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Always lovely having something to look forward to & important especially in these uncertain times. I'm hoping to resume travel in 2021 but where is entirely unknown at this stage.I am feeling hopeful that our Camino de Madrid/ Frances/Invierno planned for this year can be undertaken next year. Now to look at a possible date. An enjoyable task in this time of lockdown.
I just checked out this camino that you are planning to do. Seems to be really interesting combining lots of different terrains, availability of services and numbers of pilgrims. Would be very interested to hear about your camino when you can walk it. Might be something to do in the future. My next Camino, hopefully late Feb/March or Mid October 2021 will be the VDLP. Been wanting to do it for a while. Looks like there is a short stretch after Segovia where there are not any albergues. I have checked out Gronze.com and I know there are sections here for both the Invierno and the Madrid. I haven't checked but I wonder if there is an up to date app or guidebook for either one. Thanks again and I am always looking out for new caminos to walk. Judging by your list you have done quite a variety. Buen Camino, stay safe and hope you and everyone gets to walk again sooner rather than later.I am feeling hopeful that our Camino de Madrid/ Frances/Invierno planned for this year can be undertaken next year. Now to look at a possible date. An enjoyable task in this time of lockdown.
We walked the Via de la Plata in 2017. It was wonderful.I just checked out this camino that you are planning to do. Seems to be really interesting combining lots of different terrains, availability of services and numbers of pilgrims. Would be very interested to hear about your camino when you can walk it. Might be something to do in the future. My next Camino, hopefully late Feb/March or Mid October 2021 will be the VDLP. Been wanting to do it for a while. Looks like there is a short stretch after Segovia where there are not any albergues. I have checked out Gronze.com and I know there are sections here for both the Invierno and the Madrid. I haven't checked but I wonder if there is an up to date app or guidebook for either one. Thanks again and I am always looking out for new caminos to walk. Judging by your list you have done quite a variety. Buen Camino, stay safe and hope you and everyone gets to walk again sooner rather than later.
Once again thanks and I do hope we all can walk soon and that you post some of your observations along the way I definitely would follow them. Every day the thought of my VDLP camino comes to me. Stay safe.We walked the Via de la Plata in 2017. It was wonderful.
For the Madrid and Invierno routes, we’ll be using Johnniewalker’s guides. Also John Brierley is putting out a guide to the Invierno later this year.
I'm not sure what "fully open" means, and I don't know if it will be open to all foreigners. As I understand it, the country isn't yet fully open to all Spanish residents. It's highly likely that there will be fewer albergues, and the prices could be higher.From what I have been reading online Spain will be fully open to foreign tourists by then.
Hey Nick.As mentioned previously in another thread, I'm thinking about walking the CP from Lisbon in September pending the opening of the Portuguese-Spanish border (currently closed until June 15).
Some reasons why I think this isn't crazy are:
- I don't have to fly anywhere (I live in Lisbon) and deal with possible cancellations, rescheduling etc
- Most of the walk is in Portugal, which has fared much better than Spain and is in less need of 'healing'
- Portugal will already be in its final phase of reopening two days from now
- If Spain restricts entry to residents of certain countries, Portugal won't be one of them
- I'm not in any real danger of getting 'stuck' in Spain if a second outbreak / retightening of restrictions occurs because Portugal is just a bus ride away
- I am flexible with time/money if there are issues related to either
- In terms of catching and/or spreading the virus, I'd probably come into close contact with fewer people while walking (especially in this environment) than I would on a daily basis in Lisbon
Based on the fact that you live in Portugal your plan sounds reasonable, because you can easily go back home. Much different than those who are flying from North America, Australia, etc.As mentioned previously in another thread, I'm thinking about walking the CP from Lisbon in September pending the opening of the Portuguese-Spanish border (currently closed until June 15).
Some reasons why I think this isn't crazy are:
- I don't have to fly anywhere (I live in Lisbon) and deal with possible cancellations, rescheduling etc
- Most of the walk is in Portugal, which has fared much better than Spain and is in less need of 'healing'
- Portugal will already be in its final phase of reopening two days from now
- If Spain restricts entry to residents of certain countries, Portugal won't be one of them
- I'm not in any real danger of getting 'stuck' in Spain if a second outbreak / retightening of restrictions occurs because Portugal is just a bus ride away
- I am flexible with time/money if there are issues related to either
- In terms of catching and/or spreading the virus, I'd probably come into close contact with fewer people while walking (especially in this environment) than I would on a daily basis in Lisbon
I wouldn't understand this as "Spain will be fully open to foreign tourists by then" but more as "Spain will NOT be fully open to foreign tourists UNTIL then (July)", which means that the Spain might be (partialy) closed for foreigners even longer.Hello, I’m looking into walking the Camino Frances this July. From what I have been reading online Spain will be fully open to foreign tourists by then. I wanted to get the opinion of others on whether to do it in July or wait until August/September.
