Travel Agencies

[Melcro]

Hi All!

My husband and I have been communicating with Follow the Camino, a travel agency that plans the route, books lodging, transfers luggage along the route, etc. I know we could easily book everything on our own, but my husband feels more at ease having people in the know organize it for us. That said, can anyone comment on Follow the Camino agency? Or any other reputable agencies?

Thank you!
Happy Walking!

 

[Takahiwai]

I don't know what route you're planning, or when you're planning to do it, but my advice, after reading your message, would be to leave your husband at home!

 

[Pafayac]

The camino is organised, yet: these agencies sell a useless service.
Do you need something special (like private rooms) ? Even if you need this, or backpack transportation, it is easy to organise them on your own.
Using these agencies prevents you to change your mind, to adapt your walk day after day, taking profit of experience.

 

[J Willhaus]

I don't know about this agency specifically, but my advice is to ensure that they plan days with distances for you that you know you can walk and that any lodging is actually close to the Camino route. Some companies have a set itinerary and not one that is tailored for your specific needs.

 

[Tincatinker]

my husband feels more at ease having people in the know organize it for us

Does your husband ever go shopping?There are more people in the know on this forum than are employed by every Camino travel agent in the world.

Which Camino are you planning on walking and from where?

 

[trecile]

I understand your husband wanting to have everything arranged by "experts," but what you will probably get is a cookie cutter itinerary. These agencies don't know your abilities, and you could be stuck with an itinerary that is too ambitious or too slow for you.

If you plan your own stages and book your own accommodations you are in control, and have the ability to change your stages as you go along.

However, if you are planning a very short Camino, like Sarria to Santiago, it's probably fine to use an agency. On longer Caminos of a month or more there's a lot more time for things to happen, like injury or illness, the desire to stay on the same stages as the pilgrims that you meet, wanting to take a rest day, etc. that can make you want to alter your original schedule.

 

[jungleboy]

This thread is in the Vía Serrana forum, for what it's worth. I don't know if it's there by accident, but if not, it's not a camino I'd expect Follow the Camino or other agencies to cover. I could be wrong though!

 

[Melcro]

Oops. I meant to post this in the Camino forum. We’re walking from Valenca to Santiago in May.

 

[Melcro]

I understand your husband wanting to have everything arranged by "experts," but what you will probably get is a cookie cutter itinerary. These agencies don't know your abilities, and you could be stuck with an itinerary that is too ambitious or too slow for you.

If you plan your own stages and book your own accommodations you are in control, and have the ability to change your stages as you go along.

However, if you are planning a very short Camino, like Sarria to Santiago, it's probably fine to use an agency. On longer Caminos of a month or more there's a lot more time for things to happen, like injury or illness, the desire to stay on the same stages as the pilgrims that you meet, wanting to take a rest day, etc. that can make you want to alter your original schedule.

I should have be more clear: we are walking only part of the Camino, from Valenca to Santiago, in May 2025. We chose the route and asked the agency to plan around that - lodging with private bath. Includes breakfast every day and most dinners. They also transfer our luggage.

 

[Melcro]

I don't know about this agency specifically, but my advice is to ensure that they plan days with distances for you that you know you can walk and that any lodging is actually close to the Camino route. Some companies have a set itinerary and not one that is tailored for your specific needs.

Thanks for the feedback. We were sure to research the various routes first and chose to go with Valenca to Santiago, very doable for us. We are pretty active and walk a lot. The itinerary would be tailored to our needs. I just want to make sure we’re going with a reputable agency.

 

[Melcro]

Does your husband ever go shopping?There are more people in the know on this forum than are employed by every Camino travel agent in the world.

Which Camino are you planning on walking and from where?

Ha! Yes, my husband loves to shop!
We are planning to walk from Valenca to Santiago in May.

 

[Melcro]

I don't know about this agency specifically, but my advice is to ensure that they plan days with distances for you that you know you can walk and that any lodging is actually close to the Camino route. Some companies have a set itinerary and not one that is tailored for your specific needs.

Does your husband ever go shopping?There are more people in the know on this forum than are employed by every Camino travel agent in the world.

Which Camino are you planning on walking and from where?

Also, apologies if I offended anyone here. This forum has been incredibly helpful! Lots of people here “in the know.”
Thank you!

