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I'm certain that expectations of comfort have increased massively! On my first Camino only a handful of refugios had hot water although most had cold water showers. Most had beds but a few places only offered concrete floor space on which to spread out your mat and sleeping bag. None offered internet connections! Those walking the route then were on average much younger and had to able and willing to carry a substantial pack over stages up to 30km or more. Accommodation was far scarcer and there was no luggage transport service. I think that there has been a vicious circle at work in recent years - more comfortable facilities at shorter intervals drawing ever larger numbers of increasingly older people. That growth in turn then providing the incentive to open more and better equipped albergues and hostals.I do have a feeling that expectations of comfort are higher than they used to be, but there are a lot of reasons for that, average age being probably one of the biggest.
@Bradypus, I think that you have just finished walking from SJPP to Santiago, what was your impression?I've seen a few people saying when they arrived at an albergue, even around this time of year, it was all packed up.
Nowhere was completely full but the only albergue open in Zubiri was very close to it. I think that on any one stage (at least until Sarria) there were probably no more than 15 people walking each day. That's roughly how many were in Roncesvalles and I didn't see anywhere else more busy than that. The issue for us was that in many smaller towns or villages there were no open options - albergue or private. And outside of the major cities like Pamplona, Burgos or Leon there were usually only one or two albergues open. If those happen to be smaller places then a single group of four or five walking together could easily change the situation for everyone else. It also meant that our choice of daily stages was far more limited than would be the case in the main season.@Bradypus, I think that you have just finished walking from SJPP to Santiago, what was your impression? Were there many albergues all packed up when you arrived?
Is booking ahead going to be the new normal now? Just curious what people think.
It is probably more of a debated issue here online than in practice. In discussions here I tend to find that the most heated reactions come from those who wish to use booking services and luggage transport but then find they cannot use albergues like Refugio Gaucelmo in Rabanal which refuse to accept either. Often expressed with a strong sense of entitlement which suggests that anything which the poster wants should be available to them regardless of the provider's aims and intentions.My personal impression is that the two world views/Camino views co-exist peacefully and are generally not in conflict, at least not in the field or rather on the way.
All of the above. In a very complicated soup of interrelated cause and effect.I guess your question is: Has there been a shift from non-bookers to bookers since 20xx or 19xx? In absolute numbers or percentage wise? Post-Covid versus Pre-Covid perhaps? Is it a question of age group? Change of pilgrim demographic? Technological developments and making use of it - for both sides: pilgrims and albergue owners/managers?
luggage transport
Have you met him?Why oh why did nobody say at the time: "Nip it in the bud! Don't do this."
So much more than alright!I feel able to join the discussion having read Perambulating Griffin's last paragraph. I had a nagging feeling about the Camino for many years and for various reasons was only able to undertake it aged 73 and widowed. So, by choice and circumstance alone, I took the easy option and pre - booked accommodation and luggage transfer. I totally respected the others who carried their huge backpacks and tumbled out of albergues at dawn but that would have been too hard for me and I needed the security if knowing where I would sleep. BUT my experience was joyous and life - affirming and has led to further Caminos. Does that make it alright?
I'm a few years younger than you but arthritis in both knees has already put a premature end to two long-distance walks for me. I very recently walked the Camino Frances from SJPDP again and pre-booked some nights though I did not use backpack transport (which was not available anyway). In part the journey was a test and a confidence builder after those disappointments. I'm reluctantly coming to the conclusion that in order to continue walking Caminos I may soon have to return to walking the more popular routes in the main season so that I can regularly walk shorter stages carrying a minimal load. But I think that when I reach the stage in my physical health when pre-booking and backpack transport become essential then I will with much sadness look elsewhere for my physical and spiritual challenges. A pre-booked and vehicle-assisted journey would be so far removed from the essential character of the walking pilgrimages I have made until now that I fear it would be a deeply unsatisfactory pastiche.The next time I walk, I will prebook 2-3 days ahead, for my own peace and convenience. I will most likely use backpack transport some days, for the peace and convenience of my old arthritis knees: I think it's the only way I can walk another Camino these days, unfortunately...
Hurrah! I couldn't agree more!So much more than alright!
