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Hola Peregrinos. Que hubo? It has been almost two years since I did the Camino (Frances) and I'm getting an unexpected itch. It's funny, as the only reason I did it in the Camino in the first place was to accompany my 75-yr old father on it, as he had little trekking experience. As it turned out, I think I got more out of it than he, and it turned into one of the best trips I have ever done. And thus spawns the itch to return.
I think I'd like to return (finances permitting) and do all of the major routes at some point in the coming years, but for now I am looking to do the Frances again. I have a few questions and hope to get some opinions from experienced multi-timers on this thread.
Background
I did the Frances in 2018 starting the second week of April and ending a little over a month later. I am now considering either a fall (Sept/Oct 2020) or another spring (Apr/May 2021) trek. This is my dilemma.
I loved the weather and crowds during my Apr/May trek. As the Camino went on, the weather got better and the days longer, which mimicked the journey and provided an "uplift". Meanwhile, I found the crowds at that time of year perfect: I was able to meet plenty of peregrinos but not so many that the albergues were booked and the route was packed with thick groups and crowded cafes.
Questions
1) My inclination is repeat with a Spring 2021 trip. That said, I've heard the fall is very nice too and it may be nice to try something different, especially since I'm doing the same route. Aside from the darkening days, I suspect fall will be similar in weather and crowds to the spring. Is that correct?
2) 2021 is a Holy Year, so that will affect things. To those with Holy Year experience: how do you think a Spring 2021 would compare to my Spring 2018 trek with respect to crowds and atmosphere? Of note, I am not Catholic so the direct religious benefits of a Holy Year are lost on me.
Thanks for reading. And thanks in advance for your input.
Buen Camino
I haven’t had a bad Camino yet, but then I haven’t done them all;-)Any other favorites?
I wish I had that option. For me it is Spring 2021 or not at all. I am a bit concerned about excessive crowds, so I’ll go as early as I can, startin around March 10, and I will switch to Invierno in Ponferrada, to avoid the Sarria crowds. We’ll see how that works.Hola Peregrinos. Que hubo? It has been almost two years since I did the Camino (Frances) and I'm getting an unexpected itch. It's funny, as the only reason I did it in the Camino in the first place was to accompany my 75-yr old father on it, as he had little trekking experience. As it turned out, I think I got more out of it than he, and it turned into one of the best trips I have ever done. And thus spawns the itch to return.
I think I'd like to return (finances permitting) and do all of the major routes at some point in the coming years, but for now I am looking to do the Frances again. I have a few questions and hope to get some opinions from experienced multi-timers on this thread.
Background
I did the Frances in 2018 starting the second week of April and ending a little over a month later. I am now considering either a fall (Sept/Oct 2020) or another spring (Apr/May 2021) trek. This is my dilemma.
I loved the weather and crowds during my Apr/May trek. As the Camino went on, the weather got better and the days longer, which mimicked the journey and provided an "uplift". Meanwhile, I found the crowds at that time of year perfect: I was able to meet plenty of peregrinos but not so many that the albergues were booked and the route was packed with thick groups and crowded cafes.
Questions
1) My inclination is repeat with a Spring 2021 trip. That said, I've heard the fall is very nice too and it may be nice to try something different, especially since I'm doing the same route. Aside from the darkening days, I suspect fall will be similar in weather and crowds to the spring. Is that correct?
2) 2021 is a Holy Year, so that will affect things. To those with Holy Year experience: how do you think a Spring 2021 would compare to my Spring 2018 trek with respect to crowds and atmosphere? Of note, I am not Catholic so the direct religious benefits of a Holy Year are lost on me.
Thanks for reading. And thanks in advance for your input.
Buen Camino
I have done the Camino twice - once starting in early May ending in mid-June (2017), and the second time starting the first days of September and ending early October (2019). The number of pilgrims until Sarria was about the same for both trips, but after Sarria, it seemed to me there were more "tour groups" of walkers (I hesitate to call them pilgrims, but one man's ceiling is another man's floor). In fact, I got into Palas de Rei in the late afternoon, and had to walk another nearly 2km out of town to find accommodations. I had run into a tour guide that afternoon who'd said she was taking 34 tour participants into Palas de Rei and they were staying in like 5 or 6 locations, and I don't think that size group is unusual. Both times of the year bring something different (much more rain in the fall for me and cooler temps). If I ever decide there is another CF in my future, I would likely walk from SJPP or Pamplona to Sarria, bus to Santiago and then walk on to Muxia/Fisterra to avoid walking in a gaggle of tour bus people.Hola Peregrinos. Que hubo? It has been almost two years since I did the Camino (Frances) and I'm getting an unexpected itch. It's funny, as the only reason I did it in the Camino in the first place was to accompany my 75-yr old father on it, as he had little trekking experience. As it turned out, I think I got more out of it than he, and it turned into one of the best trips I have ever done. And thus spawns the itch to return.
I think I'd like to return (finances permitting) and do all of the major routes at some point in the coming years, but for now I am looking to do the Frances again. I have a few questions and hope to get some opinions from experienced multi-timers on this thread.
Background
I did the Frances in 2018 starting the second week of April and ending a little over a month later. I am now considering either a fall (Sept/Oct 2020) or another spring (Apr/May 2021) trek. This is my dilemma.
I loved the weather and crowds during my Apr/May trek. As the Camino went on, the weather got better and the days longer, which mimicked the journey and provided an "uplift". Meanwhile, I found the crowds at that time of year perfect: I was able to meet plenty of peregrinos but not so many that the albergues were booked and the route was packed with thick groups and crowded cafes.
Questions
1) My inclination is repeat with a Spring 2021 trip. That said, I've heard the fall is very nice too and it may be nice to try something different, especially since I'm doing the same route. Aside from the darkening days, I suspect fall will be similar in weather and crowds to the spring. Is that correct?
2) 2021 is a Holy Year, so that will affect things. To those with Holy Year experience: how do you think a Spring 2021 would compare to my Spring 2018 trek with respect to crowds and atmosphere? Of note, I am not Catholic so the direct religious benefits of a Holy Year are lost on me.
Thanks for reading. And thanks in advance for your input.
Buen Camino
I am now considering either a fall (Sept/Oct 2020) or another spring (Apr/May 2021) trek. This is my dilemma.
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