- Time of past OR future Camino
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Thanks. Saw those, too. I'll wait until tonight to decide in case others weigh in.No but there have been similar reports here too.
Hi Laurie, Thanks. Saw that place, too, on booking.com. Definitely looks tempting. We're staying in Espelette tonight along with a couple from Oklahoma. First walkers we've seen. They're headed to the monastery themselves tomorrow, and we may be shamed into doing the same so as not to appear like the wimpy Californians that we are. Like all such monumental decisions, we'll undoubtedly leave it to the last moment.Hope your camino is going well. Our Baztán group didn’t sleep in Urdax, but I agree that the Gronze reviews give pause. You probably already saw this, but google does show a rural hotel very close to the center, 125€ for tomorrow night. But that’s better than what it shows for tonight, which is no availability!
Not pigrim price range, that’s for sure. Maybe they would give you a discount.
There are also a couple of casas rurales, but what I see is that they are either full or have a minimum stay of a weekend. But if they are empty on a Sunday, maybe they will let it go for one night. Good luck and hope you are having good weather!
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Indeed, I had not been aware, but when I tumbled into Ainhoa in bad weather I found out that the whole region is very popular with British as well as French holiday makers. They drive into the lovely towns, stay a day or two and hike around and then continue on. It's partly for the gastronomy and partly for the scenery.Two easy and mellow stages so far -- first to Ustaritz yesterday and now to Espelette. Very cute town but swarming with (non-walker) tourists. Who knew?
Thanks for the heads-ups and the tips. I'd like to stay in the monastery for its significance and atmosphere, but the repeated reports of bad conditions have definitely put me off. One way or another, I'll report back.Indeed, I had not been aware, but when I tumbled into Ainhoa in bad weather I found out that the whole region is very popular with British as well as French holiday makers. They drive into the lovely towns, stay a day or two and hike around and then continue on. It's partly for the gastronomy and partly for the scenery.
If you aren't aware yet, and need to know about packing food for yourself... there's nothing in Ainhoa (they shop in Souraide or Ustaritz), but there is a very large grocery store just 50 meters past the border into Spain (3km after Ainhoa).
If you have the opportunity and the budget, stop for a meal at the restaurant in Ainhoa at the Hotel Itthurria. *Astonishing*.
Buen Camino!
Yes, I stayd there last week and loved it! Is was more than fine with me and the food was very good!Has anyone stayed at the monastery in Urdax recently, i. e. within the last few weeks? We're supposed to stay there tomorrow, but the reports on Gronze of really unsanitary conditions are making me rethink our plans.
What caves at Urdax!?Also got tickets for the guided tour of the caves at Urdax.
What caves at Urdax!?
Thanks so much for the update. We were leaning to staying there, and your report, and that of @Diet, are encouraging. Whomever I whatsapped a few days ago said we could eat dinner at the monastery but we'll have some provisions just in case.Stayed there last week. I was happy to get there finally after a long day walking from Bayonne and in humid and rainy weather. Nothing really special about the albergue. It provided a hot shower and a well enough bed. No dinner to be had that night in the albergue nor the bars around. Glad I had bought some supplies from the Carrefour express in Souraïde.
The rooms in the albergue were pretty damp (not sure, but maybe also due to the moist weather and missing windows in the bathroom so the humid air from the showers went into the dormitory).
Only real complaint is that the rubbish bin in the bathroom hadn’t been emptied for some days.
My thought too.You walked from Bayonne in one day!!!!!!
Thanks. You've clinched it for us. The monastery it will be. We booked the cave tour a few days ago. Looking forward to it.I stayed at the Urdax monastery in June, it was fine, clean enough and the hospitalero provided a simple meal which was fine. You call him when you arrive and he brings the key.
The location of the accommodation above the cloisters is stunning. Nobody else there. Definitely worth booking a Spanish language guided tour of the Urdax caves which are stunning and about 20 minites walk away. I think you can get a French tour at the weekend but the only entry is as part of a tour. The village bar was open but they didn't do much food.
Best of luck, points of interest for the next day include the Franco era Linea B fortifications at the top of the Otsondo pass with their commanding views of France (turn right along the ridge just before you reach the road) as well as the ruined castle at Amaiur.Thanks. You've clinched it for us. The monastery it will be. We booked the cave tour a few days ago. Looking forward to it.
Will report on everything tomorrow.
Good! And good to know. Tackling that hill after Urdax after lunch was a slog, but if you stay there, it's first thing in the morning...always easier.Thanks, everyone, for all your input. I'll post this in Gronze, too, to try and offset the negativity.
I did reserve a few days in advance, but I don't think there's any need to. There's a phone number on the door to call the manager when you arrive, since there's no one on duty. Same one listed in Gronze. By the way, Whatsapp seems to be better than email. Everywhere I've used it -- in Spain, Portugal, France, and Italy -- people have gotten back to me within an hour, if not minutes. Haven't had the same experience with email.@andycohn Thanks for your feedback on Urdax Monastery albergue.
Do you have to reserve in advance?
I'm not going until October, sent them an email but received no response.
Actually thinking again, it wasnt the monastery i emailed, it was albergue in Ustaritz. I will stay in Ustaritz the first night, think its an easy enough walk from Bayonne. Have an early enough flight to Biarritz, time to check out the catheredal in Bayonne, pick up a credential and walk to Ustaritz.
My almost universal experience in both Spain and Italy in past few of years too.By the way, Whatsapp seems to be better than email. Everywhere I've used it -- in Spain, Portugal, France, and Italy -- people have gotten back to me within an hour, if not minutes. Haven't had the same experience with email.
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