Villafranca del Bierzo, Spain Travel Journals & Blogs

Camino
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- Jun 3, 2024, 12:51 PM
- ☀️ 21 °C
- Altitude: 523 m
- Spain Castille and León Villafranca del Bierzo 42.607629, -6.80827942°36’27” N 6°48’30” W
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Day 29–30
Day 26 to Villafranca del Bierzo
June 3 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
Slow start... had to say goodbye to Vince... which was hard... but he promised to visit us in SA.

Also fresh pilgrims to break in...
Pam & Gretha's first day (and it's gonna be hot!)

I don't think one can really prepare for a walk like this... also never thought I'd actually be walking for so long... it's a habit now... walk, ear, drink, sleep, repeat... not physically nor emotionally...

I absolutely love the disconnect- not speaking to anyone if you don’t want to... not answering emails, whatsapps, ignoring a ringing phone- bliss

Saw Jamie, Ivan, Menneley, Alessandro this morning.

Met Danni - French lady towards the end and Sasha (sp?) German guy as we walked into Villafranca.

Wine from papercups to celebrate... all slightly tired - but good.

Staying at San Nicolas - stunning place- our own pretend castleRead more
Traveler ❤️
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Traveler Awesomeness
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Traveler We are hot! 😅
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Traveler Alwaysonanadventure
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- Jun 3, 2024, 3:12 PM
- ☀️ 25 °C
- Altitude: 502 m
- Spain Castille and León Villafranca del Bierzo 42.610306, -6.81362242°36’37” N 6°48’49” W
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Day 40
Villafranca Del Bierzo
June 3 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
Day 32 Villafranca Del Bierzo
Distance from Ponferrada to Villafranca 29kms

With a long hot day ahead of us we started out early walking along the river bank and out of the city.
The path today was light shingle and walking was easy through the endless vineyards. Alas there was no wine tasting but the cherries were ripe that hung from the trees on the edge of the rows.
We passed through one small village where we bought what we thought was a small loaf of bread sprinkled with salt. As it turned out it was sprinkled with sugar so our lunch (under a tree on the side of the path) changed from sardines and tomato on bread to banana on bread. As two hungry Peregrinos we thought it was the best sandwich ever.
The grapevines stretched forever the day was simply glorious it was such a perfect day.Read more
Traveler I love a banana sandwich! All of your Camino days sound wonderful, and this day seems to have been perfect. Noho ora mai.
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Traveler It's sickening how tanned happy and healthy you two peregrina look
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Traveler Another brilliant day for you ladies. Love the impromptu lunch menu change. So sardine tomato and bread for lunch tomorrow I'm picking. What a sin all those vineyards and no cellar door tastings.
1wReply
Traveler I think he wants you to come in.
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Traveler Camino de Santiago 2024
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- Jun 4, 2024, 6:32 AM
- 🌙 54 °F
- Altitude: 522 m
- Spain Castille and León Villafranca del Bierzo 42.604428, -6.80920642°36’16” N 6°48’33” W
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Day 30–32
Day 28 Las Herrerias
June 4 in Spain ⋅ 🌙 54 °F
20k into Las Herrerias this morning. We passed many mountain streams feeding into a beautiful river. The highway was far above us. Hiway walking was also involved today. Our hotel in Las Herrerias is beautiful. Tomorrow a big climb!Read more
Traveler What a beautiful place. Thanks for sharing with us!
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Traveler Wow looks amazing! Strange to see road in your pics! Beds look comfy
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Traveler You both look so cheerful! Beautiful pics!!
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Traveler Travelling Tanja
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- Aug 19, 2019, 6:58 PM
- ⛅ 23 °C
- Altitude: 513 m
- Spain Castille and León Villafranca del Bierzo 42.61035, -6.813442°36’37” N 6°48’48” W
Day 204
Camino Frances 13 - Teil 1
August 19, 2019 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
Gestern morgen bin ich kurz vor dem Sonnenaufgang in Foncebadon gestartet, um die 2 km zum Pass mit dem Cruz de Ferro zu laufen. Das Eisenkreuz auf dem Eichenmast ist für viele Pilger eine der wichtigsten Stellen auf dem Jakobsweg. Hier legen die meisten Pilger einen Stein auf den großen Steinhaufen um den Eichenmast. Das Ablegen des Steins soll das Ablegen einer persönlichen Last symbolisieren. Eine schöne Tradition aber ich muss gestehen, dass mich der Sonnenaufgang gestern Morgen viel mehr beeindruckt hat. Es war ein unglaubliches Naturschauspiel. 😍
Vom Cruz de Ferro ging es noch eine Weile relativ eben auf der Passhöhe entlang, bevor der kilometerlange Weg bergab begann nach El Acebo. Dort angekommen gab es erstmal Frühstück bevor es weiter ins Tal runter ging.Read more
See translation
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Traveler Camino Santiago de Compostella
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- Jun 14, 2022, 10:49 AM
- ⛅ 79 °F
- Altitude: 1,722 ft
- Spain Castille and León Villafranca del Bierzo 42.605, -6.80666742°36’18” N 6°48’24” W
Day 28
Villafranca del Bierzo
June 14, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 79 °F
Villafranca del Bierzo is a village and municipality located in the comarca of El Bierzo, in the province of León, Castile and León, Spain.

