- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino Frances
SJPP to SdC, 2023
CF, 2024
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I would never, ever...consider booking a camino through a tour outfit. I actually believe it's a racket.Outfitters are asking me if I have any questions about the quotes they sent me as I just began understanding and searching about the Camino.
It is very tempting! Everything seems looked after. You have places to stay every night and you are ensured breakfast and even dinner if you want. Bags are moved for you, from one location to the next. Oh yeah, it's expensive...about $6000!
But the books I've read give the appearance of most of you "winging it". You get to places, or not, you march on if you can't find accommodations, and that is tough after 25 km days!
I would LOVE to hear some thoughts herein!! Thanks!
“WOW”Outfitters are asking me if I have any questions about the quotes they sent me as I just began understanding and searching about the Camino.
It is very tempting! Everything seems looked after. You have places to stay every night and you are ensured breakfast and even dinner if you want. Bags are moved for you, from one location to the next. Oh yeah, it's expensive...about $6000!
But the books I've read give the appearance of most of you "winging it". You get to places, or not, you march on if you can't find accommodations, and that is tough after 25 km days!
I would LOVE to hear some thoughts herein!! Thanks!
That being said, there are a few places I would probably book ahead myself. If you are planning the Camino Frances, there are some pinch points depending on the season and it makes sense to have a bed waiting for you in St Jean, Roncesvalles, and Zubiri. Also as you get to Sarria, it makes sense to get a bed planned a day or two ahead. October to April, you are probably fine. May to October, it will be busier. This is the busiest Camino and it has a lot of infrastructure. The other Caminos are less traveled, but have less infrastructure. It makes sense to think it through that way. I did have acquaintances who booked the Camino Portuguese with an agency and were very happy with that decision, but I don't think they paid $6,000.If that is what you feel most comfortable with, then certainly go for it. Honestly though, it isn't that hard to do a do-it-yourself Camino. Thousands do it every year. I am not the kind of person that likes that kind of tour and prefer the flexibility of doing it myself--even the first time--but I have traveled a lot and prefer to manage my own schedule.
If you are a person that prefers that all the details are covered by someone else, then booking a tour might be right for you. I think on this forum though, you will get a lot of advice for the do-it-yourself route.
I walked with a woman this year that had booked with a company and included dinners. She ended up skipping most of the dinners because she preferred to eat dinner with other pilgrims that she had met.you are ensured breakfast and even dinner if you want.
There are several options beyond booking the whole thing in advance with an outfitter.Outfitters are asking me if I have any questions about the quotes they sent me as I just began understanding and searching about the Camino.
It is very tempting! Everything seems looked after. You have places to stay every night and you are ensured breakfast and even dinner if you want. Bags are moved for you, from one location to the next. Oh yeah, it's expensive...about $6000!
But the books I've read give the appearance of most of you "winging it". You get to places, or not, you march on if you can't find accommodations, and that is tough after 25 km days!
I would LOVE to hear some thoughts herein!! Thanks!
This is the essence of "Why Not use a tour plan?" It's about flexibility and control. You are on a Camino planned by someone else when you sign up for one of these. Sure, its relatively stress free, but there is a cost beyond the one measured in dollars. I have talked to a dozen or so people on tours like this over the years, and most arrived in Spain and promptly regretted their decision after seeing how it really works once you are on Camino.There's another option between "winging it" and paying thousands to a company to organize everything.
You can easily book your own accommodations and luggage transfer. Though I wouldn't recommending booking all of your accommodations ahead. Book the first few nights. After that you will have a better idea of how far you want to walk each day, and you can book a day or two ahead.
This allows you more flexibility and control over your Camino.
I walked with a woman this year that had booked with a company and included dinners. She ended up skipping most of the dinners because she preferred to eat dinner with other pilgrims that she had met.
$6000! What does that cover? Which route?
A couple of years ago an Australian luxury travel company was offering a 19 day Camino package for USD $16,000+!Here was an 8-day sampler of the Camino Frances for $5000, but that included 2 nights at the Parador in SdC ($300/night), 1 night at San Zoilo Monastery Hotel (super luxurious and a relative steal at $80/night).
@green_spork , I wonder if that is what you really meant. I know I find the exact opposite. The more that I arrange and have control over myself, the more I get out of the trip that I am on, whether it is a pilgrimage or some other form of travel.For me personally, I think the more you Organise the trip, the less you get out of it!
I think you’ve missed my point!@green_spork , I wonder if that is what you really meant. I know I find the exact opposite. The more that I arrange and have control over myself, the more I get out of the trip that I am on, whether it is a pilgrimage or some other form of travel.
For the OP, there have already been some great contributions on the range of options, so I won't go back over these. What I would reflect on is that the more you fix in place before you start, the less likely you are to be in places where the pilgrims you meet are going to be. It makes it more difficult if you do want to continue to walk and talk with a camino family when they are more likely to be staying somewhere else in a town, if indeed they are stopping in the same town.
