Planning is fun. It helps prepare us for the journey ahead and gives us confidence. Just don't let it become too rigid. Go with the flow once you are there.......... 🙂
Thank you for ALL of the information you are providing! I just discovered the Camino and am planning a trip after retirement in 2024. Your information is valued and appreciated!
Rob--fascinating video! It was like you were an undercover hotel reviewer! Loved your breathless "it's a private bathroom!" comments. You also managed to film when there was hardly anybody around! Really enjoyed seeing the diversity of accommodations where you stayed.
The very FIRST question people almost always ask, who are unfamiliar with the Way of Saint James, is "where do you sleep ?" -- and I do not except myself. In late '92 or more probably early '93, when I was contemplating my first Camino, well ; except a photo finish with footwear, it was clearly my main concern. But in the face of that, my bizarre childhood and adolescence had already made me more independent-minded than most ; I had a great trust in the intuition and cognition of the friend who hooked me onto it in the first place ; I loved Spain and so was very amenable to spending some weeks in that wonderful country ; I was clearly in need of some sort of transformative or at least progressive experience for several reasons (though I certainly was not expecting a conversion to Christianity !!) ; but my main reassurance against this accommodation worry was that it couldn't be as bad as homelessness. And that was survivable. Of course, my worry about how bad can this Camino thing be ? ... turned quickly into, how amazing is the Camino !! We have an animal ability to find good places to sleep, minimalist or best as circumstance provides. As to that, I will never forget the stark contrast between two successive nights in the Languedoc, on the French Catalan Way in 2019. First, in the dust of an abandoned chicken coop, hungry and tired, after having been denied a stay in the albergue ; next night, the extreme comfort of a three star hotel room kindly offered by a good Christian priest. But bottom line ? I was happy for finding the sleeping arrangements both evenings, and slept as well in the first as the second, albeit that some creature comforts lacked in the first. So really -- where you will sleep is far less important than how you will hike along the Way -- and WHY and what and who you might find as you trudge along these ancient Pilgrim Ways.
Rob -appreciate this video. Wonderful accommodation snippets - makes my wife at ease now that there are nicer accomodations whilst on the camino. Thank you!
My pleasure. We all seek different things though. Many love the communal living of the Albergues. And I have tried it a bit. But I'm a 'light' snorer and feel guilty disturbing others. Also, to be 100% honest, I like some privacy. I also don't like getting up too early. I have a bit of sleep apnea and so never really sleep that well. So if on my own, I tend to stay in fairly cheap private rooms mostly. But if there is somewhere really 'special' I'll splash out sometimes. I'll try to do another of these videos, with a more varied selection of accommodation.
Love it Rob! The first 30 seconds makes Roncesvalles look like a boutique hotel! J/K though, I know we all have our own preferences and mine also err on the more comfortable side! Seeing your last comment - I guess you and I have very different thoughts on a pool! You - it's under 30 degrees celsius - absolutely freezing. Me - There's no icicles - I'm in!
This is exactly the information I have been looking for. Thank you for providing this. Love your channel. I am an older, very fit person that would really like to do the Camino, but I have no desire to stay in a hostel. I love walking. Have been doing about 40-50 miles a week for 10 years. Before that, I ran the same distance for about 20 years.
Glad it was useful. And it sounds like you won't have any problems with fitness. Though start slow and easy out of the gate. You'll be walking at least double that distance per week, with a pack, and day after day with little break 🙂
For my first Camino I am currently planning to walk the Oporto to SdC with my daughter in September 2023. I will be retired by then but she still has working commitments which don’t allow her the time away that I plan on taking. We also will be flying from Brisbane, Australia.
I read this and smiled as I, also, am walking from Porto in September '23--with my daughter. Live in the US but Portugal will be the same for all of us. We are Sandy (me) and Shanti (daughter). Perhaps we will meet!!
Fantastic Rob, I love the pics of the places you stayed. I'm much more interested in the private/single rooms. I'm too damn old to be staying in a shared dorm space like a hostel. Glad to have found you.
Dude! I stayed in the same exact place in Terradillos, in the same exact room! One of your best videos if not the best. Going June 15 to re- walk Leon to Santiago. Will try for places like Terradillos that has a regular albergue plus private rooms. Best of both worlds. camaraderie, without being on top of each other…
More to come! Be careful what you wish for 🙂 These compilations take a while to put together, so you might have to put up with the 'talking head' now and again 😳
Great information Rob it will be useful for us. In 2014 we stayed mostly in Albergues. We did do a hotel in Burgos because I was sick and didn’t want to share with others. In 2023 we are doing the Camino Frances and the Camino Porto. Being in our late 60’s we are planning on staying in private rooms.
