Introduction and in dire need of feedback on tour vs. solo w

[katebmills]

Hi all! I'm Kate from Nashville Tn and I'm planning on walking for 2 weeks in June. This has been a dream for 8 years and I'm so blessed to be finally doing it. I am thinking about using Spanish Steps (a tour company) to do this walk.

I would greatly welcome any thoughts positive or negative on the topic of going alone vs. a tour group.

Thanks so much!

 

[sillydoll]

Hi Kate,
If you decide on a tour group, one of the most highly recommended is "On Foot in Spain". They specialise in small groups of 6 to 14 people. The joint owner-guides are cultural anthropologist Nancy Frey (PhD, UC Berkeley) who wrote Pilgrim Stories - on and off the Road, and writer, mountaineer Jose Placer (co-author Walking in Spain, Lonely Planet). http://onfootinspain.com/
I don't think you could ask for better credentials if you want to do two weeks with tour guides.

 

[MermaidLilli]

I think knowing why would you want to do it alone and why you would want to do it with a group would give me a better idea of how to address any issues you may have.
The tour idea is nice in that you would probably have a knowledgeable person telling you the historical aspects, may have accommodations ready for you, you would be with the same people throughout and forging friendships...
Going it alone is also wonderful in that you would go at your own pace, have quiet times, make friendships with people, stop when you want...
If going with a group gives you a sense of safety, do know that you would not be unsafe going alone.
I was alone and loved it. Met and walked with many people.
Let us know
Lillian

 

[katebmills]

Good point. I would like a mixture of both. My biggest reason for using the group would be for accomodations and general orginzational aspects. I have never travelled to Europe, let alone to walk and totally enter the unknown. The idea of doing it alone certainly doesn't frighten me in terms of safety, just for the reasons metioned above.

I wonder the cost of a tour (3200-3500) vs. going it alone?

Thanks for your feedback and excellent questions. I plan on going early to mid June!

 

[Arn]

Hi and welcome!

I'm wondering as is mush the same as Lillian's. Why are you going on the Camino. Sounds like a holiday jaunt rather than say...a pilgrimage. If you're looking for the "If this is Monday...It must be Belgium" experience and have limited time.. The tour is the way to go. If you're looking for the experience to meet new people every day, stay in a albergue with a bunch of folks that snore, cough, and walk the Way. Then take your pack and come along.

Buen Camino,
Arn

 

[katebmills]

Definelty not a "holdiay jaunt" I much more want the pilgimage experience but I'm a single mom to a 3 year old and I am not willing to leave her for 35 days. This will be my first trip, but I intend to do the whole 500 miles in 5 years when she can better understand why I'm gone! I really hope that I can find a happy medium. Time alone to reflect, and time to meet lots of great people.

 

[MermaidLilli]

Then if I may be so bold to say, go it alone. Then take the 3thousand dollars and....wow, a lot of things come to mind. Have fun
Lillian

 

[katebmills]

I appreciate that! So I'm sure there's a post pertaining to this, but how much (roughly) would a 2 week trip like this cost (sans airfare) I've already priced that. Lodging, food etc. That maybe what sells it for me.

 

[oursonpolaire]

Other threads have dealt with cost-- assume about 1E/km if you stay in albergues and nosh off the menu de peregrino. Private accommodations (a room in a modest hostal=family-run hotel would run 20-35E) and the menu de dia (10-16E) will up the cost. While there is admittedly a comfort level with a group leader, you would miss the extraordinary experience of mixing with pilgrims from all parts of the planet and a chance (not taken as often as I think useful) to interact with the Spanish.

The Camino Francese is well-marked and well-researched, so much of what you would want to know logistically is available from the Confraternity/ Pili Pala/ Brierly guides, and for the history and art from Gitlitz-Davidson, so it is possible that you could manage this yourself.

Albergue accommodation, while Spartan, takes one from outside one's comfort limits and places you on terms of absolute and existential (in other words, a way that teaches you) equality with other pilgrims. If their snoring and farting is just too much, inexpensive private accommodation is easily found (look at http://www.santiago.ca/PDF/camino-alternative-guide.pdf as one tool-- current info will be in the Confraternity guide) and they will often call ahead for you for your next stop. I've done both approaches, and they both have their virtues.