Totally cool history please check

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Villafranca_del…

The Peninsular War (1807–1814) of course was the military conflict fought in the Iberian Peninsula by Spain, Portugal, and the United Kingdom against the invading and occupying forces of the First French Empire during the Napoleonic Wars.

Which is where one of my fave song quotes comes from
Oer the hills and oer the plains
Through Flanders Portugal and Spain
King George commands and we obey
Oer the hills and far away...

And of course there is Bernard Caldwell's Sharpe Rifles series and PBS TV ones with young Sean Bean...

Be it that this is the end of my stage and I was waaaay too early fir my albergue check in, we took another break before I walked Leif to the other side of Plaza Major and wished him a fond Buen Camino.... he's moving on for another 10km

And not counting fideua in Burgos this is my 1st true pasta dish so far (carbonara)

Later in the evening the pilgrims and locals gather on Plaza Mayor for dinner and

Iglesia de San Francisco I probably would have climbed up but it's too late in the day and still too hot for me to do that so that's the only picture we getRead more
Traveler Good that you are taking your time and taking it a little easy.
6/14/22Reply
Traveler True but as stated I could have done a little more!!!
6/14/22Reply
Traveler The picture you got is great. Thanks.
6/14/22Reply
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Traveler Camino Santiago de Compostella
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- Jun 14, 2022, 2:11 PM
- ⛅ 91 °F
- Altitude: 1,673 ft
- Spain Castille and León Villafranca del Bierzo 42.605, -6.81166742°36’18” N 6°48’42” W
Day 28
Albergue
June 14, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 91 °F
Very nice place....
I grabbed a corner niche Lower bunk....almost like a private room
And right across from the window
So hopefully I will get some fresh breeze tonight and a good sleep

Oh and that's Suri the boss

It is 98 here now...😮🥵🌡🔥Read more
Don't forget to hydrate!! [Matt]
6/14/22Reply
Traveler Yes, take in plenty of water. Prehydrate before leaving in the morning also 👍
6/14/22Reply
Traveler guys no worries. I drink I have 3L camelback 😊 and let's remember Day 25 on Camino, yes?!
6/14/22Reply
Traveler Right, you're an old pro now. :)
6/14/22Reply
Traveler and will be even older pro in 2 weeks 😄
6/14/22Reply
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Traveler Camino Santiago de Compostella
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- Jun 14, 2022, 5:18 PM
- ⛅ 93 °F
- Altitude: 1,703 ft
- Spain Castille and León Villafranca del Bierzo 42.606667, -6.80833342°36’24” N 6°48’30” W
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Day 28
Dinner at El Casino bar
June 14, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 93 °F
Requestor de Gulas
Merlusa
YougurtCrema y fruita

Adrian just started from Ponferrada
He was born in Barcelona and now lives in Germany. We've been in the same albergues for 2 days.

Steffi is another blast from the past.... I have not seen her since Pamplona...

With Sanchez also staying in the same Albergue this has been somewhat a reconnecting dayRead more
See translation
Traveler Reconnections are refreshing.
6/14/22Reply
Traveler What’s the dessert?
6/14/22Reply
Traveler yogurt with fruit-kind jelly. was quite yummy
6/14/22Reply
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Traveler Camino Santiago de Compostella
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- Jun 14, 2022, 9:34 PM
- ⛅ 79 °F
- Altitude: 1,686 ft
- Spain Castille and León Villafranca del Bierzo 42.604524, -6.81103642°36’16” N 6°48’40” W
Day 28
And there was evening,.....
June 14, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 79 °F
So, as stated short leg of only 14km or so....the morning was more than fine and if not for already made reservation I definitely could have done another 5, possibly even a little more... oh well...
I am Thankful for what I accomplished.

