Frankfurt Airport, 15 Aug 2024, Returning from Spain

Travel Concerns

International flights require precision. 

One would think that the number of layovers is the most important factor, but that is not the case. Where the layovers occur is much more important.

Currently flying through Newark NJ is highly problematic due to equipment outages and tower staffing, meaning a high likelihood of flights being delayed at best, and canceled at worst.

In Great Britain, even if the layover is solely for international transit, one must, e.g. at Heathrow, process through immigration and customs. Additionally, currently one must have a pre-approved international entry visa, even though never leaving the international section of the airport. And that means, unfortunately, luggage collection and re-check.

The shorter the layover, the higher the probability of a missed connection due to weather or maintenance or crew staffing and so on.

A layover inside the European Union’s internal border control Schengen zone still requires processing through immigration and customs before making the connecting flight, if not at the final destination.

So for me, the least-issue prone travel from the United States to Hamburg, the city nearest my start point, is through Philadelphia.

Solution: I found a flight, modestly priced, from Philadelphia to Madrid. My flight from Rochester to Philadelphia has a 3 hr layover. Although I can see any number of the issues (staffing, maintenance, weather, etc) arising such that I can not make the international gate before it closes to boarding, it would be highly unusual that three hours is insufficient for a lay-over. Sitting around airports is a price that I am willing to pay for peace of mind.

The flight from Madrid, where I will go through entry into the Schengen Zone, has a three hour layover, which should be plenty of time in Barrajas Airport.

Frankly, the return trip matters a whole lot less. If I am stuck somewhere, it is an adventure, not a delay or hassle.

Leaving Rochester for Spain, 15 Jul 2024

Travel documents

Passports are easy. I have my passport and it does not expire within six months of my arrival to the European Union. I have pretty much found European Immigration and Customs to be smooth, well-run and hassle-free, if you are prepared.

I have been keeping a watch on the Schengen Zone entry/exit requirements as they are implementing a new electronic registration program. The Entry-Exit System (EES) will be in effect during my timeframe for the Camino.
Choosing the Route

Geography

Even though it is December, I have not experienced that Germany has worse weather than my hometown of Rochester, NY. In fact I find them somewhat similar. 

I have cold-weather clothing. I hike regularly at home in the midst of winter. And there are bail-out points along the Via Jutlandica, should I decide to quit for the day. 

Finally, I have the experience to skip hiking and take the bus, if the weather is that bad. I did it twice on my Via Imperii camino when the day-time temperatures dropped into the teens.

Arriving St Lucia for Vacation, Feb 2024

Down Days to Sightsee

I want to keep 2 or 3 days to visit interesting places along the route. I have in mind to learn what I can about Flensburg, Lubeck, Kiel, Hamburg and the National Park Wattenmeer.

Walking Days and Distance

Subtracting out travel time (3 days) to and from Germany, and visiting time (4 days), I have approximately 11 or 12 days of walking. There is little point in guesstimating an average daily walking distance since there are a variety of alternate places to go with various routes to walk.

Taking the S-Bahn to Berlin's Templehof Airport to Come Home, Jan 2024

Wrap Up

Anyway that is where things stand now. I still have one month before I leave.