Hello ... First timers ... Please help!!

[yogaflowjo]

Hi ... I am starting Camino with my friend and our two 14 yr old sons 1st April 2013 in Roncesvalles ..(2 mums and sons). We have contacted Roncesvalles albergue in order to book accommodation (Easter Sunday) and received response in Spanish ...Yikes .. Anyone know about bank transfers to secure accommodation? (is booking necessary given Easter Sunday??)
Also we are having trouble with Renfe website booking trains from Barcelona to Pamplona ... and ( my friend) Bilbao to Pamplona .. How far in advance does this website allow you to book? We are both very experienced travellers however we are camino first timers and not sure of how Easter timeframe is going to impact??... My son and I are from Melbourne, my friend and her son from York (UK) therfore we are flying into different locations .. Logistics of meeting in Roncesvalles are challenging us ...help please ?? TA Jo

 

[Sagalouts]

Hi yogaflowjo
wiser heads will come up with more information,but I can tell you that the Albergue in Roncesvalles cannot be booked in advance its first come first served,it opens around 3pm and I think the bus gets in around 6pm but no worries lots of room at the inn,with the 3 private places included 2 to 3 hundred can be accommodated,I have stayed there when there was 400 in town,it may be better to get the taxi with there being 4 of you-I would also take food with you,the 2 bars have been known to close on bank holidays.
it may be better to stay in Pamplona that first night,also may be better to catch buses (alsa??) from Barcelona and certainly Bilbao.
Ian

 

[yogaflowjo]

Hi Ian.. thanks for your advice... I feel very honoured as I have viewed this forum on many ocassions previously and recognise your "headshot"... we have chosen Easter to begin our Camino as the UK and Australian school holidays coincide (rare!!)... do you think it is going to cause us problems with availabilty.. accommodation, trains etc?

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I don't think that Easter affects pilgrim accommodations much. There may be an increase in the number of pilgrims walking the last 100 km to arrive at Easter, but at the beginning, probably there is not much impact. If you will be in a big city in a hotel at Easter, it may be busier, but it is more a family holiday than a travel holiday, so even the cities should have rooms. Some businesses will be closed, but most restaurants will be open for the holiday revenue. I have been on a camino for several Easters and never really noticed it except for the large crowds going to church.

 

[Sheesh]

Hola Yogaflojo.

Renfe does not post online schedules prior to 60 days. I have not booked my return travel from Santiago to Madrid in June because of this. I understand that the site is not too user friendly for booking, so I have been reading tips on how to do so from the site below. Hope you too find it useful.

http://www.seat61.com/Spain.htm

 

[Anniesantiago]

It is possible to book accommodation in the Roncesvalles alberuge.
I just did it in June and in September.

 

[Sagalouts]

It is possible to book accommodation in the Roncesvalles alberuge.
I just did it in June and in September.

I stand corrected things must have changed
Ian

 

[Deleted member 3000]

With close to 400 beds in town, the Colegiata now takes reservations for 60 beds. When the youth hostel is refurbished, there will be another 100+ beds, probably making reservations unnecessary.

Eroski: Reserva de plaza en el albergue: Sí, hasta un cupo máximo de 60 plazas

http://www.roncesvalles.es/directorio/i ... fug&lg=spa

La Real Colegiata de Roncesvalles, instala cada año un Campamento de Refugio para Peregrinos, como complemento en los meses de Julio y Agosto, construido con módulos prefabricados y dotados de aire acondicionado, agua caliente para ducha, servicios, etc. La capacidad de estas instalaciones es de 200 literas.

Albergue Juvenil
Está en obras. El Gobierno de Navarra lo está transformando en futuro Albergue de Peregrinos.

Refugio "Itzandegia"
Dependiente de la Real Colegiata de Roncesvalles. Un espacioso salón restaurado, originario del siglo XII. Dispone de 124 literas. Está dotado con calefacción, agua caliente para la ducha y servicios. Solamente se puede pasar una noche en él, salvo casos de circunstancias de dificultad mayor. Es necesario presentar a la entrada la Credencial del Peregrino y el tiket de inscripción. Precio: 6 euros

 

[William Marques]

I second the idea of meeting up in Pamplona and getting a taxi to Roncesvalles for the 4 of you which will work out similar or less than 4 bus tickets and give you much more flexibility. You can then decide whether to go up to Roncesvalles on the evening of the 31st or the morning of the 1st.

Do not put yourselves under too much stress especially for the first few days.

 

[yogaflowjo]

Thank you all so much for your fantastic help.. All of my questions and concerns have been answered ... Still finding my way around this forum hence the delay in me picking this up... Once again sincere thanks from 4 first timers ..

 

[sergeantmajormammy]

Hi ... I am starting Camino with my friend and our two 14 yr old sons 1st April 2013 in Roncesvalles ..(2 mums and sons). D

Hi yogaflow - we'll be just a few days ahead of you - leaving StJPdeP on Holy Thursday 28th March; 3 mums, 2 dads, 3 boys 11-13 and 1 girl 12! Hope we all have a Buen Camino (first time for any of us too!)

 

[yogaflowjo]

Hi seargantmajormammy (any relation to Mrs Brown??) ... we will be hot on your heels and would be lovely to catch you up to compare our Camino... we are only walking 10 days on this ocassion (school holidays), but plan to keep on keeping on till we finish over the next few OS trips.. Enjoy your Camino!! :lol:

 

[reg2450]

Hi ... I am starting Camino with my friend and our two 14 yr old sons 1st April 2013 in Roncesvalles ..(2 mums and sons). D

Hi yogaflow - we'll be just a few days ahead of you - leaving StJPdeP on Holy Thursday 28th March; 3 mums, 2 dads, 3 boys 11-13 and 1 girl 12! Hope we all have a Buen Camino (first time for any of us too!)

Hi both of you! Looks like we may all meet up. My daughter is a bit younger and slower than me (10) and we're leaving on the 21st or 22nd from SJPP. I know it doesn't take a week to get to Rocensvalles, but I reckon our paths will cross.

Gina & Georgia

 

[sergeantmajormammy]

We're only going as far as Pamplona (if we even get there!) this time around (stopping overnight in Valcarlos, Roncesvalles, Bizkarreta) - hopefully we will do further stages in other years. It would be great for the children/teenagers to meet others of similar ages en route.
Hope we/you all have a safe and fulfilling Camino.

Strangely, I haven't seen any reference at all on this forum to Bizkarreta - ( I hope the accommodation there is not a figment of our imagination!)

 

[Deleted member 3000]

It is still there:

http://www.laposadanueva.net/

 

[sergeantmajormammy]

Thank God for that!