Another 16km is planned for tomorrow, partially breaking the big climb to O Cebreiro into 2 stages. Looks like I will be more or less in the middle...and might even escape incoming rain

BTW 89 Now and 97 expected tomorrow ....

en general creo que prefiero estar en barcelonaRead more
Traveler Even though you felt like you could have done another 5km, I'm glad you had the chance to give your feet a little break. As I look at the map, I can't believe how far you have walked! Cheers to you!
6/14/22Reply
Traveler ok but don't forget that 5km not walked today = 5km must walk tomorrow
6/14/22Reply
Traveler 🙏
6/14/22Reply
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Traveler Walking the Camino
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- Jul 24, 2022, 5:32 PM
- ⛅ 90 °F
- Altitude: 513 m
- Spain Castille and León Villafranca del Bierzo 42.610302, -6.81344542°36’37” N 6°48’48” W
Day 24
Villafranca
July 24, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 90 °F
Today, after a beautiful, 24k trek through the Cantabrian Mountains, we arrived in Villafranca. This amazing medieval city greeted us with ancient buildings, a cool breeze and an welcoming albergue, where we will spend the night, (see photo below).
A few words about albergues...
An albergue is a hostel for pilgrims, or people walking the Camino. It costs from donation- 14 euros for a bed for the night. Albergue Piedra, where we are staying tonight, is one of the nicest so far....(with single beds, without bunks!), but they vary greatly. Here are some examples:
1. Bathrooms do have showers, but toilet seats, hand soap, paper towels are optional.
2. Most have bunk beds with a vinyl mattress cover, a sheet optional. This means that you are guaranteed to sweat through your bedding and clothes at night, as air-conditioning or even fans are non existent.
3. Some have windows, that may or may not open....again, the sweat thing....🥵
4. We have had between 4 and 50 sleeping in mixed gender dorms each night. Ear plugs help drown out the snoring.
5. Most have wifi. If not, a bar down the street usually does.
6. Some have kitchens where we can prepare instant coffee and musceli before we start out at about 5:30am.
7. All offer scrub sinks and a clothes line or rack, so you can wash your clothes, after showering.
8. Some offer a communal dinner, where we eat with people from around the world. Last night, French, German, Italian, Spanish and English languages were all represented at our table, with lots of smiling, laughing and varying degrees of understanding. For 10 euros we got a three course meal with wine and bread- delicious!
All Albergues, although different and unique in their own ways, are always a welcomed site after a long day of trekking!
Photos: sand pictures with flowers in preparation for St James celebration; lots of medieval churches/buildings; coffee along the way; Paraguay represented at our albergue; Zamora Street sign; ancient insulation; Albergue Piedra- so comfy!
Love to you all!❤️Read more
Traveler Wow, the heat & sweat. And it looks like this room is upstairs, in sure the humidity up there is really something. You’re very lucky you can sleep at all. Hopefully Marjorie can too.
7/24/22Reply
Traveler Beautiful pics, love the church, I can hear the bells pealing. I’ve been curious as to what the rooms were like. Look very clean. Also love the beautiful tiled mural & of course you’d great antidotes. You’ve become an excellent story teller. Wish your cool weather would come our way, another week of 100+ coming our way. I’m looking forward to hearing your stories at some point. Enjoy!
7/24/22Reply
Traveler By the way, I see you’re averaging a half marathon a day! Yowzers!!!
7/24/22Reply
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Traveler Camino Francés 2022
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- Aug 17, 2022, 9:28 AM
- ☁️ 15 °C
- Altitude: 521 m
- Spain Castille and León Villafranca del Bierzo 42.605, -6.8142°36’18” N 6°48’36” W
Day 26
Route choices
August 17, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C
In the morning, I started walking when I was ready, Thérèse from France was ready too, and we started together. Jan and Klaus were still packing.
Thérèse went up the first hill quicker than me, and at the top we were offered to stop for a free coffee. We had just have breakfast, I don't drink coffee, and I was ready to walk. But Thérèse stayed. I thought she'd catch up with me a bit later, but never did.
Jan and Klaus caught up when we were entering Villafranca del Bierzo. We walked together very little, until we got to the fork:
The standard route went along the road and river, and was flat and shorter than the alternative.
The alternative went over a mountain, and rejoined the main route at Trabadelos.
The boys were doing the easy route, and I was doing the mountain. They were going all the way to Ruitelán today (25k via the short route). Since I was going the longer and harder way, I was planning to stop earlier.Read more
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