I’m looking to commence my Camino at the beginning of April 2024, is the Napoleon Route likely to be open’ and if so what sort of levels of snow should I anticipate? I enjoyed your videos, they’ve been a great source of information for me as I plan my maiden Camino.
Maybe you mean 2025? Weather is hard to predict. I had light snow and sun one year and low cloiud and rain another. But this was at the end of April. Early April it might still be closed. The Pilgrims office in St Jean will tell you when you arrive. If the Napolean route is closed, do not attempt it! Go via Valcarlos.
Hi Rob, how about touching on etiquettes on the Caminos, ie acceptable and unacceptable behaviours, respect to other pilgrims and especially the local inhabitants. After all, we are guests in their country.
I definitely think a visit/revisit about accommodations is a great idea. We finished the Camino Frances last week and there were people struggling the whole way if they didn't have reservations. I personally booked out the entire Camino ahead of time (reluctantly) because my husband wanted private rooms in each place. Almost daily people told us how smart that was, and that they were now doing that because of the difficulty they were having finding lodging. I know people who got up in the dark to go as quickly as possible to their destination for the day to get in line at the municipal albergue. This seemed to be most problematic in the towns highlighted as stopping points in the Brierley guide. One other topic I think would be worth visiting is injuries. I was amazed at the amount of injuries I witnessed which brought peoples' treks to an immediate halt, from blisters to broken bones. Along with that it might be worth addressing how to deal with the medical system in Spain and insurance if you do require medevac from the Camino and time in hospital. Your videos were invaluable to our preparation, we really appreciate them!
I do wonder whether the ever increasing crowds make it more feel like the 'circus has come to town' than any pilgrim wanting it to be a spiritual experience. Those days may be lost at least on The Frances.
I think those days are still there. even on the Frances. That route is very special. Though I find on a more remote route, maybe not seeing any other Pilgrims for days on end, can enhance the Spiritual element.
I'm so glad I've found you and binge watching your videos. I am a 60 yo female who will be walking my first Camino - The Frances in June 2025 - I hope it's not too hot, but I want to avoid as much rain as possible. I love that you recommend starting slow. That validates what I want to do - stop my first night in Borda. Being an anxious person, I'm planning on booking out at least 4 nights, so I don't have to worry about that. I am planning on budgeting $25/night +/- and staying, to start, in private, shared accommodations. I'd love to see a video about accommodations that you might recommend in between the common stages - there will be no 30 kms/day for me ;)
Two Aussies - mid 60's who are planning their first Camino for 2025. Can you suggest a Health Insurance that we can use - we do not want to rely on only the excellent Spanish Health care system. We are enjoying your videos and blog posts!
I think there are so many with varying types of cover, you might want to shop around. I now use the free health insrurance offered by my bank. It seems to provide the cover I need. (westpac and CBA)
They are generally linked to a credit card account I think. There may be some conditions such as spending a specified amount, 'pre travel' on your credit card. I think mine was $600. Not hard to do coming from Australia!
Suggested topic for a new video - distances walked per day. We have found around 12 -15 km per day is ideal for us, but we have 90 days in Europe. Neither of us have had a single blister or injury. We tested our gear months in advance and trained for nearly a year pre-Camino. The thing that stands out is the people who started with us who walked 20km plus per day (as per the stages in the guides) have all had injuries and forced to rest several days or quit their Camino. Cheers, Gavin & Amanda
Hi Rob! Fellow aussie here 😃 I’m heading to Portugal in a few weeks to do my first camino!! Filming the whole journey to create RU-vid videos, as I'm dedicating this walk to raise money for mental health research. I'd also love to record some pilates & meditation classes while on my Camino to put together a program which can help with fundraising. I've seen that pilgrims can send their excess gear forwards to their final destination so they don't have to lug it with them. I was thinking to do this with my laptop and other luggage for continuing travel after. I imagine I'll have a LOT of footage. Any tips on how to manage / back up all of this footage on the road without my laptop?? My worst fear is losing or breaking my SD cards. Planning to film with both my iPhone and small canon camera THANKS 😃✨ Love all of the valuable info you share here!
