Camino de Santiago queries, info ...

elainee

im doing the camino in june was looking on line at compeed anyone know the best site to get them from on line as they are very expensive in the shops?
Anyone know how many i should bring with me!!
thanks

edeldonlon

I bought 20 compeeds on ebay for very little money. I didnt use them all but better to have them than want them and they dont weight a lot.

Terencemc, the sleeping bag that I had was http://www.decathlon.co.uk/s15-print-grey-id_8129333.html#ancre-detail I found that it was good quality, didnt weight a lot and was also possible to machine wash. Decathlon is now shipping to the republic so might be worth while having a look for a backpack on their too. I just borrowed one from a friend. It was just a basic one and I had no trouble.

You can turn up any day in St Jean and get a passport. They are only 2 euro. The office is in front of the hostel Esprit de Chemin.

terencemc

THANKS ESTELDONLON

ontour2

I am flying in to Santiago arriving at 3.40pm and would really like to get to O Cebreiro that night. Anyone know the best way? Getting to Lugo or Sarria would appear to be a good first step. Next would be to get to Pedrafita and then probably taxi to O Cebreiro as it would be late in the evening?

phonechap007

I am starting the camino in Estella next week (May 2012). I am flying into Bilbao, overnighting in Pamplona and then bus onto Estella. Can I pick up a Credencial in Estella or should I get it in Pamplona. Another point puzzling me is; if I have not walked into Estella will I be allowed access to the Albergues.

vektarman

phonechap007 wrote: »

I am starting the camino in Estella next week (May 2012). I am flying into Bilbao, overnighting in Pamplona and then bus onto Estella. Can I pick up a Credencial in Estella or should I get it in Pamplona. Another point puzzling me is; if I have not walked into Estella will I be allowed access to the Albergues.

If you're overnighting in Pamplona it might be handier to pick up the credencial there timewise, you might still have time to get it from the Society of St. James- http://www.stjamesirl.com/?page_id=9.
As for access to the albergue, although preference is given to those who arrive under their own steam, so to speak, you will not be turned away, even if it might be a mattress on the floor. I'm heading over myself next week, looking forward to it. Buen Camino.

Precious1

Hi phonechap!!! How exciting for your upcoming Camino in just a few days!!!! You can get a passport easily in any major town like Estella and Pamplona at the Pilgrim offices or most churches have an office to supply then. These offices often close late and open late as well. Strongly recommend you get John Brierley's "A Pilgrim's Guide to the Camino de Santiago", and take it along with you...it's like my bible for the Camino. lol One does need a pilgrims passport to stay at the pilgrim xunta albergues, but there are many private albergues that don't need passports, as well as pensions, hotels that you can get accommodations no problem. Buen Camino peregrino!!

Precious1

John Murphy.ie

https://sites.google.com/site/camino/log/execution

irishguy1983

Need some opinion's on walking this alone in August?!

I think I mave the wrong idea about Camino - my plan was to do a bit of walking and move from hostel to hostel (friend of a friend did this and it sounded good to me!).

However I am beginning to think I picked up this story incorrectly.

How could one walk in that heat with a back pack?! I presume you need to be relatively fit?

I basically have no idea where to even start researching my trip! I am looking to do a bit of walking during the day with some type of goal and a few evening beers.

LiamMc

I think the point is that you are never alone on a pilgrimage trip.

If you are not an experienced walker than maybe just do some walking in the Picos de Europa in Asturias and then move on by rail or road towards Santiago de Compostela. Maybe choosing to stop in another quiet place on route.

Old part Santiago de Compostela is a nice town,the main square has some incredible buildings. And there is some crowed small streets around.

Improve your Spanish, that will be something you can take back home with you.

irishguy1983

Where do most people fly into from Ireland?

I can't seem to get my head around the whole trail and what I should do really!

stantheman8

Great thread folks.

Just wondering if there are any reports of how busy the camino is this year (2012) from people who have recently returned or are still on their way?

Thanks & Buen Camino!

Meathlass

Pick up Buen Camino by Peter and Natasha Murtagh who detail their journey through the camino. My local library is full of books of maps and guides to it as well so check out your library as well.

Also look up www.stjamesirl.com for more info on the route and helpful tips.