What we think doesn't matter. You need to be aware of what the Spanish government thinks.Hello, I’m looking into walking the Camino Frances this July. From what I have been reading online Spain will be fully open to foreign tourists by then. I wanted to get the opinion of others on whether to do it in July or wait until August/September.
Pretty spot on, I would say!@trecile -
I have been thinking on the same topic.
IMHO, these are the factors that have to be taken into account for when “normal” returns to Spain; not addressed are disease dynamics for any pilgrim’s home country:
Time for the spread of epidemic to reach “peak” – the current math suggests the authorities will recognize that event within about three weeks. (Though I would not expect them to go public immediately.) However, the last several days of case numbers reported from Spain suggest a slowing of the rate of increase. So that puts us out to mid-April.
Time for the existing cases to resolve and infection rates to drop near zero – while anecdotal evidence suggests that this could take a month past the peak, we do not have enough solid data to be sure. But, let’s pretend that the stories are right. Takes us to mid-May but I propose adding a couple of weeks to take into account late-reporting hotspots. So now we are at early June.
Time for a mandated “clean up” period past the peak of the case numbers – it is to be expected that a thorough “Spring cleaning” will be required or recommended by the government. Even without a mandate, it is reasonable that the hospitality industry will police itself in this regard so as to boost tourist confidence that visiting Spain is safe and enjoyable. Maybe a month-long effort which takes us out to early July.
So, yes, I see a September being possible. What I do not know is how much damage will have been done by then to the economic fabric of the Camino. By that I mean, how many albergues, bars, casas, etc will be able to open in a timely manner? I suspect that the "new normal" will look a bit different than our past recent experience.
Only time will tell, I think. I will be watching the Forum avidly for “on the ground” reports as the current unpleasantness subsides.
B
@Lirsy, and if you don't like it after all or the Covid-19 situation in the area changes significantly and restrictions are implemented again, you are back home in no time and without a problem as you live close by. ☺For my part, I plan to start at SJPdP around July 15, but I will call SJPdP a week in advance to verify if there is already a minimum number of pilgrims, say 7 or 8 pilgrims per day as a minimum
you are back home in no time and without a problem as you live close by.
You might want to read this thread which says that about 95 % of the albergues starting from SJPdP (Espinal - Zubiri - Larrassoaña - Pamplona) will probably not start to open at July, some consider to start opening in september, because as yet it seems not possible to fulfill the needed requirements.For my part, I plan to start at SJPdP around July 15, but I will call SJPdP a week in advance to verify if there is already a minimum number of pilgrims, say 7 or 8 pilgrims per day as a minimum.
I assume that at first the number of beds offered will far exceed the number of pilgrims. I think that the beginning of the Camino Frances will be very similar to the month of February in normal times: Few open albergues and very few pilgrims, but you always have the possibility of finding a place to sleep.
For my part, I plan to start at SJPdP around July 15, but I will call SJPdP a week in advance to verify if there is already a minimum number of pilgrims, say 7 or 8 pilgrims per day as a minimum. In my last CF, in February 2018, we were 8 pilgrims in Roncesvalles. I really loved that Camino. We never had a problem finding an albergue (we took the precaution of checking every day which albergues were open).
You might want to read this thread which says that about 95 % of the albergues starting from SJPdP (Espinal - Zubiri - Larrassoaña - Pamplona) will probably not start to open at July
SITUATION DU CAMINO FRANCES - Compostelle.fr
Bonjour à toutes et tous. Pour lire ici de fréquentes et redondantes questions sur la possibilité de prendre le Chemin ou (…)www.aucoeurduchemin.org
Would read this article.
THE CAMINO IS NOT OPEN.Several new threads have been opened by people who are starting to plan Caminos in Spain after July 1. Gradually some light will be shed on the situation, but things are still very uncertain and changeable. We prefer not to have a multitude of new threads asking the same questions, so some threads have been merged here.