If you have any sense that you would enjoy the camaraderie of meeting and walking with a camino family, it seems to me one should not hand over booking accommodation to a tour company, nor even book too much ahead if you do are going to to that for yourself.
There is a place in the middle, you can do a bit of both. You can still plan, but dont commit to everything upfront.Outfitters are asking me if I have any questions about the quotes they sent me as I just began understanding and searching about the Camino.
It is very tempting! Everything seems looked after. You have places to stay every night and you are ensured breakfast and even dinner if you want. Bags are moved for you, from one location to the next. Oh yeah, it's expensive...about $6000!
But the books I've read give the appearance of most of you "winging it". You get to places, or not, you march on if you can't find accommodations, and that is tough after 25 km days!
I would LOVE to hear some thoughts herein!! Thanks!
OK, that isn't always true, but it is sometimes true. When I am a hospitalera, I get up every morning at 5:30 to have a breakfast ready by 6 a.m. or sooner of hot coffee, fruit, toast, cereal, etc. Granted it isn't bacon and eggs, but pilgrims are usually quite happy with what was there and surprised that it was ready early.(And a word to the wise, never book breakfast with accomodation - just get on the trail, and stop at a cafe for good coffee and something to eat). The prepared breakfasts aren't worth waiting for. Same goes for dinners, you want flexibility with those to for location and timing.
I interpreted your earlier comment quite differently. I was thinking you were making the comparison between what you organised and what someone else organised.I think you’ve missed my point!
I was referring to the having everything, accommodation/meals/transport/route
prearranged/booked!
I suggest this is very personal advice. Any attempt to cover the range of different breakfast options with a single simple statement like this is bound to be flawed. I much prefer to have breakfast where I am staying if it is provided at a reasonable hour, even if that is just coffee and toast. The hard choices for me are at places where the breakfast service does not start early, and one is then going to be leaving later in the morning. I walk so slowly these days that I have difficulty avoiding the hotter parts of the day anyhow. so it is becoming less of a factor, and I have found myself deferring to a decent breakfast over an earlier start.(And a word to the wise, never book breakfast with accomodation - just get on the trail, and stop at a cafe for good coffee and something to eat). The prepared breakfasts aren't worth waiting for. Same goes for dinners, you want flexibility with those to for location and timing.
I think we’re both making the same point, in somewhat different ways!I interpreted your earlier comment quite differently. I was thinking you were making the comparison between what you organised and what someone else organised.
I rarely have anything more than the arrival and departure flights booked. Some of my pilgrimages have required booking a day or so ahead, others haven't. In the past I haven't seen any need to organise anything any further ahead than that, although this year I did book accommodation for my rest days and the couple of days I stayed in Santiago before starting.
I do hope that my comments don't lead anyone else to believe that I advocate making accommodation arrangements in particular for the whole camino. I would have thought that was obvious, but I feel that given one person seems to have interpreted them differently, I feel the need to clarify that point.
I have to ask. I have never seen the word 'outfitters' used as a synonym for 'tour operator' until now. I have always associated the word with clothing or equipment retailers. Yet many who have participated in this thread seem comfortable with that usage. Can someone explain what is the origin of this usage, and is it limited to a specific geographic region?Outfitters are asking me if I have any questions about the quotes they sent me as I just began understanding and searching about the Camino.
Same view from a UK standpoint! Means clothing retailers.I have to ask. I have never seen the word 'outfitters' used as a synonym for 'tour operator' until now. I have always associated the word with clothing or equipment retailers. Yet many who have participated in this thread seem comfortable with that usage. Can someone explain what is the origin of this usage, and is it limited to a specific geographic region?
This post resonates a lot with me. Especially….’I guess that from afar, the Camino seems like a huge undertaking, and a tour seems like the easy way out.There is a place in the middle, you can do a bit of both. You can still plan, but dont commit to everything upfront.
I would recommend becoming familiar with one of the apps, or guide books, and getting a sense of the distances involved, and booking the first 3-4 days up to Pamplona. There is less in accommodation in that part where the pilgrims are still bunched up and haven't started to spread out.
Lots of people post their stages on the forum. You will know if you want to walk average days (18-25kms), or longer days (35-40kms), or short days (less than 15kms)
I wouldnt plan the days exactly as the guidebook stages, but they are good for preplanning.
You can use Booking.com if you like to make it easy. They keep track of your bookings.
Pack transfer is super easy, there are several different companies that do it. Some people book in advance, (I never book a Camino in advance).
If I use pack transfer I do it each day, the easiest process ever, and only 4-5 euros each time.
I guess that from afar, the Camino seems like a huge undertaking, and a tour seems like the easy way out.
But honestly, once on Camino you really have nothing to do but pack up each morning, and walk, wash your clothes and eat.
Locking yourself into an entirely pre-booked itinerary gives you no flexibility. What if you meet a group you want to hang out with. What if its raining and you want to walk a short day. What if you injure yourself. What if you decide you love a place and would like an extra day? What if you want to walk shorter or longer days?
