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Merci beaucoupTry Honto/Ithurburia as an alternative. See more here--
http://www.gites-de-france-64.com/ferme-ithurburia/
Bon chance!
I have made contact with Orisson but they cannot confirm accommodation until the day before.
This means they are fully booked and unable to offer accommodation until if/when they receive cancellations. Cancellations are most often received last minute and are usually due to travel delays.I have made contact with Orisson but they cannot confirm accommodation until the day before.
The confusion and stress that now often comes with booking at Orisson has added a new level of stress with new pilgrims.
It seems that many have come to believe that stopping there on the first day is close to mandatory.
It is a relative new phenomenon that is widely encouraged here on the forum and on the American Pilgrims Facebook page. Most pilgrims continue to simply walk to Roncesvalles. Orisson can only accommodate a very small fraction of the people who start from SJPP each day.
There are other options.
I've never been concerned about meeting up with a "family" at Orisson, just with breaking that long uphill walk in two, particularly for those not so fit. Like me.
Now I know the Valcarlos route I'm much more inclined to recommend it. It is really very beautiful in its own right, and challenging enough.
Before the gite at Orisson was built I used to dream about building one near the top of the pass. I even got to the stage of drawing it on paper. With a hot spa. Grand Designs indeed.
I suspect that because it is a quiet time of year, and that it's midweek that they don't want to open unless they are guaranteed a minimum number of guests. I used to run a small business myself, so I appreciate that they need a critical mass in order to make it economically viable.Hi, well that’s a new one. They either have a bed available, or they don’t. (They are a business.) Do you know the reason why they cannot confirm a bed until the day before? If one books a bed at Orisson a deposit has to be paid by PayPal. So either they have a bed or they don’t. Curiouser and curiouser.
Jill
They're not booked up, but are merely unsure as to whether they'll be open or not.This means they are fully booked and unable to offer accommodation until if/when they receive cancellations. Cancellations are most often received last minute and are usually due to travel delays.
All the alternatives listed above are valid.
Regards
Gerard
This means they are fully booked and unable to offer accommodation until if/when they receive cancellations. Cancellations are most often received last minute and are usually due to travel delays.
The confusion and stress that now often comes with booking at Orisson has added a new level of stress with new pilgrims.
It seems that many have come to believe that stopping there on the first day is close to mandatory.
It is a relative new phenomenon that is widely encouraged here on the forum and on the American Pilgrims Facebook page. Most pilgrims continue to simply walk to Roncesvalles. Orisson can only accommodate a very small fraction of the people who start from SJPP each day.
There are other options.
Way too soon to be stopping, IMO. My advice to anyone would be "keep walking"I think this is the point I was trying to make.
Many first time people are being overwhelmed by the constant promotion of stopping at Orisson that it has become mythical.
Too many people seem to get very stressed over getting reservations.
Since most pilgrims continue to Roncesvalles...it is obvious that the choice of new "family" members will be even greater.
I have stayed at Orisson and have nothing against it. It is just is not that exciting or special, in my opinion.
It is good for those who are overpacked and under trained as it is only about 7km.
Just don't fall into the trap that you must stay there or miss something special...
Ignoring the situation where the route may not be open on a particular day, you do understand that by receiving a cancellation they have the ability to sell the same bed (or room) twice?Hi Gerard, the full night’s accommodation (including meals) has to be paid in advance, so they couldn’t care less if anyone cancels; the deposit is non-refundable and they have their money. I would also run my business the same way
You go, girl!I began to second guess myself about walking all the way and, more importantly, the whole "you meet your Camino family at Orisson." I've seen so many people on other groups get so stressed about this - including me! But I am still walking all the way through on my first day ;-)
I agree 100%. One of the joys of walking a long camino for me is meeting up with different memorable individuals and groups along the way: some I come across time and again, others a single brief chance encounter. The idea of seeking out a "camino family" (nauseating phrase!) on day 1 and sticking with them for 800km makes my blood run cold...and that whole meeting your "Camino family" bit there is total rubbish. You end up meeting quite a few fellow walkers (I avoid that term "family") that you frequently hang with before you reach SDC.
I met you at Casa Magica, Don and again in Ponferrada at albergue Alea.Hey "bro" I don't exactly remember where we meet but we did have a "family" of sorts for many, many days when we walked the Camino together.
I stayed at Orisson two years ago and met two ladies who I have since walked the Camino again, unbeknownst to me .they were neighbors of mine in Florida.
Personally, I will continue to hype the hype!
I'm walking with a friend from SJPP on 5th April. I have made contact with Orisson but they cannot confirm accommodation until the day before. I have walked this way twice before, once staying at Orisson, the other braving the mountain in one day. Needless to say, I prefer the sleepover at Orisson option. Any advice or ideas?
I'm taking the Valcarlos route for the first time next month, and looking forward to it immensely. I'm actually hoping to go past Roncesvalles and stay in Burguete my first night. Having walked this way before, do you think that's overambitious?Now I know the Valcarlos route I'm much more inclined to recommend it. It is really very beautiful in its own right, and challenging enough.