The minimalism of the walk was meant to make it accessible, even to those of limited means. It’s not actually meant to be a moral test of your ability to leave behind your bathtub etc.
In fact… on this point the hospitalera at SJPdP who did the orientation of those heading out when I made my departure from there almost 10 years ago said, “If you can afford better accommodations, then take them because there are those walking who cannot, and if you think you are here to have a cheap holiday then you are stealing the opportunity of others to make their pilgrimage on limited means.”
That one can walk the camino every day for 800KM and pre-book, have private accommodations, use a luggage transfer service reflects nothing about the fortitude of the person walking and is a merely external metric, but it does, absolutely, leave room for others with fewer economic resources and stronger bodies to go the more minimal route.
Yes, I am also there (almost). Will try one more time, though, and see how it goes....But I think that when I reach the stage in my physical health when pre-booking and backpack transport become essential then I will with much sadness look elsewhere for my physical and spiritual challenges. A pre-booked and vehicle-assisted journey would be so far removed from the essential character of the walking pilgrimages I have made until now that I fear it would be a deeply unsatisfactory pastiche.
Whilst some need the certainty of pre-booking for advancing age or medical conditions (or guiding clients) the increasing prevalence of pre-booking -in my opinion - reflects an increasing touristification of the main Camino routes.I walked from SJPDP to Santiago in 2017. Other than a few days where I wanted to upgrade to a nice hotel as a treat, I mostly just found accommodation when I arrived. On easter weekend that didn't work out so well, but the rest of the time I always found somewhere to sleep.
I walked a bit of the camino frances during COVID when it was mostly just us people in Spain, and it seemed like having booked accomodation was mostly a requirement. That makes sense during the tail end of a pandemic, but I'm just curious what the norm is now. I've been perusing these forums passively for the last few years, and it seems like it's more and more normal to book your accommodation in advance, even the night before once you've finalized your plans. I'm just curious what other people think as well.
I quite liked being able to just show up and find accomodation, but I've seen a few people saying when they arrived at an albergue, even around this time of year, it was all packed up. Is booking ahead going to be the new normal now? Just curious what people think.
@Kathar1na - You have outdone yourself with this brilliant summary!Since you don't ask for personal preference but for what we think in general ... let me jump into the fray:
My personal impression is that the two world views/Camino views co-exist peacefully and are generally not in conflict, at least not in the field or rather on the way. Also, the adherents of one view may not know much about the other. Which is why some believe that "everything is already booked" while others, at the same time, enter public albergues with many empty beds.
- If there are more pilgrims who want to stay in a location than beds that are available in that location and on that day, then some pilgrims won't get a bed in that location. Because they arrived later than other pilgrims at a non-bookable albergue (often municipal, parochial or donativo) or because they arrived at a bookable albergue (often albergues oriented towards pilgrims but not for their exclusive use as well as small hotels, casas rurales etc) and had not booked themselves. You make your choice and live with it.
- There are, in general, not as many non-bookable albergue beds in a location to cater for all peregrinos who want to stay in that location. Some people will have to stay in bookable accommodation even when they did not book ahead. And vice versa. There is no way to force or even just make everybody not book.
- As to perception, some pilgrims find not booking liberating while other pilgrims find booking liberating.
- First time Camino walkers may not be aware that they can book but don't have to book. They benefit from being told about the options and the pros and cons. Anyone who has walked a whole Camino in Spain or even only part of it, knows what's what and what they prefer for themselves and their feeling of being well. And for their second and subsequent walking pilgrimage experience, they either never book, always book, or they book sometimes and sometimes they don't.
I guess your question is: Has there been a shift from non-bookers to bookers since 20xx or 19xx? In absolute numbers or percentage wise? Post-Covid versus Pre-Covid perhaps? Is it a question of age group? Change of pilgrim demographic? Technological developments and making use of it - for both sides: pilgrims and albergue owners/managers?
I don't think of it as better accomodation. Only different and bookable.Hurrah! I couldn't agree more!
I do sometimes get the feeling that those who stay in better accommodation and use transport services are judged poorly by those who do not. Perhaps there is a view that these pilgrims are not walking in the true spirit of the Camino. But then isn't judging others against the true spirit of the Camino?