There is a case for carrying your pack, it makes it easy for you to make spontaneous decisions, you know where your gear is, and you save on pack transport. There's a simplicity in having everything with you. But sometimes pack transfer is required, and if it is, then its super easy to organise.
I normally book ahead by one sometimes two days if Im booking, and always find a bed.
When Ive winged it, Ive always had a bed as well, but some people feel more uncomfortable winging it than others. There is no absolutely right way to walk a Camino.
I guess the reason the people who write the popular Camino books are 'wingers' is because it makes for a better book, a book about a preplanned Camino doesnt make for interesting reading.
(And a word to the wise, never book breakfast with accomodation - just get on the trail, and stop at a cafe for good coffee and something to eat). The prepared breakfasts aren't worth waiting for. Same goes for dinners, you want flexibility with those to for location and timing.
Yes it is mainly the timing, although I'm not a fan of processed bread for toast which is often on offer, and my husband being coeliac does actually need something else altogether.I suggest this is very personal advice. Any attempt to cover the range of different breakfast options with a single simple statement like this is bound to be flawed. I much prefer to have breakfast where I am staying if it is provided at a reasonable hour, even if that is just coffee and toast. The hard choices for me are at places where the breakfast service does not start early, and one is then going to be leaving later in the morning. I walk so slowly these days that I have difficulty avoiding the hotter parts of the day anyhow. so it is becoming less of a factor, and I have found myself deferring to a decent breakfast over an earlier start.
I'd love to stay at your albergue, Ive read your posts and you go to extraordinary lengths as a hospitalera.OK, that isn't always true, but it is sometimes true. When I am a hospitalera, I get up every morning at 5:30 to have a breakfast ready by 6 a.m. or sooner of hot coffee, fruit, toast, cereal, etc. Granted it isn't bacon and eggs, but pilgrims are usually quite happy with what was there and surprised that it was ready early.
But many of these companies are selling "self guided" tours which would do nothing to resolve those problems.I think organised tours have their place. For those who are perhaps:
- Frail and need help.
- May have certain health, physical issues.
- Just 'afraid' of travelling in a foreign land alone.
- I'm sure countless other reasons.
But many of these companies are selling "self guided" tours which would do nothing to resolve those problems.
There are also companies that sell group tours with a guide and a bus for those who can't walk the entire distance every day.
Right now there is another thread on this forum asking about an average daily budget. Check it out, see if anyone comes even close to $200 a day.Outfitters are asking me if I have any questions about the quotes they sent me as I just began understanding and searching about the Camino.
It is very tempting! Everything seems looked after. You have places to stay every night and you are ensured breakfast and even dinner if you want. Bags are moved for you, from one location to the next. Oh yeah, it's expensive...about $6000!
But the books I've read give the appearance of most of you "winging it". You get to places, or not, you march on if you can't find accommodations, and that is tough after 25 km days!
I would LOVE to hear some thoughts herein!! Thanks!
I'm a Brit and "outfitter" in the sense of a tour operator is one I've never heard here. But I was aware of it being used that way in North America. I think it evolved from the narrower sense of a supplier of goods when companies began to offer guide services in addition to their core business of equipment sales.Can someone explain what is the origin of this usage, and is it limited to a specific geographic region?
I just thought about that, and the last time we walked there were three of us, and didnt usually spend that much a day on all 3 of us combined. (Air fares were on top of that).Right now there is another thread on this forum asking about an average daily budget. Check it out, see if anyone comes even close to $200 a day.
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/daily-budget-in-2022-on-the-cf.77284/unread
Sorry if this is dragging it away from the original topic, but isn't 5:30 a bit early for getting up and disturbing the other pilgrims, most of whom are happy to rise much later?When I am a hospitalera, I get up every morning at 5:30 to have a breakfast ready by 6 a.m. or sooner.
No it’s not. If someone wants to get up at a certain time please let them! There is no right time to get up and no right time to go to bed! I am sure most of us are able to minimise any noise and disruption as best we can! Private rooms can be booked by folks who cannot tolerate other people!Sorry if this is dragging it away from the original topic, but isn't 5:30 a bit early for getting up and disturbing the other pilgrims, most of whom are happy to rise much later?
I do understand that in hot weather, many want to walk early to escape the heat, but I also feel that early risers, disturbing everyone and setting off in the dark are partly responsible for the bed race hysteria that has gained momentum on the busier routes in recent years. Just saying.
If someone wants to get up at a certain time please let them! There is no right time to get up and no right time to go to bed! I am sure most of us are able to minimise any noise and disruption.
Just totally disagree. 0530 isn’t that early for alot of people! You expect people to just wait around? As far as I am concerned if I book a communal room. I can’t expect not to have some minor disruption. As long as people do their best not to be disruptive., and don’t put big lights on and make excessive noise!In reality, no..