Please try to provide specific information about the current situation on the Camino, and avoid lecturing/criticizing people for having hopes or plans. Also, the COVID Round 7 thread is still the best place for general discussion about Covid and the travel restrictions around the world.
THE CAMINO IS NOT OPEN.
I live on the Camino near Portomarin and have been surprised to see pilgrims in the last few days. Under present lockdown rules it is illegal to move from one province to another. Portomarin is in Lugo province but between Palais De Rei and Melide one enters A'Coruna province and then must enter Santiago province. It is also illegal to enter Spain in the first place - since lockdown the borders are closed. Whilst, from next Monday 8 June it will be legal for LOCAL people to move within Galicia, but it will not be legal to enter from other states, such as Asturias or Castilla Leon.
Yes, this is true at the moment. This thread was intended to allow people to talk about tentative plans that are dependent on legal re-opening of borders and businesses, perhaps in July or later in 2020.THE CAMINO IS NOT OPEN.
It is my understanding that when Spain opens up to tourists it will be for Europeans and overseas or other people will not be allowed in until possibly Christmas.
Se estudia la posibilidad de abrir rutas seguras con países de fuera de la UE que tengan condiciones epidemiológicas adecuadas y basándose en criterios de reciprocidad, cuya determinación estará en manos del Centro Europeo de Control de Enfermedades.
Thanks. I'll read itAccording to this article from yesterday (in Spanish), Spain is looking at the possibility of allowing non-EU residents in. Factors include whether those countries meet certain health conditions and whether they reciprocate.
My wife and I were going to do exactly your route starting on June 21st....... maybe we’ll meet next year. Here in Canada, Johnny Walker is Scotch.We walked the Via de la Plata in 2017. It was wonderful.
For the Madrid and Invierno routes, we’ll be using Johnniewalker’s guides. Also John Brierley is putting out a guide to the Invierno later this year.
To be in "legal" terms she must be resident in the province of A Coruña where Santiago and Muxia are located.She's the first pilgrim I've seen in more than 5 months.
I asked if I could take her photograph and she agreed. I posted it on my FB page and it prompted a question from someone about the chances of a September Camino.
Anybody any thoughts ? I don't know.
She's the first pilgrim I've seen in more than 5 months.
I asked if I could take her photograph and she agreed. I posted it on my FB page and it prompted a question from someone about the chances of a September Camino.
Anybody any thoughts ? I don't know.
Hey Jcat even though I am a Yankee fan I thought you would get a smile from my Dad who was a die hard baseball (and as am I football) Giant fan. The second through fifth dates my parents went on were to the Polo Grounds to see the Giants. My aunt was living with my parents after they got married. They lived in The Bronx (proud to be born and bred there).I've planned a 3-week trip to Spain for December to hopefully attend a family function. I'll have a free week while there and hope to spend it on the Camino. It's nice to have something to plan and look forward to, but I know it's way too early to write those plans in stone.
Plan A was April 2020, Plan B Dec 2020, and Plan C will be sometime in 2021!
The reality is that when people in a small village see a pilgrim they don't know where they are from BUT they are afraid they are bringing the virus to them, AND they are angry because of that. I don't know if the Camino will ever be like when I walked 6 years ago and felt so welcome by locals that I came back to live. Whilst we do not know where pilgrims have come from, pilgrims also have no knowledge of the lives of the locals (my neighbour, for example, has endured 6 months of chemotherapy and now radiation treatment).Just to add to the above, i am Facebook friends with the owners of an Albergue in Sarria,they took the opportunity in the last week to walk from O Cebreiro to the edge of Lugo province on the Camino Frances,they used two cars, they would both drive to the finish for the day, then they would drive in the other car to the start. They said the days were beautiful with just the sounds of nature, they saw very few people, but those that did gave welcomes apart from 1 who got angry with them and accused them of coming from Madrid. I know amongst Camigo friends in Barcelona and Santiago they have been out walking in the last week, preparing themselves for when the Camino opens. What these people are doing might not explain what other people are on the Camino are doing but unless you definitely know, then you don't.
Several new threads have been opened by people who are starting to plan Caminos in Spain after July 1. Gradually some light will be shed on the situation, but things are still very uncertain and changeable. We prefer not to have a multitude of new threads asking the same questions, so some threads have been merged here.
Please try to provide specific information about the current situation on the Camino, and avoid lecturing/criticizing people for having hopes or plans. Also, the COVID Round 7 thread is still the best place for general discussion about Covid and the travel restrictions around the world.