Personally my only request is that pilgrims are considerate of the needs of others.
On my reading it seems to be closer to necessary than "merely" respectful.in advance seems to be the respectful way to walk the less travelled routes.
I leave the bunk beds to the younger guys nowadays and like to have my own room. I can confirm dick bird feeling as being a fact: Definitely more people these days go likewise, which makes reservation a must, as the availability is limited. I recommend to start booking 3 months ahead.Depends what you mean by normal: there are still a lot of people who don’t book. Ironically it is often the case that bookable accommodation is full while the albergues have plenty of space. I do have a feeling that expectations of comfort are higher than they used to be, but there are a lot of reasons for that, average age being probably one of the biggest.
Yes and no… “It’s your camino” also means that it is your obligation and responsibility to take what comes, work with it, and not leave a mess for others. There are many “it’s my camino types” who treat it as a “pay-to-play” in which they act like petulant children about any inconvenience or discomfort.Yes they are all sort of ways to do a Camino but remember it's your own individual Camino to be completed whatever way you want to.no rights or wrongs just do what is to your liking nothing laid down in law just enjoy this wonderful experience you'll never forget.
The next time I walk, I will prebook 2-3 days ahead, for my own peace and convenience. I will most likely use backpack transport some days, for the peace and convenience of my old arthritis knees: I think it's the only way I can walk another Camino these days, unfortunately...
It is probably more of a debated issue here online than in practice. In discussions here I tend to find that the most heated reactions come from those who wish to use booking services and luggage transport but then find they cannot use albergues like Refugio Gaucelmo in Rabanal which refuse to accept either. Often expressed with a strong sense of entitlement which suggests that anything which the poster wants should be available to them regardless of the provider's aims and intentions.
I'm certain that expectations of comfort have increased massively! On my first Camino only a handful of refugios had hot water although most had cold water showers. Most had beds but a few places only offered concrete floor space on which to spread out your mat and sleeping bag. None offered internet connections! Those walking the route then were on average much younger and had to able and willing to carry a substantial pack over stages up to 30km or more. Accommodation was far scarcer and there was no luggage transport service. I think that there has been a vicious circle at work in recent years - more comfortable facilities at shorter intervals drawing ever larger numbers of increasingly older people. That growth in turn then providing the incentive to open more and better equipped albergues and hostals.
was this a reply to my post?, if so it's HiHome hostel in OviedoWhich hostel?
Nope. That’s not what anybody is saying. Worth reading from the top.Newbie question. Are you all saying there are no beds at all to be had, or that there are no beds in albergues and hostels?
That is a question for your chosen transport provider. Though quite how they can deliver your bag to where you are staying when even you don’t know where your staying is a puzzle beyond this old grump.Please advise me where to transfer the backpack to the next destination where the lodging is not pre-booked. Is it possible that you can transfer the backpack to the any albergues or municipal albergue only?
Looking forward of hearing your advices.
Puzzling question. I have just re-read the first post and all the rest, and nobody has said this. There are thousands of beds. The discussion is about whether advanced reservations are the new normal - the posts give some examples of the advantages and disadvantages of reserving in advance.Newbie question. Are you all saying there are no beds at all to be had, or that there are no beds in albergues and hostels?
We are 60 and 72 and stay and volunteer in many non bookable places. Age is relative. Last year we had as wide an age range of guests as we have other years. I really think it is more about preference and perhaps budget.
My understanding is that you can only transfer backpacks to where you have booked. Pilgrim only non- bookable albergues do not hold baggage / back packs.Please advise me where to transfer the backpack to the next destination where the lodging is not pre-booked. Is it possible that you can transfer the backpack to the any albergues or municipal albergue only?
Not all albergues accept backpack transfers. Most Notably, Xunta Albergues don't. Most of the time it goes to a cafe that is nearby. There were a few times where I sent my backpack to an albergue, then I decided to walk some more. There were times when that albergue was filled up and other times when I just wanted to walk some morePlease advise me where to transfer the backpack to the next destination where the lodging is not pre-booked. Is it possible that you can transfer the backpack to the any albergues or municipal albergue only?
