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Best guide for VDLP beginner?

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I use Kelly's book together with Gronze info and GPS-tracks provided by Kelly. From when you get out of Salamanca (just straight from leaving the last mark at Plaza Mayor without any arrows) it had been very well marked. Those who had started from Zamora had papers with all albergues from the turist office guess they have those in Salamanca as well.

Now and then I have consulted the German guide if someone has it in the albergues. As it has info of things to see on the way, landmarks to look out for on long lonely stretches. I just mark then down in my book.
 
The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
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Just wondering which guides either books or on line people found most helpful in beginning to plan walking the last part of the VDLP from Salamanca?


Please note that somewhwere themarks - arerows stones and so is not that good. Somewhete ig is les that none.

And do remember that do to the freeway and railtracks the route is changed.

By the way on a closed lokal railway they kind of made a new VdlP. But check in at Bar Borox in Barvial dem Barco. He is kind to give a map over the new VdlP into Benaventa..
 
Just a heads up to mention that I am working on a Wise Pilgrim guide for the Via de la Plata, to be printed in January.
We are leaving Australia in March 2019 to walk the Via de la Plata beginning in April. How do we know when the book is ready? We would be interested!
 
The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
We are leaving Australia in March 2019 to walk the Via de la Plata beginning in April. How do we know when the book is ready? We would be interested!

Wise pilgrim says it should be available from January, I certainly hope so.
 
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We are leaving Australia in March 2019 to walk the Via de la Plata beginning in April. How do we know when the book is ready? We would be interested!
Sorry, let me rephrase: how do we know it is ready to be ordered? Will it be advertised here? I would not want to miss it...:)
 
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Just wondering which guides either books or on line people found most helpful in beginning to plan walking the last part of the VDLP from Salamanca?
Jennyat53...i have just finished the vdlp/sanabres caminos today and am sat in a bar in santiago ( soaking wet after the first days rain i have seen since Seville )....anyway , all i used was the via de la plata premium ..app.....£1.99 and the Sanabres basic..app....free ....both from google play store . I did not have nor need anything else and as i say i am sat in Santiago now . Hope this helps you and have a great time .
 
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Just wondering which guides either books or on line people found most helpful in beginning to plan walking the last part of the VDLP from Salamanca?

Gronze is really helpful, and reading threads on this forum. The Kelly book is useful, but I found the layout a bit confusing at time, and sometimes not quite accurate (but I emailed him - and the new/next edition I'm sure will be event better).
 
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Just a heads up to mention that I am working on a Wise Pilgrim guide for the Via de la Plata, to be printed in January.

Just wanted to wish you good luck with your new guide! Welcome to the Via family! I didn't know you had walked the Via. How did you get on?

Gerald
 
Just a heads up to mention that I am working on a Wise Pilgrim guide for the Via de la Plata, to be printed in January.

That’s so exciting Wisepilgrim. I have the apps for your other Caminos. Any chance this might be in app form by February or is that a step too far .
Once printed how quickly might one be able to access one in Australia do you think?
 
Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.
I liked the guidebook published by Bicigrino. Although aimed at cyclists I found it excellent for walkers. The maps were especially good. Unfortunately it seems to be out of print now although I saw copies in Spanish bookstores along the Via de la Plata this past June. The Amigos in Seville publish a guidebook with a translation available in English but I don't believe it has been updated since 2011.
 
That’s so exciting Wisepilgrim. I have the apps for your other Caminos. Any chance this might be in app form by February or is that a step too far .
Once printed how quickly might one be able to access one in Australia do you think?
It will definitely be in app form by February. Australia is usually 2 weeks by post, plus or minus depending how far you live from your local service.
 
Down bag (90/10 duvet) of 700 fills with 180 g (6.34 ounces) of filling. Mummy-shaped structure, ideal when you are looking for lightness with great heating performance.

€149,-
Best news ever. Many thanks again!

It will definitely be in app form by February. Australia is usually 2 weeks by post, plus or minus depending how far you live from your local service.

I already have the Wise Pilgrim app for the VDLP, I'm assuming that the new year version will be an update, is that correct?
 
We are leaving Australia in March 2019 to walk the Via de la Plata beginning in April. How do we know when the book is ready? We would be interested!
HI P Rat where is Australia do you live. I walked the VldP 4th time this year and would be happy to pass on some information. I ran a blog www.handzondeck.worpress.com and it has some accommodation information. Feel free to check it out and PM me if you need information.
 
