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There are some who would say that given that you are on a Pilgrimage, it would be a fortunate coincidence that you are in Santiago de Compostela on the very day that Santiago himself is feted with people/pilgrims celebrating the very essence of the Camino. Can't get much more Pilgrimey or...
Reasons not to miss the Meseta: Hontanas, Castrojeriz, Carrion de Los Condes, and Sahagún. Also, Boadilla del Camino, Fromista, Ledigos and Mansilla de Las Mules. Also, the many other charming small villages and hamlets in between, including Moratinos (hello Rebecca),
Conga line. Four full Camino Frances during prime time, and I've yet to see one. Maybe I'll get lucky with this summer's Camino Frances and finally see one. Is there musical accompaniment on an actual Cuban conga to the conga lines? The things that moved and appealed to you in The Movie are far...
Victory! The collective negativity of the Forum's "it's too crowded" crowd has once again successfully discouraged a never walked a Camino future Pilgrim to not walk the Camino Frances. Our vigilance has been rewarded.
This year I'm coming into Madrid, and rather than a train or flight to Pamplona as I have done in the past, I'm getting a flight to Biarritz. The OP gets to Biarritz at 12:00 and intends to make the 12:30 train from Bayonne. I'm curious if 1/2 hour is enough time to get from Biarritz to Bayonne.
I second the view that one night is enough in SJPDP. I spent two nights there last year. As previous posts have noted, you can see everything there in a few hours. For me the second day felt rather odd. If one really wants two days to acclimate/rest for two days, I agree with several here that...
I did 33 days the first two Caminos (Frances), 42 days the third and fourth, and likely the same this summer. I have come around to the idea that 12 miles/20km per walking day is ideal for me--not in the physiological sense but in the cultural sense--meaning with relative short days I get to...
I have a thing for Belorado, meaning I really like it. I've stayed there on my four previous Caminos. Last year stayed at Hostal B in a private room (they also have a dorm). Great host and perfect location. Not sure why I find Belorado so appealing, but I do.
Yep, whether you characterize it as juju or that certain vibe, the Camino Francés is unique in that sense. Which is why when newbies are asking about routes, I am always astounded at those who would denigrate aspects of the Francés while encouraging a newbie to take a relatively obscure route. I...
The 8:00 am flight would get you to Pamplona in time for the noon bus to SJPDP. The train or bus from MAD arrives later in the afternoon. Iberia flights leave from T1. Without checked bags to pick up on arrival , you should be able to easily make the 8:00. I flew by way of Paris last year, and...
My last two CF's, I used an Osprey Talon 24L. At about 12 lbs total, I had room left over. I'm pretty sure I carry the same contents as most albeit without a sleeping bag. In 2016, I had a 36L Gregory and in 2018 a 35L Osprey. I just found that I didn't need that much room. Not trying to start...
There is an 8:00 am flight on Iberia from MAD to Pamplona, arriving at 9:00 am--just looked at it online, fares as low as $29 mid-May.
Alternatively, assuming one is going to SJPDP. There are daily flights from MAD to San Sebastian airport with an easy train connection to Bayonne and on to SJPDP.
I'll be doing my 5th Camino this May-June. I'm a planner, not just the Camino but in most aspects of life. I had plenty of expectations on the first three Caminos. Someone wrote in a post a year or two ago something to the effect of ". . . leave your expectations at home. Just start walking and...
"Peak heat in Spain is around 2pm."
Actually, because of Spain's unusual time zone designation, the hottest time of the day tends to be between 4:00 to 4:30.
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