No, not overambitious at all. Burguete is only about a flat 3km past Roncesvalles.I'm taking the Valcarlos route for the first time next month, and looking forward to it immensely. I'm actually hoping to go past Roncesvalles and stay in Burguete my first night. Having walked this way before, do you think that's overambitious?
I met you at Casa Magica, Don and again in Ponferadda at albergue Alea.
I got's no ill will for Orisson, and have tipped back a beer there that another pilgrim bought me. If I ever get a late start out of SJPdP no doubt I'll hang my hat there for the night, but do I absolutely have to do that intro thing at the dinner table I heard they do? I think I'd feel I was at an AA meeting or something.
I left SJPP at 2.45pm, and arrived at Roncesvalles at 8pm in time for dinner, it poured with rain for the duration of itSo i think, if you are organised, and leave SJPP in the morning, you will easily make it to Roncesvalles by the afternoon..hopefully the sun will shine for you!
ha!OK you got me curious - what's the intro thing at Orisson? Is it "Tell us your name and if you were an animal what would you be?"
Hi, well that’s a new one. They either have a bed available, or they don’t. (They are a business.) Do you know the reason why they cannot confirm a bed until the day before? If one books a bed at Orisson a deposit has to be paid by PayPal. So either they have a bed or they don’t. Curiouser and curiouser.
Jill
Maybe. It all depends how fit you are. For some that extra few kms would be no problem, for others...getting to Roncesvalles is a slog (it's a steepish climb after Valcarlos). The kms from Roncesvalles to Burguete are flat, which is something to consider, but even so it would make for a very long day. If you were to walk to Valcarlos, spend the night there and then go on to Burguete, that would be another story. Easy.I'm taking the Valcarlos route for the first time next month, and looking forward to it immensely. I'm actually hoping to go past Roncesvalles and stay in Burguete my first night. Having walked this way before, do you think that's overambitious?
OK you got me curious - what's the intro thing at Orisson? Is it "Tell us your name and if you were an animal what would you be?"
This thread has taken on the weirdest sort of negativity towards a great place to spend the afternoon and night.
Try Honto/Ithurburia as an alternative. See more here--
http://www.gites-de-france-64.com/ferme-ithurburia/
Bon chance!
A bit off topic...We arranged 2 nights in SJPP in order to be fully rested and over any jet lag. From SJPP, we walked all the way to Roncevalles (sp?) While it was the toughest day on the entire Camino, it was "do-able" and we were then ready for anything. As for a Camino Family, don't worry...You will join one at the right place!I'm walking with a friend from SJPP on 5th April. I have made contact with Orisson but they cannot confirm accommodation until the day before. I have walked this way twice before, once staying at Orisson, the other braving the mountain in one day. Needless to say, I prefer the sleepover at Orisson option. Any advice or ideas?
I suspect that because it is a quiet time of year, and that it's midweek that they don't want to open unless they are guaranteed a minimum number of guests. I used to run a small business myself, so I appreciate that they need a critical mass in order to make it economically viable.
I haven't walked the Napoleon route. I went via Valcarlos, which is a nice little town in a beautiful setting. I had one of the best, most convivial dinners there at the (very good) restaurant. There were about 20 of us from everywhere sitting outside and enjoying the flow of conversation (and wine ). Interestingly, apart from three of these folk, in Roncesvalles, and one in Viana, I otherwise never saw any of them again. So finding a Camino family is hit and miss, if that's what you are counting on. Also the walk up to the Ibaneta pass is challenging enough, imho.I've never been concerned about meeting up with a "family" at Orisson, just with breaking that long uphill walk in two, particularly for those not so fit. Like me.
Now I know the Valcarlos route I'm much more inclined to recommend it. It is really very beautiful in its own right, and challenging enough.
Before the gite at Orisson was built I used to dream about building one near the top of the pass. I even got to the stage of drawing it on paper. With a hot spa. Grand Designs indeed.
I barely survived that car ride from Pamplona to SJPdP either, but fortunately I was able to keep down my last meal!We stayed here as the car ride from Pamplona to SJPP was not good for me. Got out of the car and tossed what was in my stomach (tried to make that sound nice) and we were tried from the long journey to get to Spain. It was nice and quite and great dinner. Much like staying in a Gite along the Le Puy route. It is in France
They told me the reason they don't take reservations until the day before in early season is the weather, they don't know if they'll be open or not.Hi, well that’s a new one. They either have a bed available, or they don’t. (They are a business.) Do you know the reason why they cannot confirm a bed until the day before? If one books a bed at Orisson a deposit has to be paid by PayPal. So either they have a bed or they don’t. Curiouser and curiouser.
