Melissa Barry
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Start 9/1/17
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Welcome,
How soon are you going? Where are you coming from? How long will you have to walk the Camino?
Yes this is normal. Orisson fills fast, has only 28 beds.
Just begin searching for a bed at St Jean, you will find one.
Hi, Melissa and welcome to the forum!I arrive in Biarritz on August 31 (this year). I am coming from New York through Paris. I have tickets to return on Oct 18th.
What do you think about the Gite Antton which it seems is neither right in SJPP ?
Thanks
@Melissa Barry that's very good advice for a first timer because Roncesvalles albergue started with this reservation process this spring and not many people know that. Although I'm sure Pilgrim Office in SJPdP would ask/tell you about that.However, you should probably make a reservation at the albergue in Roncesvalles as there are not a lot of options for places to stay there. http://www.alberguederoncesvalles.com/
There are several places available on Booking.com in the center of SJPDP on 8/31 (use map view). You mentioned Gite Makila which looks like a great place to stay as far as location. You can walk to Roncesvalles in one day, so you do not have to stop in Orrison. Although KinkyOne has some good alternative suggestions.
However, you should probably make a reservation at the albergue in Roncesvalles as there are not a lot of options for places to stay there. http://www.alberguederoncesvalles.com/
You will definitely have places to stay throughout your journey - the first few days and the last few days are crowded and you may have to be creative, but between Pamplona and Sarria we did not have any difficulties booking a place an hour or so in advance in April/May 2015, and although we prebooked the whole journey for ourselves and a travelling companion for late May/June 2017 because we thought June would be crowded, it was not necessary (we were the only people on the trail most days) and I wish we had had more flexibility. Our travelling companion cancelled all of his reservations after Zubiri and had no problem finding a bed the rest of the journey.
Please feel free to ask as many questions as you would like - I know planning a journey like this can be intimidating. Buen Camino!
Do you have the date, nights you want to stay filled out? That's the only thing I can think of causing your problem with reserving. Reserving through Booking.com and getting the response from the Gite is normal. I have made two reservations that way.I book through Booking.com but then receive direct email from Gite
It's normal, and a very nice offer to help you out. You will find people along the Camino will do their best and go out of their way to help you. Just say "Yes and thank you very much."I didn't know if this was normal practice
It's normal, and a very nice offer to help you out. You will find people along the Camino will do their best and go out of their way to help you. Just say "Yes and thank you very much."
The Camino will reconcile you with humanity. You will experience many acts of generosity and kindness.I'm from NY and I am a burnt out social worker. I'm quite jaded and discouraged. So when a stranger offers a ride my mind immediately goes to bad places....I'm hoping to get back to who I use to be and regain some faith in myself...and humanity.
Now I understand better. Thank you for explaining why you would question and be very cautious. Please use the forum to find out what you want to know. There is a search area at the top of the main page. I spent some time reading and some time asking questions. Buen Camino.Thank you...that's kind of what I wanted to know. I'm from NY and I am a burnt out social worker. I'm quite jaded and discouraged. So when a stranger offers a ride my mind immediately goes to bad places....I'm hoping to get back to who I use to be and regain some faith in myself...and humanity.
I have not had that experience with Booking, so I cannot give you any advice on that. I definitely would go by what the people at the accommodation are telling you.The problem I've run into is that I book through Booking.com but then receive direct email from Gite saying they have no beds.
Do take this advice to your heart, @Melissa Barry , and enjoy your Camino!The Camino will reconcile you with humanity. You will experience many acts of generosity and kindness.
Yes, start slowly. I have compressed disks as well as other back issues. You can have your pack transported to Orrison and to Roncesvalles. I plan to take advantage of this service. Ask at St. Jean or see here http://www.expressbourricot.com/luggage-transport/ or http://www.elcaminoconcorreos.com/en/transporte-mochilas.phpI thought it best to start slowly
Yes, start slowly. I have compressed disks as well as other back issues. You can have your pack transported to Orrison and to Roncesvalles. I plan to take advantage of this service. Ask at St. Jean or see here http://www.expressbourricot.com/luggage-transport/ or http://www.elcaminoconcorreos.com/en/transporte-mochilas.php
After Roncesvalles you don't need to walk far to the next place you can stay the night. I have Wise Pilgrim app on my phone and love it for planning. We have no reservations after Roncesvalles, so will just walk short days until I build up my abilities. I have trained, very slowly, at home.
Lighten your pack as much as possible so it will be easier when you do carry it. What kind of pack do you have?
Take an emergency inhaler as well as your daily one. Altitude and/or exercise may cause you to need it. Don't wait until you are full blown in the middle of an attack, use it when your lungs feel stressed.
Thank you....is the Valcarlos very well marked? Just as much as the Napoleon? I was looking forward to the views of the Napoleon.Breaking the first day into two days is a good idea for many people for a number of reasons.
The point I was making is that Orisson and the Napoleon route are not the only option. I have done both routes several times as many here have done. The Napoleon route is the fad and the myths and legends are what everyone hears.
In my opinion, it is not a better route...nor even a harder route than the Valcarlos. The first 7 km to Orisson are steep and difficult for those on their first day. After that it is pretty much a gentle walk on pavement most of the way.
In my opinion the Valcarlos route is just as difficult and challenging.
The horror stories are just that...stories. However, in bad weather the Napoleon is very difficult and can be dangerous.
There are good places to stay in the town of Valcarlos.
It is not necessary to walk the Napoleon route or to make complicated arrangements just to stay at Orisson.
Most of the folks who tout the Napoleon route over the Valcarlos have not walked both and have no real basis of comparison.
I suggest you make the start of your adventure as simple as possible and avoid unneeded complications.
Thank you....is the Valcarlos very well marked? Just as much as the Napoleon? I was looking forward to the views of the Napoleon.
Thank you....is the Valcarlos very well marked? Just as much as the Napoleon? I was looking forward to the views of the Napoleon.
Thank you....is the Valcarlos very well marked? Just as much as the Napoleon? I was looking forward to the views of the Napoleon.
It is very well marked and highly traveled. I am not sure of the numbers or where the numbers might come from...but I would think that the number of pilgrims would be at least equal on any given day on the two routes.
Hi Melissa,I arrive in Biarritz on August 31 (this year). I am coming from New York through Paris. I have tickets to return on Oct 18th.
What do you think about the Gite Antton which it seems is neither right in SJPP ?
Thanks
Thank you...that's kind of what I wanted to know. I'm from NY and I am a burnt out social worker. I'm quite jaded and discouraged. So when a stranger offers a ride my mind immediately goes to bad places....I'm hoping to get back to who I use to be and regain some faith in myself...and humanity.
Hey,....if it doesn't reconcile your humanity.....you can hang with this ChubbyHikerGirl and her NY Cousin. We will all poke fun at each other. See you on the road.
I am flying from Paris to Biarritz. I think I have a 3 hour wait in Paris. I guess from Biarritz I take a train/taxi??? lol ...I'm kind of winging this. I Fly out of Paris on the 18th.....if I decide to come home...lol...I have romantic visions of heading off to Portugal...lolHi Melissa,
I am arriving Paris August 31 from California! I have tickets to return on October 14th. How are you getting from Paris to Biarritz/SJPP? Where are you flying out from on the 18th Oct.? I fly out from Paris on the 14th Oct.
Thank you
Beth
I was looking forward to the views of the Napoleon.
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