Spiritual Lady
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- I have walked half the French in 2014 and would like to walk the whole this year, 2020.
How many albergues do I have to book in advance. I am walking from St Jean on the 25th July 2021.
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I would book Orisson if you want to break up the walk over the Pyrenees, or the new Auberge Borda which is just a little past Orisson. And also Roncesvalles. If it makes you feel more comfortable also book in Zubiri or Larrasoaña and Pamplona. After that you should have a good idea of the distance you can comfortably walk in a day.How many albergues do I have to book in advance. I am walking from St Jean on the 25th July 2021.
Pre-covid, Orisson needed to be booked before you depart home, and you must have their email confirmation; you will not get in if you just turn up on the day.I would book Orisson if you want to break up the walk over the Pyrenees, or the new Auberge Borda which is just a little past Orisson. And also Roncesvalles. If it makes you feel more comfortable also book in Zubiri or Larrasoaña and Pamplona. After that you should have a good idea of the distance you can comfortably walk in a day.
In past years I'd say that you don't have to book anything in advance, but I've never walked during a pandemic before.
Yes, that's true.Pre-covid, Orisson needed to be booked before you depart home, and you must have their email confirmation; you will not get in if you just turn up on the day.
I would book Orisson if you want to break up the walk over the Pyrenees, or the new Auberge Borda which is just a little past Orisson. And also Roncesvalles. If it makes you feel more comfortable also book in Zubiri or Larrasoaña and Pamplona. After that you should have a good idea of the distance you can comfortably walk in a day.
In past years I'd say that you don't have to book anything in advance, but I've never walked during a pandemic before.
"Somewhere, always, in my heart, is that sense of place. The place where I became and where I will always belong." Can't remember where I've nicked that from but "the place where I became" - hoo, that sets the hairs raising‘hiraeth’
All of which is a significant departure from the OP's question.
At the age of 67, I am ready for that too. I always was. Never had to.I used to plan on sleeping in a ditch or a church porch and be pleasantly surprised how often I didn't...
How can you tell?Orisson is rapidly filling up as is Borda.
Yes, Hiraeth! I know exactly what you mean, (as a native of Wales). I hadn't been able to put into words before, the feeling I have for missing the Camino, but Hiraeth fits it perfectly.Your post prompted me to search for Auberge Borda on the web.
I’ve just spent a happy half-hour surfing through the Orisson, Kayola and Borda sites, experiencing what can only be described as a form of ‘homesickness’ … or ‘hiraeth’ as we might say in Wales …
I won’t be going anywhere this year … 2022, perhaps?
The short answer is that no one knows what the situation will be like in July 2021. The pandemic has had such a huge effect on the Camino infrastructure and no one knows how long that effect will linger and what it will be like at any particular time on the other side of the pandemic.How many albergues do I have to book in advance. I am walking from St Jean on the 25th July 2021.
How can you tell?
I've had a reservation since March 2021 and was told then, that once the all clear was sounded they (Orisson) would open for business (May 19, 2021) and they had many inquiries from pilgrims eager to start and stay at Orisson. Booking.com shows no availability at Orisson (thought that's no surprise), nor Roncesvalles or Zubiri. On the Forum and another popular Camino centric FB group, the number of inquiries about Orisson and other popular start sites reveal an significant number of pilgrims ready to get on Camino and start to reserve ahead. All these indicators point to the fact that once open, the rush to book reservations at any popular refuge/albergue/hostel will leave those hesitating in the dust. That's my best opinion.How can you tell?
I don't think that Refuge Orisson uses booking.com. Lots of places don't, or if they do they limit the number of beds/rooms available on booking.com.Booking.com shows no availability at Orisson (thought that's no surprise),
I was going to "like" your comment to show that I agree but then I discovered that I have some news: the new albergue Borda that is 1 km further along the road is on Booking.com! Small dormitories with 4 beds and one Chambre Double with Vue sur Montagne - looks very nice. And you could stay for more than one night ...I don't think that Refuge Orisson uses booking.com. Lots of places don't, or if they do they limit the number of beds/rooms available on booking.com.
Fair enough. But it is too easy for people to be misinformed when educated guesses get passed along as verified facts.these indicators point to
It is a good idea to book directly with the albergues by phone or their own websites: They then avoid to booking.com fee, and instead gets all the money.I don't think that Refuge Orisson uses booking.com. Lots of places don't, or if they do they limit the number of beds/rooms available on booking.com.
This is a very well thought-out post, @David Tallan ! Food for newbies. I normally do not book ahead, but sometimes, judging the traffic I may. Or if it's a place I really want to stay. And for the last 100 kms., again judging the traffic first.The short answer is that no one knows what the situation will be like in July 2021. The pandemic has had such a huge effect on the Camino infrastructure and no one knows how long that effect will linger and what it will be like at any particular time on the other side of the pandemic.
The slightly longer answer is that, even ignoring the effects of the pandemic, the answer certainly varied. Even knowing the time of year and the route that you are walking, and that you intend to sleep in albergues, there are still other important factors to consider. What time of day do you like to walk? If you are one of those people who likes to start walking at 5 am to avoid as much as possible the sun's heat (noting that you will be walking in July/Aug) then you might not need to book at all. If you like to start walking at 7:30 or 8:00, you may have a tougher time. Do you intend to follow the stages as set out in the guidebooks or stop at the villages "in between" the recommended guidebook stops? In the latter case, there will be less competition for accommodations? Do you intend to sleep in private albergues or those run by municipalities, religious organizations, or "friends of the Camino" organizations? For all but the private albergues, booking in advance may not be an option (although this may change, post-Covid, like everything else). How much would it bother you to find the first albergue you walked to full and have to walk to another in the same village (or in the next village)? All of these will affect the answer to your question.
For my 2016 Camino on the Frances, I booked the first two nights in advance (Roncesvalles and Zubiri). Then I didn't book any until much later when we were in Galicia. Towards the end of the Camino, I started booking them a night or two in advance. By that point, I had a good idea of what we were looking for in an albergue and we were staying then in mainly private albergues which (except for the one in O Pedrouzo) would take reservations. When we got to Triacastela and the first three albergues I tried were full, I decided to start booking a night or two out. Note: We did find an albergue with room in Triacastela. The same may have held true in the other towns. Except for O Pedrouzo, I saw no reason to risk it.
Fair enough. But it is too easy for people to be misinformed when educated guesses get passed along as verified facts.
Booking.com shows no availability at Orisson (thought that's no surprise), nor Roncesvalles or Zubiri.
I wasn't sure about Auberge Borda - that's why I said Refuge Orisson.I was going to "like" your comment to show that I agree but then I discovered that I have some news: the new albergue Borda that is 1 km further along the road is on Booking.com! Small dormitories with 4 beds and one Chambre Double with Vue sur Montagne - looks very nice. And you could stay for more than one night ...
It's really new news, I just wanted to share it and I am like @Mark S., I can't help checking : AUBERGE BORDA has been welcoming Booking.com guests since 26 Apr 2021.I wasn't sure about Auberge Borda - that's why I said Refuge Orisson.
Hi Again.How many albergues do I have to book in advance. I am walking from St Jean on the 25th July 2021.
You "youngins" crack me up! lolI’ve a year on you Alex. I gazed into the fires of my 68th Beltane this year and danced with herself as is my right.
Which is an further departure yet from the OP’s question but a reminder that if I need 9 oxen to drive through the fires next year I’d better book them now