Glad it was useful. I'll try to find some clips of the more 'modest' ones. I only included some of these because they were somewhat 'special'. As were some of the modest ones of course! You can never really tell........ 🙂
I love the Parador in Santo Domingo, I've stayed there twice, it's nice to treat yourself now and again, actually I've stayed in a few of the places in the video, I loved the hotel in Atapuerca,the food was delicious.
I enjoyed the experience of the Santo Domingo Parador, but I'm not sure I would stay there again. Apart from being in a historic old building, having a lovely bed and a deep bath.........it didn't 'feel' right staying there. At dinner I actually went out to join other Pilgrims at a cafe. And in the morning, particularly at breakfast when I seemed to be sitting amongst a bunch of rich tourists, not Pilgrims. It's hard to describe but I felt a bit of a fraud, and could not wait to get back on the path.... Nice to try though. And I probably will try a couple of the VdlP. Just because the buildings look so amazing.
@@robscamino we didn't have any meals there,we ate in a small restaurant nearby and we had breakfast on the road but it was such a comfortable and historic place
Thanks - great video. For our fall Camino, we will be staying in private accommodations like you show here. I wasn’t sure how many of them would have laundry services or even just a clothes line. It looks like many of them do which is a relief.
Funny thing Laundry. The more you pay for a room, the less likely it's available! Many Hotels don't provide the service, or at least not fast enough (i.e. ready by early next morning). Lots of Casa Rurals and Hostals do. And most Albergues have at least DIY laundry facilities.
Thanks Rob, I absolutely loved this. Even though I didn't stay in any of these accommodation places, or even the same villages/towns etc, it took me right back to my 2019 Camino Frances. Pur nostalgia for me.
We are going on our first Camino (Frances) starting May 29. We will be staying at a lot of the places in this video! It was nice getting to see them up close!
Planning the Camino Frances next spring (from Brisbane) traveling with my wife (a native Spanish speaker) with 2 of us it seems to make sense to stay in private rooms with en-suites, a little more money but much better chance of a good night sleep and greater ability to get a good walk in the next day. Planning 60 days away and hope to add a few days in Portugal and Morocco as well. Looking at Qatar or Emirates as both offer a 1 stop trip from Brisbane to Barcelona (want to get a trip on the A380's). We have friends in Zaragoza so we will drop our heavy luggage there and wander off with our packs. Thanks for the packing list and budget spreadsheets. Perhaps add ear plugs to the packing list particularly for the Albergues, as for budget spreadsheet perhaps some additional cells for flights and a contingency percentage (I have adopted 20%).
Hallo Rob, I always enjoy your viewpoints. Thanks. But I was wondering about how do pilgrims pick up the correct (marked) trail every morning while staying all over town the previous night. Especially in a large city like Bilbao. I plan my pilgrimage for March 2024. Have a nice day Francois
Hello Rob I am from Canada French part I very much enjoy all your videos I am leaving for the Camino Frances sept 6 Do you have experiment bed bugs…..do you have recommendations
Thanks for this information/video Rob, it has made me think that as I’m travelling with my wife, for around the same price or a little more than for two people staying in a Albergue you can stay in a private room which I didn’t realise. Thanks
Generally that can be the case Owen. You should certainly find something for the equivalent of 3 Albergue beds I think. Though I am a bit out of date and have not walked since Covid kicked off.
@@owenbull9606 You'll love it. The first one is very specials. And mid-April is a good time. The pass on the Napoleon route should be open, but expect some snow to be around. The Pilgrim's office in St Jean will give you an up to date weather situation. Worst case, you can go via Val Carlos. I'll hit the Frances briefly at Astorga, (Want to see the Cruz de Ferro again) and then head 'into the hills' after Ponferrada on the Camino Invierno. That will be a few weeks before you get there though. Buen Camino.
