Patrick Hickmott
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2019
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There most certainly are stages where a cafe will not appear when you are ready for second breakfast, or for first lunch. Sometimes first breakfast might even be a problem! That is all part of the adventure of the VDLP.We loved being able to stop along the way for breakfast and second breakfast and I was wondering whether there are cafés etc between all of the stages or are there some that have nothing at all...
Thanks so much. It would be great if you or anyone who actually lives in Spain could give us definitive guidance from the Spanish authorities regarding openings and any other information that is needed that is accurate.We need to hit 70% before tourism restarts. I imagine there will be pressure from businesses as the summer approaches, especially if we are behind. But the current guidance is likely end of summer, best case scenario. And even then I personally don't think businesses will be able to simply start up again. At least here in Valencia the first lockdown caused 20-30% of the cafes and restaurants near me to shutter their doors, likely permanently. By end of summer I suspect there will be more casualties in terms of small business. That said, I'm as hopeful as you since I'd really like to walk again. I was lucky in that in August of last year our numbers were really good so I went to Scotland and did the Great Glenn Way. But I know most people haven't had a good hike in over a year now!
Ivar is keeping everyone up to date, but feel free to reach out to me as well if anyone wants more info 'from the ground'.
https://www.mixmag.net/read/spain-ibiza-tourists-open-holiday-when-news
I assumed from the "Here in Valencia..." that the OP lives in Spain, but it's possible that he was talking about Valencia, Pennsylvania.Thanks so much. It would be great if you or anyone who actually lives in Spain could give us definitive guidance from the Spanish authorities regarding openings and any other information that is needed that is accurate.
Yes, I live in Valencia, Spain. Originally from Vancouver, Canada, but Spain is home now.I assumed from the "Here in Valencia..." that the OP lives in Spain, but it's possible that he was talking about Valencia, Pennsylvania.
I too hope to walk on the VDLP starting in mid October if we can. I have walked from Le Puy and the stretches from Lisbon to Porto and the last couple of weeks on the Norte can be desolate especially during times of few pilgrims. For me the solitude adds a wonderful dimension. Even being the only pilgrim at night.My wife and I were going to give this year a miss as far as doing a Camino is concerned and we started to look at alternative walks. Our original plan was do do the Francés again but we are worried about the large numbers of people, sharing rooms in albergues etc. So we will probably do the CF in 2022.
So we are now seriously thinking about (already decided!) the VDLP.
We loved being able to stop along the way for breakfast and second breakfast and I was wondering whether there are cafés etc between all of the stages or are there some that have nothing at all...
Thanks in advance for any feedback.
You made a good choice of Valencia.
I hope to do the Levante one day maybe I will run into you!! Have you walked it?Yes, I live in Valencia, Spain. Originally from Vancouver, Canada, but Spain is home now.
I hope to do the Levante one day maybe I will run into you!! Have you walked it?
Sounds like a good plan when Camino no matter how short each Camino is during this crazy time.Not yet, but it's on the list. I actually have a credencial on order from Ivar, and when it arrives I may walk a bit of it. Right now there are so many restrictions, but I wouldn't mind getting some walking in to start training for the summer. So my plan was (and thanks to people on here) is maybe to walk 20 km each weekend and simply take the commuter train back to Valencia after. For example, walk from Valencia to Silla this Saturday, then take the train back. The following weekend train (or bike) to Silla, then carry-on. The first stages of the Levante are mostly on asphalt I think, so I don't mind chipping away at those while we are on de-facto lockdown. And then maybe in a few months I can pick up where I end up during this period, and keep on walking more normally.
Carry a 500gram thermos.Thanks for this information. We will make sure that we are stocked up in case of a lack of facilities...really looking forward to this, Covid permitting...
What do you put in your thermos? Just asking, because it is a bulky item to be carrying, and I don't think many people do..Carry a 500gram thermos.
Thanks for all the advice. It is most welcome.I too hope to walk on the VDLP starting in mid October if we can. I have walked from Le Puy and the stretches from Lisbon to Porto and the last couple of weeks on the Norte can be desolate especially during times of few pilgrims. For me the solitude adds a wonderful dimension. Even being the only pilgrim at night.
my advice especially after Spain reopens is this. I hope that you can speak some Spanish. On less traveled routes there are a lot less English speakers. A month in Francewas tough as i spoke no French and I don’t think I met more than 5 or 6 people who spoke English including pilgrims. But it was still wonderful. Get a phone card if your cell plan doesn’t work in Spain. I use Orange and for 20E I get about 15gigas and I tthink 80 minutes of calls. Vodaphonehas a similar plan in price that offers more minutes but less gigas. They are the two biggest so you have a better chance to recharge. I tried to recharge online and Orange didn’t take my American credit card. This way you can call ahead the night before if you are unsure if albergues in small villages will be open. Download a few apps and check gronze so you have a few sources to check on albergues. No site is ever complete. The first thing is ask about grocery store to shop for dinner and for food the following day. If I pass a store a few kilometers out from where I am sleeping I will stop there for food. Better safe than sorry. Finally on a Camino especially like the VDLP I highly recommended downloading the app called Alert Cops. This app allows you to be on touch with the police and you will speak to an English speaking person. They can track your location and send help if you need it. I think especially when this Camino is really hot it may be a lifesaver. Don’t know how experienced you are so maybe you already know all this but if not I hope this helps.
Good news and I am sure you will be fine. Stay safe and let’s hope our first Camino step will be soon.Thanks for all the advice. It is most welcome.
My wife and I are experienced walkers but planning ahead is always the key. In a way, the CF kind of pampers you a little as there is almost always somewhere to get food and supplies...which is why I asked the original question.
Also, I have been learning Spanish for about a year and hoping to be reasonably conversational by the time we go.
Saludos y buen Camino!
My experiences are from 2017 and I was surprised that there were not nearly as many places to stop for "second breakfast". I would estimate that we had this meal perhaps half of the days. Still, the vdlp was an amazing journey.My wife and I were going to give this year a miss as far as doing a Camino is concerned and we started to look at alternative walks. Our original plan was do do the Francés again but we are worried about the large numbers of people, sharing rooms in albergues etc. So we will probably do the CF in 2022.
So we are now seriously thinking about (already decided!) the VDLP.
We loved being able to stop along the way for breakfast and second breakfast and I was wondering whether there are cafés etc between all of the stages or are there some that have nothing at all...
Thanks in advance for any feedback.
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