planning trip 2011

[mel410]

Hi we are wanting to walk a section of the french way - we only hve 8 days. Can anyone recommend which section to do. We have been told that the route through the winelands is worth doing? We are also wanting to take a package that arranges your accommodation before hand (followthecamino) has anyone else done this?
thankyou
Mel

 

[skilsaw]

You certainly can take an arranged tour, but I don't believe those bus tourists experience the true Camino.

Pilgrimage as an outward expression of an inner journey is phenomenal. Walking for 6 or 8 hours per day lends itself to introspection. And many find out that they are capable of much more than they believe. If one walks without support one develops a huge sense of accomplishment.

That is not to say the guided tours are wrong. Just different. and they are best suited to a select group of people.

Good luck in your preparation for the journey.
David, Victoria, Canada

 

[sillydoll]

Most of the camino tours allow you to book an unguided walk. With their support - they book your accommodation and transfer your luggage for you so that you only need to carry a daypack. I would love to do one of these for a few days so I say go for it!
Check here for companies that book accommodation etc: http://amawalker.blogspot.com/2009/12/2 ... amino.html

 

[Caminando]

You certainly can take an arranged tour, but I don't believe those bus tourists experience the true Camino.

If one walks without support one develops a huge sense of accomplishment.

That is not to say the guided tours are wrong.

I would say that these tours are wrong. Actually it's the corrosive influence of business here which is wrong.

It's the commercialising of experience and it's deeply corrupting.

 

[Caminando]

Most of the camino tours allow you to book an unguided walk.

They "allow" you to book an "unguided" walk!. Well, that says it all. :shock:

George Orwell, you were so right!

 

[sillydoll]

Almost every pilgrimage to Holy shrines such as to Rome, the Holy Land, or even to Lourdes, are booked through tour operators. And, very few people even try to walk to those.

I told this forum of meeting a lovely Irish pilgrim on the camino in 2007. She'd had a spinal operation when she was 42 and promised God that if she walked again, she would walk to Santiago. And so she did, in her 50th year - with the support and back-up of a tour agency. They booked all her accommodation and transferred her luggage for her because she couldn't carry her backpack. She walked every inch of the way - and was very proud to reach Santiago.

Yes, George Orwell was rigfht - "Enlightened people seldom or never possess a sense of responsibility".

 

[McAleerSherry]

Hi we are wanting to walk a section of the french way - we only hve 8 days. Can anyone recommend which section to do. We have been told that the route through the winelands is worth doing? We are also wanting to take a package that arranges your accommodation before hand (followthecamino) has anyone else done this?
thankyou
Mel

Many people might recommend the last portion if you only have eight days, in order to ensure that you get your compostella.

We took the route April-June 2008. There we met a Danish woman taking her nephew on a "designer camino." They had evidently started in St. Jean to Roncevalles, bused to Pamplona, stopped at various sites on interest, then took the last phase from Pontferrada to Santiago.

With bus/rail connections, you might consider that approach, if you want to get the best of several regions.

Buen Camino :arrow:

 

[Caminando]

Almost every pilgrimage to Holy shrines such as to Rome, the Holy Land, or even to Lourdes, are booked through tour operators. And, very few people even try to walk to those.

I told this forum of meeting a lovely Irish pilgrim on the camino in 2007. She'd had a spinal operation when she was 42 and promised God that if she walked again, she would walk to Santiago. And so she did, in her 50th year - with the support and back-up of a tour agency. They booked all her accommodation and transferred her luggage for her because she couldn't carry her backpack. She walked every inch of the way - and was very proud to reach Santiago.

Yes, George Orwell was rigfht - "Enlightened people seldom or never possess a sense of responsibility".

:wink:

 

[mel410]

thanks for the replies. The intention is to walk the 8days(no guides etc) we just wanted to have our accommodation sorted before hand. As this is a once in a lifetime holiday for us we are taking the liberty of wanting a few "luxuries" on our holiday and that is where teh pre-booked accommodation comes into play. We are currently looking at the Logrono to Burgos section - any comments? Also how hot does it get in July in Spain - we are from RSA so we are used to the heat.

