Via de la Plata Sept/Oct 2012

michaelwardick · Sep 1, 2012

Hi

Madra here from Ireland. Having completed the Camino Francais from SJ Pied de Port to Santiago in 2007, 2008 and 2009 I decided to do the Camino de la Plata from Seville to Santiago in 2010 and again in 2011. 2011 was very hot in Extramadura and Forest fires in Galecia with earth works near Carnavaral and via Rio Lobos to Galisteo. I will start again on 27 Sept this year from Seville and would appreciate any news from the route by anyone who has walked it recently. There have been some reports of Alberque closures on the route so would appreciate any updates.

Buen Camino

skilsaw · Sep 1, 2012

Good Luck on the VdlP. It is a beautiful route. I loved the miles and miles of oak forest and meadows.
My information is a couple of years old so I won't bore you with it.

Buen Camino,
David, Victoria, Canada.

michaelwardick · Sep 2, 2012

Thanks for your message. I have walked the Camino de la Plata in 2010 and again in 2011 so this will be my third time walking the route. I was trying to get some up to date info on Albergues as I believe some of the ones I have used are now closed due to the economic situation in Spain.

all the best.
Madra

Deleted member 3000 · Sep 2, 2012

I believe some of the ones I have used are now closed due to the economic situation in Spain

That clearly is a concern. You might get your best information by calling ahead every day or two and asking a place if it will be open. Current walkers may not know if some place you previously visited is still open, particularly without a specific name.

LTfit · Sep 2, 2012

Hi Madra,

I also remember reading on the Forum a while back about (temporary) closing of a few Albergue Turísticos, I believe the one in Zafra and/or Fuente de Cantos. Can't seem to find the thread but just searched the Eroski site and see that people made comments about both as recent as April and May so it would appear that they are now open. Haven't been back since July 2011 so your info is as recent as mine.

Buen Camino and let us know about your travels - I will return to finish the leg Zamora to Santiago and beyond only next year.

peregrina2000 · Sep 2, 2012

This was one of the threads that described the albergue closings. camino-mozarabe-and-via-de-la-plata/topic12562.html

But it seems that some (all? many?) have reopened. For instance, the one in Fuente de Cantos was re-opened on Feb. 16, a few weeks after the closing. (BTW, there is also now a private albergue in Fuente de Cantos, which is also very highly reviewed, it appears to be connected to these casas rurales: http://www.elzaguandelaplata.es/ ). But in my experience, it'd be hard to compete with the wonderful albergue in the convent in Fuente de Cantos, it was really one of the nicest on the Vdlp.

I saw a similar notice about the one in Zafra (re-opened in Feb.), so I'm guessing everything is now copacetic.

Buen camino, hope you get a break with the heat. Laurie

michaelwardick · Sep 4, 2012

Thanks to all for the info. It seems the closure of the Alberques Turisticos was temporary. I would be very dissapointed if the ones in Fuentos and Torremegia were closed as they were the best of all.
Buen Camino
Madra

skilsaw · Sep 7, 2012

madra said:
I was trying to get some up to date info on Albergues as I believe some of the ones I have used are now closed due to the economic situation in Spain.

My impression (and I may be wrong) is that business along the Camino has remained brisk. The unemployment in Spain is high, and government projects have been cut back, but pilgrims from around the world continue to flock to the Camino and spend their money. Of course, the economic impact of one tourist staying at a Parador for one day equals 10 pilgrim days, but then, there are thousands and thousands of pilgrims injecting money into the roots of the Spanish economy.

Some of the government subsidized albergues may be closed but that is better for the private albergues. I have been able to find a room by asking in the local cafe/bar.

Buen Camino,
David, Victoria, Canada

motak · Sep 14, 2012

Namaste,
We are embarking on the VdlP tomorrow (15.Sep2012) from Sevilla. We'll post about the alberges :0)
Happy journey!
Motak

michaelwardick · Sep 26, 2012

Would you believe that after 38 years in Aviation I missed my flight from Dublin to Seville on Tue 25th. Am now booked to Seville on Tue 02 Oct to start the Via de la Plata on 04 Oct. Thanks for the replies so far.