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I think Rachael of @Kiwi-family is your go-to resource for this! I hope she reads your question. She has lots of experience of walking camino with some/all of her six children, at different ages, and on different routes.Hello,
I have been reading this wonderful forum for weeks and many of my questions have been answered, but I have a few that I am hoping you can help me with.
Who we are: We are an American family of 4, with kids (girls) ages 9 and 16 (at time of Camino). Kids and us are very active, hike, bike and are used to walking, Nordic skiing 20+km at a time (just not weeks in a row) The oldest is currently running up mountains this summer as part of nordic ski training and the little one just never stops moving!
Thank you so much for all your help and expertise!!!
I recommend you watch World Towning on YouTube. An American family of 4 who walked the Camino Frances a few years back. Kids were about 10 and 13 at the time. Watching will answer many of your questions. Buen CaminoHello,
I have been reading this wonderful forum for weeks and many of my questions have been answered, but I have a few that I am hoping you can help me with.
Who we are: We are an American family of 4, with kids (girls) ages 9 and 16 (at time of Camino). Kids and us are very active, hike, bike and are used to walking, Nordic skiing 20+km at a time (just not weeks in a row) The oldest is currently running up mountains this summer as part of nordic ski training and the little one just never stops moving!
Route: I was thinking Frances since is seems to have more places to stay/ stop etc.(at least that is my impression, I could be wrong) And as a first timers, it seems great to do the "classic" route. The kids really want to do the Norte and Primivito. They are drawn towards bigger mountains, more isolated mountains and the potential for beaches and swimming. Thoughts? We plan to arrive in Irun or St. Jean Pied de Port the second week in June '23.
Accommodations: Getting 2 hotel rooms per night is outside of our budget ( I looked into booking with a few services and that is what they recommended). Do hostels allow children? I am really finding it hard to source where a family of 4 can stay. What should I be looking at/ for? I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas. Does this affect our route choice? Bc we are a family of 4, (and the 9 year old might melt down if we have to hike "extra" to the next town, should we pre-book everything?
Luggage Service: I know there are very mixed feelings on this topic, my thought is that with 2 kids who are addicted to books and get dirtier than an average adult, having an extra bag with book stuff moved from place to place might be great. I was thinking each of us would carry rain gear, extra shoes, change of clothes, food/ book each day. I would have a rest day every 5-6 days and do laundry. The thought of doing laundry for 4 people every evening seems daunting.
Food: My thoughts are good breakfast and then . . . Should we plan for a large lunch and just going to a market and getting bread/ cheese/ olives for dinner or doing that for lunch and getting dinner out or cooking if we can. Kids are happy to eat bread and cheese, but we are an early to be crowd. Our schedule now is breakfast at 6:30, lunch around 11:30/12:00 and dinner 5:30
Books: The kids are addicted to books. I can load up a bunch on kindles if that is the best option, but they prefer paper books. Are English language books an impossible find (my gut says yes they are). We are learning Spanish, but will not know enough to ready novels by next summer.
Other: What else do I need to know for taking a family with 2 kids on the Camino. The kids are all in, but what am I not thinking of?
Budget: Our budget is decent for the trip but not unlimited, we have saved a long time for this, but I do think hotels every night are out of the question.
Thank you so much for all your help and expertise!!!
Who we are: We are an American family of 4, with kids (girls) ages 9 and 16 (at time of Camino). Kids and us are very active, hike, bike and are used to walking, Nordic skiing 20+km at a time (just not weeks in a row) The oldest is currently running up mountains this summer as part of nordic ski training and the little one just never stops moving!
I think you are two lucky parents. If the kids like hills and isolation they will love the route they picked.Hello,
I have been reading this wonderful forum for weeks and many of my questions have been answered, but I have a few that I am hoping you can help me with.
Who we are: We are an American family of 4, with kids (girls) ages 9 and 16 (at time of Camino). Kids and us are very active, hike, bike and are used to walking, Nordic skiing 20+km at a time (just not weeks in a row) The oldest is currently running up mountains this summer as part of nordic ski training and the little one just never stops moving!
Route: I was thinking Frances since is seems to have more places to stay/ stop etc.(at least that is my impression, I could be wrong) And as a first timers, it seems great to do the "classic" route. The kids really want to do the Norte and Primivito. They are drawn towards bigger mountains, more isolated mountains and the potential for beaches and swimming. Thoughts? We plan to arrive in Irun or St. Jean Pied de Port the second week in June '23.
