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While Lyon is a wonderful city you could also fly into Paris and spend a few nights there first (which is what I am doing; I look forward to shocking the Parisian fashionistas with my pilgrim attire) and then take the train to Le Puy from there (change in Lyon).
Totally late to this thread but I am certainly counting! 13 days to Paris, 15 days to Le Puy, 17 days till I start walking. And then hopefully Santiago,60-70 days later!
Umbrellas are also great for the city after your walking day is done. I am a poncho wearer but I find them to be less practical walking to a restaurant or grocery store etc.
Also, you could walk to Oviedo and then decide there to continue on the Primitivo or walk back to the Norte (avoiding the Gijon - Aves) section. This will add a day but I found it worthwhile.
Might be too late for this, but I would start a stage or two before llanes. The section between La Franca and Llanes was some of my favorite, for sheer beauty, on the Norte. Note, this was on the alternate route that runs closer to the the coast than the official Camino route. I would encourage...
Definitely better and cheaper than US healthcare but the evac insurance covers stuff like needing a helicopter to bring you to a hospital (some countries like NZ don't charge for this, even for tourists). And then getting you home if you aren't ambulatory and/or can't sit in a regular coach seat...
I have been using SevenCorners for the past few years though I have never had to file a claim. Options available depend on the state you live in. My main priority for travel insurance is medical and evacuation coverage. I don't get the trip cancellation coverage etc. On the Seven Corners site...
Having walked both, I still feel the Frances is a better experience. It was my first and it felt more pilgramey for me than the Norte did. I also found there were more milestones on the Frances to look forward to and keep me motivated when the walking got boring. There is also, of course, much...
I am starting on May 27th and have just about booked everything until Cahors. I am taking the Cele variant and was warned this section has limited accomodation. My hope is to start booking a few days ahead after Cahors.
I do not speak French and have been relying on translated emails to book...
On the Norte last year I ran into this. I waited for a few other pilgrims and we all carefully walked next to the cows. I had been charged by a yak earlier in the year and was very nervous.
It was a tough spot because you couldn't really find another route. It was either slip past or return...
I walked the Frances in July of 2022 during a heat wave. I started in Pamplona. It was extremely hot, well over 100f most days until Galicia. The problem was that it gets hotter in the late afternoon and in some days never got cooler at night so it was very hard to sleep. I spent most nights in...
One suggestion for your itinerary, for your second to last day, skip O Pedruzo and continue on to Lavacola. It will add about 10k to your day but it's fairly flat, easy walking.
This will leave you with about 90 min to Santiago on your last day and if you start early you will arrive before the...
No need for an additional pair of shoes - your altras and Chacos will be sufficient (I only bring Chacos with me, for everything).
One thing about waiting to see if you need trekking poles, some of the hardest sections and that where it's most beneficial to have poles (for the downhill) are at...
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