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What makes a good guidebook?

Sarah80

Member
Time of past OR future Camino
Plan to walk july 15
Hello

I’ve walked the Frances four times now and decided it’s about time I gave one of the other routes a bash and from asking around different pages and forums I’ve been recommended to the VDLP for a winter Camino. I was looking for a guidebook but it appears, Amazon at least, don’t stock many on this route.

I assume almost all of us have copies of various guides and all have our favourite authors but I was wondering, in your opinions, what makes a good guide to a camino? What info is the most important to you when choosing? And which ones you use ... and lastly if anyone has walked the VDLP and can recommend one?
 
Camino Jewellery
A selection of Camino Jewellery
For me, I like a book with maps and elevation profiles and a bit of information about the lodging choices - number/type/number of beds. That way, I can plan my days as I go.
 
Before buying a guide book have a look at the Eroski or Gronze on-line guides.
 
More 2024 Camino Guides available
The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
The above recommendations are very good. For an inexpensive smartphone guide, consider the Wise Pilgrim Guides.

There are guides available for many Camino routes, including the VDLP. They are available for both Android and iOS phones.

If you have "location services" turned on, and have a data plan, this app will tell you exactly how many Km from where you are to the next named point. Also, the built in mapping function is very good.

I hope this helps.
 
Although I like to have a paper map to hand, I've found the Wise Pilgrim apps most useful, informative and easy to use offline. Only a few euros each from the app store. Gronze is also a useful website, but I'd pick Wise Pilgrim over it.
 
Camino Way markers in Bronze
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
Its really a pity that one or two of our better guide book authors have not taken on the VDLP. There is one book but not sure how current it is, but the last thorough one that I am aware of is now more than 10 years out of date and out of print.
 
Hi All

Thanks for all the responses - really useful - i’ll look for the Wise Pilgrim guide in the App Store as, still being in the EU (just) my plan will cover it.

It is a shame the VDLP isn’t covered, in English, by the regular authors who write popular Camino books. I’ve found a couple of memoirs.

I agree elevation/distance maps are super critical and functional info about the size of towns, their albergues and facilities also. I do also enjoy a paragraph about the writers experience on that section also, their observations and feelings.

Thanks for all the advice!
 
There is a downloadable version of the complete Eroski guide to the VDLP on their website in both HTML or PDF format. Maps, elevation charts, distances and albergues - though not private accommodation which is easily found on the Gronze website which is much more useful on accommodation. There are also similar guides for other Caminos. Where the Eroski site scores over Gronze in my opinion is that it gives quite a bit of route description and historical and cultural notes. Only in Spanish unfortunately. I did work out a way of producing a rough machine translation of the HTML version on my Windows laptop: open the page in Google Chrome browser and click on the "translate" function, scroll slowly all the way to the bottom of the very long single web page so the whole lot is translated, then "print" the page using "save as PDF". Like most machine-translation there are many mistakes and some real howlers produced but generally the sense of the text is clear. The big advantage of this is that the resulting PDF file can be saved on a smartphone or similar gadget and viewed offline.

http://caminodesantiago.consumer.es/llevatela-al-camino/completa/?camino=via-de-la-plata

http://caminodesantiago.consumer.es/llevatela-al-camino/

https://www.gronze.com/via-plata


Since information on albergues and bars quickly goes out of date I find that of little interest in a guidebook. There are many other sources for that information these days. I do find cultural and historical notes valuable as I walk. The Gitlitz & Davidson book is probably my favorite but too heavy and bulky to lug around Personally I prefer it when authors present relevant information simply and clearly without patronizing metaphysical meanderings
 
Altus 24 Liters daypack (DENON 24 H30)
Technical backpack for day trips with backpack cover and internal compartment for the hydration bladder. Ideal daypack for excursions where we need a medium capacity backpack. The back with Air Flow System creates large air channels that will keep our back as cool as possible.

€83,-

Hello,
When I did I wanted to trust more so I really enjoyed doing it without a guide. Good to talk to people and find local information. I got very nice stories! I did missed though a book of meditations/ contemplations to do while on the Camino to help me integrate the process and learn more. I will recommend that.
 
2024 edition: The Brierley Camino Frances Guide
The first edition came out in 2003 and has become the go-to-guide for many pilgrims over the years. It is shipping with a Pilgrim Passport (Credential) from the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela.
There is also a Via de la Plata Facebook group with good resources. One of the organizers is in my local pilgrim's group.

Also, if you are looking for a good guide to the VDLP, you might have more luck posting in that forum rather than this Camino Frances forum.
 
Altus 24 Liters daypack (DENON 24 H30)
Technical backpack for day trips with backpack cover and internal compartment for the hydration bladder. Ideal daypack for excursions where we need a medium capacity backpack. The back with Air Flow System creates large air channels that will keep our back as cool as possible.

€83,-
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