Advice needed on Camino ‘organised tours’

[domigee]

Err…

I’m asking for advice this time...There have been quite a few threads on organised ‘camino tours’ and I never paid much attention but now I need them I can’t find them!

I walked with a friend this April/May… It didn’t work out. Oh, we got on fine, no problems that side we are very good friends - and still are! - but.. she couldn’t walk after one week. Her ankles, her feet…. Everything hurt! Nightmare. She could barely stand by the time we reached Santo Domingo

I am no doctor but I suspect her pack was too heavy. I can’t understand it because she is much fitter than I am!

But what do I know..

Anyway….

She was very upset at having to give up, she really wanted to walk this Camino.

I’m thinking an ‘organised’ camino might help her to finally reach Santiago, another time.

Her needs? (imo) Pack transfer, walking in company of other people (she won’t consider doing it alone), accommodation booked ahead and ideally a car available should she need it….

A lot to ask I know.

Any suggestions? Many thanks

 

[Jeff Crawley]

Err…

I’m asking for advice this time...There have been quite a few threads on organised ‘camino tours’ and I never paid much attention but now I need them I can’t find them!

I walked with a friend this April/May… It didn’t work out. Oh, we got on fine, no problems that side we are very good friends - and still are! - but.. she couldn’t walk after one week. Her ankles, her feet…. Everything hurt! Nightmare. She could barely stand by the time we reached Santo Domingo

I am no doctor but I suspect her pack was too heavy. I can’t understand it because she is much fitter than I am!

But what do I know..

Anyway….

She was very upset at having to give up, she really wanted to walk this Camino.

I’m thinking an ‘organised’ camino might help her to finally reach Santiago, another time.

Her needs? (imo) Pack transfer, walking in company of other people (she won’t consider doing it alone), accommodation booked ahead and ideally a car available should she need it….

A lot to ask I know.

Any suggestions? Many thanks

Our own and much loved @Anniesantiago could help perhaps? Or @Elle Bieling?

 

[simply B]

My Dearest and some close acquaintances speak highly of 'Fresco Tours' if Annie and Ellie are not available for the timing available to your friend.

Everything is available that you inquired about plus meals. (The Dearest prefers being a 'Pampered Pilgrim' in distinct contrast to her knuckledragger of a husband. Oh, sorry...that adjective probably applies to a lot of us here.)

B

 

[Liam55]

Ah no. You can have your pack transferred ahead each day for €5.00. Its am amazing service and certainly worth a fiver when one is tired. That's one possible answer.

Liam

 

[Maxy]

I have used a couple of firms and they were both great - second was not a UK one so we 'lost' ABTA cover although that didn't then matter. Saga used to do an organised tour but my wife gathered her own 'group' when she mentioned that she wanted to take it on (from Sarria) perhaps that is another way. In Covid times we also booked meals in the evening which saved foraging (which I prefer as its fun!). We used Correos in preference to the offered services which saved a lot. We used Taxis when required, normally when we had overshot or, as I would recommend, when we stayed for more than one night in a hotel/Pension (1 or 2 star) when we could wash our kit. Good luck

 

[cathn]

Err…

I’m asking for advice this time...There have been quite a few threads on organised ‘camino tours’ and I never paid much attention but now I need them I can’t find them!

I walked with a friend this April/May… It didn’t work out. Oh, we got on fine, no problems that side we are very good friends - and still are! - but.. she couldn’t walk after one week. Her ankles, her feet…. Everything hurt! Nightmare. She could barely stand by the time we reached Santo Domingo

I am no doctor but I suspect her pack was too heavy. I can’t understand it because she is much fitter than I am!

But what do I know..

Anyway….

She was very upset at having to give up, she really wanted to walk this Camino.

I’m thinking an ‘organised’ camino might help her to finally reach Santiago, another time.

Her needs? (imo) Pack transfer, walking in company of other people (she won’t consider doing it alone), accommodation booked ahead and ideally a car available should she need it….

A lot to ask I know.

Any suggestions? Many thanks

Try Iberian Adventures. A superb company based in Spain and know every inch of the Camino. They will always book you in places actually in the Camino unlike some other companies.

 

[rappahannock_rev]

I've walked in the past with
Anniewalkers and Amawalkers, and can warmly recommend them both.