We can't help what noises we make in our sleep and of course we should all accept this as part and parcel of sleeping in communal spaces.
But there's also good reason for generally accepting that there needs to be cut off times in the evening for disturbing others and an acceptable time for disturbing others in the mornings. If we all came and went at any hour we pleased? Really, you think most tired pilgrims would be happy?
Don't get me wrong, I'm not one for rules and regulations, quite the opposite, but respect for all..
My routine as a hospitalero was to get up a bit before six. My quarters were separate from the pilgrim dormitory, but once I got into the kitchen to start getting breakfast ready, it might have disturbed any pilgrims who had not been woken by the early risers.Sorry if this is dragging it away from the original topic, but isn't 5:30 a bit early for getting up and disturbing the other pilgrims, most of whom are happy to rise much later?
I do understand that in hot weather, many want to walk early to escape the heat, but I also feel that early risers, disturbing everyone and setting off in the dark are partly responsible for the bed race hysteria that has gained momentum on the busier routes in recent years. Just saying.
It's unfortunate but understandable that decisions about where and when to stop are often being driven by concerns about a shortage of beds. One of the ways in which the huge growth in interest in the Caminos has been a double-edged sword.Sometimes I stopped
early because I was able to get a bed instead of continuing on into the unknown.
I guess the point of this post was that if I had arrived a few days earlierI think the best thing to do is to book the first few nights and see how it goes.
I wish I would have pre-booked Roncesvalles and I wound up getting the last
bed in Burguette. Going into big cities you usually don't have to pre-book
because there are so many accommodations in the cities. The lone exception to
that may be Santiago. Went I got to Granon we had 61 people stay at the Bautista
Albergue, which was one of their biggest nights of the year. The lady said that
two nights before they only had 9 people. I started from St Jean on Sept 2, 2022.
Out of my 30 nights on the way, I think I used Booking.com for about 8 of them. On
a couple other occasions I used WhatsApp or called to get a bed. I know that my
attitude was different when I had a bed booked for the day. Sometimes I stopped
early because I was able to get a bed instead of continuing on into the unknown.
Was exactly the same in 1993.It's unfortunate but understandable that decisions about where and when to stop are often being driven by concerns about a shortage of beds. One of the ways in which the huge growth in interest in the Caminos has been a double-edged sword.
In the US an outfitter can be someone who arranges a guided fishing trip or hunting trip or a backcountry trip with horses or mules as pack animals.I have to ask. I have never seen the word 'outfitters' used as a synonym for 'tour operator' until now. I have always associated the word with clothing or equipment retailers. Yet many who have participated in this thread seem comfortable with that usage. Can someone explain what is the origin of this usage, and is it limited to a specific geographic region?
Was exactly the same in 1993.
Main difference now is that the Reservagrinos have mostly stopped hogging the Municipal beds.
I get up at 5 or 5:30 every day even at home so it is as much for me as others that I would get the coffee going. We all have our quirks, I suppose. There is something nice as a pilgrim myself to have hot coffee waiting and the hospitalero up and bidding you Buen Camino when you are ready to set out. All but one place where I have volunteered have separate kitchen and dining areas. The coffee smell might give me away, but I am usually quiet going about my morning chores. I never ask pilgrims leave before daylight in the winter and that isn't an issue in the summer.Just totally disagree. 0530 isn’t that early for alot of people! You expect people to just wait around? As far as I am concerned if I book a communal room. I can’t expect not to have some minor disruption. As long as people do their best not to be disruptive., and don’t put big lights on and make excessive noise!
But fine, you have your thoughts and I have mine!
Thank you. I have a friend who does that who wouldn't, I suspect, want to be confused with a haberdasher.In the US an outfitter can be someone who arranges a guided fishing trip or hunting trip or a backcountry trip with horses or mules as pack animals.
Yeah but the number of beds for the pilgrims that year involved a similar exponential increase over 1992.I don't think that 1993 can be seen as a typical year in any way. A Holy Year where there were 10x the number of pilgrims (or at least Compostelas!) than were recorded the previous year. An insane increase. If this year's Holy Year had seen a bump on the same scale then there would have been over 3 million arrivals in Santiago this year instead of a measly 400,000!
In the 1980s and 1990s the baseline numbers were of course fairly small so the Holy Year leaps are quite extraordinary in comparison. 299 Compostelas issued in 1981 but 1868 during the 1982 Holy Year. Only 9,764 in 1992 but 99,436 for the 1993 Holy Year. There was a huge effort to promote the 1993 Holy Year and the figures reflect that. The first modern purpose built albergues were part of that preparation. I can remember people telling me about temporary tented accommodation set up for the 1993 Holy Year. It is a remarkable testimony to the Xunta and others that the greatly increased numbers were both anticipated and in most cases accommodated!But your maths are wrong ; with the numbers at the time, it was absolute increase that mattered, not relative - - though clearly the latter has become dominant since the mid 90s.
