Booking with a Company - needing suggestions

[KellysMom]

I booked my first Camino (Frances) in 2019 with a company called Rayo Travel. They were originally from Alberta (I am from Canada) but then moved to Madrid under the name Camino Your Way. Unfortunately, it looks like this company is no longer in business and I was wondering if anyone could provide me with a reputable replacement. I am planning on walking the Camino Portugues in May/June 2022 and would like to have all my accommodations pre-booked along with luggage transfers already set in place.
Thank you

 

[Anniesantiago]

I have heard good reviews about Camino Ways.

 

[SusanWW]

Follow the Camino, “a company of One Foot Abroad,” did a great job for us in 2021 and also in 2019. They’re headquartered in Ireland.

We booked a Camino trip that had to be postponed a year due to COVID and they handled everything well.

 

[RedRuby]

I heard good reviews from people on the Camino travelling with Mac Adventures and Camino Ways both in Spain and France. Not sure about Portugal.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

As you've already completed a CF and should know the ropes why not embrace the adventure (and save money) by booking it yourself?

There are websites that can sort out your accommodation (booking.com for one) and nowadays the Camino is littered with companies that can organise your luggage transfer.

Step out boldly and have a great Camino.

 

[Trudie]

We booked with Portugal Green Walks in 2019 and did the Coastal Camino. The service from Green Walks and all of the accommodations/transfers, etc. were excellent. We're going back in the spring of 2022 to do just the Portugal coastal portion with them as it was such a beautiful hike.

 

[Marbe2]

I booked my first Camino (Frances) in 2019 with a company called Rayo Travel. They were originally from Alberta (I am from Canada) but then moved to Madrid under the name Camino Your Way. Unfortunately, it looks like this company is no longer in business and I was wondering if anyone could provide me with a reputable replacement. I am planning on walking the Camino Portugues in May/June 2022 and would like to have all my accommodations pre-booked along with luggage transfers already set in place.
Thank you

Kelly, may I suggest since you have already done a camino, are there other reasons than setting up reservations , and luggage transfer for booking with a company?

Booking yourself provides you with more flexibility while on your trip and usually is significantly cheaper.

 

[Mark Francis Auchincloss]

There's quite alot of specialist Camino agencies to choose from. In addition to those already mentioned I rate the following :
Ultreya Tours Nellie the owner is based in Santiago de Compostela ; Santiago Ways ; Follow the Camino ; Marly Camino ; Galiwonders ; Mystic Tours ; EATourSpecialist Sean the owner is based near Vigo ; Fresco Tours and Tee Travel. Probably missed a few too!

 

[JamesGeier]

Camino Ways and Follow the Camino are two companies in Dublin that used to be one. When I was recently looking at Camino Ways, it seemed that nobody on the staff had ever actually made the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. And, they seem to be focusing more on cycling the Camino. Follow the Camino appeared to have staff experienced in walking the pilgrimage.

 

[MichelleElynHogan]

As you've already completed a CF and should know the ropes why not embrace the adventure (and save money) by booking it yourself?

There are websites that can sort out your accommodation (booking.com for one) and nowadays the Camino is littered with companies that can organise your luggage transfer.

Step out boldly and have a great Camino.

…or…a real adventure and do two things;

1) Go completely minimal as far as pack contents, including the smallest, lightest pack you can get away with,

2) Book absolutely nothing.

The Camino provides, but if you need nothing, how can the Camino prove this?

 

[KellysMom]

Thank you everyone for your responses. A lot of great suggestions in there, including just taking the leap and allowing the Camino to provide.

 

[trecile]

Thank you everyone for your responses. A lot of great suggestions in there, including just taking the leap and allowing the Camino to provide.

There's a big difference between just showing up without reservations and paying someone to book for you.
If you make your own bookings you are in control of your Camino, and if your bookings are refundable you can change your itinerary as the Camino provides diversions.

 

[SusanWW]

Camino Ways and Follow the Camino are two companies in Dublin that used to be one. When I was recently looking at Camino Ways, it seemed that nobody on the staff had ever actually made the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. And, they seem to be focusing more on cycling the Camino. Follow the Camino appeared to have staff experienced in walking the pilgrimage.

Checked and corrected what I had said earlier. Follow the Camino is connected with One Foot Abroad, not with Camino Ways. Thanks!

 

[Kanga]

Can I remind members to please answer the question being put by the OP? We really don't need the thread to be dragged into controversy or people trying to impose their own views.

And have a little regard for newer members of the forum who are likely to be sensitive to other members taking pot shots at them.

 

[Coddiwomple]

There's a big difference between just showing up without reservations and paying someone to book for you.
If you make your own bookings you are in control of your Camino, and if your bookings are refundable you can change your itinerary as the Camino provides diversions.

Love this advice but if you’d like a small bag transferred daily probably better to go through agency? Or, are there reputable baggage transfer companies you can hire who you would communicate directly with?

 

[peregrina2000]

Love this advice but if you’d like a small bag transferred daily probably better to go through agency? Or, are there reputable baggage transfer companies you can hire who you would communicate directly with?

Hi, coddiwomple,

There are many reputable companies that do baggage transfer, and there are many threads that can help you find the one that would work best for you. Many of them are on the Camino Francés, but there are transfer options on other caminos as well. We have a “tag” for “luggage transport/storage.”

One way to find all the threads tagged with that title is to go to this thread, https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/baggage-transfer.79503/

Click on the tag that you see at the top of the thread, and then you will have a long list of threads to peruse. Just be sure that you are looking at discussions about the camino you have chosen to walk.

BTW, there may be easier ways to search with tags, but I don’t use them much. You can see all of the tags that the forum uses here:

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/tags/

 

[Coddiwomple]

Hi, coddiwomple,

There are many reputable companies that do baggage transfer, and there are many threads that can help you find the one that would work best for you. Many of them are on the Camino Francés, but there are transfer options on other caminos as well. We have a “tag” for “luggage transport/storage.”

One way to find all the threads tagged with that title is to go to this thread, https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/baggage-transfer.79503/

Click on the tag that you see at the top of the thread, and then you will have a long list of threads to peruse. Just be sure that you are looking at discussions about the camino you have chosen to walk.

BTW, there may be easier ways to search with tags, but I don’t use them much. You can see all of the tags that the forum uses here:

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/tags/

Thank you!