Accommodations: Getting 2 hotel rooms per night is outside of our budget ( I looked into booking with a few services and that is what they recommended). Do hostels allow children? I am really finding it hard to source where a family of 4 can stay. What should I be looking at/ for? I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas. Does this affect our route choice? Bc we are a family of 4, (and the 9 year old might melt down if we have to hike "extra" to the next town, should we pre-book everything?
Luggage Service: I know there are very mixed feelings on this topic, my thought is that with 2 kids who are addicted to books and get dirtier than an average adult, having an extra bag with book stuff moved from place to place might be great. I was thinking each of us would carry rain gear, extra shoes, change of clothes, food/ book each day. I would have a rest day every 5-6 days and do laundry. The thought of doing laundry for 4 people every evening seems daunting.
Food: My thoughts are good breakfast and then . . . Should we plan for a large lunch and just going to a market and getting bread/ cheese/ olives for dinner or doing that for lunch and getting dinner out or cooking if we can. Kids are happy to eat bread and cheese, but we are an early to be crowd. Our schedule now is breakfast at 6:30, lunch around 11:30/12:00 and dinner 5:30
Books: The kids are addicted to books. I can load up a bunch on kindles if that is the best option, but they prefer paper books. Are English language books an impossible find (my gut says yes they are). We are learning Spanish, but will not know enough to ready novels by next summer.
Other: What else do I need to know for taking a family with 2 kids on the Camino. The kids are all in, but what am I not thinking of?
Budget: Our budget is decent for the trip but not unlimited, we have saved a long time for this, but I do think hotels every night are out of the question.
Thank you so much for all your help and expertise!!!
Also look for Everyday Journeys on YouTube. They just finished the Camino Frances - Mark & Louise and two of their kids. They talk about accommodation, etc. Very informative.I recommend you watch World Towning on YouTube. An American family of 4 who walked the Camino Frances a few years back. Kids were about 10 and 13 at the time. Watching will answer many of your questions. Buen Camino
The thought of doing laundry for 4 people every evening seems daunting.
The thought of doing laundry for 4 people every evening seems daunting.
not sure I understand why you need to be a laundress for the entire family.
I've mentioned my method of using a dry bag as a "portable washing machine" before. IMO definitely preferable to stomping on my clothes on the shower floor.
I use a 12 liter dry bag to wash my clothes in, rather than the albergue laundry sinks. As I'm undressing for my shower and the water is warming up I put half a laundry detergent sheet and water in the bag, then my clothes. Then I fill the bag about 3/4 full with water and close it up. I give it a few shakes and set it aside to soak while I shower and dress. I then shake the bag some more to agitate everything well before rinsing in the laundry sink. The detergent sheets don't create a lot of suds, but get the clothes clean. After wring them out well I roll them up in my towel and twist it. This method gets my clothes cleaner than using the laundry sinks alone in the albergues. I think that the long soaking time is the secret. I even use the dry bag to wash when I'm staying in a room with my own bathroom.
We took a 13 yr old. We mainly booked private rooms in Albergues, hostels, Casa Rural , occasionally an apartment, they work out well for pricing if there are 3 or 4 of you, and they have laundry facilities.Hello,
I have been reading this wonderful forum for weeks and many of my questions have been answered, but I have a few that I am hoping you can help me with.
Who we are: We are an American family of 4, with kids (girls) ages 9 and 16 (at time of Camino). Kids and us are very active, hike, bike and are used to walking, Nordic skiing 20+km at a time (just not weeks in a row) The oldest is currently running up mountains this summer as part of nordic ski training and the little one just never stops moving!
Route: I was thinking Frances since is seems to have more places to stay/ stop etc.(at least that is my impression, I could be wrong) And as a first timers, it seems great to do the "classic" route. The kids really want to do the Norte and Primivito. They are drawn towards bigger mountains, more isolated mountains and the potential for beaches and swimming. Thoughts? We plan to arrive in Irun or St. Jean Pied de Port the second week in June '23.
Accommodations: Getting 2 hotel rooms per night is outside of our budget ( I looked into booking with a few services and that is what they recommended). Do hostels allow children? I am really finding it hard to source where a family of 4 can stay. What should I be looking at/ for? I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas. Does this affect our route choice? Bc we are a family of 4, (and the 9 year old might melt down if we have to hike "extra" to the next town, should we pre-book everything?
Luggage Service: I know there are very mixed feelings on this topic, my thought is that with 2 kids who are addicted to books and get dirtier than an average adult, having an extra bag with book stuff moved from place to place might be great. I was thinking each of us would carry rain gear, extra shoes, change of clothes, food/ book each day. I would have a rest day every 5-6 days and do laundry. The thought of doing laundry for 4 people every evening seems daunting.
