Accommodation in june on camino frances

[Peter keane]

hi folks

my wife and i together with two friends will camino from leon to santiago from 10-24 june 2010 ... i am anticipating a busy period

i am a little concerned about availability of albergue and or refugio accommodations along the way

would welcome if someone has some insights into likely availabilities and some practical how-to-do-it advice

regards
Peter K
Australia

[Sil]

If you are happy to sleep on mats in tents or sport's halls, you should be OK. Most Regions are implementing alternative accommodation to cope with the large influx of pilgrims this year.

[Derville]

Hi Sil,

Is it recommended to carry a sleeping mat or are you aware if they will be provided in the sport hall's etc. I am trying to reduce the weight I am carrying if at all possible but if the advice is to carry a sleeping mat of some type I will do so.

thanks,

Derville

[damo]

Hi Peter

I am starting from St Jean on June 2nd, and being a first-timer I had the same concerns. I will probably bring a cheap foam sleeping mat with me (+ a bivvi bag) just to have the flexibility in case there is no room at the inn. The extra weight is minimal in my opinion, (though perhaps I will feel differently after a few hundred miles!)

Interestingly, I visited the Confraternity of St James office in London last week, and a lady there suggested that the fact the football World Cup starts in June (11th) may keep traffic on the Camino down, as many of the football mad nationalities (Spanish, Italian, South American, Germans, even English) that normally frequent the Camino may delay their start! Interesting idea, we will have to see if there is any truth in it.

Good luck.
Damian

[Yorkie]

Well I'm a big footie fan and the wife and I are going to tour Northern Spain for 2-weeks from mid June to the beginning of July.

Any good recommendations?
We aren't walking and travelling light - in a car...but we couldn't sleep in it!
More concerned about places to avoid - if you know what I mean!

I started being very enthusiastic about getting to Santiago de Compostella after reading the The Pilgrim - but as time has gone on I am more inclined to avoid the "pilgrims" and just relax and take in the scenery and all that Spain has to offer.

I confess to planning my trip like a military operation - but who needs an agenda on holiday? Then I got thinking about "What if we liked it somewhere and wanted to spend a few days there?" - with such a plan you can't!

Sorry if this post offends people - I genuinely joined this forum to help me plan my holiday and take in some of the sights of Northern Spain and doing a bit of walking - the trouble is Northern Spain has more to offer than a well trodden path to SdeC.

[Covey]

Last year I saw a group of Trabant owners who were motoring through Europe towards Santiago and who had stopped the night at the albergue in Carrion de Los Condes. We have a saying on the Way "It is your Camino and you do it your way" In ancient times, the poor walked and the rich went on horse back or mule. Today most walk, some ride a bicycle, and a very few still go on horse back.

How you get to Santiago is not really the issue, what matters is the fact that you feel a wish to be there for whatever reason. Some see a TV program about the Camino, some read a book and some hear friends talking about the Way. The majority probably think nothing more about it, but within the minds of some a thought grows.............................. Remember, you found this site..............................