Guided tours of Frances

[Rajy62]

I plan to do the Frances in October and prefer to stay in private rooms. It is a lot of work to book accommodation for all 33 stages. I see some guided tours who take care of everything including two meals, luggage transfer and room booking. Anyone tried those tours? what are your experiences? Any specific tour recommendation thanks.

 

[MendiWalker]

Hi Raj

Hope you have a great time on the Camino but you´ll miss on a lot doing it that way.

Buen Camino!

 

[KiwiNomad06]

I know someone who did it that way, as they also wanted to have their accommodation booked etc. It seemed to work quite well for them, but they lost flexibility to change things, eg when they had blisters after some very long hot days, they just had to keep going. They couldn't alter their stages depending on weather/how they felt. They used Macsadventure.com
Margaret

 

[Rajy62]

I guess the fun part is toughing it out. I am told that at SJPdP, one can get an uptodate accommodation info. So, i am going to take the risk and just go...The 'self guided' adventure tour (Macadventure) seems interesting but are charging $200/day for their service, i.e without any guides. That is expensive! Thanks for all your replies.

 

[burritobear9]

I booked with Caminoways. They were fabulous and accommodated my preferred walking distance. I only did Sarria to Santiago, then contacted them again to continue on to Finisterre.
It was, of course, more expensive than staying in alburges, but I started my trip in SJPdP and didn't make it up to Orisson on my own, so it allowed me to complete at least part of my journey.
Good luck with your choice.
Buen Camino
Cheryl

 

[fraluchi]

I plan to do the Frances in October and prefer to stay in private rooms. ... Any specific tour recommendation thanks.

As you can see from other members' comments, tours are expensive.You will also miss a lot of the comradeship among Camino walkers. You would be better off to "play it by ear" and stay flexible. Prepare a list of private albergues (which often have individual rooms), hostals, hotels, etc., which allow reservations,. Buy (in Spain) a SIM card for your unlocked cellphone and reserve a room as you get along. Once you have started, your hosts will be able to recommend where to stay on your next stage(s) in accordance with your physical and weather conditions. Facilities on the Camino Francés are well-geared for individual requirements. On top of that, it allows to be a bit adventurous

 

[whariwharangi]

Half the fun was wondering if I would find a bed ...

 

[mspath]

Raj,

As fraluchi mentions above "... You would be better off to "play it by ear" and stay flexible. Prepare a list of private albergues (which often have individual rooms), hostals, hotels, etc., which allow reservations..."

To help you prepare such a list of private accommodation read what other pilgrims and I have written in this earlier Forum thread >>
http://www.caminodesantiago.me/comm...th-accommodation-options-private-rooms.19946/

Walking in October should pose few problems for finding accommodation. In Saint-Jean the pilgrim office of the Amis du Chemin de Saint Jacques at 39 rue de la Citadelle can provide you with a both a Credential and on-site lodging assistance. Their multi-lingual helpful volunteers keep up to the minute lists of ALL available space, both pilgrim albergues and private rooms, throughout the SJPdP area; they will telephone for you to book your space. The office is also a great place to meet and greet fellow pilgrims.

Buen Camino,

Margaret Meredith

 

[Rajy62]

Good to know that the hosts at various Albergues help with booking the next stopover. Margaret and fraluchi, I am going to follow your suggestions and head to SJPdP few days earlier, and prepare my planning from there.

Thank you
Raj

 

[fraluchi]

Ultreya, Raj

 

[Rajy62]

Ok Flying directing into Biarritz Sept 26, and then bus/tran to SJPdP. I will spend 1 day at SJPdP for planning and adjust to EU time zone. Flying out of Madrid Nov6-8, depending on how slow i walk.