 

[trecile]

This thread is in the Vía Serrana forum, for what it's worth. I don't know if it's there by accident, but if not, it's not a camino I'd expect Follow the Camino or other agencies to cover. I could be wrong though!

Oops. I meant to post this in the Camino forum. We’re walking from Valenca to Santiago in May.

I have moved the thread to the Camino Portuguese forum.

 

[trecile]

I should have be more clear: we are walking only part of the Camino, from Valenca to Santiago, in May 2025. We chose the route and asked the agency to plan around that - lodging with private bath. Includes breakfast every day and most dinners.

I strongly recommend that you NOT include any dinners. You will probably meet other pilgrims along the way that you want to dine with, and with your dinners pre-booked this probably won't happen. I met a woman a few years ago who had booked a Camino with all breakfasts and dinners included, and ended up eating with other pilgrims and foregoing her pre-paid dinners.

 

[Tincatinker]

I should have be more clear: we are walking only part of the Camino, from Valenca to Santiago, in May 2025. We chose the route and asked the agency to plan around that - lodging with private bath. Includes breakfast every day and most dinners. They also transfer our luggage.

Okay, so here is the information on the route possible stages and accommodations: https://www.gronze.com/camino-portugues#localidad-52 You can now compare and contrast and consider the deal you’ve been offered

 

[Melcro]

Okay, so here is the information on the route possible stages and accommodations: https://www.gronze.com/camino-portugues#localidad-52 You can now compare and contrast and consider the deal you’ve been offered

Thank you!

 

[Melcro]

I strongly recommend that you NOT include any dinners. You will probably meet other pilgrims along the way that you want to dine with, and with your dinners pre-booked this probably won't happen. I met a woman a few years ago who had booked a Camino with all breakfasts and dinners included, and ended up eating with other pilgrims and foregoing her pre-paid dinners.

Good idea! I might exclude the pre-paid dinners. Thank you!

 

[J Willhaus]

I have met several people who walk their Caminos using an agency (both CF and CP) and while it is quite a bit more expensive they have enjoyed their experiences. If that is the way you chose to go, just know that many of us here on the forum will probably try to tell you over and over why planning it yourself is what many of us chose to do and enjoy doing it that way. Please don't take offense to that.

 

[Melcro]

I have met several people who walk their Caminos using an agency (both CF and CP) and while it is quite a bit more expensive they have enjoyed their experiences. If that is the way you chose to go, just know that many of us here on the forum will probably try to tell you over and over why planning it yourself is what many of us chose to do and enjoy doing it that way. Please don't take offense to that.

No offense taken at all.

 

[Caomhin O Fearghaill]

Hi All!

My husband and I have been communicating with Follow the Camino, a travel agency that plans the route, books lodging, transfers luggage along the route, etc. I know we could easily book everything on our own, but my husband feels more at ease having people in the know organize it for us. That said, can anyone comment on Follow the Camino agency? Or any other reputable agencies?

Thank you!
Happy Walking!

I used Follow the Camino last year, everything was organised very well. Even though there was a change in our accomodation halfway to Santiago, we were notified well in advance and everything worked worked out fine.
I've been walking the Way since 2007 and I have done the refugios, endured the snoring, snored myself carried my bag. swapped war stories along the Way, laughed and cried, slept under the stars, etc, etc. However, I'm getting on a bit now. I want to tick off as many Caminos as I can. The years in front of me are beginning to thin out now. So, I intend to use organisers from now on and put all my energy into my knees and feet. Others can transport my bag and worry about where I will rest my weary, bald, aged head at night. Buen Camino! Ultreia!

 

[auburnfive]

Melcro,
I respect your desire to make things easy, and use an agency even though it’s easy to do it yourself. However, please please do not include dinners in your booking plans. We had that on my first ( booked ) Camino. Meant we had to wait until the designated place was open, usually too late for what we wanted, and had to pass by many tempting lovely places.
Breakfast is also a bit confining, we had to wait until 9 when we found we’d rather get walking and stop to eat a few km down the road, but not so bad as having dinners locked in

 

[Melcro]

Melcro,
I respect your desire to make things easy, and use an agency even though it’s easy to do it yourself. However, please please do not include dinners in your booking plans. We had that on my first ( booked ) Camino. Meant we had to wait until the designated place was open, usually too late for what we wanted, and had to pass by many tempting lovely places.
Breakfast is also a bit confining, we had to wait until 9 when we found we’d rather get walking and stop to eat a few km down the road, but not so bad as having dinners locked in

Thank you! Great advice!