I was there, and the tent Albergues were great, and honestly I still miss them.In the 1980s and 1990s the baseline numbers were of course fairly small so the Holy Year leaps are quite extraordinary in comparison. 299 Compostelas issued in 1981 but 1868 during the 1982 Holy Year. Only 9,764 in 1992 but 99,436 for the 1993 Holy Year. There was a huge effort to promote the 1993 Holy Year and thle figures reflect that. The first modern purpose built albergues were part of that preparation. I can remember people telling me about temporary tented accommodation set up for the 1993 Holy Year. It is a remarkable testimony to the Xunta and others that the greatly increased numbers were both anticipated and in most cases accommodated!
This is quite a tricky one. Personally I enjoyed the process of investigating accommodation possibilities ahead of time for myself. I also wanted to keep as close to the original pilgrim ethic as possible and masochistically wanted to be forced to solve problems on my own. Also, to be fair, I cannot afford to splurge out 6,000 dollars to go on a Camino.Outfitters are asking me if I have any questions about the quotes they sent me as I just began understanding and searching about the Camino.
It is very tempting! Everything seems looked after. You have places to stay every night and you are ensured breakfast and even dinner if you want. Bags are moved for you, from one location to the next. Oh yeah, it's expensive...about $6000!
But the books I've read give the appearance of most of you "winging it". You get to places, or not, you march on if you can't find accommodations, and that is tough after 25 km days!
I would LOVE to hear some thoughts herein!! Thanks!
Hiya, i can only share with you my own experience back in 2019 when i was finally contemplating walking the way…i researched just as you did… then i thought..what did the pilgrims do back through the ages… i am an adult, was needing a really long walk and time to reflect, i and I thought how many kms can i walk in a day? What if i get delayed..bags end up in different city than i find myself, what if i got injured, which i did and had to book room for a few days before i move forward.. and i read it somewhere.. just keep reminding yourself “the camino will provide”, so with being an organizational mgmt grad, and always feeling this need to have control of everything… i just let go.. booked a flight to Paris.. with a 1 day stay at a hotel.. and had to make my way across france to even get to SJPDP to even start… i will say this… it was such an exciting experience…not to even mention the camino itself… and anytime worry started to creep into my mind… i would remind myself.. the camino will provide.. and trust in this it was not soo easy to calm the mind at times when i would here fellow pilgrims on the road worrying themselves to death about running to the destination to secure a room for the night.. and a few tomes i will admit it got the better of me and i secured a room a day before a walk once i mapped it out.. but it started to work my nerve so i decided to let it go.. “Camino will provide”.. i wanted to he present in the moment at as much moments as i could on that journey.. my findings were..i was never not able to find a place to sleep, even if it was walking back to a previous town with 4 other pilgrims when there was “no room at the inn” for lack of a better way to say it… but we bonded over that experience and a couple in a smaller Albergue welcomed us late.. made what was the best meal i had ever eaten at 9:30pm with smiles on their faces… and the wine flowed…i also found myself at The Sheen/Estivez Albergue where they filmed parts of the movie “the way” when another night presented itself where “no room at the inn in a town”. They were probably the Best experiences of the camino, amongst soooo many…i made lifelong friends… never went hungry, thirsty, and really found out how strong the body really is, and their was no short supply of towns people or fellow pilgrims to help or them help me… remember everyone on that road will be a pilgrim just like you.. i am planning my 2nd camino this coming April 2022.. will do the same thing… and its not as expensive as you think, and you can decide.. hey, ya know what, i need a private room tonight, or just decide to stay in a larger city longer to check it out or give yourself a rest.. or i can walk for another 10 kms… i was free… and that is something no one will ever be able to help you with…it changed my life and perspective of myself and the world. I did the camino solo, and will do it again the same way…Pack light.. you don't need as many things as you think.. and buy walking poles when you get there… they really help with the hills and rocky areas..Idk if that gives you any insight… but hope it helps.. Buen CaminoOutfitters are asking me if I have any questions about the quotes they sent me as I just began understanding and searching about the Camino.
It is very tempting! Everything seems looked after. You have places to stay every night and you are ensured breakfast and even dinner if you want. Bags are moved for you, from one location to the next. Oh yeah, it's expensive...about $6000!
But the books I've read give the appearance of most of you "winging it". You get to places, or not, you march on if you can't find accommodations, and that is tough after 25 km days!
I would LOVE to hear some thoughts herein!! Thanks!
I almost booked with a company until I started to read this blog. So I canceled the booking. There are apps for booking places when and where it suits you. Buen Camino and Camino Ninja are two I used. Often you can book and cancel if you need to with no cost to you. I did that once. And the apps tell you how far things are. What is available and the cost. They are very helpful. Not to mention the people you will meet who will help you with suggestions.Outfitters are asking me if I have any questions about the quotes they sent me as I just began understanding and searching about the Camino.
It is very tempting! Everything seems looked after. You have places to stay every night and you are ensured breakfast and even dinner if you want. Bags are moved for you, from one location to the next. Oh yeah, it's expensive...about $6000!
