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Las Médulas, a bus ride from Ponferrada, is probably the most incredible site we have ever visited on any of our Caminos. In my opinion, it would be worthwhile to actually stay overnight there.
How lucky we were,!
Those first steps taken after leaving an albergue in the early morning, not knowing where we would sleep that evening! No need for reservations! We simply walked😉
Well Dick Bird, you’ve hit the nail on the head!
“ Albergues exist to help pilgrims who might lack resources or who want to travel in a simple, uncomplicated and perhaps challenging way”.
Up un checking through all the replies, I only saw one who mentioned trolleys in airports and stations.
If that is your issue: carrying a backpack at the beginning and end if your journey, there shouldn’t be a problem. Simply use a trolley.
As far as your knee issues are concerned, you will find...
One year we went to Mass and then walked down to Burgete in the dusk, arriving there in the dark. We booked a pension that night as we had arrived that morning from Costa Rica. The walk to Burgete through the woods, just the two of us, in the silence of the evening was a wonderful experience. I...
Well I do speak fluent Italian and Spanish, apart from my mother tongue English! I can also get by with passable French and Dutch. So I’m not embarrassed about speaking other languages. In fact I love the challenge 😊
It seems that it’s been a while since I last checked the Forum, as it’s only today that I see your posting. I’m really sorry that you have to leave this delightful albergue. COVID has made a mess of so many plans for so many people. Enjoy your time with your grandchild. They grow soooo quickly!
This a beautiful alternate route. We did it twice, but each time staying in Villatuerta and then going across country from there. On this route, just a few kms after Villafuerte, you pass in front of the ruins of an ancient Pilgrim Hospital, which you can explore.
Tincatinker, you have really brought up a subject that has vexed me over the years!
My first reply would be:
PUBLICITY!
This due to various Forums, such as this one and popular guide books (in different languages, so I won’t nail that down to a specific book)!
Reading through the numerous...
its the downhill part of hilly terrain that wracks havoc with your knees. These sections have been mentioned by several members to you. Check them out and whenever possible try to avoid them.
I would say that as long as it's in one of the bigger cities, you will have no problem to find 'something', due to the fact that most residents will be on holiday somewhere else (beach, mountains or old family villages) .
If you fly with Iberia ( if that's a possibility for you), you can then book with their local partner the internal flights in Spain, with open jaw flights (flying into one airport, i.e. Pamplona and leaving from another ie Santiago). The internal flights cone to about the same price as the same...
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