Interesting stuff Rob many thanks. I also stayed at the that hotel in Castrojeriz in 2017 sad that’s it’s closed. btw did you get my suggestion re top ten Camino stages? You could run a poll or just do your top ten. Just an idea. Best wishes Chris
Rob, thanks for this very informative video! I'm interested in walking the Camino and have many questions--would appreciate any comments you can provide. 1. Did you reserve your private rooms ahead of time or find them as you progressed on your walk? 2. Is it possible to spontaneously arrange for baggage transfer if you find you need a "bag break" while walking? 3. Can you recommend a good resource on the web for Camino Newbies? I'm a new subscriber and will continue with my binge-watching now! Cheers
Good questions, here goes. 1. I usually book the first 2-3 days accommodation maybe 2 weeks before I arrive in Spain. After that I book 1 day ahead. I walk very slowly often not arriving till 4-6 pm, so this way I know I have a bed for that night. Each evening I decide where I'll stop the next day, and book that one. Though on my next Camino I want to try 'free wheeling' a bit more, and not booking so much. Maybe using Albergues more. 2. On the CF, Bags are generally collected in the mornings from accommodation and have to be labelled and ready for pick up by about 8 am. So I'm not sure how you would do0 it at say midday and from a place where you were not actually staying. 3. Number 1 resource for general information would be Ivar's Forum. www.caminodesantiago.me/community/ For planning I use Gronze a lot. www.gronze.com/ (if you use Chrome it will auto translate the pages)
Looking for the bottle holders that you mentioned in another video. Have not been able to locate them in USA. They're like spring clips that fasten to the front of the backpack straps. Any guidance would be great. LOVED this. So cool to see the different places, especially how the fees have changed in 7 years. Casa Rural looks great, but to have it increase from 30 to 75 euros is good to know. Thanks, mate, and Cheers!
Sadly those bottle holders are no longer available. I spoke to the company a few weeks back. Re accommodation costs, I suppose like house prices, they double every 7 years? I wish my income did too! 🙂
I haven't walked the Frances since 2018. A lot depends on time of year etc. Of course this year is unusual, due to Covid and it's a Holy Year. Many reports say it's very busy, so say not. Pilgrims tend to move down the CF rather like a pig being swallowed by a snake! In lumps or waves. The trick is to get out of the wave if caught in one. I'll add some tips below in a minute. Just rushing into a meeting!
So.....ideas to break out of a 'wave' of Pilgrims. (1) Drop off the back. Take a rest day. Or a short day. (2) Push ahead, Leave early, walk a long day. (3) Stay in smaller 'intermediate' towns/villages. Or.......... at least avoid the 'bed race' by booking a night or two ahead. I tend to do this as I walk slowly and am usually the last to arrive anywhere! Plus I tend to stay in private rooms, which are more 'bookable'.
A tough question. Depends on the route and time of year. I generally book a day or two in advance. I'll do a video explaining the options and reasoning..
Hello! Just curious on La Mesta on lodging. Is there more Albergues vs private rooms long the French Way? Will return to Burgos where I had to stop due to urgent medical issue last year. Gracias,…
There is an ample supply of both types of accommodation, as you will have found on the earlier part of the Camino Frances. Are you looking for Albergues or private rooms? And of course there are Albergues, that also have private rooms.
Thanks Rob! Just wondering on the rural part on the French Way/La Mesta. Adjusting my backpack for this part. BTW, enjoy your channel and keep up with the great information you provide for us Pilgrims! Buen Camino! Prost 🍻
Thank you for the video ! I would like to see one with your more recents accommodations 🙂 it seams to me that the prices are much higher now compair to 2015 😕
My most recent was 2018. But in this video I also tried to show the current prices as shown on the Gronze website. The Gronze website or booking.com will be the most reliable sources for checking prices. I can really only comment on the places I stayed at, which of course may not be the places you want to stay at. www.gronze.com/camino-frances
Like the comments of others this is perfect and exactly what I needed. I planned my Camino for May, 2020 so now it is on hold until all vaccination restrictions have been lifted. My question is about money. If you use an ATMs along the Camino with an Australian debit card what are the charges from the Australian and/or Spanish bank? Do you carry a lot of cash or just enough for few days?
I carry 3-4 days cash on me. I used to use an Australian ATM card. Sorry, but I can't remember the usage fees and conversion fees. You might want to ask your bank as they vary so much. Now I have a Comm Bank Euro account with an ATM card.
Thank you, we're planning our first Camino Frances on 3 Oct 2022 and would like to book 1 double room with a private bathroom as we move from town to town. Your advice please?
