Planning a camino for February 2019 - ideas wanted

[Donna Sch]

I turn 50 in March 2019 and had been considering doing the Astorga variant of the VDLP from Zamora. I was also seriously thinking about doing Kilimanjaro after that so doing a winter camino, testing the gear and then doing the big mountain.
However airfares to do both are high and it just hasn't been looking doable. And then some other things or rather a someone came into the picture. He's popped the question and I said yes but I've also told him it's going to be a long engagement as I have to juggle kids etc.
Anyway there was a brief discussion about houses and I realised that if we are talking renovating or building anew then he needs to do a Camino before I do any of that. Simplicity to me is essential. So the trip to Spain is on the cards, Kili will have to wait for a few more years, and now I need some ideas about where to start from. The Levante is an idea but I also have Segovia in my head. I really dont want to do the CF as a friend of mine is doing that in 2020 and I may join her. We have to be back in Australia a couple of weeks before Easter which is in mid April that year. So that puts the start date in early February. Eek!
And he is a photographer so any tips re great places to catch wildlife would be appreciated although he knows he is banned from taking his big lens!

 

[Kitsambler]

The Arles route might be southerly enough in February.

 

[jsalt]

Hi, have you considered any of the Portuguese routes?
I started from Sagres (south west tip of Portugal) on 1 Feb 2016, walked north on the Rota Vicentina, and was really lucky with the weather.
Got very bad wind and rain around Troia and Setubal, but it cleared up again in Lisbon, where I took a bus to Fatima, and continued north from there to Porto.
I then walked the Portuguese Coastal to Viana do Castelo. Hit bad weather again, so got onto the Portuguese Central route, which was much calmer, walked with quite a few other pilgrims, and arrived in Santiago on 12 March.
Really enjoyed it!
Jill

 

[domigee]

I turn 50 in March 2019 and had been considering doing the Astorga variant of the VDLP from Zamora. I was also seriously thinking about doing Kilimanjaro after that so doing a winter camino, testing the gear and then doing the big mountain.
However airfares to do both are high and it just hasn't been looking doable. And then some other things or rather a someone came into the picture. He's popped the question and I said yes but I've also told him it's going to be a long engagement as I have to juggle kids etc.
Anyway there was a brief discussion about houses and I realised that if we are talking renovating or building anew then he needs to do a Camino before I do any of that. Simplicity to me is essential. So the trip to Spain is on the cards, Kili will have to wait for a few more years, and now I need some ideas about where to start from. The Levante is an idea but I also have Segovia in my head. I really dont want to do the CF as a friend of mine is doing that in 2020 and I may join her. We have to be back in Australia a couple of weeks before Easter which is in mid April that year. So that puts the start date in early February. Eek!
And he is a photographer so any tips re great places to catch wildlife would be appreciated although he knows he is banned from taking his big lens!

Hi Donna! I'm not good with suggestions as I have only walked the CF and the VdlP but I just wanted to send you CONGRATULATIONS Exciting times!

 

[Kanga]

@Donna Sch how lovely. I also want to send my very best wishes for your future happiness together. My mother taught me you don't congratulate the woman on getting engaged - so pass them on to your man!

Can't help much with suggestion in February - but don't give him too much of a hard time for a first camino or judge him too harshly if he does not like it. My husband is a great husband, but he hates walking and is absolutely done with the camino - of any route.

 

[Donna Sch]

@Donna Sch how lovely. I also want to send my very best wishes for your future happiness together. My mother taught me you don't congratulate the woman on getting engaged - so pass them on to your man!

Can't help much with suggestion in February - but don't give him too much of a hard time for a first camino or judge him too harshly if he does not like it. My husband is a great husband, but he hates walking and is absolutely done with the camino - of any route.

That's why I want to do a long one - it may be my only chance! Have to say the Camino really clarified what was important for me in a relationship and gave B a fighting chance because he's not someone I usually would have thought of dating. But I'm very glad I did because he is definitely one of the good guys and if anything, crazier than I am!