 

[stpatricksbhoy]

mel410,
Do your pilgrimage your way that is all that matters.I recently did the one day pilgrimage to Bellahouston to see the Holy Father ,in November I am off to the Holy Land with the Archdiocese of Glasgow Pilgrimage.Next Year God willing I will walk the Camino Frances it's what you want do do and it's meaning to you that matters.
Buen Camino,
stpatricksbhoy. :arrow: :arrow: :arrow:

 

[cecelia]

Hi Mel, According to several internet sources the average daily temperature in Burgos in July is about 18.5 degrees C. with the maximum daily temperatures around 28 degrees. It does get hotter however as you go west. Count on at least two or three degrees higher. It feels much hotter so be prepared with sunscreen, hats, protective clothing and lots of water.
Buen camino.
Cecelia

 

[Mexicanpilgrim]

Hi Mel, your plan sounds real good, Logrono to Burgos is an excellent choice, only thing is that in most of the towns in the middle you probably wont find any "luxuries", but some private albergues with private rooms are available in those towns (Navarrete, Belorado etc). For Santo Domingo look for a room in the "Parador Nacional", in Burgos I recommend the hotel Abba Burgos, very nice place they treat you like a King. In Najera the hostels are fine.

In Logrono you'll find several 5 star hotels you wont have a problem to book a room there. No matter what, you try to get the credential, in the Parador you can probaly get a good discount with the credential, you pay like 120-150 euros instead of 250-300 euros.

As for the food in this part of la Rioja, almost every single place is more than excellent, oh !! and the wines, I dont have to tell, you'll find out for your self...

Buen Camino

PD: September is the best time to do it (not too many pilgrims and climate is good)

 

[oursonpolaire]

For my most recent Camino, I used commercial accommodation in this stretch and, aside from Santo Domingo de la Calzada where the central hotels were booked (the Cistercian nuns put me up with very comfortable accommodation for about 30E), found good (3 star) accommodation without pre-booking. I met some Australians who, rather than worry about finding anything in time, had the desk clerks book them a place for their next evening. There is much to be said for minimizing the planning and letting the Camino and your condition take over.

Motorized backup and transport should be used only by those whose medical condition absolutely requires it. For anyone else, I think that you will be missing out so very much that I would question the point of doing it.

 

[Mexicanpilgrim]

One thing I learned is, that no matter what kind of place you're a looking or the comfort, or the planning, you will always find some place to stay... dont worry about accommodation, the camino will provide.

 

[dalech]

Hi Mel

If you want your accommodation booked then one of the self-guided packages is probably perfect. You'll get daily directions, suggestions etc but still have the freedom to more or less do your your own thing.
I don't think there is anything wrong with wanting a little bit of luxury. You will definitely experience the essence of the camino just by walking everyday. I've always stayed in the refugios but occasionally I'll break it up with a nice Casa Rural. I don't think there is a right or wrong way to do the camino. Each to their own. The fact that you want to do it at all is enough for me

The Rioja wine region is really fabulous but my other suggestion would be walking through the area in the mountains - the Cordillera Cantabrica. That's my personal favourite.

You will love it whichever area you choose though! Buen Camino!

 

[RENSHAW]

Start at Saint Jean Pied de Port or Rocesvalles on the Camino Frances and aim for Logrono ..........Then , if the bug bites :mrgreen: , you'll be back before long and you can pick up again from where you left off.

 

[annakappa]

Start at Saint Jean Pied de Port or Rocesvalles on the Camino Frances and aim for Logrono ..........Then , if the bug bites :mrgreen: , you'll be back before long and you can pick up again from where you left off.

That is exactly what we did the first time - started in Roncevalles and finished up in Nájera (8 days). The bug bit hard and we have been back 3 times now. The second year picking up the Camino in Nájera and walked to Santiago. The next year, we walked straight through Roncevalles to Santiago and this year's Camino was only a short one from Ourense to Santiago. As you see, the bug bit hard! Anne

 

[Nauzanplage]

Hi

My wife and I did the stages from SJPP to Burgos in twelve days last september (we are walking the next twelve stages in May).

Logrono to Burgos should take you only five days. Pamplona to Burgos is about 9 days - but you could get a bus for one day at some point on the route. Apart form the last stage into Burgos it a very pleasant, varied part of the Camino.

We were planning to use Hotels every two or three nights, but having spent the first night in an alburgue we enjoyed the experience so much we ended up not using hotels at all.

Two american girls were following the same route as us and used a company to move their gear every night. This company recommended hotels along the way - and they were very happy with the choice. No need to book ahead - which gives you some flexibilty on your route. They still ate outside of the hotels each night - the pilgrims menu's are extremely good!!

Hope this helps a little.

Rich