Creativeguy
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- SJPP France to Santiago 2020
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Is there any need to book ahead during May and early June?
I totally agree. You have chosen one of the most popular months to start from SJPDP, and the first few days there are many "in between" places to stop until you reach Pamplona. The majority of pilgrims will stop in Roncesvalles, then Zubiri/Larrasoaña, so book those ahead. And Orisson if you want to ease into the Camino and split the walk over the PyreneesI find these days that it is a good idea, in May and June, to book the first few nights between St Jean Pied de Port and Pamplona. Roncesvalles and Zubiri/Larasoana have become bottle necks. After Pamplona just go with the flow . . . .
And, I'm curious which ones are outstanding as in "awesome experience, don't miss staying at this one". Have any of them really stood out in your experience as being a "must stay" option?
Thanks for the reminder...things always work out for me!A small word of advice. There are some albergues that are loved by all for a variety of good reasons. I can tell you the best experiences I have had in albergues were created by the people I met and the circumstances that transpired on the day I was there. I have stayed in some of the all time favorite albergues and it was fine and have stayed in dumps and had memorably (usually good) experiences. You can’t plan your camino, your future experiences or your happiness. It is one step at a time pilgrim!
Thank You! I received comments on a post about taking a sleeping bag suggesting there were many different types of Albergues?
...." Municipal, Parochial, Donativo, posh-end private or rough & ready?"
I wasn't aware of that?? Thus, my confusion about what the difference between them is?
I'm walking from St. Jean Pied de Port leaving in early May and planning to take my time and enjoy the experience.
Since I have never walked the Camino before, I wasn't aware there were so many different types of Alberques?! Is there somewhere I can learn more about the differences between them?
And, I'm curious which ones are outstanding as in "awesome experience, don't miss staying at this one". Have any of them really stood out in your experience as being a "must stay" option?
Is there any need to book ahead during May and early June? I like the feeling of wandering and going with the flow. But I also want a place to sleep at the end of the day.
Thank you!
It's Albergue BTW but I don't understand the question - what do you mean by different types? Basically there are municipal ones run by a local authority and private ones run commercially.
Guacelmo in Rabanal is good so is Ribadiso just before Arzúa.
Many municipal ones do not allow pre-booking - it's turn up and bag a bed.
Edit - Sorry, should have said hello, rude of me (shamed by @SYates)
No worries!It's Albergue BTW but I don't understand the question - what do you mean by different types? Basically there are municipal ones run by a local authority and private ones run commercially.
Guacelmo in Rabanal is good so is Ribadiso just before Arzúa.
Many municipal ones do not allow pre-booking - it's turn up and bag a bed.
Edit - Sorry, should have said hello, rude of me (shamed by @SYates)
Start walking at 6:30/7, walk for 6 hours then you have found the 'must stay' albergue. Well, maybe push to 7 hours. Starting from St Jean, I recommend booking a stop at Orisson, a definite experience not to be missed. Then book a stop at Roncesvalles for no other reason than to get dinner booked early but you need to book a bed to book dinner. After that, every albergue is a good albergue but I look for ones that have the option for dinner and/or breakfast. I have stayed in all kinds of albergues and have never had any complaints about any but then all I need is a bed with food as a bonus.I'm walking from St. Jean Pied de Port leaving in early May and planning to take my time and enjoy the experience.
Since I have never walked the Camino before, I wasn't aware there were so many different types of Alberques?! Is there somewhere I can learn more about the differences between them?
And, I'm curious which ones are outstanding as in "awesome experience, don't miss staying at this one". Have any of them really stood out in your experience as being a "must stay" option?
Is there any need to book ahead during May and early June? I like the feeling of wandering and going with the flow. But I also want a place to sleep at the end of the day.
Thank you!
Thank you...however, I'm on an iPhone. Did get wisely/wise pilgrim so will check that out. Cheers!If you have an android device then can I suggest you download https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.moemke.android.mycamino&hl=en_AU
It takes a few hours to work out how to use it but it is incredible. I have used in on my last 5 Camino's and will be using it again this year. Only works for the Frances.
List all the hostels, albergues, etc., phone numbers, web addresses, prices, number of beds, other facilities, etc.
You can create an itinerary with ease and change it with ease as well. It's free but if you make a donation you get to see the weather in any town you look at.
But your 'Camino(s) past & future' says you walked from SJPDP to Santiago in 2013.Since I have never walked the Camino before, ...
Is there any need to book ahead during May and early June? I like the feeling of wandering and going with the flow. But I also want a place to sleep at the end of the day.
Thank you...I didn't realize that was there? I was planning a "future" walk, my mom fell fracturing a femur and I dropped back in full-time caregiving mode canceling plans for the Camino.But your 'Camino(s) past & future' says you walked from SJPDP to Santiago in 2013.
Excellent advice especially for a first timer as your confidence will have grown after these initial early days . I would add that personally after a hard or difficult day the rating or reputation for an Albergue will mean less as you will just fall into bed and be happy just to have reached anywhere but dawn always brings a new day and new challenges.I find these days that it is a good idea, in May and June, to book the first few nights between St Jean Pied de Port and Pamplona. Roncesvalles and Zubiri/Larasoana have become bottle necks. After Pamplona just go with the flow . . . .
When I think of albergue experiences I think of my first camino too and do you know which one pops into my brain second? (The first one is Roncesvalles because it was the first albergue I ever slept in). Number 2 is Larrasoana for sure! It was a nightmare, and awful just as you said. But the only fun moment was walking out and thinking the next time I step foot in this place will be when hell freezes over!Trouble is, you’re likely to get as many different answers as there are pilgrims here! Some people will love ... say, St Anton or Rabanal or Grañon or Manjarin ...
Others will recoil in horror !
Frankly, when it was my first Camino, I was grateful for any place where I could sleep for the night! And if it was awful, then it was still fun! (I’m thinking of Larrasoaña Municipal).
Makes good memories
I wouldn’t worry too much about it. As for booking ahead, I just don’t know, seems to be the way to go nowadays? Leaving this for people who walked same months as you are planning. (I walk in Summer, no probs then).
Buen camino
ps: I would book ahead for Santiago though.... I always do.
On a slightly different note, did I read somewhere that Casa Suzi had building structural problems and would not be open this year which would be a pity cause all reports about it are greatAnother vote for Casa Suzi.
Number 2 is Larrasoana for sure! It was a nightmare, and awful just as you said. But the only fun moment was walking out and thinking the next time I step foot in this place will be when hell freezes over!
Exactly true and we all have our own context!I stayed in the municipal in Larrasoana in November 2012. The winter room with the heater was full by the time I arrived, but the well dressed hospitalera (featured in one of the camino films I’ve seen) offered me a bed in the unheated upstairs section. It was wonderfully quiet and I slept well. The boys in the heated room all grumbled about how stinky and noisy it was. I was grateful to have a roof and a bed.
Context is everything.
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