 

[Melcro]

I used Follow the Camino last year, everything was organised very well. Even though there was a change in our accomodation halfway to Santiago, we were notified well in advance and everything worked worked out fine.
I've been walking the Way since 2007 and I have done the refugios, endured the snoring, snored myself carried my bag. swapped war stories along the Way, laughed and cried, slept under the stars, etc, etc. However, I'm getting on a bit now. I want to tick off as many Caminos as I can. The years in front of me are beginning to thin out now. So, I intend to use organisers from now on and put all my energy into my knees and feet. Others can transport my bag and worry about where I will rest my weary, bald, aged head at night. Buen Camino! Ultreia!

Great to hear that someone has actually had experience with Follow the Camino! I’m comparing quotes with other agencies before I settle on anything.

 

[trecile]

Great to hear that someone has actually had experience with Follow the Camino! I’m comparing quotes with other agencies before I settle on anything.

Have you looked at how much it would cost your to book the stops yourself? It should only be 5 - 7 nights. Luggage transport is easily arranged through Tuitrans, Top Santiago, Pilbeo, or other companies.

 

[domigee]

I strongly recommend that you NOT include any dinners. You will probably meet other pilgrims along the way that you want to dine with, and with your dinners pre-booked this probably won't happen. I met a woman a few years ago who had booked a Camino with all breakfasts and dinners included, and ended up eating with other pilgrims and foregoing her pre-paid dinners.

So did I. We made friends with a pilgrim (on the francés) who had booked EVERYTHING ahead and many evenings, he just ate with us, foregoing whatever he had paid for. Sad.

 

[DavidOB]

I used a different agency (CaminoWays) to arrange my lodging and luggage last year on the Camino Frances and was very satisfied. Sure, it's a bit more expensive. I did not feel that it limited me in any significant way. Since it was my first time on CF and I was solo, I appreciated the peace of mind that someone with some know-how had weighed in. When I queried their suggested routing, they were very willing to adjust given availability. I've walked/hitch-hiked/camped in all sorts of places, mostly Africa (East, West, and South), Asia, and U.S, and slept in all kinds of situations, but now in my 8th decade I don't mind outsourcing some of that, having some peace of mind that there is a place waiting for me, and having my own small, basic room where my snoring will be less intrusive for others. Having now done CF, in the future I'd be much more comfortable working out details myself (with the great and valued advice from my good fellow peregrinos, of course). On the other hand, if you've got the bandwidth to deal with arrangements and logistics while you walk (as I did years ago), that can be a lot of fun and rewarding in its own right.

 

[Melcro]

Wow! Sounds like you’ve had some great adventures! Thanks for the feedback.

 

[lt56ny]

I should have be more clear: we are walking only part of the Camino, from Valenca to Santiago, in May 2025. We chose the route and asked the agency to plan around that - lodging with private bath. Includes breakfast every day and most dinners. They also transfer our luggage.

We all have our own ideas of a camino. I personally do not care how another person walks and what services that want provided to them. I will say for sure that what you are planning will most probably prevent you from having a much richer experience. Having all your breakfasts and most dinners paid for and provided means that you have a far less chance of meeting some wonderful people. Pilgrims you may meet as you walk may invite you or you may want to invite them for dinner. The chance of exploring wonderful towns and cities and eating in a restaurant that you have heard or read about or just looks really good, on most nights will not be possible. In the morning you may want to meet people you have met before in a bar for breakfast.
I have no idea where the tour company is planning for you to eat and I am not sure if they get a kickback or discount that they do not pass on to you. This part is speculation of course on my part. They may also say you will eat with other pilgrims from the tour company. Maybe you will like them, maybe not, and maybe you will meet others you have really connected with and would rather share a meal with.
I am a "budget" pilgrim as my resources as well as the fact that I like to walk alone and whatever happens happens. As we say all you have on the camino is the step you are taking at the moment. But I have eaten in some small bars and restaurants that were very cheap and realllllly good. I speak enough Spanish also where I have sat and talked with local people and families and have had great memories for life.
Maybe something to think about.
One final thought, when you plan you lose your freedom of choice on where to stay and how long. You may walk into a town and think, I love this place I want to stay here. Or even more importantly we should all listen to our bodies on when to stop and when to go. No matter the shape you are in. Your body may say stop but your reservation will tell you, sorry, keep walking. The reverse is also true.

