Places to stop between Poo and Oviedo? Plus a question about Mass.

[aerdna]

Hi all!
I am with Tash in Playa del Poo (just passed Llanes) at the youth hostel (wonderful! The hospitalero just gave us fresh figs he picked of the tree and told us to help ourselves to more) and we are discussing the next few days. I was wondering if there are any tips on places to stay (or avoid!) between here and Oviedo. Budget prices are best and we'd like to not have longer than 30k days if possible. We had a couple long ones this past week (not planned) and have taken a couple shorter days now.

Also, any tips on getting to Mass along the way? Today is Thursday and recommended stages have me on the first Stage of the Primitivo on Sunday, so Sebrayo Saturday night. I went to a vigil Mass in Deba the first week and Sunday evening in Santander the second. Most churches seem closed around here most of the time. Thanks!
Andrea

 

[mikevasey]

Casa Belen in Cuerres, it is 8-9km before Ribadesella. It is open from May to October (not sure of the date), run by a German couple whose dream was to open a place on the camino when they retired, they have a little chapel there for themselves and pilgrims. Try and stay in La Isla if you can, the albergue is no great shakes but I really like the location and it seems to promote a really relaxed atmosphere amongst the pilgrims. Even if you do not stay here, avoid the direct route to Colunga but go via the albergue(which adds 1km to your day) and take up the coastal trail along the cliffs and then takes you to Colunga, it is a lot nicer walk and helps to give you some time of the asphalt, which if you go the normal way it is virtually all the way to Sebrayo.

 

[jpflavin1]

Hi all!
I am with Tash in Playa del Poo (just passed Llanes) at the youth hostel (wonderful! The hospitalero just gave us fresh figs he picked of the tree and told us to help ourselves to more) and we are discussing the next few days. I was wondering if there are any tips on places to stay (or avoid!) between here and Oviedo. Budget prices are best and we'd like to not have longer than 30k days if possible. We had a couple long ones this past week (not planned) and have taken a couple shorter days now.

Also, any tips on getting to Mass along the way? Today is Thursday and recommended stages have me on the first Stage of the Primitivo on Sunday, so Sebrayo Saturday night. I went to a vigil Mass in Deba the first week and Sunday evening in Santander the second. Most churches seem closed around here most of the time. Thanks!
Andrea

Aerdna:

I would agree with Mike on Casa Belen. This is a private home right along the Camino in Cuerres. Manfred and his wife are a lovely couple and there home is an oasis along the route. The other place I would recommend is The Hotel Carlos I in Villaviciosa. This is a great place with single, double and triple rooms. A lovely little hotel in the center of town. Sebrayo is an Albergue in the middle of nowhere. It was closed when we walked by and I would recommend a different planned stop.

Ultreya,
Joe

 

[mikevasey]

I have had Camino friends stay in Hotel Carlos and have usually gone to visit them from my more humble( and cheaper but less luxurious) Pension Sol just down the road both times I have been to this place. I like them both, but if you do stay at Sol be aware that it can get very noisy at weekends from drunks in the street. There is a new donativo place opened up in the last year, 2-3 km before Vilavicioasa so that might be worth thinking about, and there is the albergue de peregrinos at the monastery 9 km past it.

 

[aerdna]

I have had Camino friends stay in Hotel Carlos and have usually gone to visit them from my more humble( and cheaper but less luxurious) Pension Sol just down the road both times I have been to this place. I like them both, but if you do stay at Sol be aware that it can get very noisy at weekends from drunks in the street. There is a new donativo place opened up in the last year, 2-3 km before Vilavicioasa so that might be worth thinking about, and there is the albergue de peregrinos at the monastery 9 km past it.

Do you know the name of the monastery? Or what town? I have seen pictures and posters of a monastery near the norte/Primitivo split, but haven't seen the name. I am planning on taking the Primitivo, though I am a bit reluctant about leaving the ocean!

 

[mikevasey]

www.monasteriovaldedios.com

 

[mikevasey]

You can stick with the Ocean but take the route to Oviedo and then rejoin at Aviles, its still the Norte, just a bit longer and more Inland. I have the Primitivo in my heart, but I really do like the Norte after Aviles, Im going to use a little sell for it now, two beautiful historic fishing villages in coves, Cudillero and Luarca, an albergue de peregrinos on a cliff top(tapia) and a inland route into Galicia which is very quiet and beautiful, the Norte has a lot going for it, but then so does the Primitivo.

 

[aerdna]

Thanks, guys! Those were some places I was looking at, too. Might need to consider more.

Andrea