Looking forward of hearing your advices.
You are taking a risk by sending your bag to a place you have not booked. Even if they accept sent-on bags, the staff might be out when the bag arrives so it may be left unattended on the street. If you want to send on your bag, only send it to a place you have booked. Alternatively, do what the majority of pilgrims do, carry it.Please advise me where to transfer the backpack to the next destination where the lodging is not pre-booked. Is it possible that you can transfer the backpack to the any albergues or municipal albergue only?
Looking forward of hearing your advices.
Actually, many of them do, but you need to know first. Usually, as Isawtman says, if the albergue does not accept bags, there is a nearby café that will accept them.My understanding is that you can only transfer backpacks to where you have booked. Pilgrim only non- bookable albergues do not hold baggage / back packs.
And I usually eat at those cafes just to make it worth it to them. I don't think they get any money for having your bag.Actually, many of them do, but you need to know first. Usually, as Isawtman says, if the albergue does not accept bags, there is a nearby café that will accept them.
Going back to this original post I’m going to put a bet on “yes, it’s the new normal if you are walking a popular route at a popular time”. My bet says that if you are walking the last 100 of the CF or Portuguese between May and September the vast majority (a non-scientific estimate) of those you pass and are passed by will have booked at least that night’s accommodation.I walked from SJPDP to Santiago in 2017. Other than a few days where I wanted to upgrade to a nice hotel as a treat, I mostly just found accommodation when I arrived. On easter weekend that didn't work out so well, but the rest of the time I always found somewhere to sleep.
I walked a bit of the camino frances during COVID when it was mostly just us people in Spain, and it seemed like having booked accomodation was mostly a requirement. That makes sense during the tail end of a pandemic, but I'm just curious what the norm is now. I've been perusing these forums passively for the last few years, and it seems like it's more and more normal to book your accommodation in advance, even the night before once you've finalized your plans. I'm just curious what other people think as well.
I quite liked being able to just show up and find accomodation, but I've seen a few people saying when they arrived at an albergue, even around this time of year, it was all packed up. Is booking ahead going to be the new normal now? Just curious what people think.
Some interesting posts indeed. Lots of food for thought.
Particularly how our accommodation 'preferences' and mode of walking a Camino tend to dictate where we stay, and perhaps the type of other Pilgrims we meet.
For example, I would love to stay in Refugio Gaucelmo in Rabanal on my next Camino. I've heard so much about it.
But the reality is, my walking ability and hence speed and daily distance, will mean that I will arrive in Rabanal too late to get a bed there. I understand totally why they don't take bookings.
So 'on the day' I may stay closer to it the day before, decide to leave earlier or whatever.
But I'm not a bed racerI find that detracts totally from my journey.
That raises another thought........
Do non booking places, tend to attract a younger / faster Pilgrim?
The flip side of course, being that I rarely stay in non bookable places, given that my walking day can often end at 4-6pm. So I tend to book 1 day ahead......
But I may throw caution to the wind next time
The baby boomers (I am one of them) want to go on a backpacking trip without planning and sleep under a roof in a hippie-style manner, just once in their lives. Many have the money and time to fly from one continent to another to fulfill their ultimate dream, which the Camino de Santiago makes possible. And there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.
And after the first intoxicating evening and the first night at Orisson, which was of course reserved months in advance, one wants to continue to finding a secure bed (and the next logical step is usually to having their pack forwarded). Romance, yes, but in moderation.
If those baby boomers who can afford it would admit that a comfortable bed in their own room with a bathroom would actually be better for them, many beds in the albergues would become available, making it no longer a must to pre-book.
I can imagine that happening for a night, maybe two, but not much more.And the flip side..........
Perhaps some of those baby boomers hear so much about the 'authenticity' and 'camaraderie' associated with staying in Albergues, they feel guilty about their style of Camino and in pursuit of a more 'authentic' Pilgrim journey, stay in Albergues even though they don't 'need' to or really want to
I'm serious.......
