- Time of past OR future Camino
- Future Camino Frances April 2022
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Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my question so thoroughly! I am scheduled to begin April 22. I've made reservations through to Puente le Reina and wondered if I should plan farther, or maybe I have planned too much....Hi Pilgrim 2022. You ask one of the more debated questions that I’ve seen on Forums. For very different and equally valid reasons you’ll generally find two camps on this topic. I have walked Caminos both with and without reservations. On some of the lesser traveled Caminos, I haven’t found reservations necessary. This also depends on the time of year you are walking. When I first walked the CF, I reserved most of my albergues well in advance of my travel to Spain. On the April morning that I left SJPP, some 300 other pilgrims were also heading over the Pyrenees. SJPP, Roncesvalles, and Larrasoaña were all busy and I was pleased to have reserved beds in all three spots. From there on, it was a mixed bag. Some places/stops were busier than others. Having had reservations allowed me not to even think about the “bed race” on the Francés. Some pilgrims were just reserving a day ahead which proved successful. My general observation was that if you arrived at your destination early enough in the afternoon, there was no problem getting a bed. However, if you wanted to stay at a particular private albergue, as the municipales do not take reservations, you might or might not get a bed. But, you could generally find one in a town without much difficulty. I enjoyed leaving an albergue just as it was getting light. For several reasons, this is a great time of day to walk . I then was able to reach my destination between 1-2 in the afternoon. Even though I had a reservation, other pilgrims arriving about the same time, too, found accommodations. As I knew my daily stopping points, reservations worked quite well and little though went into wondering about getting a bed. If you are leaving in the later half of April, I would at least make reservations up until Pamplona. I’d also reserve in Santiago. You could play rest of it by ear and see how the crowds are. You can always phone ahead a day in advance to reserve a bed. It will all work out. Buen Camino.
You should be fine with your bookings up through Puente la Reina. By the time you get to Pamplona you should have a good idea of how far you like to walk each day, and you can reserve a day or two ahead at that point.Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my question so thoroughly! I am scheduled to begin April 22. I've made reservations through to Puente le Reina and wondered if I should plan farther, or maybe I have planned too much....
What do you mean by a “rolling 3-5 day booking”? Thanks.Good advice from @Grousedoctor
I'd say book up to and including Zubiri as those are pinch points, after which people spread out. Booking Santiago is nice if you can guarantee arriving on a certain date 5 weeks in advance, maybe you can.
When I did it last year I used a rolling 3-5 day booking as that gave me scope to change my plans in case of any unforeseen events.
Its easier rebooking 5 days than 35 days !!
Also, its only really a problem if you intend staying in municipal alberques predominantly, otherwise you will be fine if you are flexible with accommodation.
Last year was also a Holy Year and it was still ok.
Make reservations and forget about it.I had originally planned my Camino for April 2020 and that didn't happen...
My question, I am now scheduled for April 2022. Should I make reservations for every night? Or should I take my chances? I am doing the Camino Frances, starting in SJPDP. Thank you.
Did you walk during a Holy Year and after Covid?I have walked four different caminos and have never made a booking. However, I always departed early in the mornings so I was arriving at my destination early in the afternoon.
No, and I suppose that is a consideration.Did you walk during a Holy Year and after Covid?
You've presented a binary choice - book everything ahead, or don't book and take your chances. However, there is a third option. Book the first few nights - I would suggest up through Pamplona. After that the pilgrim traffic tends to spread out, and you will have found your rhythm, and know how far you can walk each day. At that point you can start reserving a day or two ahead. This allows you to have flexibility, and still be assured of a bed each night.I had originally planned my Camino for April 2020 and that didn't happen...
My question, I am now scheduled for April 2022. Should I make reservations for every night? Or should I take my chances? I am doing the Camino Frances, starting in SJPDP. Thank you.
Hi @Embee12What do you mean by a “rolling 3-5 day booking”? Thanks.
Allow the Camino to unfold before you, you are more than capable of dealing with anything that unfolds. Allow yourself to experience the unexpected.be open for what the Camino provides
Absolutely.Allow the Camino to unfold before you, you are more than capable of dealing with anything that unfolds. Allow yourself to experience the unexpected.
Excellent post. ThanksI'm walking since 2010 on different ways in different seasons, short (100km) and longer (3100km) distances. I roughly slept in 450 Albergues/Gites/Pensions etc.. I personally never booked ahead, on purpose.
1st. I never know how the day will be physically.
2nd. I never know what the day provides.
3rd. I have to feel free and I like the idea not to know in the morning where I will close my eyes at night!
I met a bunch of people they were so busy with booking and looking for accommodation, that they were pressured by this and constantly thinking about it. I felt that they were strained.
I will never forget a guy from Switzerland he had booked his whole Camino in advance. He was obsessed by following his plan, he couldn't let it go, couldn't access to be on the way.....
He was earlier at home than the bouquet of flowers he also had ordered for his wife in advance, cause he got injured by walking to much.(following his schedule)
my punchline is, if you don't have to book (except age, illness, physically limited, etc.... also I know this isn't necessarily a factor, but could be a understandable reason for booking) then be open for what the Camino provides, let the magic carry you.
Cause of these circumstances I experienced uncountable feelings and unforgettable memories! I never felt lost or couldn't find a place to sleep.
