Albergues at Santo Domingo, Villamayor, & Villafranca

The next three nights, I stayed at the following albergues.

Santo Domingo de la Calzada--I stayed at the convent, which is the first albergue as you walk into town, although there is a newer, municipal one a few blocks further down the Camino. It was just one of those days when I couldn't make myself walk the extra yards to get there. They only ask for donativos, & some people didn't leave anything, although the donation box was right under their nose. The bathrooms & dorms were unisex, but the mattress on my bunk (I got a lower one this time!) was one of the best. The showers are a bit crowded & there's really no area to change in the shower & keep your clothes dry. However, the water pressure was quite good, so I washed out my dirty, sweaty clothes in it after finishing the shower. Just across the street from the new albergue is a coin-operated laundry with 2 washers & dryers. Soap is automatically added in the washer, so you don't have to bring or buy your own. At the convent, there is a nice sized dining/common area & kitchen facilities, and an open patio/garden area behind it. Very peaceful. The only downside to this albergue is the shower situation.



Villamayor del Rio--Most people wander past this albergue on their way to Belorado. It is off the main Camino, but you can see it from the highway. I wanted to stay in Viloria del Rio, but hadn't walked enough kms that day. I did stop by & got a bit of a rest. It looks like a good place to stop.

Back to Villamayor, it is a private network albergue run by a family. The rooms are big, with 3 to 4 bunks in each one. Some upper bunks have boards instead of mattresses, so you can leave your packs on them instead of the floor. The bathrooms were large for an albergue. The women's had 3 toilets & three showers, & each shower had a changing area. The best part of this albergue is the owner's garden in the back. They have tilled quite a large area, & planted flowers and all kinds of vegetables in it. They use the produce in the evening meal. That night we had leek soup (pureed), and stewed beef with the best boiled potatoes I've ever had in my life. When we checked in & asked about dinner, the hospitalero said we didn't have to pay if we didn't like it. Since everyone raved, everyone paid.



Villafranca Montes de Oca-- The municipal albergue here keeps the door open all day & the hospitaleros come later to sign everyone in. We went in & secured bunks in the room at the back of the albergue. The town is split in half by the highway, so the back room is quieter. The albergue quickly filled up in the afternoon, as the hostal El Pajaro was closed for vacations. One room on the lower level was filled with mattresses, & some mattresses were placed in our room as well, after the dining table was removed. There is a nice open area in the back overlooking the mountains, but it is all cement; no plants or gardens. There is only one toilet for women, but 2 for men & several unisex showers. The kitchen area is a bit limited, but we were able to make a decent dinner for that night, as well as breakfast the next morning.