John Murphy.ie

I did Le Puy in France to Pamplona in April this year. France was very quiet. The numbers increased the minute I hit St Jean Pied De Port on the French side of the Pyrenees. The French way through Spain is always busy but try not to worry about it as the Spanish are very helpful. Do not get caught up in a rat race trying to reach the town early. At worst you can book a room and share it with a friend if you are really stuck. A room (habitcion) costs €30 to €40 per night. Enjoy

iredia

Hi All!!

I am starting the camino next week. I don't get into Biarritz airport until 21.25 in the evening!! Looks like I will need to stay in Biarritz for the night as there will be no late train to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port.

Does anybody know of reasonable priced accommodation/hostel that I could stay at, that would be near enough to the bus station.

Thanks a million!

M

Clareboy

Hello iredia, There are a number of American style motels near Biarritz Airport, which are not too expensive. I have stayed at the Hotel Premier Class a number of time and found it to be fine. It is within walking distance of the airport. In the morning, you can catch a bus from the airport to Gare de Bayonne, from where you can board the train to St. Jean Pied de Port.

Buen Camino!

furry

Hello,
I'm hoping to do just a 1 day stage of the Camino del Norte this year. Irun/Hendaye to San Sebastian.

Has anyone come across detailed directions for that stage - on tinternet or if there was a book that you knew of?

Thank you...

springhill6

Numbers are up again this year.
http://www.caminodesantiago.me/board/discuss-news-from-santiago/topic14825.html

In the English speaking world, Ireland are number 2.
United States 3978, Ireland 2293, UK 1950.

Wicklowleaid

Hey All, I'm a male teacher in my mid twenties and have been interested in walking the camino way for some time. However Id rather do it with other people than start out on my own. What I'm wondering is there must be others out there on this forum in the same pedicament who would like to walk the casino (or part of) but do it in a group. It would be a great way to make friends of all ages and maybe could lead on to other excursions, I'd really love to see this get off the ground, big question is Are You Interested?

Meathlass

Hey, the Camino is something I've always been interested in and next April would give plenty of training time! I presume since you're a teacher you're only going for a week or so over the Easter holidays?

singin bernie walsh

id be interested too. but how fit do you need to be?

Wicklowleaid

Hey Meath and Bernie, great to hear some like minded people on here at last! Meathlass I'm thinking about ten days say we would get a fair amount of it done plus longer than that ya would want to be a pure pro I'd say, singin Bernie Walsh I'd say it would involve walking around six hours a day people of all ages young and old do it makes no odds no need to be a fitness freaks! Great to hear from oh both we can really get this ball rolling if you both pm me your email addresses we could get in contact proper! Come on the rest of you out there up to three now there must be a few more

singin bernie walsh

walking for 10 days, for 6 hours a day!! yikes!! i was thinking maybe 4 days walking and even a day to relax in the middle.

Wicklowleaid

Well to get a good bit of it done you would have to keep moving you see, sure you could join in for part of it maybe you might be more able for it than you think

funsboro

I did part of the Camino in 2011 and used Clareboy's articles and the stuff on boards to plan it. I meant to post these tips ages ago but hope the come in useful for someone planning a trip next year.

I used John Brierley's guidebook and the mundecamino website so had planned out where I was walkint to before I went.

I flew into Santiago as I couldn't get decent daytime flights to Burgos or Leon which are the other cities near the end of the route as I left booking flights til too late in the Summer. If you are travelling with someone and if you will not need to leave luggage in Santiago I would advise flying into one of those cities and joining the Camino from either Burgos or Leon. I flew into Santiago and got a bus out to my starting point which was just past Villafranca.
On your first night you could book a hotel if you want a bit of comfort or go straight to a hostel but if going straight to a hostel you will have to make sure you are at it by about 2 or 3 in the day to be sure of a bed. I'd advise stay in a nice cheap hotel but be up early and on the road for about 8 or so as the hostels are on a first come first served basis and you may not want the hassle of it on your first night.

The Camino has its own special timeline and you will get used of it very quickly. Most people start walking between half 6 and 8 in the morning as the hostels generally want everyone out by 8. Personally I always started at daylight which in Sept was round half seven as walking in the dark was a bit pointless I thought. I used to plan my breakfast stop for about an hour after i started walking but all hostels have breakfast facilities and the restaurants/cafes open very early so you can always have breakfast before you start.

