Looking for information about Camino Ways

[Orford girl]

All I want to do is get some feedback on Camino Way website group and anyone’s recent experience with them. I’ve always traveled with my itinerary and didn’t use luggage services staying at the albergues which I love. So anyone with Camino Way into would be great. I anticipate a very different experience walking to the 'next' accommodation!

 

[Corned Beef]

Used them in 2017 and 2022 for sections of Caminos (Frances/Norte) where pre-planning indicated accommodation would be tight (i.e. for peace of mind). The rest of the time, it's booking on route - much cheaper.

Is there a particular issue you need them to address where your own planning can't cover?

 

[GaryRobArms]

I used them for the Camino Portuguese coastal in 2023. Our first Camino.
- Accommodation they selected was good everywhere. Mostly 1 and 2 star hotels, in good sections of towns, close to amenities and the Camino.
- I didn’t do a detailed cost analysis but my sense is that it was quite a bit more expensive than booking accommodations myself. HOWEVER, researching and booking your own accommodation does take a lot of time. If you enjoy doing the research and making the choices yourself it seems expensive to have them do it. If you’re not really into that, and would rather have the time than the money, then it is probably good value for you.
- luggage transport was reliable and on time.
- the guide book they provided was okay, not great. After doing another Camino self managed with Wise Pilgrim, Gronze and websites like this, I would not bother with the Camino Ways guide.
- they provided a route downloadable to Google Maps. A sort of equivalent to the GPS route guidance from WP and Gronze, but not as good. Get one of the apps.
- you could read into their marketing literature that they will come running to help if you need it. I think that would be a misinterpretation. I asked for additional advice a couple times and essentially got back suggestions on who I could call to get my questions answered.
- we were nervous as first time walkers in Portugal, Spain so took their “included dinner” option at most stops. I wouldn’t do that again, especially if you are travelling to experience the cuisine. You are limited to a “pilgrim menu” at a particular restaurant. Okay, but not great, and usually not the interesting stuff like octopus or squid. And there are lots of interesting restaurants to choose from in most areas, so no need to play it safe. Having said that, dinners at 2 of their selected accommodations were fantastic.
- it is necessary to pay a lot up front, and I believe it was non-refundable. So if there is a significant chance of having to cancel you should factor in travel cancellation insurance cost.
- perhaps obvious, but you are not going to get the “albergue, pilgrim community” experience. However, you get your own room and bathroom, and only your own snores to listen to in the night. So depends what you are looking for.

 

[joramos]

All I want to do is get some feedback on Camino Way website group and anyone’s recent experience with them. I’ve always traveled with my itinerary and didn’t use luggage services staying at the albergues which I love. So anyone with Camino Way into would be great. I anticipate a very different experience walking to the 'next' accommodation!

Camino Frances Spring 2023, I ran into a family (60s-70s couple and son) who were so upset that they had to backtrack because their next accommodation could not accommodate them on their reserved date. Last minute, they had secure an accommodation for the day. After I mentioned to them that I was going to work as a volunteer at the Pilgrims Office in Santiago de Compostela, they asked me to speak with a gentleman volunteer apparently facilitated their Camino with Camino Ways. When I did, the gentleman was not very receptive, nor sympathetic, saying only that too bad it happened.

I also read of complaints from pilgrims walking the Via Francigena regarding poor and unsatisfactory accommodations advertised as topnotch by Camino Ways.

Lessons learned, if all possible do your own pilgrimage planning, reservations, and itineraries, and save as well control your pilgrimage and your expenses. I am a 72 year old with physical limitations due to traumatic car accident and I did everything for my Camino Frances in Fall 2022 and Spring 2023. I use this forum for my research on my Caminos. Researching needed information was a little tiring but, I enjoyed the research as I was learning about Spain, Camino Frances, and the different locales before I even started my Camino. I knew to great certainty where and what kind of place I will be staying at the end of the day.

Buen Camino. Ultreia.