 

[Mark Francis Auchincloss]

Yes I have worked for them and they are very professional,good and reliable. They were the first agency to promote the Portuguese Camino's so have vast knowledge and experience.

 

[RESOMERS]

In May 2023, my husband and I (both 71 years old) walked from Vigo to Santiago with the help of Portugal Green Walks. They arranged for hotels with private rooms along the walk. No rush to leave early each morning in order to find a bed at the next stop. Taxi's also made available when distances were beyond the 10-12 mile maximum that we could comfortably walk. They were great, and I highly recommend them.

 

[Mamarich]

I used Follow the Camino for my first camino from Pamplona to Santiago. I was happy with their assistance, their planning, their flexibility and their support when I contracted COVID and needed to stay put for 5 days. That said, I will be using them again this year when I walk from Porto to Santiago in May 2025. There is clearly a sensibility on this forum that these types of services are unnecessary but there are individuals who are more comfortable with these services. That being said I understand the trade off spontaneity vs preplanned. I understand there is a cost to these services that not everyone is willing to assume. But for me, those outweighs the comfort of knowing where I’ll be sleeping every night. From your initial post, it felt like you are seeking a referral/reference for FTC. I was happy enough to use them a second time.

 

[USSusan]

Hi All!

My husband and I have been communicating with Follow the Camino, a travel agency that plans the route, books lodging, transfers luggage along the route, etc. I know we could easily book everything on our own, but my husband feels more at ease having people in the know organize it for us. That said, can anyone comment on Follow the Camino agency? Or any other reputable agencies?

Thank you!
Happy Walking!

I have used two agencies for 3 Caminos. I was pleased with Follow the Camino. Nor pleased with Camino Ways. If you want details, feel free to message me.

 

[Melcro]

We all have our own ideas of a camino. I personally do not care how another person walks and what services that want provided to them. I will say for sure that what you are planning will most probably prevent you from having a much richer experience. Having all your breakfasts and most dinners paid for and provided means that you have a far less chance of meeting some wonderful people. Pilgrims you may meet as you walk may invite you or you may want to invite them for dinner. The chance of exploring wonderful towns and cities and eating in a restaurant that you have heard or read about or just looks really good, on most nights will not be possible. In the morning you may want to meet people you have met before in a bar for breakfast.
I have no idea where the tour company is planning for you to eat and I am not sure if they get a kickback or discount that they do not pass on to you. This part is speculation of course on my part. They may also say you will eat with other pilgrims from the tour company. Maybe you will like them, maybe not, and maybe you will meet others you have really connected with and would rather share a meal with.
I am a "budget" pilgrim as my resources as well as the fact that I like to walk alone and whatever happens happens. As we say all you have on the camino is the step you are taking at the moment. But I have eaten in some small bars and restaurants that were very cheap and realllllly good. I speak enough Spanish also where I have sat and talked with local people and families and have had great memories for life.
Maybe something to think about.
One final thought, when you plan you lose your freedom of choice on where to stay and how long. You may walk into a town and think, I love this place I want to stay here. Or even more importantly we should all listen to our bodies on when to stop and when to go. No matter the shape you are in. Your body may say stop but your reservation will tell you, sorry, keep walking. The reverse is also true.

Thank you for the feedback!
We are definitely not using a tour company, but considering an agency that will book out lodging, transfer baggage, and provide support along the way. However, after reading your post here, along with many others, we are leaning toward planning the trip on our own. I have actually already booked a place in Valenca (we like the idea of walking from Portugal into Spain). We plan to spend two nights in Valenca, then start our walk to Santiago on May 11.
We prefer having all our lodging booked ahead of time, only because we worry there will be few vacancies that time of year. We are interested in places with a private room and bath - something comfy. Not sure if those kinds of accommodations book up quickly.
Again, thanks for the feedback!

 

[Nanners]

I don't know about this agency specifically, but my advice is to ensure that they plan days with distances for you that you know you can walk and that any lodging is actually close to the Camino route. Some companies have a set itinerary and not one that is tailored for your specific needs.

