Travel Guides, Maps, Books - Do I need more than a Camino on

[travelingdina]

I'm used to traveling lonely-planet style.

I plan on doing a little bit of site-seeing, but, obviously, don't want to carry very much.

Can I really get by with no maps and just one of the specific VdlP guidebooks???

Thanks!

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Yes you can. Have a look at the CSJ lightwieght and cheap guide to the VdlP
http://www.csj.org.uk/acatalog/The_CSJ_ ... in_23.html

also make sure you also download the updates http://www.csj.org.uk/guides.htm


Have a look at Dawn of a New Day’s posts on albergues and you will find a comprehensive list:

camino-mozarabe-and-via-de-la-plata/topic5325.html

In Seville, Merida, Caceres etc go the Tourist Office and you will get plenty of information on local sites to see etc.

Enjoy

John

 

[peregrina2000]

Although I only was able to walk part of the Vdlp (Sevilla till Caceres) due to a foot problem, my definite opinion is that when I go back I will take more than the Confraternity guide. I have walked several different Caminos, always using only the CSJ guides, but this time I found that there were many places when walking directions were needed and were just not there in the guide.

English speakers found Alison Raju's Cicerone guide to be very detailed and helpful. It's a 2006 edition, I think. Spaniards I walked with printed out the pages of the Consumer Eroski website. They are incredibly detailed and saved us from getting lost several times when the CSJ guide would not have. If you speak Spanish, I'd highly recommend that option.

I know it's hard for guidebooks to be up to date on the latest roadworks and the rapidly growing number of albergues, but I think either of the two options I describe is a useful (even necessary) supplement to the CSJ guide. Laurie

 

[peregrina nicole]

I have only walked from Seville to Monasterio so far, but I am very pleased with the guidebook I used (and yes, I agree with the others that you do need a guide book) for the Plata. I am using La Via de la Plata A Pie Y En Bicicleta: Monumentos, Paisajes, Albergues, Etapas. It has maps (including elevation), very clear directions and detailed information on accommodation, shops, etc. It also comes in a ring binding, so you can keep the book in your bag and just have the day's pages in your pocket. It is, of course, in Spanish. It is not the lightest guide I have ever used, nor is it cheap (it cost me 23 euros). However, I feel that it was well worth the weight and the price.