But the books I've read give the appearance of most of you "winging it". You get to places, or not, you march on if you can't find accommodations, and that is tough after 25 km days!
I would LOVE to hear some thoughts herein!! Thanks!
I used a local (Santiago) company to book private rooms and breakfasts for my first Camino this past spring, including baggage transfers. Next year, when I do it again, I will book from SJPP to Pamplona, then book ahead 1-2 days in advance. I am 73, and did not want to have to carry everything on my back.Outfitters are asking me if I have any questions about the quotes they sent me as I just began understanding and searching about the Camino.
It is very tempting! Everything seems looked after. You have places to stay every night and you are ensured breakfast and even dinner if you want. Bags are moved for you, from one location to the next. Oh yeah, it's expensive...about $6000!
But the books I've read give the appearance of most of you "winging it". You get to places, or not, you march on if you can't find accommodations, and that is tough after 25 km days!
I would LOVE to hear some thoughts herein!! Thanks!
Camino Ninja isn't available currently for download due to the gentleman running the app passing away. Don't know why you can't find Buen Camino. But Wise Pilgrim is great. I pair that with gronze.com for more lodging information (site is in Spanish but a Chrome web browser can translate page for you). I also use google maps for local (walking/driving/public transport) directions/gps and I use rome2rio to find directions (Public transport, taxi) to/from different cities and it links you to bus and train ticket websites.I searched Apple app store and do not find neither Buen Camino app nor the Camino Ninja app. Does anyone have any other recommendations? I've seen Wise Pilgrim mentioned. I'm leaving tomorrow for Portugal to begin the camino from Porto on 23 October.
Planning it all yourself is a big part of it - I would not have done it any other way and I was 79 years old at the time. There are so many resources here on Ivar's Forum.Outfitters are asking me if I have any questions about the quotes they sent me as I just began understanding and searching about the Camino.
It is very tempting! Everything seems looked after. You have places to stay every night and you are ensured breakfast and even dinner if you want. Bags are moved for you, from one location to the next. Oh yeah, it's expensive...about $6000!
But the books I've read give the appearance of most of you "winging it". You get to places, or not, you march on if you can't find accommodations, and that is tough after 25 km days!
I would LOVE to hear some thoughts herein!! Thanks!
It means - In my honest opinionWell well well!! What can I possibly say after all of your incredible willingness to offer these priceless nuggets of help?
I have actually collated all the responses....(yes, I am THAT guy...lol), and the impact to my planning is already taking shape.
I don't need to belabour this thread, just wanted to thank EVERYONE!
Also, what is IMHO? Happy October!
The Buen Camino app can be found at this linkI searched Apple app store and do not find neither Buen Camino app nor the Camino Ninja app
Outfitter is a common term in the American west. Usually for .hunting guides who supply horses, tents and the like. Probably the original meaning of the word, co-opted by commercial stores.I have to ask. I have never seen the word 'outfitters' used as a synonym for 'tour operator' until now. I have always associated the word with clothing or equipment retailers. Yet many who have participated in this thread seem comfortable with that usage. Can someone explain what is the origin of this usage, and is it limited to a specific geographic region?
In March when I hit the Camino again, I will probably be booking ahead. I will be 78 and my wife is adamant this is my last rodeo, so I have to cover more ground. Not move faster, just longer hours. Booking ahead will force me to cover that ground daily. I still want to enjoy the Camino and the opportunity to reflect, just cover 16 miles a day instead of my usual 12.Wing it! You’ve heard all the reasons. This is the one trip in your life where you want flexibility and can have it. I never booked ahead and was never without a bed. I met so many people and had so many spontaneous plan changes and group dinners…… sometimes I was solo (I like the shoulder months) and that was fine as well. Fear of the unknown is what’s keeping you from just winging it (I bet). There is no need to fear. You’ll know that your first day. It’s really IMHO. The only way to do this walk.
Hi Jennifer B used Wise Pilgrim on my Portuguese Coastal and VE good app has good info with booking links, website links, phone numbers ,email and whats app and user reviews of accommodation; easy to use format!I've seen Wise Pilgrim mentioned. I'm leaving tomorrow for Portugal to begin the camino from Porto on 23 October.
@TorontoGMan,Outfitters are asking me if I have any questions about the quotes they sent me as I just began understanding and searching about the Camino.
It is very tempting! Everything seems looked after. You have places to stay every night and you are ensured breakfast and even dinner if you want. Bags are moved for you, from one location to the next. Oh yeah, it's expensive...about $6000!
But the books I've read give the appearance of most of you "winging it". You get to places, or not, you march on if you can't find accommodations, and that is tough after 25 km days!
I would LOVE to hear some thoughts herein!! Thanks!
@Lurch,In March when I hit the Camino again, I will probably be booking ahead. I will be 78 and my wife is adamant this is my last rodeo, so I have to cover more ground. Not move faster, just longer hours. Booking ahead will force me to cover that ground daily. I still want to enjoy the Camino and the opportunity to reflect, just cover 16 miles a day instead of my usual 12.
