Anyone else walked without staying in Albergues?

[MikeSass]

Well, anybody visiting this forum for a while may be already familiar with my stance on the significance of where a pilgrim chooses to sleep at night: much ado about nothing. A lot of folks want to set and proclaim to others the norms of pilgrimage and in doing so it only shows their own ignorance about pilgrimages, specifically as it pertains the Camino de Santiago. Personally, I did not stayed in Albergues and still managed to meet tons of great people, including touring many sites in the company of other pilgrims, and many communal dinners. I am heading out next week for my 6th time on the Camino (Frances) and have no intention whatsoever to stay in an albergue. I am sure somebody can benefit well more than I from that available bed. I will get up well rested, take my sweet time on the Camino and let others on the "Race to the Beds" rushed by, not a problem.

The Camino pilgrimage was probably never set out to be a fraternization trip to begin with. The goal was to make it to Santiago from your home. You had to prepare well to ensure a safe passage and arrival. Local churches offered baggage transfer services, wealthy families set up shelters and provided free food, wealthy pilgrims stayed in better accomodations and contributed to poor pilgrims passages, Kings and Queens built bridges, hospitals, lodgings, there was even the Knights of Templar "police force" that helped transport pilgrims through treacherous sections. The goal was to make it whatever it took. So, Brissy, you don't HAVE TO walk the Camino. You CHOOSE to walk the Camino. Do it in the manner you think it will ensure your safe passage. All that needs to happen, will. Buen Camino.

Did you tent/tarp the whole way?

 

[Lydia Gillen]

Cariburk,
You asked where people got their information .
I use www.caminodesantiago.consumer.es.
It not only lists all the albergues in each place but also has comments from past pilgrims which I have found very useful.

 

[Anniesantiago]

I'm a light sleeper with MCS, and can't tolerate fragrances.
The first time I walked the CF, I stayed in albergues.
Some were great - some were horrid.
As someone mentioned, loud people, drunk people, people fighting, talking on their phones late into the night, choking you with perfume, snoring, then up before daylight with loud whispering, rattling bags, and headlights in your eyes. Who'd give that up? ::laughing:::

On the Camino Madrid, I stayed mostly in albergues.
All were awesome.
People just seemed to be more considerate.
Same on the VDLP, mostly albergues - awesome.

Last year, when I walked the CF, I did a combination of albergues and private rooms and liked it.
When I take groups, we are in private accomodation.
So I've sort of done it all.

If I can afford it, I like private rooms.
However, there are a few albergues I won't miss
You'll just have to go and see what works for you!

 

[clearskiescamino]

I'll never "not" sleep in an albergue. It's all part of the experience.
Yes I admit there are many different types of accomodation but you have a far greater chance of meeting people in albergues than being in a private room!

 

[kmrice]

I'll never "not" sleep in an albergue. It's all part of the experience.
Yes I admit there are many different types of accomodation but you have a far greater chance of meeting people in albergues than being in a private room!

We also prefer albergues, but we did meet one of our favorite camino buddies in a small hotel. Other guests were mostly pilgrims.

 

[Costas]

At risk of being thought not a true pilgrim - has anyone else walked without staying in Albergues? We didn't intend to walk the whole way staying in private accommodation, but that's just how it worked out. Did I miss anything? I must say, that it was a very special spiritual time for me, and being an introvert, I wondered if it was perhaps better for me not to be sharing space every night. I did meet up with a lot of people and had many significant conversations when the opportunities arose. Any thoughts?

I am walking the Camino starting 5 May 2015 from SJPDP. I would prefer private accommodation, was it easy to find? Thanks in advance, from another Aussie.

 

[Dan the Man]

Heya..

I lasted around 6 nights in Albergees...and then went private. It hurt my budget abit...well alot...but I dont regret it. I call myself an introverted extrovert. I like chatting with people but need space to recharge. I just couldn't relax in a room full of people even when just trying to sleep. It always felt like I was on duty. (Weird I know)

I still ate with people in the evenings, shared lunches, laughed and, cried with others. I formed amazing friendships.
The only difference was I didnt share bedrooms or bathrooms.

If I was to return for a third time....I would save up more and go private again.

Edit: Staying privately doesn't protect you from the snorers or early risers. You can still here them through the walls. But its nice to sit on the loo and not have the door rattle with the next person wanting to visit.

Plus you dont need to carry a towel or sleep liner/bag.

Hi All:

I start my Camino on August 23. I was planning to spend most nights in private accommodation. I can snore, and am a migraine sufferer. I need some sleep at night...LOL

Do alberges and private places stamp or passports? Is that a stupid question?

 

[grayland]

Hi All:

I start my Camino on August 23. I was planning to spend most nights in private accommodation. I can snore, and am a migraine sufferer. I need some sleep at night...LOL

Do alberges and private places stamp or passports? Is that a stupid question?

Yes. You find that all accomodations have sellos (stamps)....as well as everywhere else on the Camino....cafes, tables along side the trail, markets, bars, gas stations, and almost everywhere pilgrims might go.
No lack of sellos.

 

[oursonpolaire]

You are welcome.
Just another tip.
I either used the Brieley Guide to help me finding Pensions/Hostals. Or I found flyers in cafes or in the accomodation I was staying in.
I managed to make most of my bookings by myself over the phone. .or I politely asked random locals for help.

A further tip on top of this is that your innkeeper will often make the booking for you. But when they do this, you must turn up or telephone to cancel. I found myself in some really nice truck stops along the del Norte this way (NB I am not being sarcastic-- they were very comfortable, even luxurious for the price, and usually gave pilgrim discounts-- they had the added advantage that food was often available on my schedule, not the traditional late Spanish schedule, and both staff and customers were helpful and welcoming).

 

[LesBrass]

If “you” do decide to experiment with a double room, may I suggest one.

We stayed there in Sept. 2013. It was like an All-Include, 5-star, Camino resort.

It is a full days walk out of Leon. It is on the alternate route. The one that does not follow a really busy highway.

It costs (please, all you purist, block your ears and cover your eyes) 45 Eruos per person per night.

BUT..... it included a Lunch, a Supper, and a Breakfast. All from local, high quality stuff. Gourmet!

Very friendly, very beautiful. It is an old watermill and built on top of a stream.

If you want a oasis for a night, and treat yourself, this is it..... Molino Galochas

That sounds very familiar and I've been racking my brains to try and remember the place for a friend... was this run by Mercedes and her husband? We'd just stayed at the Paradour in Leon and this lovely home was better by a mile because it was so beautifu and they were such amazing hosts

 

[Costas]

Hi.

Yes, very easy to find private accommodation.

Brieley has a good list
Booking.com is helpful
Brochures and flyers are often in cafes along the way.

I would ring a head the night before, or
Ask the place I was staying in to ring ahead for me, or
Ask some locals to call a head for me that I meet a long the way. This created some real bounding memories.

☺

Thank you Lise T. Appreciate it.

 

[naplesdon]

That sounds very familiar and I've been racking my brains to try and remember the place for a friend... was this run by Mercedes and her husband? We'd just stayed at the Paradour in Leon and this lovely home was better by a mile because it was so beautifu and they were such amazing hosts

That would be Molina Galachos near Villavante.

 

[naplesdon]

I think some times you may find it necessary to stay in an albergue, due to really bad weather, the time of the day, etc. You don't have to hold your nose, we all usually shower at least once a day even if the water wasn't hot!

 

[LesBrass]

That would be Molina Galachos near Villavante.

Aren't they the loveliest of people! Nothing was too much trouble... it really felt like we were staying with family... I loved this place!