VDLP from Merida mid-March

[Yooper B]

There's been a lot of discussion about this camino during other months, but I couldn't find much info about it in March. My husband and I plan to begin in Merida (we may still start in Seville) on March 14th and we have plenty of time ( 6 weeks). We're definitely not worried about crowded alberques, but are wondering when most of them open for the peregrinos for "the season". We did the Camino Frances from SJDP in April 2014 and are well aware this will be a different camino experience which we are really looking forward to! Any info will be greatly appreciated.

 

[mmm042]

Hi Yooper.

We must be neighbors -- I'm in Wisconsin. I've walked the VDLP in March several times now. While I stay in pensiones or casas rurales, not albergues, I usually stop in at the albergues to check them out because I've written a guidebook/app on the VDLP and continually update it. In my experience, while some albergues might still be closed in mid-March, the majority are open. One casa rural proprietress told me most open in March (on the VDLP). So I don't think you should have any problem. Remember that if you do, there are many pensiones and casas rurales available that are not at all expensive (15-25 euros per night, often including breakfast, and sometimes if they're a little bit off the route, they'll pick you up and take you back the next day).

Have fun!

Melanie

 

[Yooper B]

Hi Yooper.

We must be neighbors -- I'm in Wisconsin. I've walked the VDLP in March several times now. While I stay in pensiones or casas rurales, not albergues, I usually stop in at the albergues to check them out because I've written a guidebook/app on the VDLP and continually update it. In my experience, while some albergues might still be closed in mid-March, the majority are open. One casa rural proprietress told me most open in March (on the VDLP). So I don't think you should have any problem. Remember that if you do, there are many pensiones and casas rurales available that are not at all expensive (15-25 euros per night, often including breakfast, and sometimes if they're a little bit off the route, they'll pick you up and take you back the next day).

Have fun!

Melanie

 

[Yooper B]

Melanie,
We are neighbors, and my photo is of a Lake Superior sunrise where we live! I appreciate your info and am wondering how I can get a copy of your guidebook and your app? Please let me know.

 

[Yooper B]

Hi Yooper.

We must be neighbors -- I'm in Wisconsin. I've walked the VDLP in March several times now. While I stay in pensiones or casas rurales, not albergues, I usually stop in at the albergues to check them out because I've written a guidebook/app on the VDLP and continually update it. In my experience, while some albergues might still be closed in mid-March, the majority are open. One casa rural proprietress told me most open in March (on the VDLP). So I don't think you should have any problem. Remember that if you do, there are many pensiones and casas rurales available that are not at all expensive (15-25 euros per night, often including breakfast, and sometimes if they're a little bit off the route, they'll pick you up and take you back the next day).

Have fun!

Melanie

Melanie...how can I get a copy of your guidebook/app?

 

[Heikki]

You can get it from AppStore if you have iPhone. We used it last April and May when we walked from Seville to SdC. It was very useful. We found also useful maps from Peter Robin site (http://pilgrim.peterrobins.co.uk). I copied them on my iPad mini. There are a lot wifi bars and other wifi hot spots.
Buen Camino,
Heikki

 

[Yooper B]

You can get it from AppStore if you have iPhone. We used it last April and May when we walked from Seville to SdC. It was very useful. We found also useful maps from Peter Robin site (http://pilgrim.peterrobins.co.uk). I copied them on my iPad mini. There are a lot wifi bars and other wfi hot spots.
Buen Camino,
Heikki

Heikki,
Thanks for the info. I do have an iPhone so will be downloading it soon Do you know if the app is updated on a regular basis? I will also be checking out Peter Robin's site. We barely needed info on the Camino Frances this year, but I'm thinking the VDLP will be different.

Kind regards,
Nancy

 

[Heikki]

It was up date on our Camino last spring, Melanie had walked the way four weeks before. I'll recommend Peter's maps if you take the Sanabres route, there is a big railway construction work going on. See for more details in this forum.
Heikki

 

[Salmonpg]

March 14 ,2015 is when we are planning to leave from Merida. From my understanding it will be more difficult to find places to stay and distances will be longer but it will all work out

 

[mmm042]

Hi Nancy.

Sorry about my lack of response. I must have my settings for the forum funny -- I didn't see your note come through until today. Argh! As Heikki said, the app should be pretty well updated. I usually walk half of the VDLP each year, so about half of the app should be very current and the other half only about a year old. Plus anyone can comment on an entry at any time. So pilgrims walking it right now can add a note in if, say, a restaurant I recommend is now closed, or a segment has been re-routed due to construction. I hope to be back on the VDLP in spring 2015, walking Sevilla to Salamanca. Perhaps our paths will cross!

Melanie

P.S. For any Android users out there, you can also get the app on Google Play.