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I have walked parts of the Meseta three times. It is a very special section of the CF and particularly lovely in June, when red poppies and stork nests abound. My favourite memory is the pre-dawn climb out of Castrojeriz and looking back as sunrise illuminates the valley.
I walked this route in May/June 2023 and stayed in private rooms, mostly pensíons or small hotels. Three hotel splurges that were well worth it:
1. Fábrica do Chocolate (Viana do Castello) €77, a chocolate themed hotel in a former chocolate factory, based on the writings of Roald Dahl. My room...
My flight arrives in Biarritz at 18:45 on Thursday 23 May. I have just booked Express Bourricot and they have confirmed they will pick up at 19:15 (their last pickup is normally 18:00). Hoping there are other peregrinos/peregrines arriving around that time to share the taxi and costs. Otherwise...
I always wear long sleeved technical/running tops with thumb loops to cover back of hands and full length bottoms of same material. Combined with wide brimmed hat, I only need SPF 50 on my face and neck. Worked very well in 35°C+ degree heat and never felt hot or sweaty.
I have previously used an ultralight synthetic quilt too and combined it with a homemade muslin liner - combined weight less than 500g. Worked a treat and will bring again this year for the CF in May-June.
This is the link I got on my confirmation email https://sites.google.com/view/vtc-harispe/Accueil-fr
I will not be using luggage transfer but this might be helpful to people who are still at planning stage. So happy to have got a booking there!
For anyone using baggage transfer from SJPP and considering staying in Refuge Orisson, they state on their confirmation email that they are working exclusively with Transports de Bagages Harispe and will not accept luggage from other companies. This company also offers transfers from Biarritz...
Thrilled to get confirmation from my job today that I can take leave in May and June to walk the Camino from SJPP to SDC!! I had planned to do this in 2020, starting on 24 May.
It has taken four years but am delighted to be finally starting on 24 May this year instead. I have even managed to...
I stayed in this hotel in last June and would highly recommend it. It’s not the usual Camino accommodation and I considered it a real treat. There’s complimentary port as a nightcap!
I walked Sarria to Santiago in mid January 2020 and met about 20 other pilgrims. It only rained one day but was very windy near Melide - could hear trees falling when in the nearby forest.
One thing to be aware of is the lack of open cafes/bars between major towns and then there may only be...
Hi @FirstSteps this was my itinerary from Porto to Baoina:
Porto-Matosinhos-Villa do Condo-Apúlia-Antas-Viana do Castelo-Vila Praia de Ancora-La Guarda (water taxi from Caminha to Spain, then 5/6km walk to La Guarda)-Villadesuso-Baiona and onwards to Santiago. Some days were about 18km (except...
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