I'm in the latter end of the baby boomer bracket. While I do enjoy private rooms from time to time I do feel that albergues are part of a modest and simple approach which is more in tune with what I feel pilgrimage should be about. My own compromise in recent years has been to walk the less popular routes in winter when more often than not I have the whole albergue to myself. The best of both worlds!Perhaps some of those baby boomers hear so much about the 'authenticity' and 'camaraderie' associated with staying in Albergues, they feel guilty about their style of Camino and in pursuit of a more 'authentic' Pilgrim journey, stay in Albergues even though they don't 'need' to or really want to
I think that might be part of the quandary for an individual who has viewed the decision to "albergue" or "not to albergue" as if that decision were a fundamental permanent decision that would alter the nature of your entire Camino. In fact, it is just one night when you might be slightly uncomfortable.they feel guilty about their style of Camino and in pursuit of a more 'authentic' Pilgrim journey, stay in Albergues even though they don't 'need' to or really want to
I can imagine that happening for a night, maybe two, but not much more.
If you were trying to be true to the spirit of the movie did you wander 25km off the Camino to find a bridge you could fall off?As a newbie I did not even know there were private rooms available and I'm glad I didn't as I wanted "Tom's" experience anyway.
Thanks Alex, for your advice to care for the "old arthritic knees" indeed, I feel your pain!! I'm due to attempt my second this year and have been tossing up how to approach i.e. book or not to book....I think your plan is good as we know we have the good days and not so good days with arthritis and recovery takes longer. If anyone has any idea how to mitigate the pain in knees i'd love to hear their story! Good luck on your next Camino, Bien Camino AlexThe next time I walk, I will prebook 2-3 days ahead, for my own peace and convenience. I will most likely use backpack transport some days, for the peace and convenience of my old arthritis knees: I think it's the only way I can walk another Camino these days, unfortunately...
Here is a thread that will interest you!If anyone has any idea how to mitigate the pain in knees i'd love to hear their story!
You are actually less likely to be able to transfer a backpack to a municipal albergue. In general, the luggage transfer situation is designed to work with albergue booking. Pilgrims would reserve accommodations at private albergues, or hotels, or hostals, or casas rurales and then arrange to have the luggage shipped there. These private establishments would accept the luggage as a service to their customers.Please advise me where to transfer the backpack to the next destination where the lodging is not pre-booked. Is it possible that you can transfer the backpack to the any albergues or municipal albergue only?
Looking forward of hearing your advices.
The baby boomers (I am one of them) want to go on a backpacking trip without planning and sleep under a roof in a hippie-style manner, just once in their lives. Many have the money and time to fly from one continent to another to fulfill their ultimate dream, which the Camino de Santiago makes possible. And there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.
And the flip side..........
Perhaps some of those baby boomers hear so much about the 'authenticity' and 'camaraderie' associated with staying in Albergues, they feel guilty about their style of Camino and in pursuit of a more 'authentic' Pilgrim journey, stay in Albergues even though they don't 'need' to or really want to
Some of is do admit that, but for myself, it would make it more difficult to stay in a hotel, hostel, etc every night. So I seem to have settled on a mix places where I can get a private room, and a few albergues.If those baby boomers who can afford it would admit that a comfortable bed in their own room with a bathroom would actually be better for them, many beds in the albergues would become available, making it no longer a must to pre-book.
I have, but I have also booked. I wanted to stay in a couple of places that I couldn't book walking the CP last year. In contrast, the last time I walked the CF, it was with my wife, and the last 100 km was booked every night.So here’s an idea.
There have been 65 (now 66) posts on this thread . Maybe 40 different contributors (haven’t counted).
But who here would leave their accommodation in the morning without a bed pre-booked for that night? Assuming you are walking the CF or CP, it is between May and September and you are within 100k of Santiago.
So here’s an idea.
There have been 65 (now 66) posts on this thread . Maybe 40 different contributors (haven’t counted).
But who here would leave their accommodation in the morning without a bed pre-booked for that night? Assuming you are walking the CF or CP, it is between May and September and you are within 100k of Santiago.
