amy374
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- April 2022
Apologies if this has already been covered elsewhere. I am researching my first camino, would begin the week after Easter (around April 20th or thereabouts), and time is not limited (I'm loosely thinking I would walk for about 30 days). I am following @AJGuillaume and @peregrina2000 and others on the virtual plans for both Madrid and VdlP and trying to choose between and get down to more detailed planning. Some considerations:
- It is not important to me that I cover a certain distance or finish at a particular destination, but I do love the idea of completing a long camino if it turns out I am up for it. I'm also happy to take a taxi or train at various points if my stamina is not up to a particularly long day. I consider myself a relatively fit late 40's but hiking/long distance walking is new to me. Both routes seem possible to mostly walk shorter stages if I want to.
- I want to be off of asphalt / roads and in nature as much as possible, love the idea of spring wildflowers. History, churches, etc not a particular draw so much as nature, village life, delicious food, and occasional city comforts and conversation.
- I do not want the crowds of the CF, but I would prefer to encounter a handful of pilgrims on the journey.
- I understand that its impossible to predict weather and need to be prepared but I would like to try to avoid snow or flooding, or too much heat (85 degrees plus...).
- I would strongly prefer not to book most of my accommodations in advance. I will have funds available if needed to pay for a hotel, but prefer to stick to albuergues.
- I will have very basic Spanish but not fluent, I like the idea of needing to use Spanish. (why I'm not considering Le Puy, which also looks magical).
I welcome folks' advice, and thank you for all the kindness I've encountered already from present and future peregrinxs on this site.
- It is not important to me that I cover a certain distance or finish at a particular destination, but I do love the idea of completing a long camino if it turns out I am up for it. I'm also happy to take a taxi or train at various points if my stamina is not up to a particularly long day. I consider myself a relatively fit late 40's but hiking/long distance walking is new to me. Both routes seem possible to mostly walk shorter stages if I want to.
- I want to be off of asphalt / roads and in nature as much as possible, love the idea of spring wildflowers. History, churches, etc not a particular draw so much as nature, village life, delicious food, and occasional city comforts and conversation.
- I do not want the crowds of the CF, but I would prefer to encounter a handful of pilgrims on the journey.
- I understand that its impossible to predict weather and need to be prepared but I would like to try to avoid snow or flooding, or too much heat (85 degrees plus...).
- I would strongly prefer not to book most of my accommodations in advance. I will have funds available if needed to pay for a hotel, but prefer to stick to albuergues.
- I will have very basic Spanish but not fluent, I like the idea of needing to use Spanish. (why I'm not considering Le Puy, which also looks magical).
I welcome folks' advice, and thank you for all the kindness I've encountered already from present and future peregrinxs on this site.