JanneVi
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Planning for the first one in September 2017
Hi all,
My first post here!
I will start my first Camino on 17 September, but I have not yet made up my mind between Portuguese (inner route) or Primitivo. Frances could also be an option, but I am afraid I might find it too crowded and "touristic" and therefore I have excluded it for now from my considerations. I will have 12 days for walking, so in case of Portuguese I would start from Porto and in case of Primitivo from Oviedo, planning to walk till Santiago in either case. Now, I need some help to make up my mind:
- roads: which one has more trails and paths in the nature? I would like to avoid being too much nearby traffic and cars.
- scenery: which one you would rank more beautiful (I like high hills, greenery and rural environment)?
- historical sites: which one has more to offer in terms of history and culture?
- navigation: which one is easier to navigate (I will be alone, so would not like to get lost too badly)?
- other pilgrims: whilst I enjoy my own silence, I still would not like to be completely alone all the way till Santiago. How much other pilgrims I could expect to see, is there much difference between these two routes?
- albergues: is there much difference in how easy it is to find albergues? Do I need to book in advance or will there always be some free places at this time of the year?
- physicality: I believe Primitivo is more physical as it is more hilly and slightly longer, but in the end is there much difference between the two (I am in my forties and in good shape, and I do not want this to be too easy).
- leisure time: from the planned stages I have seen here it seems Portuguese would probably take 1-2 days less than Primitivo. Is there a lot to see in Santiago? Would you recommend spending there 1-2 days before returning home (I might have this option in case of Portuguese only)?
- language: I do not speak Spanish, so is there any difference in how well people speak English along these routes?
- any other points to consider?
Sorry for shooting with all these questions (and I do understand there is no right or wrong answers in many cases, just different preferences) but I would be really happy to have some views from you more experienced travelers.
Regards,
Janne
My first post here!
I will start my first Camino on 17 September, but I have not yet made up my mind between Portuguese (inner route) or Primitivo. Frances could also be an option, but I am afraid I might find it too crowded and "touristic" and therefore I have excluded it for now from my considerations. I will have 12 days for walking, so in case of Portuguese I would start from Porto and in case of Primitivo from Oviedo, planning to walk till Santiago in either case. Now, I need some help to make up my mind:
- roads: which one has more trails and paths in the nature? I would like to avoid being too much nearby traffic and cars.
- scenery: which one you would rank more beautiful (I like high hills, greenery and rural environment)?
- historical sites: which one has more to offer in terms of history and culture?
- navigation: which one is easier to navigate (I will be alone, so would not like to get lost too badly)?
- other pilgrims: whilst I enjoy my own silence, I still would not like to be completely alone all the way till Santiago. How much other pilgrims I could expect to see, is there much difference between these two routes?
- albergues: is there much difference in how easy it is to find albergues? Do I need to book in advance or will there always be some free places at this time of the year?
- physicality: I believe Primitivo is more physical as it is more hilly and slightly longer, but in the end is there much difference between the two (I am in my forties and in good shape, and I do not want this to be too easy).
- leisure time: from the planned stages I have seen here it seems Portuguese would probably take 1-2 days less than Primitivo. Is there a lot to see in Santiago? Would you recommend spending there 1-2 days before returning home (I might have this option in case of Portuguese only)?
- language: I do not speak Spanish, so is there any difference in how well people speak English along these routes?
- any other points to consider?
Sorry for shooting with all these questions (and I do understand there is no right or wrong answers in many cases, just different preferences) but I would be really happy to have some views from you more experienced travelers.
Regards,
Janne