The last time I walked the Camino Frances in 2017 I walked with three additional family members. We ran into trouble a couple of times, so eventually we heard you can email ahead one night at a time, which helped us immensely. The only pressure was needing to arrive by a set time or you could lose your beds.I have, but I have also booked. I wanted to stay in a couple of places that I couldn't book walking the CP last year. In contrast, the last time I walked the CF, it was with my wife, and the last 100 km was booked every night.
Please post a picture of your cat.I still don't really "get" this discussion about pre-booking.
I agree that for some people/some places it's a good idea (health problems, high age, bottleneck places during high season, walking in groups or with a large family...).
For some routes IT IS necessary unless you're fine with sleeping outdoors sometimes.
But apart from that, for the Francés, I still think that if you're healthy and able to walk 5-10km plus from time to time to reach the next place with a bed, and do some smart planning (shorter walking days to reach bottleneck places and then use walk-in-only albergues, don't pick towns with only one tiny albergue and 15km to the next as your destination for an already long day, ect.) that's enough to be able to walk without reservation (or same-day reservation or one day ahead max...).
I've walked the last 100km in peak season last year (august!) with a very painful foot, and the only reason it was very difficult to find places to stay on that stretch was my cat. Without that four legged companion it would have been entirely possible to walk even that section without pre-booking days or weeks ahead.
I've walked the Francés in march/april/may now (including easter), in june/july and july/august, and there was never the need to pre book more than one day ahead, if at all.
The only exceptions were the Pamplona region during San Fermin (which would have been no problem had I not made the stupid decision to walk a long day, and had just stayed in Zubiri, where there was still beds...) and as I said, places not accepting me because of the cat.
Many pilgrims I met last year, still didn't make reservations more than a day ahead or none at all. Especially the long distance walkers. Those walking shorter sections seemed to have pre booked more.
Now, there's absolutely nothing wrong with pre-booking your whole trip if that's what you prefer.
But there's no need for the constant fearmongering about beds, when the problem ist really more that maybe there's not the "right" beds (single room in exactly the town and albergue/pension/hotel you want to).
Both options (pre book or don't pre book) are possible and come with their own pros and cons. So just pick the option you prefer.
But there's no need for one or the other in general or one that should be done "as normal", unless there are personal reasons that make one of the options impossible (or If you'll be walking a route with little infrastructure where calling accommodation before is essential).
On the Francés, you can still just walk, if you want to.
Please post a picture of your cat.
He is. We were usually unseccessful to find accommodation by phone, but just walking into an albergue with that cutie in his tiny carrier and asking for mercy / a place to camp in the garden sometimes did the trickWhat a cutie!
I once found five little kittens meowing in a park under a bush, and their eyes were nearly matted shut. I didn't know what to do; they apparently were dropped off. A lady came with her pre-teen daughter who fellnin love with them. They went home, and returned with a cardboard box and lunch meat, and were goingto take them to a nearby vet. I was so relieved.First pictures are directly after I found him,
His eyes were just like that. Completely gooey and matted shut when I found him. It's a virus. Kittens usually die quickly from that or lose their eyes if they don't get medical attention. In the photos the eyes have been cleaned by the vet already and he got his eyedrops. If you ever find kittens like that again, bring them to a no-kill rescue/shelter or even better a good vet firstI once found five little kittens meowing in a park under a bush, and their eyes were nearly matted shut. I didn't know what to do; they apparently were dropped off. A lady came with her pre-teen daughter who fellnin love with them. They went home, and returned with a cardboard box and lunch meat, and were goingto take them to a nearby vet. I was so relieved.
I realize I am off topic, but your photos reminded me of those poor little kitttens with gooey matted eyes.
Excellent!First pictures are directly after I found him, then one in Santiago and one in the Finisterre Beach. The others are more recent.
Sorry, more than one picture. Couldn't resist.
Within 100 km of Santiago on the Frances in the summer, I had a bed booked for the night before I started walking. Further away, it was very different. By the time I had reached the last 100 km I had a very good idea of how far I (and my body) liked to walk in a day.So here’s an idea.
There have been 65 (now 66) posts on this thread . Maybe 40 different contributors (haven’t counted).
But who here would leave their accommodation in the morning without a bed pre-booked for that night? Assuming you are walking the CF or CP, it is between May and September and you are within 100k of Santiago.
