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I used the Gronze map app a bit last year, when I was walking the Norte in France since my preferred apps, Wise Pilgrim and Buen Camino didn't cover that section, but it's far from the best.The best app whitout a doubt is GronzeMaps, now also for Iphone / IOS / Apple / .
I’m always googling miles to km and pounds to kg! Probably should get an app for that. I know the metric system is so logical, and a 10-based system should be easy to learn, but it’s definitely not my first language for math.Buen Camino. I’m also from the US and committed to doing my first Camino (Frances) about a year ago. Very first thing I did was start thinking in Metric—-especially distance—Km—. To help, I downloaded the free app “Units Plus” from the Apple App Store. It’s helped a lot. Now when I talk to others about my training hikes and such, they ask: ‘what’s that in miles’—which makes me feel so European. Other useful Apps, as others have mentioned, are the Wise Pilgrim and Buen Camino apps.
Thank you. I also was thinking of putting a sticker on my phone case to remind myself that when we would use 911, they use 112.Download ‘AlertCops’ for whilst you’re in Spain. It’s remarkably unlikely You would need to use it.
I use Google translate on occasion at work, and it’s fine for what I need, but I know it’s not completely correct all the time. I have heard that WhatsApp is used a lot in Europe, and I used to have it, but their privacy settings are a bit concerning. They ask for access to almost everything on your phone - contacts, location, etc.Google Translate is handy if one is not very conversant in the local language. An example of its use is in a floating window: a message can be dictated or typed, translated and then copied and pasted into Whatsapp, for example. Very handy when confirming with your reserved lodging for the night that you are en route.
I have a couple of index cards I bring with several key phrases written I've occasionally needed for the Camino. Google Translate has nearly eliminated my need to use them the past few years though.I was thinking of making a Google doc with phrases I might need in Portuguese and Spanish so I could just copy and paste them as needed.
Thanks so much for this suggestion. I had a read about the grass but didn’t know it was available for the iPhone. I just downloaded it. I may walk the Mozárabe in October and this will help a lot. Once again, thanks so much.The best app whitout a doubt is GronzeMaps, now also for Iphone / IOS / Apple / .
KM to miles - multiple by 5 then divide by 8.I’m always googling miles to km and pounds to kg! Probably should get an app for that. I know the metric system is so logical, and a 10-based system should be easy to learn, but it’s definitely not my first language for math.
Thank you! I’ve book-marked this for reference. I’m sure using various apps can be trial-and-error, but I figure that I can work out some of my needs and preferences before I leave home and I’ll feel more prepared. But … probably most of the learning curve happens while walking.My favorite Camino Apps are:
General Reference Tools:
Wise Pilgrim - the whole series, or just for your routes.
El Tiempo.es + - Comprehensive weather from virtually every named place in Spain
AEMET - the official meteorological app for Spain
Alert Cops - emergency reporting and locator app
Correos.es - the post office
ALSA - Intercity buses
RENFE - National railway system
Misas.org - for Catholics or those who wish to attend Mass
Gronze - a generally very useful site for route planning and booking lodgings, especially for locations NOT on Booking.com
Special Discussion:
Booking.com - like it or not, it is a very useful tool on the Camino. I use it to screen for places, as it's mapping and search functions are highly refined. Then I might use Gronze to book using the property's website or call directly.
This avoids the "held back" rooms that Booking.com causes at most properties - not every room is sold via Booking.com. It also usually results in a small savings to both the property owner and the pilgrim, as Booking.com does not take it's normal - large - percentage of the booking amount.
So, I use Booking.com to identify a good location - I do not stay in albergues unless necessary - saving that for younger folks with better immune systems. Then I use Gronze to focus and zero in on a good value for money.
Language Apps -
Google Translate
MS Bing Translate
Spanish dictionary and phrases, iThinkDiff Apps - for the little stuff you need fast
To Learn Spanish - Duolingo.com - I use it every day at home, then use the Duolingo app on my iPhone when traveling. I have an unbroken, six-year + run of daily Spanish lessons or at least practice.
There are many other apps available. Many pilgrims will have their favorites. To each his or her own. I tried to reduce this list to the bare minimum and generic apps that I have used for years.