Thanks - It has now been correctly.This link is giving an error message for me
The reality is that when people in a small village see a pilgrim they don't know where they are from BUT they are afraid they are bringing the virus to them, AND they are angry because of that. I don't know if the Camino will ever be like when I walked 6 years ago and felt so welcome by locals that I came back to live. Whilst we do not know where pilgrims have come from, pilgrims also have no knowledge of the lives of the locals (my neighbour, for example, has endured 6 months of chemotherapy and now radiation treatment).
The local media are also painting a dim picture of winter and a spike in the virus and all health staff have been ordered to take leave before September as there will be none later. The media in Galicia as also pointing out that because we had low numbers of Corona Virus cases compared to other states, particularly Madrid, BUT that leaves a community with low immunity. So, yes there is fear of pilgrims and sadly pilgrims will not feel so welcome as they did in pre-corona times.
Hi BarbaraWell guess what? I'm actually on a Camino. On the way to Poitiers, then to Chatellerault checking route options before heading south on the Tours route variant. It's raining. Life is almost normal.
How do I add "live from the Camino" tag, please?
The Greek government considered ( I think actually wanted to impose) pre-arrival testing, but they couldn't come to a European agreement and don't want to damage tourism (because in some countries it will be impossible to get the test within 72 hours of travel).The only possible requirement for testing may be as a condition for entering Spain. Iceland is implementing such a system and there is talk that airlines may require it of passengers.
The potentials for where and how to be tested as an 'entering; tourist, are being discussed. There are a few options for the aurhorities to decide on, should they choose to go this route. The only standard requirement in all discussions seems to be that for the antibody quick testing, the test results can't be more than 72 hours old from the time the test was taken.
I have not read of any information about tourists, in any country that opens, being required to have periodic COVID-19 tests during their stays.
Is this speculation, or is this based on something actually being discussed by Spanish authorities?
The Greek government considered ( I think actually wanted to impose) pre-arrival testing, but they couldn't come to a European agreement and don't want to damage tourism (because in some countries it will be impossible to get the test within 72 hours of travel).
They have been testing on arrival, and will continue this for countries not on the approved tourism list. There will also be some testing of people from approved countries, if I understand correctly.
I don't know about Spain, but the Greek government is doing really quick testing, so if you fall ill on holiday, they aim for results within 6 hours.
It doesn't say what this magic fabric is that it's made of, but I highly doubt that it works as promised. If it did it would be a scientific breakthrough!I found this bed insert that states in the catalog that it kills fungus, bacteria, and viruses. Those of you planning a Camino may want to check this out.
The Microbe Resistant Sleep Cocoon (One Person) - Hammacher Schlemmer
This is the sleep cocoon made from an antimicrobial fabric that when used correctly allows you to sleep blissfully free from worry when away from home.www.hammacher.com
It costs 99.95 dollars. It says that you can wash it many times and it continues to work. For myself, I have one nagging question, but at my age, 66, it doesn't carry to much weight but younger people my want to keep thinking about it. If it kills all these different bugs and doesn't wash out, what does it do to you if it's on your skin for months?
Hi trecileIt doesn't say what this magic fabric is that it's made of, but I highly doubt that it works as promised. If it did it would be a scientific breakthrough!
I'm just saying, that if this fabric is so miraculous, why aren't they making Covid resistant masks out of it? And BTW, silk liners do not stop bedbugs, no matter how much you pay for them.Hi trecile
This is a high end company in the states. I've bought from them in the past and their stuff is expensive but you get what you pay for most times. It could also help stop bed bugs. They are high quality and something 99.95 is cheap for them. I was going to pay about the same for a high end silk liner for a sleeping bag that stops bed bugs. If I make it, I will be using this. Still got a couple of medical hurdles otherwise shooting for September. The flight from BOS to Madrid is about 550.00 but coming home in November is 140.00 with free checked bag. Not to bad. Take care. Dan
a high end silk liner for a sleeping bag that stops bed bugs
Well, to clarify - Bed bugs cannot crawl through, or eat their way through, ANY finely woven fabric. They come through the openings. Wrapping yourself in any fabric cocoon that has good seams, will stop all the bedbugs except those that bite your exposed parts or that crawl in through the openings. The main attraction of silk is that it is strong and lightweight, not that it has any special anti-bedbug properties.silk liners do not stop bedbugs,
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