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That's the way to do it! The rooms from the Bar Pajaro there are great value as well. I think last year I was charged 16 Euros for a single room. It's right on the bend in the road so trucks are passing all night, but I was very happy with it overall.annelise said:In fact, I loved my room so much that I stayed there for two nights.
It is the bus stop, too. If you have had your fill of Ponferrada, there is a bus hourly that drops you at the front door for a couple of Euro, and you can bask in luxury preparing for the long next day to O Cebreiro. I had to pick up a day, and this was a good stage to skip, having seen it before. I did not stay in the Parador, however. The Hotel San Francisco is a much better value.Vilafranca del Bierzo -The parador is a modern one and bang on the route in the town of Villafranca.
Yes, it is very easy (all you need is internet access). Just check the availability the day before or in the morning when you know your schedule. While I was walking in April this year I booked a room in Palas del Rei when I still had 10 km to walk. It was late (well, late for me 4 pm) and it was raining and I wanted to be sure I had a warm room and nice bed waiting for me.Robin4 said:Do you think it is relatively easy to reserve a room on the Internet while you are on the road? Having a set schedule of arrival would take away some of the spontaneity of the trip, I'd guess.
Abbeydore said:Yes, but it's nice to know you are going to have a bath or 2 that night :lol:
You can chance it, we did twice on our 2 weeks, both of ours was cheaper & included an evening meal, that was just amazing. we felt like king & queen! :mrgreen:
I'm no expert on these things, but my walking partner was keen on her gadgets. She was delighted by the availability of wifi in so many places.Robin4 said:Good to know. I'll be traveling with my iPad, so Internet coverage might not be a problem.
sulu said:I just couldn't fancy wondering around a Parador in creased Camino clothes and boots, I'd have to carry a decent change of clothes and shoes, make-up, a luxurious nightie
Maybe I'm the only one who always looks a mess on the camino, I don't mind looking a mess in an albergue but in a Parador I would feel so uncomfortable.
Hi John, I picked up this old thread. I am planning on walking in September/October 2014 and want to book a few "special" nights along the route. I was wondering about Real Monasterio. It seems a little out of town and while it looks lovely was still unsure. Any other places you would recommend? Thanks sriyantraIt is not a parador but the Real Monasterio de San Zoilo in Carrión de los Condes is amazing to stay at!
Hm! Interesting thread.
I just couldn't fancy wondering around a Parador in creased camino clothes and boots, I'd have to carry a decent change of clothes and shoes, make-up, a luxurious nightie
Maybe I'm the only one who always looks a mess on the camino, I don't mind looking a mess in an albergue but in a Parador I would feel so uncomfortable.
What a conceited idiot I am to think any one else cares what a mess I look, but I care
Before all the pilgrims go on a search for six-star hotels along the route, the generally accepted star rating system only goes to five stars. There is a five-star with an "S" for Superior Luxury, but stars after five are self-promotion (common in the Middle East oil sheikdoms, where humble is a bad thing), not a real rating!a 6 star $$$$ hotel
Before all the pilgrims go on a search for six-star hotels along the route, the generally accepted star rating system only goes to five stars. There is a five-star with an "S" for Superior Luxury, but stars after five are self-promotion (common in the Middle East oil sheikdoms, where humble is a bad thing), not a real rating!
I love the concept of "pilgrims going on a search for 6 star hotels"
That is indeed a good question Johnnie and makes me ask the question, if you have the funds in peak season and don't use an hotel, are you potentially keeping a not so well off person out of a place in an albergue by your actions?I'm not saying I do but some might perceive a contradiction in pilgrims who use donativo albergues for some of their pilgrimage and Paradores for other parts of it!
In any event whilst the 5 night ticket for Paradors is good value I recommend anyone panning on using them to become an Amigo of the Paradores https://www.parador.es/es/amigos-de-paradores with many bargains and discounts available.
That is indeed a good question Johnnie and makes me ask the question, if you have the funds in peak season and don't use an hotel, are you potentially keeping a not so well off person out of a place in an albergue by your actions?
Hi Sriyantra,Hi John, I picked up this old thread. I am planning on walking in September/October 2014 and want to book a few "special" nights along the route. I was wondering about Real Monasterio. It seems a little out of town and while it looks lovely was still unsure. Any other places you would recommend? Thanks sriyantra
Thanks for that. If you can't find anything I can send them an email and ask the question. SriHi Sriyantra,
The Real Monasterio is just a 5 minute walk into the center of town. However, Rebekah Scott stated in another thread that the bridge connecting them was closed for repairs, resulting in a longer detour...I will look for that thread and try to get an update.
The detour is not much out of the way at all.. it may even be more direct than the usual camino through town. It is certainly more scenic! You descend from the plaza down to the riverside park, and cross a pedestrian bridge there to the polideportivo. From there you simply follow the road up past San Zoilo as usual.
I have not been over to Carrion for a couple of weeks, the bridge was still out last I was there.
.... As for the Paradore in Santiago it still allows 5 or 6 pilgrims to stay there each day at special rates - not sure how they select the lucky pilgrims.
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