I would always take 15-20 mins in the evening to plan my next day or two. Read accommodation reviews, assess how far I wanted to walk, and then book. either online, vie email, and sometimes by phoning. I explain that process in this video I think. ruclips.net/video/FdlkMBCxdtU/видео.html
At the last accommodation there was what looked like a colorful shopping bad next to your backpack on top of the bed. Was curious what that was? Is it some gear you carry with you or something you send via the luggage valet services so you don’t have to carry it?
On that first camino I really struggled with injury. Long story,, I actually started injured. Plus I took way too much gear. So I needed to transport some. I should have just mailed it all to Santiago!
@@robscamino thank you, Rob. I’m planning my first Camino at 50 years of age. Your videos are as inspiring as they’re useful. I really appreciate your passion and keen attention to detail. Keep it up!
Belorado is a town of course, not a pueblo, and it's sad you stayed in the most tourist trappy of the several Albergues there. I always stay in the most "purist" & Catholic one, but I did have a couple of beers last year in likely the most properly upmarket "tourigrino" place -- which seemed quite pleasant indeed, including because both the employees and the locals had a degree of honesty and straightforwardness unusual in such places. It's near the bus stop, if you'd care to look for it next time you're there -- and there's a clearly fine restaurant almost opposite. It was Sunday afternoon too, so perhaps worth seeking out. That "Templarios" place in Terradillos is pure 100% tourist trap. As to both Puente la Reina and Puente de Orbígo, there's nothing but great places to stay !! The old religious Albergue in O Cebreiro was one of the best ever, but sadly it has gone the way of the dodo. That place before Santiago is old walls, renovated, new roofs and interiors.
On a first Camino, it's often difficult to determine what place might suit best. Indeed I have stayed at some that were not great, and others that were really good. If I walk the Frances again, I'll certainly look out for those you mention 🙂
Often the price is for the room. Or a small extra charge for a second person. If you check on the Gronze website, you'll have up to date pricing for the various room sizes. In these cases the rooms I think were: 1. Roncesvalles - APARTAMENTOS TURíSTICOS CASA DE BENEFICIADOS Euro 70 (double) 2. Bizkarreta - La Posada Neuva E45 (double) 3. Zubiri - Pension Usoa - E25 (Single) 4. Legarda - Casa Rural de Sophie (off Camino) E30 (Double) 5. Viana - Palacio de Pujadas E70 (Double) 6. Santo Domingo - Parador E100 (Double) 7. Belorado - Hotel a Santiago E48 (Single) 8. Attapuerca - Hotel Papasol E40 (Double) 9. Burgos - Hotel Norte y Londres E49 (Double) 10. Hornillos - Casa Rural del Abuelo E45 (Double) 11. Catrojerez - La Cachava E37 (might have closed) (Double) 12. Terradillos - Albergue Templarios E28 (Single) 13. Hospital de Orbigo - Hostal Don Suero E50 (Single) 14. Molinaseca - El Palacio (great room on top floor) E55 (Double) 15. O Cebriero - Casa Rural Venta Celta E46 (Single) 16. A Rua - Casa Rural O Acivro E75 (Single) There is little relation between quality and price I found....... i.e. The cheapest on this list were very nice en-suite room.
If this is of interest, I'm sure I have plenty more clips to share. Just let me know below. Or if you have any questions, just ask....
Thanks Rob. More grist to my planning mill.
Planning is fun. It helps prepare us for the journey ahead and gives us confidence. Just don't let it become too rigid. Go with the flow once you are there.......... 🙂
Thank you for ALL of the information you are providing! I just discovered the Camino and am planning a trip after retirement in 2024. Your information is valued and appreciated!
Happy to share @Allene. It gives me an excuse to chat about the Camino 🙄
Rob--fascinating video! It was like you were an undercover hotel reviewer! Loved your breathless "it's a private bathroom!" comments. You also managed to film when there was hardly anybody around! Really enjoyed seeing the diversity of accommodations where you stayed.
I'll find some more.........
The very FIRST question people almost always ask, who are unfamiliar with the Way of Saint James, is "where do you sleep ?" -- and I do not except myself. In late '92 or more probably early '93, when I was contemplating my first Camino, well ; except a photo finish with footwear, it was clearly my main concern. But in the face of that, my bizarre childhood and adolescence had already made me more independent-minded than most ; I had a great trust in the intuition and cognition of the friend who hooked me onto it in the first place ; I loved Spain and so was very amenable to spending some weeks in that wonderful country ; I was clearly in need of some sort of transformative or at least progressive experience for several reasons (though I certainly was not expecting a conversion to Christianity !!) ; but my main reassurance against this accommodation worry was that it couldn't be as bad as homelessness. And that was survivable.
