Pilgrimage Traveler Recent Articles

Jun 14, 2021

Brand New Municipal Albergue in Vigo, on the Coastal Camino Portugués

Good news for all the pilgrims on the Camino Portugués Coastal Route. There is a brand new municipal albergue in Vigo that has opened up in June! You can now stay for an inexpensive price in this city, if that is your desire. The albergue is down by the docs, on the Senda Litoral at the Rúa da Ribeira do Berbés, number 5. It has 93 places! Please remember, however, that the municipal albergues in Galicia are only just opening, post pandemic, at 30% capacity and with many new rules. Please honor the hygiene rules so we can all safely continue to walk!

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May 19, 2021

EU Approves Opening Up to Vaccinated Travelers

Well, if the EU approved, it is now up to each and every individual country to set the rules for entry. A negative PCR may still be required to enter a country, or maybe a quarantine, but things are looking hopeful for the near future! Keep your fingers crossed if you are outside of the EU! If you are lucky enough to be within the EU, you can enter Spain, with a negative PCR test. Keep checking the IATA website for up to the minute information on entry requirements. If you do walk, you should call ahead to confirm any accommodation and be prepared to pay more for private hotels and albergues, as the municipal albergues, if open, may have reduced capacities.

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Apr 29, 2021

Updated Camino Finisterre (and Muxía) Guide

While I am dreaming of my next Camino, during this lengthy pandemic, I have had the time to check up on any changes on the Finisterre and Muxía routes from Santiago. I have noted via Wikiloc tracks from locals, that there were really no recent changes to these tried and true routes, although I did add some alternatives as well as shortcuts of my own in this update.

I also cleaned up my GPS tracks, deleting missteps and extra steps, to make the mileage numbers more accurate.

And sadly, when checking all my links to eateries and accommodations, there are now those who have permanently closed, which I deleted from my ebook and webpages. Others have changed their contact information, which I updated to the best of my ability.

Remember that many things will be fluid and evolving as this pandemic resolves, so make sure you are flexible with alternative plans if something is not open as expected. And as I always, always advise, carry plenty of your own food and water to fall back onto!

Keep dreaming and planning! ~ Elle

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Apr 27, 2021

Galicia's Highest Swing?

What will the Camino planners think of next? Yes, indeed, at one of the highest points along the Camino Sanabres, there is a swing constructed under a shelter that you see in the photo. You can swing and gaze at the most fabulous views of the reservoir, the Embalse de As Portas, that can be seen from the ridge heights.

The swing, in Gallego is known as the Columpio de Vilarino de Conso, and was constructed in the depths of the pandemic, along with some major route changes.

To see more of the swing, it's location and the views from the high ridge, click through to my article.

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Apr 17, 2021

Updated Portuguese Guides

I am pleased to say, that during this pandemic year, I have been able to streamline my Camino Portuguese guides, clean up my GPS tracks of any missteps and extra steps, research what establishments are now permanently closed (sadly) and bring you an overall better experience.

(Pictured here is only one of three of the guides, click the link below for all of them.)

The opening of any municipal albergues and some private establishments is still a very fluid thing, so if you are lucky enough to walk sometime soon, be sure to call ahead to ensure you have accommodation.

If you have already downloaded my tracks, please be sure to do it again, as there have been some route changes, especially on Day Twenty of the Central Route. You can download my tracks by clicking here.

Happy dreaming and planning!
Elle

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Jan 18, 2021

Celebration of Xacobeo, 2021-2022

Please take a look at this beautiful video, celebrating the beginning of the Jacobean, Holy Years. The music is lovely and will lift your spirits, as you wait for your next Camino to come. The Galician/Celtic influence throughout the world is magical.

Jan 09, 2021

Talk a Walk Through the Restored Cathedral

Just in time for the Holy Year(s), the renovation of the grand cathedral in Santiago de Compostela has been completed. Here is a video tour, from Ivar in Santiago!

Jan 03, 2021

Holy Year Will Be Two! 2021 and 2022!

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Pope has just declared that the Holy Year will be extended to two, 2021 and 2022. This decree will give all of us plenty of time to walk through the Holy Door and celebrate the Jubilee! (You will need to translate from Spanish to read this article.)

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Jan 01, 2021

Opening of the Holy Door, 2020

It's official! The Holy Door at the Cathedral de Santiago de Compostela was opened at midnight, 12/31/2020, heralding the Holy Year, 2021!

Dec 02, 2020

Spirit of the Camino Podcast, Starring Yours Truly, Elle Bieling

My friends, Nick and Wendy, who live in Portugal, have put together this lovely site of podcasts, hoping to discover the Spirit of the Camino. I am interviewed in their latest podcast, entitled, "Central or Coastal?" In this podcast we explore first what the "Spirit of the Camino" means for me, and secondly, I compare/contrast the two Portuguese Way routes from Porto. I also describe the route from Lisbon to Porto. If you are considering one of these routes, this podcast should be most informative for you, to help you in your decision-making process!

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Nov 09, 2020

Camino Sanabrés Ebook

Our Camino Sanabrés eBook is a fully informative guidebook in a digital only, PDF format, full of information and photos to assist you in finding your Way.

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Oct 28, 2020

Ourense, Spain ~ A Historic, Thermal Crossroads on the Camino Sanabrés

Ourense, Spain, is a delightful place to spend a day, touring the historic town, and/or soaking away all your Camino aches and pains.

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Oct 25, 2020

Puebla de Sanabria ~ A Medieval Fortress on the Hill

Puebla de Sanabria is a fabulous place to take a rest day on your Camino Sanabrés, and just be a tourist for a while.

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Oct 10, 2020

Camino Sanabrés, Susana to Santiago de Compostela, Day Seventeen, 10.3

Our day seventeen on the Camino Sanabres from A Susana to Santiago de Compostela, was a short and joyous day, starting at the Pico Sacro.

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Oct 06, 2020

Camino Sanabrés, Bandeira to Susana, Day Sixteen, 23.1 Km, 14.35 M

Our day sixteen on the Camino Sanabres from A Bandeira to A Susana was a day of ups and downs, both on the physical journey and in our hearts and souls as well.

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