Help phoning to book ahead?

[Coreyna]

Hi there,
My Mum is a vegan (though will eat vegetarian on the Camino when there's no options). We *really* want to stay in a private room at Hostel Las Herrerias (or Refugio Pequeno Potala if we miss out on the former) as the provided dinner is vegetarian which seems to be really rare.

At this stage I've sent a hopeful email to both but what I wanted to know is, is there a person/company/service you can pay for, that you can speak to in English who will then phone and arrange the booking for you in Spanish?

Sorry if this sounds silly, we haven't walked before and are nervous enough ;going it alone' (we had been going to go supported with tour company)

Thanks!
Coreyna

 

[GlenysP]

I don't have an answer to your question, but I thought I'd let you know that I had a vegetarian evening meal at Beilari in SJPdP last September. Very nice, too. If you stay there and book online beforehand, from memory you can add a comment and they may cater to your particular request as I found them VERY obliging.
Also, there are a few other ways to eat vegan/ vegetarian eg many Alburgues have shared kitchens (although I didn't personally cook, from memory the Alburgue list that you receive at the SJPdP Pilgrims' Office, has this indicated) . Also, eat ensalada, or buy off the menu rather than a Pilgrims meal. Buen Camino

 

[nreyn12]

Hi Coreyna,

I think you would need to engage a tour company to do your advance bookings, if you need someone to cross the language barrier for you. Have you looked into Camino Ways?

According to the Eroski Camino website, Albergue Las Herrerías accepts reservations only a day or two in advance of arrival, and they don't seem to have much in the way of private rooms.

Refugio Pequeño Potala isn't strictly a vegetarian albergue, although they gladly prepare a veg version of their fabulous community meal. (Most albergues will do this if you can communicate your needs.)

I am also a vegetarian...have you found this link: http://www.hikingthecamino.com/on-the-way/food-and-water/vegetarian-celiac-options

And my favorite veg meal on the Camino, which is in Pamplona, is at Herriko Taberna, located just in side the old city walls. Yum!

Buen Camino,
Nancy

 

[Bala]

Coreyna, when we walked last fall we asked the host at wherever we were staying to phone and make reservations for the next day. Never had a problem. In one instance when the place we wanted to stay was full, the hostel-keeper phoned an alternative for us. We always offered to have them use our phone, but no one ever took us up on that. So what I'm saying is, our experience was everyone was very helpful. Hopefully you'll hear back soon from the places you want to stay. But if not, there should be others around who can help you out with calls, language barriers, suggestions for vegetarian meals.