 

[StephenHLanark]

Err…

I’m asking for advice this time...There have been quite a few threads on organised ‘camino tours’ and I never paid much attention but now I need them I can’t find them!

I walked with a friend this April/May… It didn’t work out. Oh, we got on fine, no problems that side we are very good friends - and still are! - but.. she couldn’t walk after one week. Her ankles, her feet…. Everything hurt! Nightmare. She could barely stand by the time we reached Santo Domingo

I am no doctor but I suspect her pack was too heavy. I can’t understand it because she is much fitter than I am!

But what do I know..

Anyway….

She was very upset at having to give up, she really wanted to walk this Camino.

I’m thinking an ‘organised’ camino might help her to finally reach Santiago, another time.

Her needs? (imo) Pack transfer, walking in company of other people (she won’t consider doing it alone), accommodation booked ahead and ideally a car available should she need it….

A lot to ask I know.

Any suggestions? Many thanks

 

[StephenHLanark]

I’ve twice used Walk the Camino, based in Glasgow. They have been ideal for me and happily recommend.

 

[Anniesantiago]

Our own and much loved @Anniesantiago could help perhaps? Or @Elle Bieling?

Sorry. I just took my last group. Maybe Sil with Amawalkers ?

 

[domigee]

Thank you so much everyone Will look into every suggestion

 

[ginniek]

Also, Follow the Camino, based in Dublin.

 

[auburnfive]

Spanishsteps.com has very well supported small group tours, staying in Casa rurales, with gourmet meals and a support vehicle along side for luggage or tired pilgrims. Very expensive but highly recommended from an acquaintance who took one of their tours a few years ago.

 

[Juno]

Err…

I’m asking for advice this time...There have been quite a few threads on organised ‘camino tours’ and I never paid much attention but now I need them I can’t find them!

I walked with a friend this April/May… It didn’t work out. Oh, we got on fine, no problems that side we are very good friends - and still are! - but.. she couldn’t walk after one week. Her ankles, her feet…. Everything hurt! Nightmare. She could barely stand by the time we reached Santo Domingo

I am no doctor but I suspect her pack was too heavy. I can’t understand it because she is much fitter than I am!

But what do I know..

Anyway….

She was very upset at having to give up, she really wanted to walk this Camino.

I’m thinking an ‘organised’ camino might help her to finally reach Santiago, another time.

Her needs? (imo) Pack transfer, walking in company of other people (she won’t consider doing it alone), accommodation booked ahead and ideally a car available should she need it….

A lot to ask I know.

Any suggestions? Many thanks

I’ve used Camino Ways and Follow the Camino based in Dublin but my favourite was with Spain is more. Reliable, friendly, patient with all my changes and you get a personalised itinerary and some excursions thrown in. There‘s Macs Adventures but I’ve not used them. It’s a good idea to get a quote from several as they vary a bit and also some include HB others just breakfast.

 

[auburnfive]

Having used a company for my first Camino experience would advise against the half board, as it’s nice to have flexibility to chose the time and place where you eat.

 

[Zennor]

Having used a company called for my first Camino experience would advise against the half board, as it’s nice to have flexibility to chose the time and place where you eat.

I agree with that. We were on an organised trip this year with everything booked but we weren't in a group. We had walking notes and GPX trax to follow. Most evenings were half-board and we would have liked to have had the option to eat out and choose simple menus or tapas. We're now planning next year on our own.

 

[KariC]

Sounds like there are some excellent "what to do" suggestions here. What I would caution your friend NOT to do is end up with a company that takes you just to the "highlight" spots and then helps you get a compostela despite having done most of it on a luxury bus.

 

[domigee]

Sounds like there are some excellent "what to do" suggestions here. What I would caution your friend NOT to do is end up with a company that takes you just to the "highlight" spots and then helps you get a compostela despite having done most of it on a luxury bus.

I agree, I don’t think she would like that!

 

[domigee]

Thank you all for all the suggestions

 

[mrsjulie]

I’ve twice used Walk the Camino, based in Glasgow. They have been ideal for me and happily recommend.

So glad to hear that you were happy with this company. I am getting ready to book with them for a Sept 2023 Camino Frances.