Obviously this can change while walking, injuries or weariness could slow me down and shorten my walking day in which case I will just land where I land. Conversely, I may want to walk longer after I get my sea legs. Whatever the outcome, booking ahead or not, I will be able to say I gave it my best effort.
Buen Camino
So sad.. too bad.. Camino Ninja was good app on the Walk.The Buen Camino app can be found at this link
APP del Camino de Santiago Buen Camino 2014 - 2024
Aplicación del Camino de Santiago profesional, con mapas, perfiles, alojamientos, planificador de etapas, a pie o en bici (Btt), en idiomas y actualizada.www.editorialbuencamino.com
There is also a helpful video tutorial on the Buen Camino site.
The developer of the Camino Ninja app died earlier this year, and I know that it has been pulled from the Android apps, and it may have been removed from the Apple app store too.
OK, I'm seeing the Buen Camino now on Apple app store, the name was truncated (it shows up as "Way of St James (B...") which only until clicking on that do you see the Buen Camino part. Thanks!Hi Jennifer B used Wise Pilgrim on my Portuguese Coastal and VE good app has good info with booking links, website links, phone numbers ,email and whats app and user reviews of accommodation; easy to use format!
I will use Wise on my Frances next May!
I also have Buen Camino on my phone but prefer Wise Pilgrim!
Hope you find your solution good luck
Woody
I will try to attend that. Thx.The Toronto Chapter of Canadian Pilgrims is holding an in person information day about the camino on November 5 from 9 to 3 at Beach United Church at 140 Wineva Ave. More info on their Facebook page. If you come you will meet lots of people who have done caminos. You will get tons of information and be able to ask lots of questions.
IMHO= in my humble opinionWell well well!! What can I possibly say after all of your incredible willingness to offer these priceless nuggets of help?
I have actually collated all the responses....(yes, I am THAT guy...lol), and the impact to my planning is already taking shape.
I don't need to belabour this thread, just wanted to thank EVERYONE!
Also, what is IMHO? Happy October!
You can easily book your own accommodations and luggage transfer.
Thank you! I get very irritable with the platitudes too. These days I usually walk the quieter routes in winter and I carry a bivvy bag and sleeping mat that allow me to sleep outdoors if my accommodation plans go completely pear-shaped. So personally I'm not much troubled on the odd occasion when I don't find a roof for the night. But that's not everyone's cup of tea and I wouldn't dream of suggesting it as an answer for all pilgrims. On a related topic I might add that I get very worked up when someone whose entire Camino experience is a 5 day July walk from Sarria to Santiago jumps into a thread to tell a prospective VdlP pilgrim that there is no need to carry any more than a litre of water or to plan their night stop in advance. Or tells them they should have their luggage sent ahead by Jacotrans. Please have the simple courtesy to read the original question and tailor your answer to the OP's specific concerns.How easy it is to find a bed or book ahead is very dependent on route and season - the Camino doesn't always provide, we have to also be resourceful. We should focus on providing resources to new pilgrims and not just platitudes.
You could look at this on a purely cost benefit basis. If $6000 is for the camino alone (and excludes flights etc), that is around $200 a day. I also assume you are fit and healthy with no special needs. The euro is about par with the $ so:Outfitters are asking me if I have any questions about the quotes they sent me as I just began understanding and searching about the Camino.
It is very tempting! Everything seems looked after. You have places to stay every night and you are ensured breakfast and even dinner if you want. Bags are moved for you, from one location to the next. Oh yeah, it's expensive...about $6000!
But the books I've read give the appearance of most of you "winging it". You get to places, or not, you march on if you can't find accommodations, and that is tough after 25 km days!
I would LOVE to hear some thoughts herein!! Thanks!
I can't recall seeing someone reply to their own post before, but hmmm.......good point. The route and season really matter. So does the limit on your credit card. Mix in an introvert with no language skills who is feeling alienated and isolated, and I can see how some people have troubles.I just thought that I should push back a bit on my own and other's comments that it's easy to book your own accommodation as you go.
Perhaps the word possible is better, because sometimes it's not so easy.
I received an email recently from a member of my local American Pilgrims chapter, and she abandoned her Camino this year because she was struggling to find accommodation to reserve ahead for a day or two, and she was finding it very stressful. I have heard this same sentiment echoed by other first time pilgrims. We probably shouldn't be so glib when we tell aspiring pilgrims that it's so easy to either walk without reservations and find a bed each day or even book one ahead of time.
How easy it is to find a bed or book ahead is very dependent on route and season - the Camino doesn't always provide, we have to also be resourceful. We should focus on providing resources to new pilgrims and not just platitudes.
I think it also depends on your expectations. If you are flexible, not too concerned about whether you get a room on your own or in a dormitory, or a specific location.I just thought that I should push back a bit on my own and other's comments that it's easy to book your own accommodation as you go.
