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By the way, in the future you could do all of this for a lot less yourself online.My wife and I discovered the Camino rather late in life: we were in our sixties, but love at first sight. Over the years we have done bits and pieces of the Way in both France and Spain; perhaps the most memorable was that trip over the Pyrenees. Now that we are old, with various health issues, we have opted for a slower, "deluxe" version: Sarria - Santiago in 9 days. It includes accommodation, private bathroom, breakfast, an evening meal and luggage taxied between "country cottages", as well as transport from the airport at Santiago to Sarria.
The price for two people with SantiagoWays was 2,290 Euros. I was told "Around one month prior to the start of the trip you will receive all the information you need". We fly, not in one month, but in one week. Despite several emails and phone calls (they tell me they are very busy and still working on it) I am beginning to wonder, could the whole thing be - Oh ye of little faith - a scam?
Does anyone have a happier experience of SantiagoWays?
TIA,
Allgo2
Tweet them. @CaminoWays Twitter always works best with any travel operator.My wife and I discovered the Camino rather late in life: we were in our sixties, but love at first sight. Over the years we have done bits and pieces of the Way in both France and Spain; perhaps the most memorable was that trip over the Pyrenees. Now that we are old, with various health issues, we have opted for a slower, "deluxe" version: Sarria - Santiago in 9 days. It includes accommodation, private bathroom, breakfast, an evening meal and luggage taxied between "country cottages", as well as transport from the airport at Santiago to Sarria.
The price for two people with SantiagoWays was 2,290 Euros. I was told "Around one month prior to the start of the trip you will receive all the information you need". We fly, not in one month, but in one week. Despite several emails and phone calls (they tell me they are very busy and still working on it) I am beginning to wonder, could the whole thing be - Oh ye of little faith - a scam?
Does anyone have a happier experience of SantiagoWays?
TIA,
Allgo2
They booked with Santiago Ways, not Camino Ways, but the Twitter suggestion is good.Tweet them. @CaminoWays Twitter always works best with any travel operator.
Very thoughtful of you to phone them.Thank you for the above, Trecile. I just phoned (there was a supposedly Irish number) and spoke to an agent. As Robo said, an Id number or booking number will move the issue forward. I said it would be such a pity if their company comes out of this with a poor reputation. So, to the OP: ring before 7pm Spanish time this evening if you can, and please do let us know how you get on.
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Thank you Pafayac, Kirkie, Marbe2 and Robo - I am very touched by your comments and « detective » work. The full sum for the trip had to be paid 1 month before our departure on Sept 1. The official reason given for the delay is that the operations department is « still waiting for some confirmation forms from our suppliers » Ivar made an interesting suggestion, viz it’s a holy year, which might explain the heavy bookings and, if push comes to shove, ask for a refund! So I guess we’ll just have to be patient for another day or two before coming to a decision.
The company obciously knew that it was a holy year as well? So I am confused as why they are still working on it.Thank you Pafayac, Kirkie, Marbe2 and Robo - I am very touched by your comments and « detective » work. The full sum for the trip had to be paid 1 month before our departure on Sept 1. The official reason given for the delay is that the operations department is « still waiting for some confirmation forms from our suppliers » Ivar made an interesting suggestion, viz it’s a holy year, which might explain the heavy bookings and, if push comes to shove, ask for a refund! So I guess we’ll just have to be patient for another day or two before coming to a …
The company obciously knew that it was a holy year as well? So I am confused as why they are still working on it.
If the Company, doesn’t work out., why not try to book it on your own.? When exactly are you due to arrive in Santiago? Where did you plan to stay, towns-wise….did you map this out with them as an itinerary? There are some places still available in Sarria that are good. however, we would need your proposed stops to help you out... many of us can give you recommendations as to where it is good to eat as well. how far do you plan on walking each day?
I would love to make my own bookings, but my wife - for a host of reasons - now needs a more formal organisation. I’ve gone through my old emails and see that my reservation was confirmed on July 27, 2022. They said « We will start working on it right away. » That was four weeks ago.
I spoke to a young lady, named Maria, just now. She said the ten nights were all confirmed except for one booking: they require written confirmation. I told her I was about to cancel and ask for a complete refund. This may have the desired effect; our fate will be decided in the next few hours - will keep you posted.
I told her I was about to cancel and ask for a complete refund
In this case the company has failed to deliver what the OP has purchased.What do the booking terms say about refunds? Usually, and this applies to almost all the holiday industry, there is a limit to the amount you can get refunded.
Also look at the applicable laws - Spanish contract, Swiss contract or another.
Hate to disappoint but you're stuck with the terms you agreed to, unless the company makes a discretionary offer.
In this case the company has failed to deliver what the OP has purchased.
It wasn't the OP, but @kirkie in post #3 who mentined an Irish phone number.Unless I miss my guess, Santiago Ways and Camino Ways are/were two different companies...which makes me wonder, since OP mentioned an Irish number. For me, CaminoWays was the company based in Ireland. I had no troubles.
I have been trying, but am not an expert sleuth, to find who owns them, in the sense of where they actually operate from... very little info for the casual hunter.
I do hope to see a positive post from you in the near future...
You're right. I was premature in saying that the company has not delivered what has been paid for.It strikes me that, on the information provided, the company has not failed in its obligations. It may do one day soon. Perhaps on the 1st September, but in the meantime they've plenty of time to resolve an, repeat an, issue of accommodation on one night.
Meanwhile, there is a camino lesson for many, even all, here. The Camino; or better the many pilgrimage routes to the shrine of Santiago, the caminos, are not an holiday. Camino is not shrink wrapped, in a box, clearly labelled and with instructions "open here". Camino is not guaranteed, even by those try to sell it that way. Camino is an opportunity, one full of surprises, challenges, disappointments and joys and, for some, those are still Holy roads and we all know they can be bumpy...
And do let us know how it goes!I must give you a belated update. Yesterday afternoon, I wrote to SantiagoWays, asking for a refund. At 19:30, before I had time to cancel the flights, I received a detailed offer (no phone calls, apologies and especially not an acknowledgement of my email). So the trip is now on...
As for the Camino « lessons », mentioned in this thread, it seems to me we are all different, with our own particular crosses to bear. SantiagoWays has their crosses too. While surfing the web yesterday, I came across another tour company, which provides pilgrims with all sorts of aids, even their own phone - but double the price!
Glad you finally got resolution! Hope you and your wife have uneventful fligts, good connections and all goes smoothly! Pax!I must give you a belated update. Yesterday afternoon, I wrote to SantiagoWays, asking for a refund. At 19:30, before I had time to cancel the flights, I received a detailed offer (no phone calls, apologies and especially not an acknowledgement of my email). So the trip is now on...
As for the Camino « lessons », mentioned in this thread, it seems to me we are all different, with our own particular crosses to bear. SantiagoWays has their crosses too. While surfing the web yesterday, I came across another tour company, which provides pilgrims with all sorts of aids, even their own phone - but double the price!
Thx!Glad you finally got resolution! Hope you and your wife have uneventful fligts, good connections and all goes smoothly! Pax!
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