Of course, my worry about how bad can this Camino thing be ? ... turned quickly into, how amazing is the Camino !!
We have an animal ability to find good places to sleep, minimalist or best as circumstance provides.
As to that, I will never forget the stark contrast between two successive nights in the Languedoc, on the French Catalan Way in 2019.
First, in the dust of an abandoned chicken coop, hungry and tired, after having been denied a stay in the albergue ; next night, the extreme comfort of a three star hotel room kindly offered by a good Christian priest.
But bottom line ? I was happy for finding the sleeping arrangements both evenings, and slept as well in the first as the second, albeit that some creature comforts lacked in the first.
So really -- where you will sleep is far less important than how you will hike along the Way -- and WHY and what and who you might find as you trudge along these ancient Pilgrim Ways.
Indeed. Where you sleep should no be a worry. In reality, any bed feels great at the end of the day.
Rob -appreciate this video. Wonderful accommodation snippets - makes my wife at ease now that there are nicer accomodations whilst on the camino. Thank you!
My pleasure. We all seek different things though. Many love the communal living of the Albergues. And I have tried it a bit. But I'm a 'light' snorer and feel guilty disturbing others. Also, to be 100% honest, I like some privacy. I also don't like getting up too early. I have a bit of sleep apnea and so never really sleep that well. So if on my own, I tend to stay in fairly cheap private rooms mostly. But if there is somewhere really 'special' I'll splash out sometimes. I'll try to do another of these videos, with a more varied selection of accommodation.
Love it Rob! The first 30 seconds makes Roncesvalles look like a boutique hotel! J/K though, I know we all have our own preferences and mine also err on the more comfortable side! Seeing your last comment - I guess you and I have very different thoughts on a pool! You - it's under 30 degrees celsius - absolutely freezing. Me - There's no icicles - I'm in!
Pools for me need to be bath temperature 🙄
This is exactly the information I have been looking for. Thank you for providing this. Love your channel. I am an older, very fit person that would really like to do the Camino, but I have no desire to stay in a hostel. I love walking. Have been doing about 40-50 miles a week for 10 years. Before that, I ran the same distance for about 20 years.
Glad it was useful. And it sounds like you won't have any problems with fitness. Though start slow and easy out of the gate. You'll be walking at least double that distance per week, with a pack, and day after day with little break 🙂
Thanks for this Rob, especially with the updates. Please post more of your more recent clips. Stay healthy and safe. God bless!
Will do...
Thanks for the tour. Appreciate your sense of humor!
Glad you enjoyed it!
For my first Camino I am currently planning to walk the Oporto to SdC with my daughter in September 2023. I will be retired by then but she still has working commitments which don’t allow her the time away that I plan on taking. We also will be flying from Brisbane, Australia.
I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time. And very special to be walking wit your daughter. 🙂
I read this and smiled as I, also, am walking from Porto in September '23--with my daughter. Live in the US but Portugal will be the same for all of us. We are Sandy (me) and Shanti (daughter). Perhaps we will meet!!
Fantastic Rob, I love the pics of the places you stayed. I'm much more interested in the private/single rooms. I'm too damn old to be staying in a shared dorm space like a hostel. Glad to have found you.
LOL. I've never tried Dorms! But I plan to next time.
Dude! I stayed in the same exact place in Terradillos, in the same exact room!
One of your best videos if not the best. Going June 15 to re- walk Leon to Santiago. Will try for places like Terradillos that has a regular albergue plus private rooms. Best of both worlds.
camaraderie, without being on top of each other…
It's a nice place isn't it? Just in the middle of nowhere. But has everything you need.
I really enjoyed this, more please!
More to come! Be careful what you wish for 🙂 These compilations take a while to put together, so you might have to put up with the 'talking head' now and again 😳
@@robscamino Thank you for taking the time to put these together and sharing w/us.
@@mimisalmon2913 My pleasure...
Great information Rob it will be useful for us. In 2014 we stayed mostly in Albergues. We did do a hotel in Burgos because I was sick and didn’t want to share with others. In 2023 we are doing the Camino Frances and the Camino Porto. Being in our late 60’s we are planning on staying in private rooms.
