After the camino I went by public transport touring the Costa da Meurte and now back in Santiago again cooling my heels until tomorrow when we leave for Portugal.
I have posted much early on when preparing my walk if it is possible to stay in private accommodation all the way through without staying at the albergues. Most seem to think that it is not possible.
I would like to post here for the record that is is possible and we have done that. There are quite a few people - small minority - who are committed to the camino but prefer their own privacy at bedtime. There are a few stages you may have to walk a little bit longer to reach the casa rurales or hostals in the next villages. But now the whole network of private accommodation is rising up to meet the challenge and there will be more.
And for comraderie among peregrinos some may think is lacking without staying in the albergues, I can say from experience that we made a lot of friends on the walk. The best place is bar-cafe in a small village where everybody has to dine together in only one place or two. The only thing you have to bring along with you on the camino is your smile and the intention to make friend The rest will follow.
For fear of irritating the purists on this forum, I will send accommodation list to those who ask me privately. PM me if you wish.
I have posted much early on when preparing my walk if it is possible to stay in private accommodation all the way through without staying at the albergues. Most seem to think that it is not possible.
I would like to post here for the record that is is possible and we have done that. There are quite a few people - small minority - who are committed to the camino but prefer their own privacy at bedtime. There are a few stages you may have to walk a little bit longer to reach the casa rurales or hostals in the next villages. But now the whole network of private accommodation is rising up to meet the challenge and there will be more.
And for comraderie among peregrinos some may think is lacking without staying in the albergues, I can say from experience that we made a lot of friends on the walk. The best place is bar-cafe in a small village where everybody has to dine together in only one place or two. The only thing you have to bring along with you on the camino is your smile and the intention to make friend The rest will follow.
For fear of irritating the purists on this forum, I will send accommodation list to those who ask me privately. PM me if you wish.