine. There are two rooms for four persons and three por six, with new mattresses.
It is an exciting place with a wonderful view. Very clean and modern structure and construction.
I recommend it for anyone who wants tranquility and relaxation.

[Canuck]

Hi!

Don't mess around with Pension Lindamar. Sometimes it's open, sometimes it's not.

Bank on the albergue and you won't be disapointed. First class accommodation at an unbeatable price. Priceless view and quietness to boot. Free washing done by the hospitalera and clean bed sheets.

Mark my word!

Jean-Marc
P-S. Take a lot of water and a bite to eat. It's a long and difficult stretch from Caceres, especially the last part along the Caretera National.
Halfway, look out for a big boulder, on the right hand side of the camino, worn out over time by sheep sheltering from the sun. Amazing!!!!