We walked Camino Frances 2x. Walked
Le Puy to SJPP 2018. Which route next? Portugal or Italy ?
Thank you so much for your input!!!During the Camino Primitivo in 2015 I met a couple from Belarus.In2016 they visit me and last year they also visit me,the reason way did they visit me last year was(as they told me)There was allmost not a thing of Pelgrimspirite during their walk to Rome.During the way back Home to Minsk they visites me because Irina &Anatoly wanted to see a pelgrim
Absolutely! Some time back I read a post in which someone said that she felt the less-walked routes were not for her because they lacked "the Camino vibe". By which she seemed to mean large numbers and a large and bustling pilgrim infrastructure. Walking the Via Francigena I was occasionally saddened to hear Camino veterans complain that the VF was "not as good as the Camino" meaning that it was quieter, more expensive and demanded greater effort and planning on the part of the pilgrim. I found no shortage of pilgrim spirit amongst those who chose to make the journey despite those perceived problems and I gained a great deal from their company at points along the way.The question may be more about what you think "pilgrim spirit" is.
I did not use a guidebook. I made my own route as far as Besancon and joined the official VF route there. Until the Swiss/Italian border I mostly navigated with pages from a road atlas and information from various internet sites. Once in Italy I used maps and accommodation lists downloaded from the official VF website.What guide books did you use for the Via Francegena ?
Thank you to all who have responded to my question. Yes, I understand and agree with what you are saying about definition of pilgrim spirit.
When we started our walk in LePuy, FR, I missed the spirit we felt on the Camino Frances. But I gradually adapted and grew to love the quiet. And, yes, we had lovely experiences with the pilgrims we did get to know.
What guide books did you use for the Via Francegena ?
We walked 6 weeks in FR. We enjoyed that amount of time so are thinking of doing that amount of time again.
I love this discussion and your comments!
Thought provoking as we get ready for our next walk. This is the beauty of the Camino and this blog!
We lost our beloved 38 year old son to cancer one year ago today. Our walks have been so important to us on this journey of healing.
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Wonderful!!! Thank-you so much! We will check it out and then I'm sure we will have questions!!
We are also considering the Portuguese route and Camino Norte. Do you have any thoughts about which route we shouldn't miss. We are 74 and 70. We hope to do a walk each year until we can't anymore. Which was your favorite?
Interesting that you brought up Via de la Plata. I had just been reading a little about it.
I’m not excited to hear about the poor walking surfaces in Portugal. But also glad to hear that it was beautiful. Hard to decide which walk to do...
I started our 6 week walk last year in France being treated for plantar fasciitis. The physical therapy I received (scraping) 2x/week for a month before we left worked!! But I am very aware of not wanting to have foot problems...
There are challenges with every walk, I guess.
We loved your first post about the Via Francigena .
Very anxious to read more! Thanks for all your feedback!!