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HI P Rat where is Australia do you live. I walked the VldP 4th time this year and would be happy to pass on some information. I ran a blog www.handzondeck.worpress.com and it has some accommodation information. Feel free to check it out and PM me if you need information.
Thanks handzondeck. We're in Brisbane :) I am mainly after extra sights, really would regret walking the Via de Plata only to realise at the end we missed some monument/landmark etc along the way! Bigger towns not an issue, more the little hidden gems...
Will have a look at your link! Thanks very much
 
Thanks handzondeck. We're in Brisbane :) I am mainly after extra sights, really would regret walking the Via de Plata only to realise at the end we missed some monument/landmark etc along the way! Bigger towns not an issue, more the little hidden gems...
Will have a look at your link! Thanks very much
Actually, as an aside I want to pick your brain: our daughter is joining us from UK for just a few days. She is considering Salamanca to Zamora as this gives doable transport options. Is that an interesting part to walk? (Our son will also join us from Salamanca but he'll most likely continue to the end with us. Random info but very happy adult kids are happy to spend time with the rents...hahah)
 
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
Actually, as an aside I want to pick your brain: our daughter is joining us from UK for just a few days. She is considering Salamanca to Zamora as this gives doable transport options. Is that an interesting part to walk? (Our son will also join us from Salamanca but he'll most likely continue to the end with us. Random info but very happy adult kids are happy to spend time with the rents...hahah)
The stretch from Salamanca to El Cubo del Vino is very barren with hardly any shade and only two small towns. No fountains and you need to carry a minimum of 1.5lt water. It's 36km however, there is Albergue accommodation at 15 km in Calzalda. It's a bit of a slog to get out of Salamanca almost 9km before you get to a dirt Camino path. So, you need to be careful of traffic.
 
The stretch from Salamanca to El Cubo del Vino is very barren with hardly any shade and only two small towns. No fountains and you need to carry a minimum of 1.5lt water. It's 36km however, there is Albergue accommodation at 15 km in Calzalda. It's a bit of a slog to get out of Salamanca almost 9km before you get to a dirt Camino path. So, you need to be careful of traffic.
How did you find the albergue accommodation is Calzalda Handzondeck2? We are in Canberra and are planning to walk from Salamanca to SDC via Ourense in February 2019. We are unlikely to average more than 20-24 km per day and would be particularly keen to learn anything that might make our journey more enjoyable.
 
The stretch from Salamanca to El Cubo del Vino is very barren with hardly any shade and only two small towns. No fountains and you need to carry a minimum of 1.5lt water. It's 36km however, there is Albergue accommodation at 15 km in Calzalda. It's a bit of a slog to get out of Salamanca almost 9km before you get to a dirt Camino path. So, you need to be careful of traffic.
Yes, I was afraid of that. Can you suggest a more interesting section if she wanted to join us for just a few days? (with access from and to Madrid airport, or a smaller airport). While the guide books give route descriptions there is not that much to find on the actual scenery. I'll keep reading and searching, we have a bit of time :)
 
St James' Way - Self-guided 4-7 day Walking Packages, Reading to Southampton, 110 kms
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.

Will the new guide have the alternative option between Aljucén and Alcuéscar for those who want to detour to see Santa Lucía del Trampal? This is a 7-9 century church, part of a former monastery, that has been restored and is just beautiful. The turn-off is easy to find, but navigating the paths to get to the church would require a GPS or better map skills than mine because it weaves and bobs. From the chutch into Alcuéscar is an easy 2-3 km walk on a no-traffic road (only traffic I ever saw were two visitors to the church and the attendant).
 
Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.
Will the new guide have the alternative option between Aljucén and Alcuéscar for those who want to detour to see Santa Lucía del Trampal? This is a 7-9 century church, part of a former monastery, that has been restored and is just beautiful. The turn-off is easy to find, but navigating the paths to get to the church would require a GPS or better map skills than mine because it weaves and bobs. From the chutch into Alcuéscar is an easy 2-3 km walk on a no-traffic road (only traffic I ever saw were two visitors to the church and the attendant).

It will now!
This is one of the most worthwhile to see and easy to get to alternative routes.
 
A selection of Camino Jewellery
Or pdf it in iBooks. However you don’t have the links then.
You have to be careful with Gronze that the downloaded pages include the strip maps. Some browsers seem to have problems with this. Chrome on Android does work, don't know about iphone sorry.
 
