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I've parsed your question which may provide you with your answer. And it is an answer that only you can provide. In late April you are unlikely to encounter a lack of accommodation choices.We are hoping to do a relaxed, no-schedule walk, walking as far, or as little, as we feel each day. Should we be booking several days or weeks ahead of time and give up the flexibility of ending each day when we've had enough?
Hallo Armin,
As you have so much time, did you think about the variante Camino Espiritual?
If you have any questions - here are many to help you.
All the best for you
Michael
Hi Armin! My wife and i planning to do the “slow Camino” in October, 2019, and it will be our first also, so I can’t offer any advice...but we would very much like to follow your experience! We want to use B&Bs or small hotels whenever possible, and just take our time.
Are you planning to keep a blog or journal? Would you be willing to share your planning efforts and your adventure with us? We live in Atlantic Canada. Best regards....
David
My wife and I are planning on walking the Camino from Porto to SdC starting in late April 2019. We have 6 weeks and plan to walk other sections once we complete the walk from Porto. We have made hotel reservations for the first few days after our arrival in Porto to allow time for recovering from jet lag (coming from western Canada). We are hoping to do a relaxed, no-schedule walk, walking as far, or as little, as we feel each day. Hence, we are hoping to find accommodations when we feel we have gone as far as we want for the day. Maybe book one day ahead if needed. The plan is to stay in hotels and B&B's, not albergues. We prefer private rooms with ensuite. Our accommodations budget is currently €70/day but are hoping to spend less if possible. Does this sound realistic or will finding accommodations be a problem? Should we be booking several days or weeks ahead of time and give up the flexibility of ending each day when we've had enough?
This is our first Camino so any advice/experience/tips would be very much appreciated!
You have FAR more than enough time, and your budget is well above minimum. You'll need to plan some extra excursions.
It would be memorable for you to jump off the coast and plan an evening at Casa Fernanda, along the Central path. That could be 2 days added to your time. And perhaps extend your time by going from Santiago to the coast - that should add a few more days.
Then, since you still have so much extra time, head to Madrid and visit the museums. That should consume the rest of your time AND money.
Enjoy the seafood along the coast. And kiss Fernanda and Jacinto for all the pilgrims who've ever been blessed by their precious hearts.
There is a lot of information on the Variante Espiritual, I think it is a wonderful idea and having lots of time, makes it a definite option. When I walk the Portuguese Camino either later this year or in May next year, this is my intention.Thanks for the info, Michael. I had not heard of the Camino Espiritual but will definitely look into it. One of the reasons we do not want to plan too far ahead is so that we can be flexible and change things up as we find new, interesting places to go.
Thanks!
Thanks, Armin! Sounds a lot like our “plan” too. Hope all goes well. I did get Elle Bieling’s PDF books which I have found to be very informative and helpful. Bom Caminho!David,
We're not really doing much planning other than deciding on a route (Portuguese coastal), purchasing plane tickets and booking the first few night's hotel in Porto. We want to simply play it by ear and not be tied to any particular schedule or even route.
Neither one of us is a journal/blog person, just lots of pictures and memories.
This forum is a treasure trove of information and other's experiences. We plan to read and follow the various discussions here before we start in April, however, we do not want to over-plan our adventure and take away from the spontaneity that we both enjoy when we travel.
My husband and walked this in September. You shouldn’t have any trouble with that budget. I think we usually paid less than 50 a night. Usually when we settled somewhere for the night I would check booking.com for possibilities and book the following evening. I’m not a huge fan of this method but since I don’t speak Portuguese it made life easier. After crossing from Caminha take the longer walk around to Guarda, it’s really pretty. And make sure to hike up to the top there to see the prehistoric ruins of stone huts. Well worth the walk. Have a great trip - CherryMy wife and I are planning on walking the Camino from Porto to SdC starting in late April 2019. We have 6 weeks and plan to walk other sections once we complete the walk from Porto. We have made hotel reservations for the first few days after our arrival in Porto to allow time for recovering from jet lag (coming from western Canada). We are hoping to do a relaxed, no-schedule walk, walking as far, or as little, as we feel each day. Hence, we are hoping to find accommodations when we feel we have gone as far as we want for the day. Maybe book one day ahead if needed. The plan is to stay in hotels and B&B's, not albergues. We prefer private rooms with ensuite. Our accommodations budget is currently €70/day but are hoping to spend less if possible. Does this sound realistic or will finding accommodations be a problem? Should we be booking several days or weeks ahead of time and give up the flexibility of ending each day when we've had enough?
This is our first Camino so any advice/experience/tips would be very much appreciated!
Thanks!
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