Jill
Hi, I'm a manager of pilgrim's Office of SJPP. Maybe on 5th April it will be too much snow on "ports de Cize" and you could not pass by this way. Better go by Valcarlos and you could sleep on the "albergue" there.I'm walking with a friend from SJPP on 5th April. I have made contact with Orisson but they cannot confirm accommodation until the day before. I have walked this way twice before, once staying at Orisson, the other braving the mountain in one day. Needless to say, I prefer the sleepover at Orisson option. Any advice or ideas?
Merci BeaucoupHi, I'm a manager of pilgrim's Office of SJPP. Maybe on 5th April it will be too much snow on "ports de Cize" and you could not pass by this way. Better go by Valcarlos and you could sleep on the "albergue" there.
Before starting pass on the pilgrim's office 39, rue de la Citadelle and you'll have all informations you need.
Well if it's on a t-shirt... it must be trueIf you had a small business like Orisson then you would realise you do it your way , or as Frank said , MY WAY.
They don't need the money , just do the sums.
Valcarlos kills them all , magnificent walk , beautiful village.
When you get to Santiago i hope you realise that most T/Shirts , and all attire show The Camino Frances starts in Ronscavalles.
RUBBISH.Valcarlos kills them all.
We don't care what T/Shirts say.When you get to Santiago i hope you realise that most T/Shirts , and all attire show The Camino Frances starts in Ronscavalles.
I have a reservation for September that I am not going to use. I kept sending reservations until I got one. I had within 3 days. If somebody wants, it's yours. It's in my name, however.Hi, well that’s a new one. They either have a bed available, or they don’t. (They are a business.) Do you know the reason why they cannot confirm a bed until the day before? If one books a bed at Orisson a deposit has to be paid by PayPal. So either they have a bed or they don’t. Curiouser and curiouser.
Jill
RUBBISH.
We don't care what T/Shirts say.
We know that Frank, like 95% of people who start in St Jean,
WOULD DO OUR WAY!
Regards
Gerard (the numbers don't lie) Carey
I'm walking with a friend from SJPP on 5th April. I have made contact with Orisson but they cannot confirm accommodation until the day before. I have walked this way twice before, once staying at Orisson, the other braving the mountain in one day. Needless to say, I prefer the sleepover at Orisson option. Any advice or ideas?
We know that Frank, like 95% of people who start in St Jea
The halfway markers in Sahagún mark the midpoint between Roncesvalles and Santiago.
I'm taking the Valcarlos route for the first time next month, and looking forward to it immensely. I'm actually hoping to go past Roncesvalles and stay in Burguete my first night. Having walked this way before, do you think that's overambitious?
Thanks for that. In all likelihood we'll be taking the Valcarlos route. I didn't imagine that such a pedestrian (no pun intended) question would cause such a stir. I know from first hand experience that I prefer the stopover. My walking pace, including breaks is about 3kms per hour because of a disability. Practicality dictates the need to break the journey NOT the need to be part of some bigger experience. I could probably make the journey in one day if I planned carefully enough. However, I know from prior experience (walking into Roncesvalles alone, in the dark and too late to get a meal), that a stopover is essential. Thanks again for the advice.When did you purchase OUR WAY Gerard?
Did it cost much ?
Did you get a price on Valcarlos for comparison ?
My use of My Way was in reply to the OP's questioning the economic viability at Orisson opening mid week and having a set number.
As you know they open on a certain date and close on a certain date with a little flexibility allowed for the weather.
They also have a very, very good business so the OP need not worry about its viability and need for numbers.
** I actually thought STJPdP was a stop over for the Le Puy , Paris or Vezeley pilgrims not a starting point for the Frances.
I thought the Camino Frances started in Ronscavalles , maybe i'm mistaken.
Maybe that ancient beautiful tapestry hanging next to the Parador in Santo Domingo showing the way via Valcarlos is false .
And it could be Gerard as i was given a book by an auntie who walked the Camino from Mont St Michel in **1981** showing St JPdP as a stopover.
The book "The Way of Saint James" was written by T.Layton and thats one reason we walked from Mont St Michel,
However within its covers was a post card on Valcarlos where she stopped , it was dated and stamped 23/6/1981 .
And rest assure Gerard that all the pilgrims within Europe who commence their Camino from ""home "" , that is their front door , regard that as The Way.
As Monsap has indicated the snow could be around and if it is pointless going over the top.
There is beautiful accommodation in the Casa Rural's at Valcarlos if you desire and the albergue is very nice and spacious.
The town has a great supermarket , two lovely restaurants and the valley walk especially in the mist is breathtaking.
On balance, I think we'll be taking the Valcarlos route. Thanks for the heads up.The Napoleon route may not be open April 5th. In January they told us it could be closed as late as the end of April.
Ditto.On balance, I think we'll be taking the Valcarlos route. Thanks for the heads up.
I want to walk the Valcarlos route@MichelleElynHogan thank you for posting so eloquently and honestly. And good to read about @Robo's positive experience walking the Valcarlos route. I'm glad we are getting a bit of balance for those who are not so fit.
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