I found guidebooks were pretty much useless. Used Via de la Plata Premium and Sanabres Premium apps- brilliant!! It also helps to read other people’s blogs
Just downloaded VDLP premium in Maps.me and it’s great tbh!
I didn’t know there was a Sanabres one too, going to check that, thank you so much!
 
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Unfortunately there is no Sanabres premium in the Dutch Appstore, only a basic one that only covers part of the Sanabres.
 
Hi everyone!

There will be an updated version of the Walking Guide to the Via de la Plata available before Christmas. I'll also be creating an app.

Gerald
thank you ,,,,your guide was invaluable,,,used it on my phone,,,earlier this year !!!!!good to see an update coming !!!!
 
St James' Way - Self-guided 4-7 day Walking Packages, Reading to Southampton, 110 kms
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
The iPhone app is now available, see here.
 
Ideal sleeping bag liner whether we want to add a thermal plus to our bag, or if we want to use it alone to sleep in shelters or hostels. Thanks to its mummy shape, it adapts perfectly to our body.

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The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
Yes I was talking about wisepolgrim guide, if you go to the last GK post and click where it says HERE, it should take you there. It is called VIA.
Hope this helps.
Thanks for your answer.
If I click ‘here’ where you mention it, I am getting a link to the Gerald Kelly app, not the Wisepilgrim guide. Those are two different ones as far as I know.
And I was asking about the Wisepilgrim printed guide :)
 
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St James' Way - Self-guided 4-7 day Walking Packages, Reading to Southampton, 110 kms
Thanks for your answer.
If I click ‘here’ where you mention it, I am getting a link to the Gerald Kelly app, not the Wisepilgrim guide. Those are two different ones as far as I know.
And I was asking about the Wisepilgrim printed guide :)
Sorry
 
Just to chime in regarding the Wise Pilgrim app. There is currently an app, but it is the old version of the app. A major update to the new code and content is coming soon.
 
A selection of Camino Jewellery
Just to chime in regarding the Wise Pilgrim app. There is currently an app, but it is the old version of the app. A major update to the new code and content is coming soon.
Great news, looking forward to it.
Roughly any idea when?
Cheers John
 
Just to chime in regarding the Wise Pilgrim app. There is currently an app, but it is the old version of the app. A major update to the new code and content is coming soon.
I used the old version a couple of years ago and it was excellent. I try and use a WP app for all of my caminos as for me it is an ‘all in one’ solution. Unfortunately, I now walk the less used paths so WP has not covered them.
 
Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.
I used the old version a couple of years ago and it was excellent. I try and use a WP app for all of my caminos as for me it is an ‘all in one’ solution. Unfortunately, I now walk the less used paths so WP has not covered them.
If you want to be a trailblazer, I am happy to apply the code for the app to all of the lesser traveled routes as well. The limiting factor for me is time, as I cannot possibly keep so many things up-to-date. But it would be excellent to have a series of apps that are crowd written and free for all.
 
The stretch from Salamanca to El Cubo del Vino is very barren with hardly any shade and only two small towns. No fountains and you need to carry a minimum of 1.5lt water. It's 36km however, there is Albergue accommodation at 15 km in Calzalda. It's a bit of a slog to get out of Salamanca almost 9km before you get to a dirt Camino path. So, you need to be careful of traffic.
Please don't be scared of this section ,,,and there is a wonderful private Albergue at Huelmos,,23 kms out of Salamanca called Casa Saso,,,, run by the wonderful Carmen and Alberto,,, then 28 kms to Vilanueva de Campean ,,then an easy 18 kms into Zamora ,,,, I walked this 10 months ago ,,so hopefully still accurate !!!
 
@geraldkelly : I have just downloaded this app, looks good tome! Just one question (I am not very good with all things technical, though I can lace my boots 6 different ways :)) Are the maps working in such a way that when we're on the Camino it indicates where we are? (I know, GPS on etc)...
Thanks! 41 days till we leave hot and humid Brisbane...yay!!!
 
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@geraldkelly : I have just downloaded this app, looks good tome! Just one question (I am not very good with all things technical, though I can lace my boots 6 different ways :)) Are the maps working in such a way that when we're on the Camino it indicates where we are? (I know, GPS on etc)...
Thanks! 41 days till we leave hot and humid Brisbane...yay!!!
I use an app called Windy Maps,,,download maps of where you are going and then can be offline using only gps,,,shows the vldp and nearly every walking track around the world,,and yes shows where you are too ,, oh and its free too,,,
 

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