Camino

Hi, We are going to Europe starting in France to do the camino de Santiago pilgrimage from France to Spain, We plan to do a bit of couch surfing and we are on a budget as in tight budget, so we thought we’d do a bit of walking through the whole time in Europe. Can anyone recommend walking/hiking treks for those who are pretty fit 40 something year olds. Also should we take a tent and hiking gear or just stick to the cheapish huts along the tracks? I hear that in summer it can be hard to find accommodation in the huts too. Boy where do I start to plan this trip arrrghhhhh!!!!!???
any help/suggestions appreciated please!!!!
Some one said. Your trip would be much easier if you said what route you are taking, Um that’s the whole reason for the post!!! I want to know which one. Someone else said "You mentioned Europe but only said France and Spain" That’s the whole reason for the post I want to know where else to go lol!!
Thanks everyone for your good comments and suggestions but Please understand that when you are in Australia and you have NO idea of what this place looks like, feels like and there are thousands of options it’s like going to a supermarket but you can’t choose cos there is just too much choice. I need people with real simple clear cut advise, not just telling me what else I COULD do. Tell me what not to do that might be a good start. Ok so I hear that the Northern route isn’t quite so hot this time of year, anyone have any advise on that? and yes it’s the Pyranees I was talking about going to. So would it be best if it’s hot to go later in our trip? Basically we have 3 months to kill in Eur

Planning this trip would be much easier if you said where you intend to begin walking the Camino, how much time you think that would take you, and where else you’ll be in Europe.

Most people beginning the Camino in Paris, Le Puy, Arles, or Vezelay, allow up to three months to complete the walk to Santiago de Compostela. If you’re extremely fit, don’t bother taking any rest days, or take the time to look around, then you might complete the pilgrimage in 8 to 10 weeks, but you won’t really have time to sightsee. Unless, of course, you mean you will begin walking at St Jean Pied de Port in the Pyrenees. Then it’s four weeks fast walking, 6 weeks for the majority of pilgrims.

I really suggest you get a guide to whichever Camino path you want to start walking (it’s known as the Chemin de St Jacques in France) and that will give you all the information you need on cheap accommodation in gites and, some, pilgrim hostels through France. Once in Spain you’ll be following the Camino Frances which has a very well structured pilgrim albergue system. This will cost you between 3 to 10 euros per night. You can get the various Camino guides from the online bookshop at the Confraternity of St James. For France especially, it’s well worth the money: http://www.csj.org.uk

Ditch the tent, when you’re walking day after day you need to carry as little as possible.

I really want to go walking in Spain this summer, on the Camino de Santiago. But, I cant find anyone to go with me! I really want to go so Im considering just going alone….Is this a bad idea? Im 19, girl, and Haven’t traveled much really…Also I dont speak Spanish. Is this a really bad move or do you think I could muddle along? :/

ok..traveling alone isn’t a good idea,because many bad things can happen to you..like getting kidnapped by strangers,getting lost and not knowing where to go,because you are not familiar with the city, or state. you should find someone to go with you, also try to go with someone that knows spanish, or just learn how to speak spanish..by taking classes, so you can communicate with the people from spain. your 19 very young still, I think you still need an older adult to look out for you just in case if anything happens. I think traveling is great, but you need to protect yourself everywhere you go..there are crazy people out in the world..just stay safe and have an older adult with you.after you find someone to go with you then everything is good, but going alone not a smart idea!!!

Look at a map – it´s not that far. I guess it´s about the same distance as the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route in Spain or even less than that, and the Camino de Santiago can be walked in a matter of weeks.
Taking forty years is frankly quite a botch job. I would be well cheesed off if I was one of the guys following him.
Why?

It was punishment for the sinful generation that left Egypt. God wanted a new generation to enter the promised land that was not corrupted by memories of Egyptian culture. They wandered the desert for 40 years prior to going to Canaan.

I am planning on walking the Via de la Plata from Sevilla to Compostela de Santiago, then from there to Le Puy, France (backwards on the Camino de Santiago). I should be exiting Spain before 90 days pass.

Do I need a visa?

If you are a non-EU citizen (American, Canadian etc.) you must have left not only Spain but also the entire Schengen zone within 90 days for a visa-free stay.
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_4361.html ..

Added [because of the other questions asked]:
I always presume that an asker who asks in Y!A U.S. is an American; if someone asks in different sections of Y!A s/he should state her/his citizenship in order to get a good answer. Some people just don’t realize that Y!A is accessible all over the world..

Hello!
Some friends and I are planning to walk sections of the Camino de Santiago in March 2011, arriving and departing Spain at the Madrid airport.

We want to use 2 cel phones to help the group stay together, and rent a small van to help shuttle the group from section to section.

I’d like to know if cel phone coverage is available along most of the Camino de Santiago …. no sense in bringing them if they won’t work!

I’m looking for advice from people with experience in either area (phone rental/purchase and van rental).

Thanks in advance,
Tony in Saskatoon, Canada

Ask your cell phone provider if your phone will work in Spain. Remember they use 220 volts in Spain, not 110 volts.

I would advise buying the cheapest pay phones when you get there.

The best coverage is Moviestar but you pay a premium.

Locally, the most popular provider (queuesin shop) is Vodafone.

For example, I’ve done the Camino de Santiago (pilgrimage in Spain) and Everest Base Camp in Nepal. What should I do next?

Great Wall… It is VERY hard and only the truest can make it through… i suggest u do it…. its on my bucket list

For example, I’ve done the Camino de Santiago (pilgrimage in Spain) and Everest Base Camp in Nepal. What should I do next?

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For example, I’ve done the Camino de Santiago (pilgrimage in Spain) and Everest Base Camp in Nepal. What should I do next?

There are innumerable intresting treks in NEPAL but one has to have long and patient time of about 3-6 months in hand!!

walking the camino santiago is something everybody should do, regardless of religion or ethnicity

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