Glad it was useful. I'll try to find some clips of the more 'modest' ones. I only included some of these because they were somewhat 'special'. As were some of the modest ones of course! You can never really tell........ 🙂
I love the Parador in Santo Domingo, I've stayed there twice, it's nice to treat yourself now and again, actually I've stayed in a few of the places in the video, I loved the hotel in Atapuerca,the food was delicious.
I enjoyed the experience of the Santo Domingo Parador, but I'm not sure I would stay there again. Apart from being in a historic old building, having a lovely bed and a deep bath.........it didn't 'feel' right staying there. At dinner I actually went out to join other Pilgrims at a cafe. And in the morning, particularly at breakfast when I seemed to be sitting amongst a bunch of rich tourists, not Pilgrims. It's hard to describe but I felt a bit of a fraud, and could not wait to get back on the path.... Nice to try though. And I probably will try a couple of the VdlP. Just because the buildings look so amazing.
@@robscamino we didn't have any meals there,we ate in a small restaurant nearby and we had breakfast on the road but it was such a comfortable and historic place
Rob great video with lots of great information. Are you going to update this video for future peregrinos?
Thank you.
Yes I'll update it from my recent Camino.
Thanks - great video. For our fall Camino, we will be staying in private accommodations like you show here. I wasn’t sure how many of them would have laundry services or even just a clothes line. It looks like many of them do which is a relief.
Funny thing Laundry. The more you pay for a room, the less likely it's available! Many Hotels don't provide the service, or at least not fast enough (i.e. ready by early next morning). Lots of Casa Rurals and Hostals do. And most Albergues have at least DIY laundry facilities.
Aww- good to know. Thank you. I’ll look at the list of accommodations to determine the type, and plan accordingly.
Thanks Rob, I absolutely loved this. Even though I didn't stay in any of these accommodation places, or even the same villages/towns etc, it took me right back to my 2019 Camino Frances. Pur nostalgia for me.
...Pure nostalgia!
@Marilyn Young Partly the reason I take so much video on Camino. So I can watch it years later!
@@robscamino I'm pleased you did, and I'm grateful that you have shared it with me 😊
We are going on our first Camino (Frances) starting May 29. We will be staying at a lot of the places in this video! It was nice getting to see them up close!
I'll have to share some more then 🙂
@@robscamino That would be awesome!
Planning the Camino Frances next spring (from Brisbane) traveling with my wife (a native Spanish speaker) with 2 of us it seems to make sense to stay in private rooms with en-suites, a little more money but much better chance of a good night sleep and greater ability to get a good walk in the next day. Planning 60 days away and hope to add a few days in Portugal and Morocco as well. Looking at Qatar or Emirates as both offer a 1 stop trip from Brisbane to Barcelona (want to get a trip on the A380's). We have friends in Zaragoza so we will drop our heavy luggage there and wander off with our packs. Thanks for the packing list and budget spreadsheets. Perhaps add ear plugs to the packing list particularly for the Albergues, as for budget spreadsheet perhaps some additional cells for flights and a contingency percentage (I have adopted 20%).
Sounds like you'll have a great trip! Buen Camino 🙂
Hallo Rob, I always enjoy your viewpoints. Thanks. But I was wondering about how do pilgrims pick up the correct (marked) trail every morning while staying all over town the previous night. Especially in a large city like Bilbao. I plan my pilgrimage for March 2024. Have a nice day Francois
Fair question. I always check my guide book or app. App these days... or can download 'tracks' from gronze.com
@@robscamino Thanks Rob Will do so. Regards
Hello Rob
I am from Canada French part
I very much enjoy all your videos
I am leaving for the Camino Frances sept 6
Do you have experiment bed bugs…..do you have recommendations
Hi, I have never been bitten by bed bugs. But I always check the seams of the mattress! Buen Camino. 🙂
Thanks for this information/video Rob, it has made me think that as I’m travelling with my wife, for around the same price or a little more than for two people staying in a Albergue you can stay in a private room which I didn’t realise. Thanks
Generally that can be the case Owen. You should certainly find something for the equivalent of 3 Albergue beds I think. Though I am a bit out of date and have not walked since Covid kicked off.
@@robscamino when do you start the Camino de la plata?
@@owenbull9606 Probably March....... and you?
@@robscamino Mid April for Francis, I’m green with envy and once this one is done, I’m sure I will be looking at others like yourself 👍
@@owenbull9606 You'll love it. The first one is very specials. And mid-April is a good time. The pass on the Napoleon route should be open, but expect some snow to be around. The Pilgrim's office in St Jean will give you an up to date weather situation. Worst case, you can go via Val Carlos. I'll hit the Frances briefly at Astorga, (Want to see the Cruz de Ferro again) and then head 'into the hills' after Ponferrada on the Camino Invierno. That will be a few weeks before you get there though. Buen Camino.