Yes, that may be the case. The last couple of posts have been moved from a separate thread, over to this one where that very question is being discussed.Perhaps that booking online before departing for the Camino is now the most common way and I'm fighting against the trend.
YES! This is a *whole new* walking with pets story! And I want to hear it! I’m aware of a few travelling cats, most of whom had just suddenly taken up with a human and not wanted to leave. What’s your cat’s story???Please post a picture of your cat.
Take them to the CaminoCats!
Anyone in Sydney want a kitten?
We had 4 tiny ones turn up at our door a couple of months ago.
The local vet was very helpful in checking them out.
Stray cats are a big problem here and the shelters are all full.......
Although walking lesser known paths won't necessarily solve this particular problem as on many of the less walked paths the etiquette is to book ahead a day or two in advance so that the hospitalero/a can prepare for your arrival. For example, this summer I'm planning to walk the Camino de Madrid, one of the lesser walked Caminos, and the municipal albergue in Tres Cantos (one day out of Madrid) asked for 48 hours notice from any pilgrim intending to stay there.jci-clonmel,
You are not the only one with such concerns. Many pilgrims are currently considering walking less known/less busy paths.
Me and that is exactly what I did in 2019, including walking into Santiago de Compostela a couple of days before St James day without reservations. The only time I got turned away I walked 100 metres and found a bed.So here’s an idea.
There have been 65 (now 66) posts on this thread . Maybe 40 different contributors (haven’t counted).
But who here would leave their accommodation in the morning without a bed pre-booked for that night? Assuming you are walking the CF or CP, it is between May and September and you are within 100k of Santiago.
I as well, but I did not walk in Spain last year, or since Covid. But in 2019 I walked part of the Frances in June and found donativos between popular pueblos under-utilized.So here’s an idea.
There have been 65 (now 66) posts on this thread . Maybe 40 different contributors (haven’t counted).
But who here would leave their accommodation in the morning without a bed pre-booked for that night? Assuming you are walking the CF or CP, it is between May and September and you are within 100k of Santiago.
Perhaps that booking online before departing for the Camino is now the most common way and I'm fighting against the trend.
If so it all makes me feel a bit sad.It seems to be two different parallel worlds.
This does happen; once while taking a break for a cafe, I overheard others talking about doing this.Also, I have wondered if some pilgrims aren't tempted into making more than one reservation so that at the last minute, they can pick the reservation that will work out best and then cancel the other(s)?
I don't think people have suggested that the advance reservations are a courtesy to fellow pilgrims.The idea that reserving in advance (as opposed to first-come-first-served) is a form of courtesy to fellow pilgrims and to the albergue is a new idea for me.
It really does happen. And when I first encountered this, it was quite shocking to me! When I was walking the Le Puy Way about a decade ago, around a gite dinner table one night, we (all the other pilgrims) became aware of a lady who was doing this! How did we become aware ... she told us, proudly. She seemed to think it was a clever approach. 'You can book many places and then decide where you want to stop'. This had even worse implications on the Le Puy Way as a booking often meant bed and a delicious dinner were 'reserved' for the guest. Various people around the table tried to explain, in various languages, that her approach was 'not cool'. I don't know if she took that on board.This does happen; once while taking a break for a cafe, I overheard others talking about doing this.
It's selfish and obnoxious: all about me and my camino and to heck with anyone else. Hopefully something more positive rubs off on people like this, because that attitude is bad for everyone, on the camino and at home.
Yes that was the case with a number of reservations I made (most of the time the request was to confirm a day prior and an estimated ETA) and applied to bunks just as well.Most of the ones who didn’t ask for a card did ask me to confirm a certain number of days before coming, so I assume if I don’t confirm they would cancel my reservation.
I reserved all private rooms so I don’t know if it would be different for reserving bunks.
Actually it is worse than that, usually they don't even bother cancelling the reservations they don't use and so everyone except them loses.I have wondered if some pilgrims aren't tempted into making more than one reservation so that at the last minute, they can pick the reservation that will work out best and then cancel the other(s)? (That doesn't seem fair to either the hospitaleras or fellow pilgrims
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