I know that everyone walks his own Camino and that's good so!
Please nobody should feel attacked by my words, also English isn't my first language.
Yup. This is what I'd do. By the time you get to Pamplona, you'll know if it's necessary.You've presented a binary choice - book everything ahead, or don't book and take your chances. However, there is a third option. Book the first few nights - I would suggest up through Pamplona. After that the pilgrim traffic tends to spread out, and you will have found your rhythm, and know how far you can walk each day. At that point you can start reserving a day or two ahead. This allows you to have flexibility, and still be assured of a bed each night.
I’m very much like the Swiss guy - I once did a round the world in 3 months and knew exactly where I was staying for every night before I departed. But I’m hoping to change this for the Camino and learn to be a little more flexibleI'm walking since 2010 on different ways in different seasons, short (100km) and longer (3100km) distances. I roughly slept in 450 Albergues/Gites/Pensions etc.. I personally never booked ahead, on purpose.
1st. I never know how the day will be physically.
2nd. I never know what the day provides.
3rd. I have to feel free and I like the idea not to know in the morning where I will close my eyes at night!
I met a bunch of people they were so busy with booking and looking for accommodation, that they were pressured by this and constantly thinking about it. I felt that they were strained.
I will never forget a guy from Switzerland he had booked his whole Camino in advance. He was obsessed by following his plan, he couldn't let it go, couldn't access to be on the way.....
He was earlier at home than the bouquet of flowers he also had ordered for his wife in advance, cause he got injured by walking to much.(following his schedule)
my punchline is, if you don't have to book (except age, illness, physically limited, etc.... also I know this isn't necessarily a factor, but could be a understandable reason for booking) then be open for what the Camino provides, let the magic carry you.
Cause of these circumstances I experienced uncountable feelings and unforgettable memories! I never felt lost or couldn't find a place to sleep.
I know that everyone walks his own Camino and that's good so!
Please nobody should feel attacked by my words, also English isn't my first language.
Yes, definitely. Zubiri is the biggest bottle neck on the entire CF.Maybe we should consider reservations in Zubiri as well!
So true. I've said this before, but I'll say it again...In mid-April 2017 we thankfully had made reservations at a private albergue not too far past Zubiri. Stopping in the town for a quick look around on our way, I noticed a sports' building/gym located behind the Muni had the door open and sleeping bags were lined up on the floor. In addition, a big bus was being filled up with pilgrims as the driver hoisted their backpacks in the hold below. I remember wondering where they were being taken for the night.Yes, definitely. Zubiri is the biggest bottle neck on the entire CF.
Not from StJdP, but from Roncesvalles probably. Many Spaniards will take the opportunity to walk Camino. Not surprisingly few will choose to start from Franceguess my question would be: 'Is there going to be an unusual number of pilgrims starting out in SJPDP on Easter Week because it's Easter Week?
I'm starting the same day from SJPP, but because I will be heading out mid day, I decided to spend the night at Borda. I've made reservations through to Pamplona. This is my first time. Though I will be a day behind you after Roncevalles, I hope we meet up somewhere along the way!Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my question so thoroughly! I am scheduled to begin April 22. I've made reservations through to Puente le Reina and wondered if I should plan farther, or maybe I have planned too much....
They were being taken on an adventure! I am sure that it subsequently became one of their oft talked about highlights.I noticed a sports' building/gym located behind the Muni had the door open and sleeping bags were lined up on the floor. In addition, a big bus was being filled up with pilgrims as the driver hoisted their backpacks in the hold below. I remember wondering where they were being taken for the night.
I love that "front pack!"So true! Here's one of mine when I said to my family... "Do you remember the time we had to eat our lunch standing up, juggling it in the rain on our way to Finesterre from Lires?"
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That's what is called a "multi-purpose" item.I love that "front pack!"
It's intention that makes the pilgrim, not where they sleep, whether they make reservations or carry their own pack.Pilgrims follow tradition and never reserve a bed.
absolutely! combined with the responsibility as such....It's intention that makes the pilgrim
Your English is wonderful!I'm walking since 2010 on different ways in different seasons, short (100km) and longer (3100km) distances. I roughly slept in 450 Albergues/Gites/Pensions etc.. I personally never booked ahead, on purpose.
1st. I never know how the day will be physically.
2nd. I never know what the day provides.
3rd. I have to feel free and I like the idea not to know in the morning where I will close my eyes at night!
I met a bunch of people they were so busy with booking and looking for accommodation, that they were pressured by this and constantly thinking about it. I felt that they were strained.
I will never forget a guy from Switzerland he had booked his whole Camino in advance. He was obsessed by following his plan, he couldn't let it go, couldn't access to be on the way.....
He was earlier at home than the bouquet of flowers he also had ordered for his wife in advance, cause he got injured by walking to much.(following his schedule)
my punchline is, if you don't have to book (except age, illness, physically limited, etc.... also I know this isn't necessarily a factor, but could be a understandable reason for booking) then be open for what the Camino provides, let the magic carry you.
Cause of these circumstances I experienced uncountable feelings and unforgettable memories! I never felt lost or couldn't find a place to sleep.
I know that everyone walks his own Camino and that's good so!
Please nobody should feel attacked by my words, also English isn't my first language.
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