Generally people stop walking between half 12 and 2 but I used to walk til about half three. Hostels dont open til 1, I was there in Sept and never had a problem finding a bed but July can be very busy so judge your stopping time by the time of year. Also stopping by 1 or so will get you out of the sun as parts of the Camino can be very exposed and it can get very hot very quickly. Generally after checking in everyone showers and most hostels require that you leave your hiking boots/shoes at the door. Every hostel I stayed in had really good showering facilities and plenty of warm water.

Dinner doesn't really start til half six or seven and most hostels have a curfew of about ten but you'll want your bed before then if you are doing a lot of walking. If you can manage don't do the siesta that all the Germans and Spanish do as you will have trouble sleeping at night, better stay awake and get a good night sleep as if you are not properly tired the snores of the hostel could keep you awake.

Keep your hiking bag as small as possible, I brought a Lidl hiking bag and a light sleeping bag which I attached to the front it was very small and I thought light but its amazing how heavy it can get in the midday sun so pack with that in mind. You will need three days of hiking clothes, plus clothes to change into in the hostel,

Why I say three days of hiking clothes is it gives you an extra set in case you get wet one day or have trouble drying your clothes. Keep an eye on Lidl for deals. If you can get the trousers that have zip off legs they are perfect as the mornings can be quite cool but its nice to have shorts for the afternoon. F

or tops layer your clothes so bring t-shirts/a zippy fleece top and a waterproof jacket with a hood. Put all what you intend bringing in a bag and walk to your local shop with it, then go home and re-pack and its amazing how little you will bring and it will still be loads.
Buy proper hiking socks and break in your boots before you go and you should be blister free.
Also dont bring hiking poles here as they are very cheap in some of the hostels and you may find you dont need them at all. I ended up buying an ordinary stick from a Spanish farmer for a euro but it was more his idea than mine, loads of people manage fine without poles.

Bring a camera and a decent hiking water bottle that will keep your water cold the cafes are never more than 5k apart but its nice not to have to be buying water all the time and having a cold drink and a break in the middle of nowhere by yourself.

You can buy most things over there but my best tip is bring washing powder is small tubs that you can dump as you go along e.g the tubs of dips that you get in Tesco.

Also stock up on travel sized toiletries so you wont be carrying big bottles of shampoo etc, some people just bring soap but its nice to have your stuff with you and have a proper shower.

Shoe wise all you will need is your hiking boots and a pair of shoes to change into, preferably flip flops or sandals to let your feet breathe. Also if you are a lightsleeper earplugs or an Ipod is great and you will also need a handheld light which is so useful to get to the loo when the lights are off in the hostels


As I had only two weeks I was starting in Galica and based on what I had read I decided I really wanted to see Cereberio which is a mountain top medivial village, it looks great in the photos but it is a very steep climb up to it so it was a really tough first day and in reality I found it very disappointing as its very commercialised now and a lot of bus tours stop as well so its not as remote as lot of the Camino is but its interesting to see, I walked on about 3k past it and stayed in Hospital that night which you will find on the map, as you are getting near Hospital you will see the famous statue of the pilgrim on the mountain looking over the valley which is in a lot of guidebooks.

I would highly recommend taking the detour to Samos which is a village built around a monastery after Tricastella the hostel there is in part of the monastery- a really large room which holds about 80 people but it is donation based and the monks sing every evening which is lovely and you get a tour of the monastery. Not a lot of people do it as its a 9k detour but I really liked it make sure you have people to walk with if you decide to go as a lot of the route is through a forest and its nice to have company on it.

Its really easy to follow the Camino as there are plenty of yellow arrows and all the locals will shout at you if they see you going the wrong way, which I did loads, also there are plenty of landmarks in the john Brierly book so very easy to know where you are.

Some people decide to satrt further back when they have only two weeks and bus parts of it but if you can avoid doing this you should as the Camino is all about meeting and chatting to people along the way and it will be harder to do that if you are only doing a day here and a day there as you won't be meeting the same people often.

I tried to avoid staying in the bigger towns like Sarria and Portomarin as they are like every country big town and not a lot happening in the evenings - its nicer to be in a smaller hostel in a small village than a bigger town. I stayed in both Xunta hostels which are government run and cost €5 a night and private hostels which are €9 a night. The private ones have smaller rooms and can be a bit snazzier as in they have washing machines and dryers but the Xunta ones are generally very good and most had washing machines as well. The two nicest ones which I would recommend staying in are the private one in the small village just past Sarria- called Barbadello I think but check the guidebook to be sure, its the first hostel in the village, President Mc Aleese stayed in it when she walked it and its like a hotel but only €9. Its in the village with the famous 107k stop.