Interesting stuff Rob many thanks. I also stayed at the that hotel in Castrojeriz in 2017 sad that’s it’s closed.
btw did you get my suggestion re top ten Camino stages? You could run a poll or just do your top ten. Just an idea. Best wishes Chris
Yes, a great idea.
Rob, thanks for this very informative video! I'm interested in walking the Camino and have many questions--would appreciate any comments you can provide.
1. Did you reserve your private rooms ahead of time or find them as you progressed on your walk?
2. Is it possible to spontaneously arrange for baggage transfer if you find you need a "bag break" while walking?
3. Can you recommend a good resource on the web for Camino Newbies?
I'm a new subscriber and will continue with my binge-watching now!
Cheers
Good questions, here goes.
1. I usually book the first 2-3 days accommodation maybe 2 weeks before I arrive in Spain. After that I book 1 day ahead. I walk very slowly often not arriving till 4-6 pm, so this way I know I have a bed for that night. Each evening I decide where I'll stop the next day, and book that one. Though on my next Camino I want to try 'free wheeling' a bit more, and not booking so much. Maybe using Albergues more.
2. On the CF, Bags are generally collected in the mornings from accommodation and have to be labelled and ready for pick up by about 8 am. So I'm not sure how you would do0 it at say midday and from a place where you were not actually staying.
3. Number 1 resource for general information would be Ivar's Forum. www.caminodesantiago.me/community/ For planning I use Gronze a lot. www.gronze.com/ (if you use Chrome it will auto translate the pages)
Looking for the bottle holders that you mentioned in another video. Have not been able to locate them in USA. They're like spring clips that fasten to the front of the backpack straps. Any guidance would be great. LOVED this. So cool to see the different places, especially how the fees have changed in 7 years. Casa Rural looks great, but to have it increase from 30 to 75 euros is good to know. Thanks, mate, and Cheers!
Sadly those bottle holders are no longer available. I spoke to the company a few weeks back. Re accommodation costs, I suppose like house prices, they double every 7 years? I wish my income did too! 🙂
Great videos Rob!! I plan on walking Frances in September, did you find it difficult to secure a room on any part of your Camino Frances trips?
I haven't walked the Frances since 2018. A lot depends on time of year etc. Of course this year is unusual, due to Covid and it's a Holy Year. Many reports say it's very busy, so say not. Pilgrims tend to move down the CF rather like a pig being swallowed by a snake! In lumps or waves. The trick is to get out of the wave if caught in one. I'll add some tips below in a minute. Just rushing into a meeting!
So.....ideas to break out of a 'wave' of Pilgrims. (1) Drop off the back. Take a rest day. Or a short day. (2) Push ahead, Leave early, walk a long day. (3) Stay in smaller 'intermediate' towns/villages. Or.......... at least avoid the 'bed race' by booking a night or two ahead. I tend to do this as I walk slowly and am usually the last to arrive anywhere! Plus I tend to stay in private rooms, which are more 'bookable'.
Hey Rob, thanks for your channel. Just wondering. Do you need to book accommodation in advance or can you find them as you go?
A tough question. Depends on the route and time of year. I generally book a day or two in advance. I'll do a video explaining the options and reasoning..
Hello! Just curious on La Mesta on lodging. Is there more Albergues vs private rooms long the French Way? Will return to Burgos where I had to stop due to urgent medical issue last year. Gracias,…
There is an ample supply of both types of accommodation, as you will have found on the earlier part of the Camino Frances. Are you looking for Albergues or private rooms? And of course there are Albergues, that also have private rooms.
Thanks Rob! Just wondering on the rural part on the French Way/La Mesta. Adjusting my backpack for this part. BTW, enjoy your channel and keep up with the great information you provide for us Pilgrims! Buen Camino! Prost 🍻
Thank you for the video ! I would like to see one with your more recents accommodations 🙂 it seams to me that the prices are much higher now compair to 2015 😕
My most recent was 2018. But in this video I also tried to show the current prices as shown on the Gronze website. The Gronze website or booking.com will be the most reliable sources for checking prices. I can really only comment on the places I stayed at, which of course may not be the places you want to stay at. www.gronze.com/camino-frances
Like the comments of others this is perfect and exactly what I needed. I planned my Camino for May, 2020 so now it is on hold until all vaccination restrictions have been lifted. My question is about money. If you use an ATMs along the Camino with an Australian debit card what are the charges from the Australian and/or Spanish bank? Do you carry a lot of cash or just enough for few days?