Good point. A friend walked the Camino this last year with lodging organized by tour company. Some of her lodgings were quite a distance off the Camino path.

 

[Melcro]

I used Follow the Camino for my first camino from Pamplona to Santiago. I was happy with their assistance, their planning, their flexibility and their support when I contracted COVID and needed to stay put for 5 days. That said, I will be using them again this year when I walk from Porto to Santiago in May 2025. There is clearly a sensibility on this forum that these types of services are unnecessary but there are individuals who are more comfortable with these services. That being said I understand the trade off spontaneity vs preplanned. I understand there is a cost to these services that not everyone is willing to assume. But for me, those outweighs the comfort of knowing where I’ll be sleeping every night. From your initial post, it felt like you are seeking a referral/reference for FTC. I was happy enough to use them a second time.

Thank you for your input. If only I was better at making decisions

 

[Melcro]

Yes I have worked for them and they are very professional,good and reliable. They were the first agency to promote the Portuguese Camino's so have vast knowledge and experience.

Oh! You worked for Follow the Camino? Now I’m feeling much better about maybe sticking with them. Huge thank you!

 

[trecile]

We prefer having all our lodging booked ahead of time, only because we worry there will be few vacancies that time of year. We are interested in places with a private room and bath - something comfy.

I have a friend that walked the Camino Portuguese from Porto last year for his 70th birthday with his sister last year. They booked all of their accommodations ahead and used Top Santiago to transfer their bags. It looks like they stayed in some nice places. I'll try to get the list from him.

 

[Melcro]

Ah! Thank you!!!!

 

[MaxHelado]

I have walked the Portugués three times and have always booked places to stay in advance so each day I know where I will walk to and know there will be a bed waiting for me. I do it myself because a) I enjoy the planning process and b) it's a lot cheaper. I estimate that it's about half the cost of doing the same trip through an agency. The money I save allows me to spend a little more on the accommodation. Of course if cost is not a major issue and you want to save the planning hassle I totally get why you would go through an agency.

As others have said in this thread, I would think carefully about booking breakfasts and dinners. The weather in Galicia is famously unpredictable and some mornings you may want to be out the door at dawn if rain is forecast for later in the day. I also get a lot of pleasure from walking a few kilometres before stopping in a bar or at a bakery for a simple breakfast and a hot coffee.

Lunch is the main meal in Spain and you may find that after a few hours of walking you are more than ready to stop at 2pm, when lunch typically begins, and relax over a substantial meal and a glass or two of wine. Evenings is usually a stroll into the town or village to graze on the tapas.

Good luck with your planning and with your Camino!

 

[Melcro]

That’s right … I forgot that lunch is the main meal in Spain. Thanks for the input!

 

[Dinnie]

I strongly recommend that you NOT include any dinners. You will probably meet other pilgrims along the way that you want to dine with, and with your dinners pre-booked this probably won't happen. I met a woman a few years ago who had booked a Camino with all breakfasts and dinners included, and ended up eating with other pilgrims and foregoing her pre-paid dinners.

FYI-My brother-in-law and nephew used "Follow the Camino" a few years ago and are very happy with the service.

I agree with Trecile about not including any dinner as brother-in-law & nephew had to skip some of the meals because they could not make it on time, and they did not enjoy some of the meals provided. When they compared from my pictures of what I ate when I did CF in May 2024, they regretted their included meals.

BTW, I did not include breakfasts either. This way, I start when I want, and stop when I want in my own time.
I did not go with an agency, but had a facilitator (AnnieSantiago) who helped put my CF walk together with accommodations and luggage transfers booked.

I am thankful and grateful for everyone on this forum who has helped me take the plunge in my CF journey.

Again, thank you very much to each and every one of you.

I would like to thank Annie as well.

Buen Camino!!!

 

[DoGoodToday]

Hi All!

My husband and I have been communicating with Follow the Camino, a travel agency that plans the route, books lodging, transfers luggage along the route, etc. I know we could easily book everything on our own, but my husband feels more at ease having people in the know organize it for us. That said, can anyone comment on Follow the Camino agency? Or any other reputable agencies?

Thank you!
Happy Walking!