Perhaps the word possible is better, because sometimes it's not so easy.
I received an email recently from a member of my local American Pilgrims chapter, and she abandoned her Camino this year because she was struggling to find accommodation to reserve ahead for a day or two, and she was finding it very stressful. I have heard this same sentiment echoed by other first time pilgrims. We probably shouldn't be so glib when we tell aspiring pilgrims that it's so easy to either walk without reservations and find a bed each day or even book one ahead of time.
How easy it is to find a bed or book ahead is very dependent on route and season - the Camino doesn't always provide, we have to also be resourceful. We should focus on providing resources to new pilgrims and not just platitudes.
Absolutely. But I think that some of us help create unrealistic expectations when we say things like "the Camino provides," and talk about how easy it is to walk the Camino and find lodging every day.I think it also depends on your expectations.
I think on this forum though, you will get a lot of advice for the do-it-yourself route.
For me it also shows how much of our decision making is psychological rather than ‘tangible’.$6000 for one person???
I agree. $6K would be a lot for one person. Yes, there is a wealth of good information and experience on this forum, which could easily assist even a first timer to make a lot of wise decisions and create a plausible itinerary to get from point"A" to point "B" on a Camino........
Give me 6 grand and I'll walk the Camino for you.Outfitters are asking me if I have any questions about the quotes they sent me as I just began understanding and searching about the Camino.
It is very tempting! Everything seems looked after. You have places to stay every night and you are ensured breakfast and even dinner if you want. Bags are moved for you, from one location to the next. Oh yeah, it's expensive...about $6000!
But the books I've read give the appearance of most of you "winging it". You get to places, or not, you march on if you can't find accommodations, and that is tough after 25 km days!
I would LOVE to hear some thoughts herein!! Thanks!
I am still amazed that some pilgrims do not seem to realise that hospitelaros have to be up and about before them and go to bed long after them - they have a long long day, every day, and they still manage to remain cheerful and helpful!My routine as a hospitalero was to get up a bit before six. My quarters were separate from the pilgrim dormitory, but once I got into the kitchen to start getting breakfast ready, it might have disturbed any pilgrims who had not been woken by the early risers.
The albergue gates opened at sunrise, and closed at sunset, typically from just after 7 am to 9 pm, although when I was there I closed them at 8 am so that I could walk into Castrojeriz, and re-opened them on my return. So in the morning, there was about an hour from when I got up to when the first pilgrims were wanting to leave when the gates opened to get a simple breakfast on the table in time for them to have something to eat before departing.
Not every albergue is going to be laid out so that the hospitalero can cook without disturbing any pilgrims still sleeping, even if it is a relatively simple breakfast.
Yes, and also it depends what you are used to in terms of travel and booking accommodation. As someone who travels extensively, used to tour with theatre companies and never taken a package holiday, I find it easy. But if you haven't done it all yourself before it can be daunting. You need to be familiar with the geography if you're going to book yourself, rather than just wing it.Absolutely. But I think that some of us help create unrealistic expectations when we say things like "the Camino provides," and talk about how easy it is to walk the Camino and find lodging every day.
There are many posts on this forum from people saying everything from "I never trained for the Camino" to "I never booked ahead and always had a bed." But often when you read further you find that the person who never trained has a habit of walking to work, or the person who always found a bed walked in the off season.
Everyone needs to take advice and adapt it to their own personal circumstances, and not assume that because someone on the forum said it was possible for them, that it will be possible for everyone.
We have done 17 Camino hikes--most as section hikes--in Spain, France, and Portugal. We never have had the need to do any of them through a company or to have our bags schlepped ahead. Many have already mentioned this--but we like having the flexibility. Another thing to consider is if you want to get more acquainted with other pilgrims. If you are always staying in relatively expensive places, you will have less opportunity to meet others. If you plan it yourself, you can alternate staying in albergues and in hotels, etc. Granted the Frances route has become very busy certain times of year, but you can book places yourself, or use Booking.com, a few days ahead if needed. (More than a day or two is generally not needed on the less populated routes.) Basically, if I got the numbers correct, you'd be paying about $160 a day, which seems like a lot.Outfitters are asking me if I have any questions about the quotes they sent me as I just began understanding and searching about the Camino.
It is very tempting! Everything seems looked after. You have places to stay every night and you are ensured breakfast and even dinner if you want. Bags are moved for you, from one location to the next. Oh yeah, it's expensive...about $6000!
But the books I've read give the appearance of most of you "winging it". You get to places, or not, you march on if you can't find accommodations, and that is tough after 25 km days!
I would LOVE to hear some thoughts herein!! Thanks!
When I read the term in the thread I had an immediate vision of wooden trunks, pith helmets, and elephants....Something I have yet to see on Camino.Outfitter is a common term in the American west. Usually for .hunting guides who supply horses, tents and the like. Probably the original meaning of the word, co-opted by commercial stores.
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