Also about three days later there is a lovely old coverted mill beside a river which on a lovely day is a great place to spend your afternoon, there is a picture of it in the guidebook and Clareboy mentions it but it was closed the day he was walking, I stayed in it and it was lovely and the private hostel in the last town I stopped in before Santiagp is class it has a fountain in the middle of it and it sets you up nicely for your last day in Santiago. Everywhere else was good but those places really stood out.

I also walked to Finnisterre but thats purely cos I had time and you will see everything you want to see in Santiago in two days. Definitey go to the Pilgrim museum as its free and a lot of people miss out on it and I found it very interesting. I really enjoyed the walk to Finisterre, it was nice to continue the Camino experience for three days but its not as well serviced by cafes and hostels so you really have to plan where you are stopping make sure you have food with you etc and to be honest when you can do a daytrip out to it, its a lot of hardship at the end of a lot of walking and its three days of nearly 30k hikes.

Moneywise you wont need a lot as everything is very cheap but always sleep with your passport and wallet in your sleeping bag- not because anyone would steal off each other in the hostels but just in case- the most you will spend every day is €30, breakfast is generally about €3 for coffee and toast but you can also get orange joice eggs and Spanish rashers for in or around the same price- no sign of cereal tho!

Lunch is generally a sandwich for about €4 and depending on the restaurant you may be well enough fed until the next day.

The pilgrim dinner is €9 everywhere and its three courses with either wine beer or a soft drink. If you don't drink wine you will be wine drinker coming home as they give everyone nearly half a bottle and its great for blocking out snoring in the hostel!

There are very little vegetables on the menu and they are big into chips so you may get sick of greasy food very quickly, before this happens take a day off "Spanish food" and stop in a supermarket in a big town and stock up so you can have another type of meal for a change and buy fruit etc for yourself. Also you will find pasta and pizza places as you get nearer Santiago so that will be a welcome change after a few nights of pilgrim dinners. The cafes are where a lot of people meet and chat and its completely acceptable to sit with strangers for your meals. The more languages you know the more people you will meet, my Spanish is very basic and I managed fine but if you have time to do an evening class or do online classes def do them as you will get to chat to Spanish people especially the local villagers.

Also if you speak French or German you will be able to chat a bit along the road to them although most of them have brilliant English and the cupla focal as Gaeilge is fierce handy if you meet Irish people to have the craic of course.

Have fun doing your research before you go and most of all enjoy it, get your passport here and get a stamp at St James Gate before you go, if you are starting in Gallica you will need two stamps a day (its to catch the bus people out) and it will take about two hours qing for your Compostella but its great fun meeting everyone again in the q.

Also stay in the Seminaro Menaro in Santiago its a really good but huge hostel it was an old seminary but the view over Santiago at night is fantastic and you will meet a lot of people there- some people go to hotels after the first night to have a holiday type experience before flying home but I found the hostel really lovely as I walked faster than some people so it was nice to see them again.

Finally the Bonafumerie thing is well worth seeing but you need to be lucky and clever about what day you go so you will see it in action.

It is always is in use the day a lot of the organised tours finish in Santiago as that company makes a donation to the church so that they will do it- I was lucky to meet a group of Canadians along the way and they told me the day their tour finished so I made sure to be there that day.

Lastly it is totally safe for a girl to go alone on it, once you get over the first day nerves you'll be fine, you will meet people on the way, there's always people in front or behind you and there is never any incidents and it feels totally safe.

Buen Camino!!

wexartgirl

Is this trip still going ahead? How much would you need to do this do you know?

alant7

indeed! I would be interested maybe for 7 days, sure see how it goes. My mate did some of it recently, must ask him how he got on

Cat12

I had been thinking of walking the Camino de Santiago for a while & finally took the plunge and booked it last week - to do it next April for one week. If anyone has any advice that would be great! So, in the meantime its lots of training!:)

babsrose

Has anyone done sarria to santiago with camino ways ? between flights and the guided tour it will cost nearly 1000 euro for the week. is this crazy ? as i would be going alone i like the idea of being with a group, but the cost is putting me off