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We used Booking.com regularly. We also listened to recommendations as we walked, or we would have the place we were staying recommend a place for the next night. Normal routine was to book for following day in late afternoon or evening. Booking.com reliable and easy, but phone calls worked too...
My recommendation is to think of "booking ahead" as looking at no more than two days ahead. We had no problem booking rooms about 24 hours in advance, and that allowed us to change plans, stay over an extra day some places, walk a little longer on occasion. Wing it, you'll enjoy it more, and...
I would guess everyone has some doubts, but not to worry. Not a difficult walk and the fact that others around you are making the trek seems to make it easier. We walked with a young lady from Florida who practiced for the hills by using the interstate crossovers. Worked for her. Enjoy the hike.
Yes, the first day is the steepest climb on the Camino, and even though I would expect most hikers to be able to make it all the way to Roncesvalle... don't skip the night at Orisson if you can get a reservation. I thought that was one of the best nights on the entire Camino. Dinner with...
Thank you for this item. I would love to walk this route and will start researching it further. In addition to getting to visit Ireland for a good walk this appeals to me because my great grandparents emigrated from Ireland to the US in 1847. Though they may not have walked this particular...
Booking.com is great recommendation. We booked 1 night ahead with no problems. One piece of advice: Sarria to Santiago is a busy stretch. We did not care for the masses of hikers out of Sarria, but it got much more pleasant when we got "off stage" staying in Melide, Salceda, and Villamaior.
I agree with much of what you have said. I have watched the movie several times and I recommend it to my friends when they ask "what was it like"? Biggest "difference" was that Martin Sheen walked with same three people for the entire way. Our experience was that we walked/dined/wined/hung out...
Orisson is worth making a reservation. This was one of our best nights on the Camino and the steep climb out of St. Jean makes this a perfect (short) first day stop. At dinner all of the guests introduced themselves to the group. These were hikers we saw over and over for the next five weeks...
Expect it to get a lot easier. Hills out of SJPP and into Roncesvalles plus the downhill into Zubiri were the worst of the Camino as far as I'm concerned.
I am a little concerned seeing the notes that the Frances as a whole is already much busier than normal, with a large number of pilgrims leaving SJPdP, the bed issue in Roncenvalles, and (from this side of the Atlantic and through a web browser) there seems almost a state of panic, of got to go...
Also walked from SJPP last Sept (14th). Wonderful walk and we are now planning for the Portugues for similar dates. Will walk shorter route in 2017 starting in Porto. Maybe we will see you there.
Highly recommend a night at Orisson. Yes, you can easily walk the entire route to Roncesvalles in one day, but we thought the evening at Orisson one of the best evenings we spent on the entire route to Santiago. Community dinner, introductions to other hikers, good food and wine, and a chance...
Flew California to Biarritz then easy train ride Bayonne to St Jean. Return was train to Madrid. Trains very nice, very convenient, very reasonably priced.
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