I must admit that I've not been on a guided tour, but I would lean toward being self-propelled on this one. There is much to be gained and little to be feared.

 

[MermaidLilli]

Most people budget 20 to 30 euros per day, mostly for food and albergues. In Santiago I spent 30 euros on a pension and in Sarria I got a fabulous massage for 40 euros. Otherwise the rest was spent on a typical day.
Incidentals like souvenirs, bus and taxi fare, equipment, (I bought a lightweight sleeping sack when I realized it was colder than my silk bag could work) etc would be extra of course. I also splurged for a spectacular meal in Logrono.
Not expensive at all.
Go for it
Lillian

 

[katebmills]

um...........en engles por favor?! Sorry, I'm so green, not familiar at all with Euros or the 1E/km examples. So maybe roughly 1K american dollars for two weeks?

 

[Arn]

oursonpolaire and Lillian have the right of it...the cost plus the daily experience will be money well spent and quite a bit less than the tour. When you and the little one are ready for a separation you will have the plan in hand and ready for the full experience.

Keep asking questions, keep filling the answer bowl and be ready for an experience a a life time.

Buen Camino,
Arn

 

[oursonpolaire]

Ah but I was writing in English.... but in Canada we use kilometres more or less cheerily every day and any currency is fine by us.

However, a Euro is roughly US$1.50 and it takes an hour to walk 3-4 kilometres. Most people do between 20km and 30km a day--- I usually average 25km in 6 hours walking. So if you follow the 1E/km approach, you will be spending US$30-40 a day. For travelling in Europe, that is exceptionally reasonable! You can easily figure out costs for going up the scale slightly. So... to summarize, in albergues, about US$30-40 and in private accomodation with better meals (this is relevant for foodies, as Spanish food can be excllent, but the menu de peregrino is simply satisfying-- although a higher quality than you will get for the same price in the US or Canada) between US$50-US$100. Rates will be higher in cities such as Leon and Burgos than in villages and towns.

While we must be conscious of costs... they need not be your primary focus. You will be carried by and with the friendships you make.

 

[sillydoll]

Hi Kate,
If you are planning to walk the 'whole' camino in 5 years time, only have two weeks now and can afford to pay to go with a small walking group that covers almost all of the camino, it might be the way to go.
I find that it takes me at least 10 days to two weeks to get into the 'zone' of walking anyway. Nancy Frey's group walks (not tours) are anything but a holiday jaunt! Visit her website and you will see that you cover almost all of the camino experiencing a synopsis of the way as no-one else does.

"On our 11-day tour we’ve selected the most beautiful and representative sections of the Camino. Starting in Roncesvalles (on the France-Spain border), we will cover the Camino Frances thoroughly as the route passes from the wooded Pyrenees of Navarra to the fertile wine territory of La Rioja, the rolling wheat fields and high tablelands (meseta) of Castilla and León and then to verdant rolling Galicia. Each region also offers its own gastronomic highlights which we’ll take great pleasure in introducing you to. Expect to enjoy a magnificent array of wildflowers in the spring and early summer. On our last night we stay in the spectacular, world-famous 5-star Hotel Reyes Católicos located at the foot of the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela."

I wouldn't mind going on one of those!

 

[cecelia]

Hi,
I'm weighing in late here but just want to reinforce how wonderful it is to walk alone - especially if you're looking for a real contemplative experience. I'm sure there must be positives to a group tour experience as mentioned earlier but walking alone gives you a freedom to meet who you will - or not. Generally pilgrims are very respectful of anyone's desire to walk alone. At the same time, if you want company it seems there is always someone there.
I hope your two weeks is so much better than your fondest dreams.
Cecelia

 

[nathanael]

Hey everyone need some more feed back on this discussion of tour verses solo. First I am concerned about doing the 20 to 25 k a day I had planned to take it easy and enjoy the scenery. Next the cost so Lilian averages about 20-30 Euros a day that sounds fair, I just want to be prepared for all this that is why I am concerned. Thanks

niel

 

[Arn]

Niel wrote:First I am concerned about

Niel, tough love time again!

