By car with children ... and camping

[anniehm]

Thinking about driving the route from France next summer. Time constraints and children who complain far too much mean we cannot walk large sections but hope to just do the last 100km on foot. Anybody know if there are campsites en route - plan is to spend 4 days driving it to give plenty of time to visit towns along the way. Also plan is to leave the car at the end and backtrack by bus (hopefully) so we can walk the last section over 4 days is this feasible? Can older kids be accomodated in hostels (theres no way we can carry the tent) are there b&bs. can't find anything on kids being on the route anywhere????

 

[sulu]

You don't say how old the children are! I've seen children secondary school age in albergues, I saw a child in a pushchair in a private albergue (they had a private room).
It's perfectly possible to park in Sarria, walk, then get the bus back from Santiago.There are plenty of B&Bs, private hotels etc not necessarily always where you want to stop! Personally I think 4 days would be pushing it, I doubt you 'fell walk' with full backpacks. you need to get a good guide book and see what is available in the way of stopping places and where.
You say summer next year, don't forget the heat in Spain!
Sue

 

[WolverineDG]

First of all, welcome to the Forum!

Second, like sulu, I think you would be pushing it to walk from Sarria to Santiago in 4 days, especially with kids in tow. There are plenty of pensiones & hostals where you could stay,especially in the larger towns, in addition to albergues. It might even be more economical for you to stay in pensiones, etc, as albergues charge per head. Might as well spend 40 Euro +/- for your own room & quite possibly your own bathroom.

I suggest getting at least the CSJ & Brierley guides, as they tend to be the most up-to-date guides available.

Kelly

 

[anniehm]

after due consideration we have "chickened out"! Still going by car, and 1800 miles is quite a trek even if it doesn't meet the criteria for being a pilgrim, but its air conditioned hotels for us, stuff the cost you only live once! But the advantage is we have more time to explore and can visit Lourdes as well. Now I just have to find somewhere to stay in Santiago, nice hotels with stars are all well and good, but I want somewhere with character, any ideas? (we don't have to have air con but parking within 1/4 mile would be preferable) and must have 2 rooms on the same floor / family room) 8)

 

[mspath]

after due consideration we have "chickened out"! Still going by car, and 1800 miles is quite a trek even if it doesn't meet the criteria for being a pilgrim, but its air conditioned hotels for us, stuff the cost you only live once! But the advantage is we have more time to explore and can visit Lourdes as well. Now I just have to find somewhere to stay in Santiago, nice hotels with stars are all well and good, but I want somewhere with character, any ideas? (we don't have to have air con but parking within 1/4 mile would be preferable) and must have 2 rooms on the same floor / family room) 8)

Annie,

In Santiago the recently renovated seminary San Martin Pinario which faces the north side of the cathedral has rooms with character for BOTH pilgrims and tourists. Their web link is http://www.sanmartinpinario.eu/. My private single pilgrim room with heat, bathroom and buffet breakfast was 23€ in December. After walking 50 days and staying in coed pilgrim dorms this was pure luxury!

Good luck on your adventure,

Margaret

 

[aehicks]

I second the recommendation for San Martin Pinario. We stayed there for a total of three weeks, and the staff could not have been friendlier. Breakfast is also really yummy!