I carry 3-4 days cash on me. I used to use an Australian ATM card. Sorry, but I can't remember the usage fees and conversion fees. You might want to ask your bank as they vary so much. Now I have a Comm Bank Euro account with an ATM card.
Thank you, we're planning our first Camino Frances on 3 Oct 2022 and would like to book 1 double room with a private bathroom as we move from town to town.
Your advice please?
I would always take 15-20 mins in the evening to plan my next day or two. Read accommodation reviews, assess how far I wanted to walk, and then book. either online, vie email, and sometimes by phoning. I explain that process in this video I think. ruclips.net/video/FdlkMBCxdtU/видео.html
A great help Rob, many thanks...
Hi rob great 👍 blog just a question will the war in Ukraine affect the comino we hope to do the sansalvador and primativo this June thanks 😊
I would hope not. But who can tell. It could affect us in Australia if things take a really bad turn! (Though it already is with food and fuel prices)
At the last accommodation there was what looked like a colorful shopping bad next to your backpack on top of the bed. Was curious what that was? Is it some gear you carry with you or something you send via the luggage valet services so you don’t have to carry it?
On that first camino I really struggled with injury. Long story,, I actually started injured. Plus I took way too much gear. So I needed to transport some. I should have just mailed it all to Santiago!
@@robscamino thank you, Rob. I’m planning my first Camino at 50 years of age. Your videos are as inspiring as they’re useful. I really appreciate your passion and keen attention to detail. Keep it up!
@@billrosario2908 Appreciate the encouragement, thanks.
Rob, Thank you! and Thank you again!!! Been looking for something like this all over internet.
LOL, glad you enjoyed it.
Belorado is a town of course, not a pueblo, and it's sad you stayed in the most tourist trappy of the several Albergues there.
I always stay in the most "purist" & Catholic one, but I did have a couple of beers last year in likely the most properly upmarket "tourigrino" place -- which seemed quite pleasant indeed, including because both the employees and the locals had a degree of honesty and straightforwardness unusual in such places. It's near the bus stop, if you'd care to look for it next time you're there -- and there's a clearly fine restaurant almost opposite. It was Sunday afternoon too, so perhaps worth seeking out.
That "Templarios" place in Terradillos is pure 100% tourist trap.
As to both Puente la Reina and Puente de Orbígo, there's nothing but great places to stay !!
The old religious Albergue in O Cebreiro was one of the best ever, but sadly it has gone the way of the dodo.
That place before Santiago is old walls, renovated, new roofs and interiors.
On a first Camino, it's often difficult to determine what place might suit best. Indeed I have stayed at some that were not great, and others that were really good. If I walk the Frances again, I'll certainly look out for those you mention 🙂
Are the prices you list for one person?
Often the price is for the room. Or a small extra charge for a second person. If you check on the Gronze website, you'll have up to date pricing for the various room sizes. In these cases the rooms I think were:
1. Roncesvalles - APARTAMENTOS TURíSTICOS CASA DE BENEFICIADOS Euro 70 (double)
2. Bizkarreta - La Posada Neuva E45 (double)
3. Zubiri - Pension Usoa - E25 (Single)
4. Legarda - Casa Rural de Sophie (off Camino) E30 (Double)
5. Viana - Palacio de Pujadas E70 (Double)
6. Santo Domingo - Parador E100 (Double)
7. Belorado - Hotel a Santiago E48 (Single)
8. Attapuerca - Hotel Papasol E40 (Double)
9. Burgos - Hotel Norte y Londres E49 (Double)
10. Hornillos - Casa Rural del Abuelo E45 (Double)
11. Catrojerez - La Cachava E37 (might have closed) (Double)
12. Terradillos - Albergue Templarios E28 (Single)
13. Hospital de Orbigo - Hostal Don Suero E50 (Single)
14. Molinaseca - El Palacio (great room on top floor) E55 (Double)
15. O Cebriero - Casa Rural Venta Celta E46 (Single)
16. A Rua - Casa Rural O Acivro E75 (Single)
There is little relation between quality and price I found.......
i.e. The cheapest on this list were very nice en-suite room.