Food: My thoughts are good breakfast and then . . . Should we plan for a large lunch and just going to a market and getting bread/ cheese/ olives for dinner or doing that for lunch and getting dinner out or cooking if we can. Kids are happy to eat bread and cheese, but we are an early to be crowd. Our schedule now is breakfast at 6:30, lunch around 11:30/12:00 and dinner 5:30
Books: The kids are addicted to books. I can load up a bunch on kindles if that is the best option, but they prefer paper books. Are English language books an impossible find (my gut says yes they are). We are learning Spanish, but will not know enough to ready novels by next summer.
Other: What else do I need to know for taking a family with 2 kids on the Camino. The kids are all in, but what am I not thinking of?
Budget: Our budget is decent for the trip but not unlimited, we have saved a long time for this, but I do think hotels every night are out of the question.
Thank you so much for all your help and expertise!!!
Instead of taking books, consider giving each of them a lightweight spiral notebook and a couple pens, and let them keep a journal of their Camino or write their own story about a character walking a Camino in Spain.
I always like to read what others do as every camino, every pilgrim something a little different. I usually shop the night before and have a simple meal in the albergue or hopefully join others in cooking together or a communal dinner. During the day I eat many times. Not often alot at all. I shop the night before and will get some kiwis. and bananas. A baguette, some cheese and maybe some ham or turkey and I almost always have a can of Sardines. I will stop slice off some of the bread and stick some cheese or turkey in. Stop again have a kiwi etc etc. I usually buy a tube of goat cheese. It is easy to carry and cut. Being retired I walk later in the year so I do not have to worry about these intense heat conditions killing me and spoiling my food.With respect to accommodations, you can check on gronze for albergues that have rooms with 4 beds. Then ask the albergue if you can book that room for your family.
I’ve walked all the caminos you are considering twice. Just finished the Norte. I really think the Frances is your best choice.
Spanish meal times do not coincide with American dining habits, nor do they coincide with when most pilgrims want to eat. Consider making the afternoon menu del día your big meal of the day, as the Spanish do. Spanish restaurant kitchens close in late afternoon and don’t open again until 8-830 pm. If you want to eat dinner at 530 pm you will likely have to prepare it yourself.
Thank you, the heat, I think will be the biggest adjustment for us. Though it does get into the 30C here in the summer.Welcome @mayfly !
I may not be of much help but I am aware that many hotels have family rooms and this might help reduce your costs, if you do have to stay overnight in a hotel.
My 18 year old daughter walked with me. She has always had her nose in a book, for all of her life, yet there was too much going on whilst we walked for her to miss her books. So perhaps yours might manage with one or two books and using kindles for ‘extras’. It might also swing things if they have to carry their own reading material!
I notice you live in a fairly temperate region.
June temperatures might be hotter than your family are accustomed to … especially as heat waves seem to be on the increase.
I wish you Buen Camino …
Others will be along shortly .. and you’ll probably receive far more useful info from members who’ve had experience of walking en famille.
Ultreia!
We are walking because we love to walk, and for the religious aspect and the journey and benefit that each of us individually hopes get from the walk.Welcome.
There are many reasons for walking a Camino, why is your family walking?
The reason that I ask is that there are different answers to your questions that are relevant to why someone is walking.
If you start from St. Jean in June and walk the Frances through July then there will be no shortage of accommodation, even with a group of four.
It would be extremely rare (e.g. you arrive in a town on the weekend and it is also a festival day) to have to walk on to find accommodation during this period except after Sarria and by then you will have found your Camino rhythm.
Knowing my grandchildren but not your children, it would be more likely that my 8 year old had a meltdown because he was tired of walking everyday for the past two weeks and why couldn't he either have a short day today or even a rest day.
Buen Camino
I generally book day or two ahead. But when it comes to rest days (that is - a whole day not walking), then I usually had that in cities as there is more to do as opposed to making it a regular occurrence every 'x' number of days. Some of the villages will be so small that you see the way out as you walk in.We are walking because we love to walk, and for the religious aspect and the journey and benefit that each of us individually hopes get from the walk.
I hear you about the rest day and being flexible. The balance between being flexible and making sure we have a place to stay is going to be a hard one to balance. thank you!
After two Caminos in trail runners I wear only hiking sandals on the Camino now. My toes love the freedom!I was thinking trail sneakers for each of us along with a pair of "hiking sandals" in case toes or feet got sore after so many days. I love my hiking sandals at times.
The balance between being flexible and making sure we have a place to stay is going to be a hard one to balance
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