I've used Santiagoways.com for my 5 week Camino starting in St. Jean and Macsadventure.com for the Camino Portuguese starting in Porto, and my first Camino starting in Leon to Santiago. Both are very reputable vendors and will transfer your baggage and arrange for lodging along your selected route in addition to walking directions.
Lodging can be a combination of small B&Bs and in larger cities hotels. I found the selected B&Bs and hotels offered ensuite baths and toilets that were clean and furnished with clean towels and bed sheets. Knowing where I was to stay overnight and what meals were included made my Camino very enjoyable. Albergues and municipal hostels are cost-effective options for those who like a communal experience. I retired from the military and do not need to experience communal living again. This is why I have always used either Santiago Ways or Macs Adventure. I found it most important to communicate with these vendors to help them help you plan for your Camino.

Remember, the Camino doesn't always provide. However, you can make your Camino experience less stressful and more relaxing if you plan.

Hope this helps.

 

[Melcro]

FYI-My brother-in-law and nephew used "Follow the Camino" a few years ago and are very happy with the service.

I agree with Trecile about not including any dinner as brother-in-law & nephew had to skip some of the meals because they could not make it on time, and they did not enjoy some of the meals provided. When they compared from my pictures of what I ate when I did CF in May 2024, they regretted their included meals.

BTW, I did not include breakfasts either. This way, I start when I want, and stop when I want in my own time.
I did not go with an agency, but had a facilitator (AnnieSantiago) who helped put my CF walk together with accommodations and luggage transfers booked.

I am thankful and grateful for everyone on this forum who has helped me take the plunge in my CF journey.

Again, thank you very much to each and every one of you.

I would like to thank Annie as well.

Buen Camino!!!

Wow! So many people have good things to say about Follow the Camino. Glad to know you had a positive experience with Annie.
Ditto: incredibly grateful for everyone here in this forum!

 

[Melcro]

I've used Santiagoways.com for my 5 week Camino starting in St. Jean and Macsadventure.com for the Camino Portuguese starting in Porto, and my first Camino starting in Leon to Santiago. Both are very reputable vendors and will transfer your baggage and arrange for lodging along your selected route in addition to walking directions.
Lodging can be a combination of small B&Bs and in larger cities hotels. I found the selected B&Bs and hotels offered ensuite baths and toilets that were clean and furnished with clean towels and bed sheets. Knowing where I was to stay overnight and what meals were included made my Camino very enjoyable. Albergues and municipal hostels are cost-effective options for those who like a communal experience. I retired from the military and do not need to experience communal living again. This is why I have always used either Santiago Ways or Macs Adventure. I found it most important to communicate with these vendors to help them help you plan for your Camino.

Remember, the Camino doesn't always provide. However, you can make your Camino experience less stressful and more relaxing if you plan.

Hope this helps.

Yes! Very helpful!

 

[lt56ny]

Thank you for the feedback!
We are definitely not using a tour company, but considering an agency that will book out lodging, transfer baggage, and provide support along the way. However, after reading your post here, along with many others, we are leaning toward planning the trip on our own. I have actually already booked a place in Valenca (we like the idea of walking from Portugal into Spain). We plan to spend two nights in Valenca, then start our walk to Santiago on May 11.
We prefer having all our lodging booked ahead of time, only because we worry there will be few vacancies that time of year. We are interested in places with a private room and bath - something comfy. Not sure if those kinds of accommodations book up quickly.
Again, thanks for the feedback!

Buen Camino,
If you use Gronze.com or the apps wise pilgrim and buen camino all have a very large number of the available places to sleep. Of course you can use Booking.com as they will also have the kinds of accommodations you are looking for. Even if Booking shows there are no rooms available that does not mean there are no rooms available. It only means that the number of rooms the hotel or hostel etc that they made available to Booking.com have been sold. If your Spanish is good enough or you have met a Spanish speaking friend, or you can ask the desk at the hotel you are staying at to call and ask for a reservation. You can also send a Whatsapp message to the hotel to ask for a reservation. Speak into the translator. I would recommend that you say you are using a translator so the hotel knows. Put in the date, the type of room you would like and your name. Cut and paste the translation into your message. You should get a quick response that way. You can also do the same in a bar. Owners are used to pilgrims and most times they are very helpful. Use the translator with them to if need be. Pick a bar that is not crowded of course. It really is alot easier than it sounds. Also most hotels will have people at the desk that speak good enough English that you can make a reservation.

 

[Melcro]

Good to know all this. I did see that some places on Booking.com were unavailable; now I know why. thank you!