Not losing footage is always a concern of mine too. So I tend to adopt a 'belt and braces' approach. i.e. A Plan A and s a Plan B. Every Camino I consider taking a small camera. I use lots of different studio cameras at home, but have never been able to justify carrying one on Camino. So I just use my phone. It's easy, light, handy and does most things I need. Any of those features that only a Camera can do, I just do without. Hard to think of any right now! (camera apps for a phone give you most of them) Last time I even took a couple of wireless mics that would work with my phone. Never used them! (mailed them ahead) But you might have a use for them. I did use a wired lav mic and tiny Gorilla Grip phone tripod. Re data. In the past I mainly just relied on my phone storage. But phone storage is getting smaller now sadly. I do a test prior to the Camino. I shoot 1 min videos of different subjects and resolutions and check the file sizes. I then do a rough calc of how many videos of what length I might shoot. That gives me a rough idea of storage capacity needed. I shoot in 4k on my phone. I think I only shot about 200 GB of footage last time of an estimated 250GB. So it all fitted on my phone. Plan A. As I go, I upload footage to dropbox. Generally each evening. I do this using a local SIM card. For 2 reasons. (1) WiFi along the way is generally not very fast and (2) But mainly I don't want to clog up the WiFi bandwidth for everyone else! So I plan to use about 200GB of data. I top up the SIM card as required as I go. Plan B. I carry a usb c plugged SD card reader. (Samsung phone) Tiny thing that weighs about 20 gms. I can plug this into my phone and just using the file manager copy over all my footage to an SD card. 1 or 2 SD cards is enough depending on capacity. Hope that helps.
Maybe for the Camera footage, you could (A) copy to phone and upload it somewhere to store. or (B) Mail SD cards home? or (C) Carry two copies of seperate SD cards stored in different places on you/your pack? or (D) Maybe your camera has WiFi capability, so upload direct somewhere using your phone as a wifi hub.
Buying food in grocery stores for picnics, for different dietary needs, keeping costs down. Taking alternative roots,... Booking travel leaving Santiago, eg renfe trains to Madrid not available to.book yet,...
Hello Rob!! Not new to the channel (I've probably watched every video except the daily vdlp vlogs because I'm keeping those for when i walk it in the near future 😉), but very new to the camino. A topic i find intriguing is, what can we do once we are in santiago? Everyone talks about what to do, visit... while walking, buy once they arrive to santiago, it's plaza do obradoiro, rest and a couple beers, and that's it; I find that plan lovely, but I don't do drinking that much, and also prefer doing stuff on my own (even though that's one of the reasons why i want to do the camino, to kind of throw myself out there and interact with people a little more), and since a have planned a whole second day after arriving i was wondering what to do during that day. Also, and this one might be a bit to much to ask, what's the standard procedure in an albergue/accommodation? As in, what to do when you arrive, where to leave your stuff, how use the common spaces, what to do when you leave... but a little more detailed. This one is a topic that I find myself thinking about everytime the camino comes to my mind, it might sound funny, but some of the questions i ask myself are: when i go to take a shower, do I take my resting clothes with me, or do people not care if I walk around in my underwear from the bathroom to the bedrooms? Should I ask about what to do with my shoes once I arrive as i know there might be a place to leave them or will they tell me? And the list of questions goes on and on. A few weeks ago I asked something similar in a forum, and someone pointed out that a nice things for us younger people to do is leaving the lower bunkbeds to older people since they might have more problems with mobility, which seems obvious, but a newbie like me hadn't thought about it. This small (and not so small) details is what I mean with a more detailed procedure. I understand that there might be a lot of tiny aspects and no one would be able to remember all of them, but it would really help my anxious mind to ease a bit lol. As always, thank you for all of your videos and the help you always offer to us!!
Hello Rob! We really enjoyed the series about your last Camino. Plenty of breathtaking views and you seem to enjoy it very much. I have to tell you, we have been watching your videos for some time and you bring a kind of excitement and a sort of romanticism to the Pilgrimage which makes everyone watching to want to do the camino. Then when your videos ended we started watching some other guy and we lost all interest in walking it 🤦🏻♀️ The thing is the other hiker shows almost everything from his daily experience and it seems like a full time job where everyday is a struggle to find a place to lay your head at night and food. A full time job where you spend money to be part of it. I don’t know. Anyway, I have two questions for you: When are you walking your next Camino? When are you moving to Spain? 😃
Well, I'll need to get some more videos out for you quick! Next one in 2025 hopefully. But I'll be sharing some additional vides from past Caminos. I know what you mean with some YT videos 🙄 I watched one channel recently and the daily videos seemed to be a constant stream of negativity about weather, food, accomodation....... I'm sure it wasn't meant to be, as the host is very experienced, but it just came across like that. Maybe it's a mindset thing?
@@robscamino that sounds like the channel I’m talking about! He walks fast, that’s kind in the name of his channel. Too many complaints in my humble opinion, too much negativity like you say. Then he’s bored to death because it’s the same routine everyday, but he’s returning to the Camino next month! I just don’t get it. My husband basically told him, thanks to your very detailed videos I no longer feel or wish to do this 😂 🤦🏻♀️
@@robscaminoyes! That sounds like a great topic “How to enjoy the Camino”. I would like to learn about your shoes and gear in general. I know you have videos about that but the topic never gets old.