Being prepared is one thing...being concerned all the time takes the fun out of things.


Here's an old adage for you: "Better a Good plan today...than the Perfect plan never!"

Now go out and enjoy the Camino...I'm sure once you take that first step the remainder will be a piece of cake.

Buen "got No Blues" Camino,

Arn

 

[JohnnieWalker]

This thread has been really interesting.

We've all felt that nervousness contemplating both walking a long distance and doing it abroad especially if we can't speak the language. Added to that there is the anxiety about full albergues, communal living with strangers and the rest of the challenges - let alone stories about bed bugs!

So I think it is understandable that some people might want to go with an organised group and that might be a really good introduction to pilgrimage and the pigrim routes in Spain in particular.

But what I think is often not fully realised is that Spain is a highly developed country - in some ways more developed than the UK. So with most routes it is relatively straightforward to book a few nights ahead if you are worried about accomodation and to set off in the knowledge that if it becomes a horrid nightmare there is a taxi or bus in the next village. Therefore I'd advise the uncertain to read all the advice of other pilgrims and start to walk - just get going...you will meet others on the way, pilgrims are helpful people and the Spanish locals go out of their way to help.
And whilst you might have booked hostals or hotels for a few nights it is also very likely that you will meet people and actually want to go to the albergue with them, grab a bed and shower and go for a meal with new found friends and then set out for new encounters the next day.

Some people throw themselves in, others dip a toe in the water - do what is right for you is my motto.

But above all - Buen Camino

John

 

[Rebekah Scott]

Judging from what you initially wrote, I think the tour group may be the way to go this time.

In keeping with my motto: ´Today´s tourist is tomorrow´s pilgrim,´ I can testify to the excellence of starting out with plenty of support, especially if you´ve not gone to Europe before, have no Spanish, and more importantly if you are on a limited schedule. My first camino experience was a whirlwind 5-star press tour sponsored by the Tourist Office of Spain. It showed travel journos the highest highlights of the Camino, in an effort to get glowing stories put in the American newspapers. Little did they know!

I fell in love with the whole pilgrimage idea, and Spain, and the meseta. That week of way-too-rushed stops and drives and samplings was the start to a great addiction. But it was also a gentle way to ease myself into the camino culture, perfect for a mom (I had two little ones) with very little time and money to spend away from home.

It took me 7 years to clear out my schedule enough to walk the whole French route as a "real" pilgrim, but by God I did it! I am glad it worked out the way it did. (and now, 7 years later, my husband and both my children have all done Santiago pilgrimages of their own!)

Oh, and Nancy Frey is a mensch. You´ll love traveling with her. The trip is way worth the cost, especially given your situation. Just do it. And stop by here and say hello!

 

[vinotinto]

I would greatly welcome any thoughts positive or negative on the topic of going alone vs. a tour group.

Ha - I met two really tall brothers from Tennessee on the Camino in the summer of 2007...nice guys.

The Nancy Frey idea looks good to me, especially with your 2-week limitation and 1st time to Europe. Heck, you'll learn a lot, and perhaps that will embolden you to do a longer trek by yourself someday.

And on the Camino, you're never alone anyway...there are always new friends to meet from all over the world, since you have the pilgrimage in common - something to look forward to for your second Camino, cuz you should always think you'll return someday... :arrow:

 

[ehaldenb]

Hi all! I'm Kate from Nashville Tn and I'm planning on walking for 2 weeks in June. This has been a dream for 8 years and I'm so blessed to be finally doing it. I am thinking about using Spanish Steps (a tour company) to do this walk.

I would greatly welcome any thoughts positive or negative on the topic of going alone vs. a tour group.

Thanks so much!

Hi Kate! The best answer I can give you, based on my own experience, is that you may arrive alone, but you always have the option to share the experience once you're there. Remaining alone may actually be the challenge. In a tour, someone else attempts to generate a particular experience with you. On the Camino, I believe we all create our own. This is its most unique quality. Take care!