Over the years, I have tried other apps and found them wanting, so they got deleted. One example is the Camino Ninja app. I came to discover that much of the content in this app was apparently "borrowed" from the Wise PIlgrim apps. Also, I believe the author of the Camino Ninja app passed away about a year or so ago. So, updates might not be forthcoming.
Hope this helps.
Tom
Hi, I’ve walked the Frances and Portuguese routes and used the following:Hi All! First time pilgrim here, planning the Portuguese route in July with my daughter.
For experienced pilgrims, which phone apps did you find most helpful/useful for navigation, finding lodging, safety, communication, etc.? (Or any suggestions, really.) I just downloaded Gronze, I have this forum’s app (Ivar’s), and I’m sure there are others that would be good. We have iPhones.
For context, we’re American and have never been to Europe before. We speak a little Spanish, not fluently, and I’m working on very basic Portuguese. I plan to use Google Translate as needed.
Thanks!
I am also preparing for my first Camino (Portuguese coastal/espiritual varient)Hi All! First time pilgrim here, planning the Portuguese route in July with my daughter.
For experienced pilgrims, which phone apps did you find most helpful/useful for navigation, finding lodging, safety, communication, etc.? (Or any suggestions, really.) I just downloaded Gronze, I have this forum’s app (Ivar’s), and I’m sure there are others that would be good. We have iPhones.
For context, we’re American and have never been to Europe before. We speak a little Spanish, not fluently, and I’m working on very basic Portuguese. I plan to use Google Translate as needed.
Thanks!
I have fortunately never had to use it, but my understanding is AlertCops will get you directly to an English-speaking officer, whereas 112 would not - this would be critical in a time of need. Buen Camino, and I hope this is all just over-planning!Thank you. I also was thinking of putting a sticker on my phone case to remind myself that when we would use 911, they use 112.
Download ‘AlertCops’ for whilst you’re in Spain. It’s remarkably unlikely You would need to use it.
Maybe try it again after you get to Spain? I kind of recall getting something similar when I downloaded it a few years ago.I just installed the app. After installing it says THE APP SAYS ALERT COPS IS NOT WORKING and to call authorities directly
Buen Camino. I’m also from the US and committed to doing my first Camino (Frances) about a year ago. Very first thing I did was start thinking in Metric—-especially distance—Km—. To help, I downloaded the free app “Units Plus” from the Apple App Store. It’s helped a lot. Now when I talk to others about my training hikes and such, they ask: ‘what’s that in miles’—which makes me feel so European.
That’s such a clever idea and I never thought of that!I agree that learning how to "think metrically" is very useful in preparing for a Camino (or nearly any trip outside of the U.S. for that matter.) I found it helpful to open my Google Maps settings and change my preferred units from miles to kilometers several months before I left for my Camino so that I could get used to seeing familiar distances (from my home to the supermarket, say) in their metric equivalent. (I did the same in my Weather apps by changing F to C.) By the time I began my walk I had a good sense of what a 15 km or 20 km or 30 km day would involve — and how a 20 C day would feel compared to 30 C — without having to convert anything specifically.
I would suggest an offline dictionary, the weather app AEMET, and booking.comHi All! First time pilgrim here, planning the Portuguese route in July with my daughter.
For experienced pilgrims, which phone apps did you find most helpful/useful for navigation, finding lodging, safety, communication, etc.? (Or any suggestions, really.) I just downloaded Gronze, I have this forum’s app (Ivar’s), and I’m sure there are others that would be good. We have iPhones.
For context, we’re American and have never been to Europe before. We speak a little Spanish, not fluently, and I’m working on very basic Portuguese. I plan to use Google Translate as needed.
Thanks!
One thing I have not seen mentioned is Godalesco. I have used it to check distances and plan stages. Otherwise the comprehensive list several people have mentioned I can echo. Gronze, wise pilgrim, Rome to Rio, Correos for luggage transfers if you happen to need that. If you find you have too much you can send your extra to Casa Ivar. Google translate. You can have dual SIM cards with one being an eSIM. For in county calling and the other for dealing with bank stuff back home.Hi All! First time pilgrim here, planning the Portuguese route in July with my daughter.
