The Guardian Discovers the Via de la Plata

[george.g]

Check out the Guardian today, there's an article today "Spanish Steppes" In an article by Mark Everligh he suggests that few days walking on the Via del la Plata in Autum could be a very inexpesive holiday because if you buy a credential for 3e from any Turismo or albergue you can stay in albergues for 12e "This must surely be one of Europe's most affordable hiking trips"
I don't know what others may think but I know what I do! Not sure Mark has quite "got it" about camino or pilgrimage.
Regards
George G

 

[SabsP]

Check out the Guardian today, there's an article today "Spanish Steppes" In an article by Mark Everligh he suggests that few days walking on the Via del la Plata in Autum could be a very inexpesive holiday because if you buy a credential for 3e from any Turismo or albergue you can stay in albergues for 12e "This must surely be one of Europe's most affordable hiking trips"
I don't know what others may think but I know what I do! Not sure Mark has quite "got it" about camino or pilgramage.
Regards
George G

Here is the link.

Spanish steppes: an epic hike across the wild plains of Extremadura

The Via de la Plata is one of Spain’s toughest pilgrim routes, weaving through a landscape of isolated steppes and fortress cities in the country’s least-known region

www.theguardian.com

 

[george.g]

Yes I was a little annoyed when I read this, this morning. Now in the past I have for example flown into Santiago to walk the Santiago/Muxia/Fistterre/Santiago round for nothing more than a fun break, but I have made the point of staying in private hostels not taking municiple places from "proper" pilgrims.
I think someone who writes in a national newspaper should be a little more aware of camino codes?
Regards
George G

 

[dick bird]

Write to them and complain. They may even publish a correction. Worth a try.

 

[TravellingMan22]

Sorry clearly I and being thick! I have not walked the VDLP. What’s wrong with that quote? Aren’t those the rough prices? Can’t be many cheaper?

 

[Kathor1]

I think someone who writes in a national newspaper should be a little more aware of camino codes?

I understand that you are annoyed. However, just to be clear, the author Mark Eveleigh is not a Guardian staff writer. He writes travel books and he is promoting his most recent book which can be purchased through the Guardian Bookshop. Or in a bookshop near you or on Amazon. The title is Vagabond: A Hiker's Homage to Rural Spain. It is about his 1225 km hike with backpack and a hammock across Spain.

Link to his website where one will also find his email address to write to him directly:

Travel Writer | Mark Eveleigh

Mark Eveleigh is a widely published travel writer and author who contributes to international titles. He also runs travel writing retreats and workshops.

www.markeveleigh.com

 

[Tincatinker]

Hmm, time for a major exposé on Bed-bug proliferation in Extramadura perhaps?

 

[Kathor1]

Sorry clearly I and being thick! I have not walked the VDLP. What’s wrong with that quote? Aren’t those the rough prices? Can’t be many cheaper?

He advises hikers on a short section of the Via de la Plata in Extremadura to get a credencial so that they can stay in albergues.

We've had discussions that some (not all) albergue owners or the groups who manage them require that those who stay with them are walking as pilgrims towards Santiago.

The albergue in question (In Aljucén, for example, pilgrims can get a dorm bed in Albergue San Andrés for €12 and a menú del día in the village bar for just €10.) is an interesting case. The link in the Guardian article points actually to this forum's Online Guide where the description is a bit different from the description on Gronze where this albergue is described as privately owned and not exclusively for pilgrims but oriented towards pilgrims and they accept reservations. IOW, you can stay there without a Camino credencial and you don't have to identify as a Camino pilgrim to qualify for staying there.

Elsewhere it is also described as "El albergue San Andrés de Aljucén es un albergue público para peregrinos del Camino de Santiago por la Vía de la Plata, y también para turistas y viajeros, situado en este pequeño pueblo extremeño, a 100 m del centro y del trazado del Camino." IOW, for pilgrims, tourists and travellers.

 

[TravellingMan22]

He advises hikers on the Via de la Plata to get a credencial so that they can stay in albergues.

We've had discussions that some (not all) albergue owners or the groups who manage them require that those who stay with them are walking as pilgrims to Santiago.

The albergue in question (In Aljucén, for example, pilgrims can get a dorm bed in Albergue San Andrés for €12 and a menú del día in the village bar for just €10.) is an interesting case. The link in the Guardian article points actually to this forum where the description is a bit different from the description on Gronze where it is described as not exclusively for pilgrim but oriented towards pilgrims and they accept reservations. IOW, you can stay there without a Camino credencial.

Ah thank you! Now I get it!

 

[ShoshTrvls]

“This far-flung region was considered extreme long before the Romans tried to tame it with a chain of fortress cities along what would later become famous as the Via de la Plata, toughest of the pilgrim routes that lead to Santiago de Compostela. Not everybody can dedicate the six or seven weeks needed to walk the 620 miles (1,000km) between Seville and Santiago, but a week’s hiking through the wilderness landscapes and historic communities of Extremadura offers a compelling introduction to Spain’s least-known region.”

Spanish steppes: an epic hike across the wild plains of Extremadura

The Via de la Plata is one of Spain’s toughest pilgrim routes, weaving through a landscape of isolated steppes and fortress cities in the country’s least-known region

www.theguardian.com

 

[Luka]

Brings back memories...

 

[peregrina2000]

Link to his website where one will also find his email address to write to him directly:

He is also a forum member, so you could try a PM.

 

[trecile]

He is also a forum member, so you could try a PM.

Member name @MarkEveleigh

 

[Lindsay53]

Seems this bloke is encouraging tourists to get a credencial under false pretences to have a cheap holiday. Not what the Camino is about as I see it.

 

[george.g]

Hi Lindsay. That's exactly the point I attempted to make, he didn't bother to explain the difference between private and municipal hostels and advise as a "tourist" a private room might be the most ethical choice, and given that you only really need a credential to stay at municipal hostels, then one can only presume that that's the reason for the advise to get one.
Plus if Mr Eveleigh is a forum member he should know better!
Regards
George.G

 

[Kathor1]

Plus if Mr Eveleigh is a forum member he should know better!

His general email address and his forum address are listed in the thread. So did anyone who expressed their concern about this topic contact him? Because if you don’t he may never even be aware of your concerns.

 

[henrythedog]

His general email address and his forum address are listed in the thread. So did anyone who expressed their concern about this topic contact him? Because if you don’t he may never even be aware of your concerns.

I did, and we had a civilised exchange.

Mark explained that the VdlP is a somewhat less-travelled route; he liaised with the local organisations and, on publication of his article, received a letter of thanks from the Chairman of La Asociación de los Caminos de la Vía de la Plata.

Notwithstanding my initial reaction; if the local Spanish organisations are fine with it, that’s good enough for me.

 

[henrythedog]

I only just noticed the connection in that that I’m half way through reading Mark Everleigh’s book ‘Vagabond’ and it’s rather good. It’s far from being a guidebook to the VdlP, but as a travelogue which follows the route (starting in Gib/La Linea) it’s to be recommended.