Purchasing a Camino Pilgrimage as a gift

Hopeful35

Hey

I am just wondering where to start with this! Need to purchase this as a gift, Don't know where to start, as in I know the person would really love this and her fitness level would be very high so would we be well able for it.

If she was to go on her own, should or can I book it through a company so there would be other walkers. What about accommodation, food and luggage? Where would I book flights to, Shes living in Dublin so would be flying out of Dublin so where would she need to land? How long would she need for doing it.

Any advice would be really appreciated:)

The Davestator

There are a few companies who do packages. Walk the camino.com I think is one of them.

Haven't used them but might be a starting point

edeldonlon

I did the camino last year. It would depend on how much time that the person has to do the camino to where to book flights too etc. A lot of irish people start in St Jean Pied de Port in France. I didnt go via a company and would have hated it. I felt that part of the camino was having the freedom to walk as much or as little as I wanted.

The companies will book accommodation and transport of her pack. There are always people walking so she will always meet a group. I did from St Jean to Santiago in 34days with no rest days.

If you have any questions just give me a shout.

E

prionnsias

Just got back from doing it a week ago. Depends on the age of the person but for a fit person theres definitely no reason to do it as part of a tour, in fact it would probably lessen the experience. She'd meet tons of people out there so you'd never really be alone unless you wanted to be. Ryanair fly from Dublin to Biarritz for the outbound journey, and for getting home Aer lingus fly from Santiago to Dublin. Overall I found it be an amazing experience and would thoroughly recommend it.

Hopeful35

edeldonlon wrote: »

I did the camino last year. It would depend on how much time that the person has to do the camino to where to book flights too etc. A lot of irish people start in St Jean Pied de Port in France. I didnt go via a company and would have hated it. I felt that part of the camino was having the freedom to walk as much or as little as I wanted.

The companies will book accommodation and transport of her pack. There are always people walking so she will always meet a group. I did from St Jean to Santiago in 34days with no rest days.

If you have any questions just give me a shout.

E

Thank you for your reply, I would think She would have 7-10 days to play around with, depends on how much time her sister can take off work as she would love to do it so thinkin' this might be a lovely oppourtunity for them both. Would that be enough time do you think? Also, what about accommodation? Does that need to be booked in advance if not going as part of a group? How would they manage for food etc? Sorry for all the questions - I really don't have a clue about this!

Hopeful35

prionnsias wrote: »

Just got back from doing it a week ago. Depends on the age of the person but for a fit person theres definitely no reason to do it as part of a tour, in fact it would probably lessen the experience. She'd meet tons of people out there so you'd never really be alone unless you wanted to be. Ryanair fly from Dublin to Biarritz for the outbound journey, and for getting home Aer lingus fly from Santiago to Dublin. Overall I found it be an amazing experience and would thoroughly recommend it.

Thank you for that
She's in her late 50's, very fit and is part of a walking club so is always out and about! How much would one walk in one day? I know it depends on fitness etc....
How much would accommodation cost? Would all this need to be booked in advance?

Hopeful35

thanks for that, will defo look into, hard to know where to start!

prionnsias

The whole thing takes about a month but very few people do the whole thing. She could start in Ponferrada and just do the last 200Km into Santiago. As regards accommodation it depends what type of place you want to stay in the municipal albergues are located every ten kilometers or so and cost between 5 and 10 euro to stay in, you'll be sharing a dorm room with many others. There are private hostals all along the route as well where you can get private rooms but they can cost from 20 to 50 euro. The Irish friends of St. James is good place to start. http://www.stjamesirl.com

Hopeful35

prionnsias wrote: »

The whole thing takes about a month but very few people do the whole thing. She could start in Ponferrada and just do the last 200Km into Santiago. As regards accommodation it depends what type of place you want to stay in the municipal albergues are located every ten kilometers or so and cost between 5 and 10 euro to stay in, you'll be sharing a dorm room with many others. There are private hostals all along the route as well where you can get private rooms but they can cost from 20 to 50 euro. The Irish friends of St. James is good place to start. http://www.stjamesirl.com

What about luggage? will she have to carry it herself or are there facilities for that? Also, what about food, is there places to eat etc?

Told ya I was clueless!

edeldonlon

I carried my bag but their are companies advertised in every hostel moving bags for €6 per night.

I answered a lot of questions on the camino in this thread http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?threadid=2056559206

The Michelin map which you can get on amazon is a good way for her to start planning

Have a look and if you still have questions give me a shout.