For experienced pilgrims, which phone apps did you find most helpful/useful for navigation, finding lodging, safety, communication, etc.? (Or any suggestions, really.) I just downloaded Gronze, I have this forum’s app (Ivar’s), and I’m sure there are others that would be good. We have iPhones.
For context, we’re American and have never been to Europe before. We speak a little Spanish, not fluently, and I’m working on very basic Portuguese. I plan to use Google Translate as needed.
Thanks!
I had to take a screenshot of your list!My favorite Camino Apps are:
General Reference Tools:
Wise Pilgrim - the whole series, or just for your routes.
El Tiempo.es + - Comprehensive weather from virtually every named place in Spain
AEMET - the official meteorological app for Spain
Alert Cops - emergency reporting and locator app
Correos.es - the post office
ALSA - Intercity buses
RENFE - National railway system
Misas.org - for Catholics or those who wish to attend Mass
Gronze - a generally very useful site for route planning and booking lodgings, especially for locations NOT on Booking.com
Special Discussion:
Booking.com - like it or not, it is a very useful tool on the Camino. I use it to screen for places, as it's mapping and search functions are highly refined. Then I might use Gronze to book using the property's website or call directly.
This avoids the "held back" rooms that Booking.com causes at most properties - not every room is sold via Booking.com. It also usually results in a small savings to both the property owner and the pilgrim, as Booking.com does not take it's normal - large - percentage of the booking amount.
So, I use Booking.com to identify a good location - I do not stay in albergues unless necessary - saving that for younger folks with better immune systems. Then I use Gronze to focus and zero in on a good value for money.
Language Apps -
Google Translate
MS Bing Translate
Spanish dictionary and phrases, iThinkDiff Apps - for the little stuff you need fast
To Learn Spanish - Duolingo.com - I use it every day at home, then use the Duolingo app on my iPhone when traveling. I have an unbroken, six-year + run of daily Spanish lessons or at least practice.
There are many other apps available. Many pilgrims will have their favorites. To each his or her own. I tried to reduce this list to the bare minimum and generic apps that I have used for years.
Over the years, I have tried other apps and found them wanting, so they got deleted. One example is the Camino Ninja app. I came to discover that much of the content in this app was apparently "borrowed" from the Wise PIlgrim apps. Also, I believe the author of the Camino Ninja app passed away about a year or so ago. So, updates might not be forthcoming.
Hope this helps.
Tom
To be fair, @HeatherJourney asked for recommendations for apps, and some of those that you list are websites, and not phone apps. I use Godesalco extensively for planning and recommend it to those in their planning stages.One thing I have not seen mentioned is Godalesco. I have used it to check distances and plan stages. Otherwise the comprehensive list several people have mentioned I can echo. Gronze, wise pilgrim, Rome to Rio, Correos for luggage transfers if you happen to need that. If you find you have too much you can send your extra to Casa Ivar. Google translate. You can have dual SIM cards with one being an eSIM. For in county calling and the other for dealing with bank stuff back home.
Pardon me for being off topic, but, that is why I mentioned it (planning), it’s been very useful to me (App or not). I also use Gronze.com so if there was an App for that I never used the App, just the web site. It seems a bit nit picky to exclude something that is so useful just because it’s, not an App. A friend (Sophie) recommended it to me. I went with no plan the first time 2018, at 64. I met Sophie and she had everything mapped out. She’d already done at least 3 or 4 Caminos, so she became a valued friend and resource over our time together. I thought to pass on the good fortune. FYI, I believe she also said “or any suggestions really”.To be fair, @HeatherJourney asked for recommendations for apps, and some of those that you list are websites, and not phone apps. I use Godesalco extensively for planning and recommend it to those in their planning stages.
Camino Ninja is now being updated again. Always my app of choice - everyone has a favorite though. Best advice is to pick one you like, and have others installed as options. There's no exclusivity clause . . .Hi, I’ve walked the Frances and Portuguese routes and used the following:
Camino Ninja: amazing app for navigation but not sure it’s been kept up recently due to the designers passing
Booking.com: for booking ahead - most widely used in the region it seems
Google translate: English is well spoken but occasionally there’s a concept or phrase that’s not coming across - works well.
That’s it. Both paths are very well marked (with a few exceptions in some areas).
Enjoy - Buen Camino!
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