Jim McMurtrie
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Frances April-May 2018
Frances September-October 2019
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I think I've decided to start my Camino Frances on April 2nd of 2018. I am looking for advice on accommodations. Is it possible, or more importantly, practical to call ahead day by day for reservations. I have plenty of time and would like the freedom to stay somewhere I like for a few days.
From sjpp? That is when I am starting too!I think I've decided to start my Camino Frances on April 2nd of 2018. I am looking for advice on accommodations. Is it possible, or more importantly, practical to call ahead day by day for reservations. I have plenty of time and would like the freedom to stay somewhere I like for a few days.
How far ahead should we book those sjpp, orisson, roncesvalles reservations?I'm going a week after you. I suggest that you book SJPP and Roncesvalles well before you go. Also, if you are planning Orrison, you need to book them well in advance as well. This buys you a few days of certainty while you get your bearings. After that, you will probably have good success walking in to most albergues that time of year. If you find that places are filling up, it means that you are in a "Bubble" of pilgrims. This can be in issue if you like to walk late into the afternoon. Take a short day, or taxi forward or back to get off of synchronization with the standard Brierly stages. If that does not clear things up, start calling ahead two days in advance and making reservations. I never ran into a barman or hospitalero who would not do this for me for albergues where language was a problem. You'll be fine!
Buen Camino
You've given lots of good advise!I'm going a week after you. I suggest that you book SJPP and Roncesvalles well before you go. Also, if you are planning Orrison, you need to book them well in advance as well. This buys you a few days of certainty while you get your bearings. After that, you will probably have good success walking in to most albergues that time of year. If you find that places are filling up, it means that you are in a "Bubble" of pilgrims. This can be in issue if you like to walk late into the afternoon. Take a short day, or taxi forward or back to get off of synchronization with the standard Brierly stages. If that does not clear things up, start calling ahead two days in advance and making reservations. I never ran into a barman or hospitalero who would not do this for me for albergues where language was a problem. You'll be fine!
Buen Camino
You can book a place in St Jean and Roncesvalles now. If you've got your travel logistics figured and set, why not? Orrisson won't accept 2018 resevation requests until Nov 15th.How far ahead should we book those sjpp, orisson, roncesvalles reservations?
Thank you!You can book a place in St Jean and Roncesvalles now. If you've got your travel logistics figured and set, why not? Orrisson won't accept 2018 resevation requests until Nov 15th.
I started 2 April this year. Orisson was not open. The Napolean route was still closed due to snow. I walked via Valcarlos and stayed there overnight. I booked SJPdP but it wasn’t necessary unless that is you have a favourite place you’d like to stay. Ditto with Valcarlos. There were still empty bunk beds in the municipal albergue. Similar situation at Roncesvalles. Most of that month was quiet if not staying in the major Brierley end stages. The wonderful exception, as @Camino Chris said, was Semana santa when absolute madness reigned but it was the most fantastically blessed time to be on the camino.Next year Semana santa is in March so no worries about that. I am envious. I loved walking in early spring. Wishing you a very buen camino.
PS If staying in albergues, don’t listen to anyone who might tell you that you don’t need a sleeping bag.
I would happily walk with something like that as my sleeping bag is a very light one and I use it as a quilt. You will be fine. A couple of times I did have to dress warmly to go to bed but that was rare. And lots of albergues do have blankets but that is not guaranteed. Roncesvalles is an example in point. They do not have blankets and it is quite cold at that elevation. I was fine with my quilt sleeping bag but would have been cold without it.Do you think a silk sleep sack and down Costco blanket will suffice if I am willing to bundle up in my hat, gloves and down jacket to sleep? (I have to do that when backpacking)
DefinitelyDo you think a silk sleep sack and down Costco blanket will suffice if I am willing to bundle up in my hat, gloves and down jacket to sleep? (I have to do that when backpacking)
Thankyou for this info although I am not the original poster. I too am beginning my walk around this same time...April 12th is when I begin walking after staying in St.Jean for two days to rest from my long flight and to re-acquaint myself with all that St. Jean has to offer. May see you on the way.....look out for our distinctive Australian Pilgrims patch.I'm going a week after you. I suggest that you book SJPP and Roncesvalles well before you go. Also, if you are planning Orrison, you need to book them well in advance as well. This buys you a few days of certainty while you get your bearings. After that, you will probably have good success walking in to most albergues that time of year. If you find that places are filling up, it means that you are in a "Bubble" of pilgrims. This can be in issue if you like to walk late into the afternoon. Take a short day, or taxi forward or back to get off of synchronization with the standard Brierly stages. If that does not clear things up, start calling ahead two days in advance and making reservations. I never ran into a barman or hospitalero who would not do this for me for albergues where language was a problem. You'll be fine!
Buen Camino
Call ahead in France. Just arrive in Spain.I think I've decided to start my Camino Frances on April 2nd of 2018. I am looking for advice on accommodations. Is it possible, or more importantly, practical to call ahead day by day for reservations. I have plenty of time and would like the freedom to stay somewhere I like for a few days.
Thankyou for this info although I am not the original poster. I too am beginning my walk around this same time...April 12th is when I begin walking after staying in St.Jean for two days to rest from my long flight and to re-acquaint myself with all that St. Jean has to offer. May see you on the way.....look out for our distinctive Australian Pilgrims patch.
Roncevalles has its own site for reservations.
I will be starting a few days behind you and have no intention of booking ahead other than St Jean and Orisson. The last time I walked at this time of year, 2015, I had no problems getting a bed.I think I've decided to start my Camino Frances on April 2nd of 2018. I am looking for advice on accommodations. Is it possible, or more importantly, practical to call ahead day by day for reservations. I have plenty of time and would like the freedom to stay somewhere I like for a few days.
I started my Camino this year on April 1st. The only accommodation I prebooked was rest days in Burgos (it was Easter Sunday) and Leon and also 2 nights in Santiago, but these were booked only a few days ahead using Bookings.com. I had no problems with getting beds in any albergues and even stayed a couple of nights in hotels that I organised on arrival. Remember the Napoleon route out of SJPDP may not be open due to bad weather so early in spring.I think I've decided to start my Camino Frances on April 2nd of 2018. I am looking for advice on accommodations. Is it possible, or more importantly, practical to call ahead day by day for reservations. I have plenty of time and would like the freedom to stay somewhere I like for a few days.
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