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I’d love to go in the winter! Was it possible to find lodging that wasn’t too far apart? Say…..15 km? And were albergues well heated? I’m from Maine and prefer cold to heat. I usually do the Camino in March.
I tried to stay there in October 2022 because I remembered it as a wonderful, welcoming albergue. That late in the season I was the only pilgrim and was put up in the biggest room with no heat. After a brief attempt to take a nap and finding out the shower room was also too cold, I left (not...
Arriving at an albergue to find that a tour group with monster suitcases has taken over. And then getting condescending comments from them about carrying my own pack. Yes. This has happened to me!
Ivar provides a great service I hear! But so far I’ve found it also easy to 1. Leave my extra things at the hotel or hostel I’m going to stay at before and after my walk or 2. Sending extra stuff to my after walk hotel for pick up. That said, I have never finished in Santiago, so Ivar hasn’t...
My preference is a silk liner and a down throw. I’m small so a throw is plenty big for me and keeping the weight down is critical! I suppose a down blanket could be cut down for a bigger person. I usually walk in the shoulder season when albergues can be cold and never had a problem. The...
Thanks all! I'll set up an alert through Trainline. I've always booked through RailEurope and early April didn't seem too far ahead. But I guess it is......
I am confused. When I look to see what the train options are from Santiago to Madrid in April, I only see two options and both are a 9 hour trip, changing trains part-way with a layover (Rail Europe). Yet many sites say there are several direct trains daily and the trip is only a bit over 3...
In Pamplona, I saw a group of women driven right up to the city albergue, unload their monster suitcases and enter for accommodation. It's a cheap bed. And they get a stamp. I saw the same thing in a smaller village later on my walk. this time they were being picked up to be moved to the next...
I would love a few albergues designated as “silent” in the sleeping rooms. I get snoring, etc can’t be regulated lol, but loud talking late at night or early morning can. I imagine these rooms as contemplative snd catering to those who are seeking a spiritual journey.
And I wish those on...
I think the issue -- to me and others who want to recapture the Camino as it was before tour groups, luggage, and booking ahead became common -- is the feeling of pilgrimage and self-discovery. This IMHO can only be accomplished by walking the distance and carrying your own pack -- at your own...
Poles aren't for everyone! If, after giving it your best try, you find you still aren't comfortable using them, consider carrying a single pole to help you in the slippery downhill bits. I found that using poles was a liability when on a narrow and winding path --- less common on the Camino...
None of the categories work for me. I first walked part of the Camino in 2011 after reading a magazine article on it. Then again in 2013, 2018, in parts and tried in 2022 (COVID stopped me). Still haven’t hit Santiago but hope to this March!! I watched the movie when it first came out and...
I made that connection in 2022 and the transfer was on the same platform —just on the other side. Super easy. Trains in Spain are pretty reliable. It’s a small station. So it may be enough. If you’re nervous, spend the night in Leon near the cathedral and leave the next day. A fun option...
I’ve walked in March twice. I’d say: expect the unexpected. I had driving rain and snow and sunny T-shirt days. Bring many thin layers and rain gear. I wore everything on cold, rainy days and carried next to nothing. Lol. You’ll be fine.
I also have osteoporosis (late 60s) and my greatest fear is falling while on the Camino. I have hiked a good part of it before so I know the routes and I would say that, if you are otherwise strong and fit and have good balance, you are in no more danger of falling than on any walk over uneven...
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