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Challenging? Yes, some of the mentioned sections. especially with rain or frost. The final descent to Molinaseca is a good candidate.
Dangerous? Nope, not really, but this is quite subjective. I would reserve this word for the stage from SJPP to Roncesvalles in winter; it was forbidden some...
I know this thread is a bit old, but to avoid opening a new one I'll add my query here.
Two years ago I did the Camino del Norte. My intention was to continue to Fisterra, but before reaching Pedrouzos the vague pain in my right leg worsened badly, I somewaht managed to limp my way to...
The Sarria-Compostela section has many, many people and local companies offering different services to pilgrims. I have seen taxis crisscrossing the Camino, waiting pilgrims in strategic intersections, and so on.
Bars are in Spain a kind of social centers, and owners seem to know everything and...
SJPP is a lovely city, but you can walk from one end of the main street to the other in ten minutes. I actually spent two days there, bcs I was nervous about a tingle in my knee and it is a long way to Roncesvalles. I washed my clothes, went to Mass in Notre Dame du Bout du Pont, visited the...
In the Piedmont way, I discovered I was "the Turtle", because I was always the last to arrive. It came after I quoted the fable ot the tortoise and the hare, to argue that in the long run, doggedness wins over speed.
It was affectionate -actually I was the only one who walked alone in a quite...
Both periods are good. I went to the Norte in early October last year. There was an unusual heat wave in Spain, but areas close to the coast are always a bit cooler. The weather was very fine, with occasional light rains.
Based on my experience on the Frances (not the Norte), there could still...
See last offical report and guidances about covid precautions here
I did the Camino last October, and people in streets and albergues seemed to consider covid a thing of the past. Bars and restaurants were full, and nobody used face masks (except in buses and planes, but this is not mandatory...
For casual conversations, I avoid too personal questions. I talk about weather, how has been the journey, where people have started their walk, and other "neutral" topics. Nationality (or place of residence) provides also a quite safe and easy issue.
The reasons for walking come sometimes in...
Do as you want. Current pilgrimage has changed so much that it is difficult and discutible to talk about a "tradition" to follow.
As for myself, I did not carry a shell in my first walk (the Frances), but I have used it in later pilgrimages, in less common paths (as in the Piedmont), where I...
A note about luggage transport services...The efficient "correos" service provides a list of registered albergues; on the other side, it says that other places are possible, provided there is a person at the reception to receive the luggage. Probably is the same requisite with other services. It...
I stayed in Casa Jaime in Linares. It was unexpected, because we intended originally to walk up to Fonfría, but the weather turned really awful. We stopped at the coffee shop, and the lady in charge told us that there were available rooms -which were, actually, very good and comfortable, with a...
I have found the heat in July quite suffocating, even in cities. But this may just a personal thing.
I walked Norte, from Avilés (close to Oviedo), starting mid-September, last year, and had a very pleasant weather. A light jacket for the mornings and nights was enough.
Keep in mind that...
Mid-September, unless you like hot weather.
July is also the month of vacations for many people, so it will be more crowded. But it depends of what you expect and like.
Buen camino!
I have done twice the last 100 km (Norte and Francés), both in late September. Yes, the commercialism you notice near Compostela is annoying, but I actually have felt the large number of excited and happy pilgrims quite fun. It is just a different kind of experience.
As for the initial post of...
See Gronze (it is in a very simple Spanish, and you can use the translation opton of your browser). There is an item in albergue's description about "Exclusivo para peregrinos". If it says "No, pero orientado a los peregrinos", it means other kind of travellers (with luggage, I suppose) are...
I prefer personal interactions. Besides, I am aware that b.com charges the albergues a significant % for each reservation. Or. maybe, as commented above, it is just a generational thing.
I am satisfaced with b.com for my occasional hostals or private chambers in albergues, when I am on the mood to rest a day from collective dorms. It has worked fine. Obviously, I prefer to make my reservations by phone or e-mail, when available.
Some places have local or "alternative" systems...
Yes, in Spain it is/was customary that men shake hands, and women give a cheek kiss between them or to a man (the latter, when they are family or friends). Hugging is more unusual, just for special occasions. Pandemics have discouraged personal contact, as you can imagine.
Actually, we pilgrrims...
I recommend reserving the first three days in advance, and then decide on the spot if more booking is needed. So, you keep your options open. and could have the best decisions.
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