LOL. Love the response. I had a new topic running around in my head. But I think you've helped me focus it.......... "How to really Enjoy your Camino" We can talk about all that negative stuff and how to put it aside and focus on the really cool / amazing stuff. I have found over the years, if you look for 'crap' you'll find lots of it! If you look for 'joy', it's there in every step 🙂
A possible subject. I had a discussion on the trail about zero days. Some thought taking a day off was great so you could rest and be a tourist whilst others thought that was boring and you should take a short day. I tried to take a day off in Palermo but got restless about mid morning and walked on. Another thought. A lot of pre pandemic videos are simply out of date. Maybe review anything pre 2022 and see what needs updating.
Yes, I think zero days is a great topic. I might look back over the pre Covid material, but I would expect that the only things that could be dated might be prices? But if you saw some specific ones that are outdated, do please let me know. It's probbaly time to repeat and at the same time update, some core topics though.
Chapeau Rob on walking the Camino Inverno. I have just finished it and found it hard. Its seems the avoidance of one high mountain they seem to have you walking over every other mountain amd hill as penance. Hopefully in the coming years they have a little more infrastructure so a Goldilocks distances can be achieved. I eirher finished before lunch or dinner depending on the distance i walked.
Yes, you need to enjoy hills! 🙂 But every hill I climbed, I took as a blessing, becuase it usually meant stunni ng views too! Whilst not a strong walker by any means, I had the benefit of some 'training' having walked from Seviile. So the going up was a breeze. The coming down was the hard bit!
Oh my apologes Kate. I never did. Partly because (a) I have put on weight again and look awful LOL but mainly becuase (b) it's hard to work out all the camera angles. or I need someone to walk alongside maybe. But in the meantime, I fould this video which is really good. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-7q2YwOE4okA.htmlfeature=shared
Please don’t let your weight fluctuations impact your choices of what to post. I followed you because I liked your approach & honesty about the challenges!
A bit of a jumble but here are my concerns. I finished the CF three weeks ago and I found that the actual cost is much higher than the traditional view of costs. Albergues are charging more and hotels are charging more. Also, because there is a general lack of availability (real and perceived) people are being pushed more towards hotels/ pensions etc. The Camino is no longer cheap. I had some excellent and generous Pilgrim meals, three courses with wine for €15, still excellent value but it used to be €10. My experience is not a big enough sample to be valid, and not scientific but it was my 8th Camino so has some credibility. So, what are the true costs now, when will capacity catch up with the surging demand. I passed cafes with queues of 30 or 40 people waiting to be served. This last was after Sarria but it still had an impact on “my” Camino. I hope to be going back in September to do the Portugue Coastal and am worried about how popular that has become in 2024.
Just reflecting on this a bit more John. The popularity of the Frances and Portuguese in particular is not going to decline any time soon. And they are great first Caminos. But I wouldn't walk them now. Just too many people. Maybe we 'repeat' offenders are part of the problem..... 😳 Have you thought about a more remote route? I'm going to stick mainly with remote routes now. I think 10 Euro Pilgrim meals were about 10 years ago sadly. I was getting really good Menu del Dias last year (though not on the Frances) for 14-15 Euro.
@@robscamino just watched a CaminoCafe video where they stated that tourism in Spain is up by the same amount as the numbers on the Camino. In some places in Spain there are local protests saying there is too much tourism. Majorca in particular. I had not considered this wider context. Re other Caminos, I am looking at the Ruta de Mar - the missing link between the Norte and the Inglese. The scenery looks stunning. I am also keen to go on the Inverno (? Spelling) which is less traveled, as you demonstrated. I also know I can organise myself better- I left Sarria on a Sunday along with 50% of the people walking that week. A rookie mistake and a wake up call. But, one of the original attractions of the Camino for me was the plentiful and cheap accommodation and infrastructure. I don’t have to carry a tent, cooking kit etc. it’s just too much for me over interesting terrain. That is a draw for anyone old enough to get six weeks of work e.g. retired.
@@johnavery5384 Interesting John. Certainly look at the Invierno. Or take the plunge and try the VdlP? Such a great route. Loads of cheap accomodation and food..... Wonderful scenary, all to yourself most days......
Hi Rob. I have a question. What do you take with you food and drink wise if there are no facilities all day? And how much of it. Tips of different things. Extra weight? How do you eat during the day?
I'll do a video on that. Though it kind of depends on the route and Infrastructure. On the Frances for example I might carry a small bag of nuts and a chocolate bar. As there are loads of villages and cafes along the way. (on most stages). By contracxt on most stages on the VdlP, I'll carry the nuts, choc bar, a banana, a tim of tuna. a bread roll etc. Becuase most days there is nothing en route and some days there may be no breakfast or dinner available. so a small spare meal is a hand thing to carry. Same with Water. Based on route and time of year. I might carry 1-1.5 litres on the Frances, depending on the stage. On the VdlP 2-3 litres depending on the stage.
