Camino de Santiago

[Linkster]

The Camino is on the bucket list when the kids go off to college. It seems like most stay in hostels, does anybody have experience hanging?

[scottpash]

from everything I read about the trail Hostels and Hotels are the best choice due to restrictions in most areas regarding what they call over the pond as Wild Camping

I would like to hear actual experienced persons chime in though

[TallPaul]

Paging @renegadepilgrim

[Fronkey]

I've spent some time on it and hostels and such are more fun because you can meet such awesome people there and other perks.
You can for sure camp along the way too and if you like good reads, I suggest checking out Keith Fosket's book about his trip on it called "The Journey in Between."

[renegadepilgrim]

I've walked twice. Feel free to PM me with questions. Fozzie's blog is also a good resource if you want to camp. For me, it's albergues all the way. The Camino is a walk. It's not a contest or an ultra. It's a stroll. It's meeting people from all over the world. It is not a backpack IMO. The only reason I can think to camp illegally (not a lot of legal spots unless you camp in albergue yards!) is if you're on a super tight budget of 10€/Day. Average budget is 25-30€/day.

[Taozenqi]

Linkster,
Haven't hiked any of the caminos yet, but after reading several recommendations tending to agree with renegadepilgrim. Also, probably depends on which of the dozen or so caminos you choose to walk.
My ticket is purchased for the Camino Frances in Sept. of 2014, so I plan to stick to the albergues this trip. If I go back for the Via de la Plata, my hammock will be included in my pack.
paging - Miguel - for input as well.
Good luck in achieving your bucket list!

[renegadepilgrim]

I am doing the Camino Norte in early 2016 and I will most likely bring camping gear (still not sure about the hammock at this point) because the distances between albergues is a lot farther...more 30-35km days than I really want to deal with. I like to stick to around 25km days. I'm lazy. It's also a lot hillier with more total EG than the other Caminos, and much more difficult according to people I have talked to who have done it.

[Linkster]

I have a ways to go more like 2017, but just starting to learn a bit more. I first learned about it from the book "Walk in a relaxed manner Life Lessons on the Camino", by Joyce Rupp. I watched the movie "The Way" on Netflix. I am going to check out Fosket's book. Started reading some travel journals.

I saw some backpackers on Tuscanny this last fall. The couple next to us at dinner one night hiked part of the Via Francigena. The trip they took was more like day hiking. Their stuff was hauled from place to place in a van and all they carried was a day pack. Stayed in upscale Inns and hotels.

I am starting the Rosetta Stone Italian, and will have to do Spanish next. I am limited to donde es banno, and dos cervezas por favor.

How much Spanish to did you use and was it necessary?

[pgibson]

and dos cervezas por favor.

How much Spanish to did you use and was it necessary?

That's all I need to hear.

Seriously though I think maybe when the kids are grown and out of the house....only 14 or so years.... I am going to be thinking seriously about this for the wife and I. I think it would be a great way to actually experience a place rather than just play tourist.

[Miguel]

My wife and I hiked 300 miles of it this past Sept. and we only saw one tent in someone's backyard. It didn't really appear to even belong to a hiker. I believe it was set up for kids in the family. Everyone we came across stayed in albergues (hostels) or hotels. We had a great time btw.