Bob Hummel
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- April 2017
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Welcome to the Forum! You have a lovely plan here. Travelling solo at that time of year, you won't need to worry about reservations on the Camino Frances route. (That's not to say you'll always get your first choice of lodging, just that something should be available.)I will be embarking on my first pilgrimage at the end of April.
Thank you Kitsambler!Welcome to the Forum! You have a lovely plan here. Travelling solo at that time of year, you won't need to worry about reservations on the Camino Frances route. (That's not to say you'll always get your first choice of lodging, just that something should be available.)
The standard practice is for pilgrims to carry a "sleep sack", aka silk sleeping bag liner. Pillows are generally available, as I understand it. There may be the odd spot where you make do with some clothing. However, you would lay your sleep sack atop the proffered pillow, for hygienic considerations. In April, things can still be cool at night at the higher points, so you may want to consider an ultralight (interior use, half-kilo) sleeping bag.
Thank you Felipe!This has been discussed many times in the forum. Opinions (and experiences) vary. I have started to feel that preferences depend a lot of the personality and expectatives (are you the over planner or the adventurous type? how much intimidated you feel about being alone in a foreign country?). Also, every year seems to be more and more crowded, and the offer side may be (or may not) catching up.
You don't mention where and how long are you walking; it seems the critical lodging stages are the final, after Sarria.
I suggest you reserve your first night, just to have peace of mind, and decide next days if reservation is convenient on the spot.
Buen camino!
It seems you already have made your mind, and have a good, open plan.Thank you Felipe!
I have been a serious over planner all my life. But I don't want to be like that on the Camino.
I already have my reservation in SJPDP. Beyond that, I have nothing.
Bob
Thank you all for the great advice!It seems you already have made your mind, and have a good, open plan.
I would only add that if you are arriving in Compostela in late June, this will already be "high season". Las year there were a couple of Summer "albergue completo" scares. This was new...Some forum members said that there were just wild rumours, others that it was "just a long wave". I don't know for sure.
In my experience, pilgrims are incredibly resourceful and solidary; also hospitaleros, try to do their best to help you. I have been in serous lodging problems a couple of times, and always was rescued by kind local people.
That is CHEATING!
The Sun God of the Druids will take care of your wants. Walked the Camino Frances twice without ever having a reservation--but I always had a sleeping bag and mat just in case I had to sleep outside. Mat came in handy when leaving as I slept on the concrete floor of the Madrid airport over night--along with many others.
There is, but it depends entirely on the person quoting a rule, and it is usually quite self-serving! A Brazilian women who took my lower bunk had a rule that a hat and jacket were not enough to claim a bed; you had to unroll your sleeping bag on it.Hey, didn't know their was a rule book.
Same experience here. Happened with unrolledThere is, but it depends entirely on the person quoting a rule, and it is usually quite self-serving! A Brazilian women who took my lower bunk had a rule that a hat and jacket were not enough to claim a bed; you had to unroll your sleeping bag on it.
Personally, I prefer not to make reservations. I have seen too many people turned away and then those who reserved do not turn up. In one albergue, 20 beds were reserved and I got the last non reserved. Next morning, only two beds had been used, the rest still had the 'reservado' tickets attached. The albergue lost a lot of money and a lot of pilgrims had to walk on to the next town. However, in your case, there should be no need to reserve in April. On my first camino I started in March 2013 and my second started mid April 2015 and had no need to reserve. Even this year, in early September when there was an extremely large number of pilgrims I never had to try somewhere else. I did see others arriving mid afternoon being turned away but outside one albergue, a lady was offering a bed in her home to some turned away. I agree with your point of not being tied to a certain time and place. Because of the extreme heat this year, there were a few days I had to stop before reaching my intended goal. For the same reason, I do not send my pack on by taxi.Hello All!
I will be embarking on my first pilgrimage at the end of April.
I am uncertain whether or not to make reservations at the the various albergues along the way.
To fully enjoy and benefit from the experience, I would rather not be tied to a time line of having to be at a certain place at a certain time. I would also like the flexibility to change my overnight locations on the fly, in case I can't make it to the intended town, need an extra days rest, or just want to hang out for a day in a place I enjoy.
On the other hand, I don't want to stumble into a town and find out that all the albergues are full!
What should I do?
Another question I have is, could you please tell me if the albergues furnish mattress covers and pillows, or should I bring my own?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
Bob
Hello All!
I will be embarking on my first pilgrimage at the end of April.
I am uncertain whether or not to make reservations at the the various albergues along the way.
To fully enjoy and benefit from the experience, I would rather not be tied to a time line of having to be at a certain place at a certain time. I would also like the flexibility to change my overnight locations on the fly, in case I can't make it to the intended town, need an extra days rest, or just want to hang out for a day in a place I enjoy.
On the other hand, I don't want to stumble into a town and find out that all the albergues are full!
What should I do?
Another question I have is, could you please tell me if the albergues furnish mattress covers and pillows, or should I bring my own?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
Bob
How did you sleep without a sleeping bag? Only in hotels? Thank you.Hey, didn't know their was a rule book.
Never took a sleeping bag or mat and never needed it.
Spending overnight in a seat at an airport is one of those things you may have to do it you travel a lot - it really isn't a big deal. I'm elderly and have absolutely no problem in doing it.
Its your Camino to do as you wish....enjoy the experience
I love this post because I too don't want to book ahead unless I have to! I have traveled like this before and always managed to find a place to sleep. So although I've never done it (going May 2017) I believe the Camino will provide.
With that said I will probably still book a place in Santiago a couple days in advance and maybe SJPdP too.
I have travelled like this before???
May is a big month for pilgrims and the weather can become inclement to say the least.
If you can avoid booking ahead, it gives you freedom and a sense of doing it your way.
In saying that
We now always book ahead , thats what getting old does.
This allows us a few extra km's a day as there is no rushing,
The accommodation is usually a private room as shown in MMDD which allows us to sleep and rise when we wish which is decided by the following days distance.
A crap day coming up means early to bed and a good sleep.
A short day allows a late evening [ albergues close @ 10pm when most Spanish are just starting their meal] and a late sleep in.
We have always stayed in private rooms in the bigger towns so we can take in the culture[ food / drink ] of the area , they all vary.
In other words be very flexible , it will be different from any previous walks , especially if you do the 900km to Muxia.
Been Camino and safe travels
This lovely couple were no less pilgrims than any of us who may have toiled thousands of miles not always knowing where our next meal might come from.
You are so right by saying that the Camino will provide.I love this post because I too don't want to book ahead unless I have to! I have traveled like this before and always managed to find a place to sleep. So although I've never done it (going May 2017) I believe the Camino will provide.
With that said I will probably still book a place in Santiago a couple days in advance and maybe SJPdP too.
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