@@nicolevroon3071 Good question. I will often carry 1 bottle with water and another with Aquarius. Last year I also tried electrolye tables and they were great. (Called Salt sticks)
Thanks for this clip. I appreciate you asking for our ideas. Apologies if you already covered this. I've watched quite a few of your videos but not yet all of them. My suggestion would be a comparison of your best/favorite Camino vs. your least enjoyable one, and why. I'm guessing an earlier one will be your worst, because of rookie mistakes. And your best, again I'm guessing, will be a later one, after lessons were learned. I think this is a valuable comparison because not only will us on our early Caminos get tips but we'll see how those lessons enhanced the Camino experience. Thank you!
Great topic idea. I suppose a view of enjoyment in relation to Camino experiense? Not really about the route at all. Did you see this video? ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-NQq_p0-5wyA.html
Some topics (hope these don't seem silly): Taking "zero" days--how to work into walking schedule/what to do with those days, Main Camino vs the alternate routes that are considered "more scenic" or "rural" and that then hook up with the main Camino again. People don't seem to talk about these very much; How long is a good amount of time in Santiago once you reach it--two days to soak it in? Photography on the Camino; Going out to dinner with other pilgrims once you reach town--do all contribute or do you pay separate? SJPDP--one night and then you start walking? Still need another tutorial on albergue procedure--what do you when you arrive, sign in, and settle in? Let beard grow, shave, or let grow and trim? I don't see razor/shaving cream on gear lists. I have never seen anyone talk about haircuts on the Camino--over 4-5 weeks I think I would need a haircut.
I follow the Camino Forum, your YT channel and a couple of others, and certainly the increasing popularity of the CdS, the crowds, the so-called “bed race” that it engenders, is causing me, justifiably or not, to question whether I really want to deal with all that. Then, the next day, after reading/listening to some other takes on the Camino experience, that negative wave has passed, I’ve practice packed my gear for the umteenth time and I’m stoked to get rolling. So, yeah, I’d like to hear more of your thoughts on crowds and crowd avoidance, accommodation strategies (I think a 60-40 private to albergue ratio would be best for me and others 😂), and especially the viability of shoulder or off-season Caminos journeys. Thanks, and glad to see you back.
Crowd avaoidance is a great topic Gregory. The 'simple' answer is easy. Pick a remote route! But I'll go through some ideas on a video for sure. Did you see this one? ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-NQq_p0-5wyA.html
Hi Gregory, I'm currently on the Frances. I'm nearly at Leon. Done a mixture of albergues/hotels. From SJDP not been massively busy. The albergues are cheap at 10/12 euro's a night. Decent standard. People do leave early everyday but no bed race. I'm doing 2 albergues then 1 hotel. Don't overthink it and worries about things. The only thing I recommend is get your footwear correct. Ive got Hokka trail shoes got them a month before, half a size bigger than my feet. Ive had nocfeet issues whatsoever. Any other questions pleese message.
@@steveclayton4249Thank you for your on-site report, Steve. It’s very much appreciated. I think your division of albergue/hotel stays is, as I mentioned, what I am leaning towards. Equipment-wise, I am good to go, including the shoes! I’ve had a good experience with the Hoka Stinson ATR 6s which, unfortunately, are no longer being made and my size has poof! vanished from the stores. I’ve moved on to the 7s and, tho’ a bit different than the 6s, they have felt good on a few days of simulated Camino walks. This time I took Rob’s advice and bought 2 pair and may spring for another to be on the safe side. Gracias de nuevo y Buen Camino!
@@gregoryhageage6362 no worries Gregory. A few people have replacement their shoes in Spain if desperate to Pamplona, Burgos all have gud walking shops if required.
What I am missing in RU-vid videos overall is what I can expect to find in supermarkets and stores in smaller villages. I have some dietry restrictions and i want to eat what I make only. Thanks a lot
We are on the Camino Frances right now. Started in St Jean Pied de Port. The accommodation issue really isn’t a problem - though my wife forwards her bag so we try to book one day ahead when we can. Crowds from Ponferrada & Sarria onwards have been pretty challenging because of the change in the nature of the average pilgrim. They tend to be very different now. Finally, the costs have been much higher than shown in the various apps and printed guides. The $AUD doesn’t help either at the moment. All that said, coming here has been one of the best decisions we have ever made. Buen Camino, Gavin & Amanda
Another topic - BIKES on the Camino. We’ve met a lot off peregrinos on bikes - usually because they don’t have sufficient time to walk the Camino, or they have bad blisters and can’t walk any further. Cheers Gavin & Amanda
