In Europe it's usually two meals - one of which is breakfast.
Thank you. I knew someone smarter than me would be able to answer this easily. I appreciate it!
But usually just toast or other bread and coffee - not a "full" breakfast
Or churros - don't forget the churros!
The thought occurs: if you do go half board you'll probably go breakfast and dinner as you'll most likely be walking at lunchtime. If you decide to skip the evening meal - perhaps to eat in a restaurant with friends - then do tell them in the hotel. You won't get a discount but they won't have to waste making a meal they expected you to be there for.
Not heard the phrase ‘half board’ for a long time! Alway thought it was a quaint British thing at B and B’s at our seaside resorts!To this standard European half board, demi pension, Halbpension, and media pension means one thing: that one of the two daily main meals is included in the price. Sometimes there is a choice between "midday meal" and "evening meal" but more often than not it is the evening meal that is included in the price.
Breakfast (what some foreigners like to call a Continental breakfast) is included in a media pension price anyway but it does not get a special mention. It's either breakfast included, or half board (1 main meal) or full board (2 main meals). There is a reason why the prices are called half board and full board and not two-thirds board and full board.
It means both dinner AND breakfast
I only encountered the term "half board" when I walked the Le Puy route, used to describe staying in the gites, which were often farm properties or large homes. There was only an option for one price which included dinner and a simple breakfast. The dinners were outstanding, but their morning coffee does not compare to Spain's.
I have never seen this offered for an albergue in Spain. So, I assume you are talking about gites in France or maybe casas rurales in Spain.
No problem! You might want to read this thread for an explanation of the types of accommodation available in Spain.
On the Camino Francés, I stayed in private albergues, casas rurales and small hotels and I don't recall having seen half board offers. They may offer it for guests, I just don't recall it. As to Spain in general, I would usually associate half board with a beach holiday; it is common to see this in holiday brochures for Spain.
Although albergues in Spain may not offer half board, when Caminoways booked our accommodations from Sarria to Santiago in July 21, they specifically asked us if we wanted to book " half board". It was usually dinner either in the hostal/ hotel or nearby, and a European breakfast the next morning before we started walking.
I beleave it is bed, breakfast and dinner
There are half board definitions throughout this thread. I would add that in my 8 Caminos in Spain, I have never seen an albergue, hotel or hostal offer half board, and have never seen an albergue offer lunch. Nearly all of them are closed from 0800 to 1400 although some will let you stay a bit later and check in a bit earlier.
