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Recent content by MichaelC

  1. MichaelC

    Laundry on the Francigena

    I ended up using laundromats a few times between Lucca and Rome. Even when there was a washing area, the drying area would often be a rack near an open window, but not exposed to the sun. I never had a host offer to wash clothes for me.
  2. MichaelC

    Lucca to Rome - a retrospective

    The only actual place people had trouble finding accommodation was Viterbo. I found a room, though it was too expensive. Others I was walking with couldn't find anything. For pilgrim accommodations, some don't open until June, and others didn't respond to emails / phone calls / whatsapp...
  3. MichaelC

    Reserve early to avoid disappointment!

    There are a few, but they are not common in the first half of the route. In general people call and make a reservation the night before. The hosts will usually call for non-French speakers. After Moissac there are larger places that can accommodate spontaneous guests. You are mostly staying in...
  4. MichaelC

    Lucca to Rome - a retrospective

    I usually appreciate solitude, and enjoy walking alone. I didn't actually feel lonely until the last four or five days. In part it was knowing that there were other pilgrims on the trail (we all met in Vetralla), and kicking myself for going off-stage rather than trying harder to get a hold of...
  5. MichaelC

    Lucca to Rome - a retrospective

    I carried it by choice, but I researched transport services for a friend with back issues who considered joining me. I don’t think there’s a service you can call day by day; you need to reserve it all ahead of time. I speak enough Italian to get by; I only had trouble once, when I couldn’t...
  6. MichaelC

    Next after Camino Frances

    I've been asking myself what's next also, and the answer changes daily: - I really want to experience that camaraderie I felt on the CF; I'm going to walk the Caminho Português - Or maybe the Primitivo, but I'll have to train for those hills ... - Actually, no, I want wild beauty and nature...
  7. MichaelC

    Lucca to Rome - a retrospective

    I walked along the VF last spring, May 16-June 9. It's a beautiful route, and a completely different experience from France or Spain. I haven't been able to put my thoughts in coherent order, even after 8 months, so this is just going to be a data dump. Day-to-day I would start at a coffee...
  8. MichaelC

    Demographic of VDLP pilgrim in recent years

    I was half way through the comments before I remembered that I am now one of those “old men!” And I’m also eyeing the VP when I turn 60, in 2026 (if I can talk my boss into giving me a leave-of-absence).
  9. MichaelC

    Locals Only

    I live in a part of town with 18,000 residents and which gets 4 million tourists per year. I can talk all day about living in a place dominated by visitors. I'll be nice ... most of the time. I'll stop and help you if you're lost. I'll help you with your change if you're at the cash register...
  10. MichaelC

    Starting the Camino from the end of Le Puy/ Arles

    I've mapped out so many routes while dreaming of my next camino! From my own notes, based mostly on Gronze. I see a few options: Toulouse to Oloron St. Marie to St. Jean: 14 days. (Voie d'Arles & La Voie du Piémont Pyrenéen) ) Oloron to Puente La Reina, nine days. Meet up with Camino Frances...
  11. MichaelC

    Prettiest Walk

    Seven days for a first camino I'd recommend either starting in Le Puy or St. Jean, or walking the last seven days into Santiago. From Le Puy it'd be even better if you can find an extra couple days and finish in Conques. From St. Jean you could finish in Logroño. For the last week into...
  12. MichaelC

    LIVE from the Camino A wet start in Tuscany

    Even those last couple days into Rome? Part of the problem I'm having writing things up is there are only so many ways I can say "the landscape was beautiful today" and "I loved the pasta" ... but there are a dozen little things (and one big thing) I can grumble about ... and then my post...
  13. MichaelC

    LIVE from the Camino A wet start in Tuscany

    I’ve started & deleted a half-dozen trip reports. I’m still struggling to put this walk into context. There were moments each day that were amazing. There were moments, many days, that sucked. I’ll be back with a full report, but it’s gonna take some time. For now, the best advice I have...
  14. MichaelC

    Some questions (paving, language, guides)

    1. It's a mix, though there seemed to be a lot of road walking each day. It was a very wet spring, and from Altopascio to Siena there were a lot of sections with thick mud. From Siena to Rodicofani the route was mostly on gravel roads. The section with the most, and best kept, actual...
  15. MichaelC

    Lucca to Rome, short stages

    Follow up: It might be awhile before I have time to do a proper write up, but here is my quick take on the short stages I did last month on the VF. I would highly recommend one, gently recommend one, had mixed feelings about one, and one was a flat-out mistake! The bold items are the...
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