Planning your Camino de Santiago
If you’re anything like me, from the first moment I heard about the Camino I knew I wanted to walk it. Somehow the Camino calls you and gets into your heart, and it’s hard to forget.
5 things to know before deciding to walk el Camino
Is the Camino just for Catholics? Do I need prior hiking or climbing experience? Do I need to speak Spanish? What if I can’t make it?
Planning a school trip to el Camino
Every year when we walk the Camino in April or May, we run into lots of Spanish schools walking the Camino together. As a former teacher in Spain, I was reminded of this when one of my students sent me a picture of themselves walking the Camino with my old school. Walking the Camino as a school is a great idea!
Students have a lot of fun, they motivate each other along the way and they’re able to disengage from the stress and pressure of the day to day.
Are you physically ready to walk the Camino?
We get asked this question a lot! And for good reason, as the Camino itself can be remote and not easy to “get off” of in the middle of a stage. But that being said, the Camino is accessible for all ages and all fitness levels. The last 100 km of the French Camino are by far the easiest, as you’re not crossing the Pyrenees and the uphills and distances are manageable.
Same-day rooms on el Camino
I recently received a call from a family that wanted some advice on walking the Camino de Santiago this summer. They had booked their flights into Spain and were going to start walking from St. Jean Pied de Port, walk a few days, then take a train down to Sarria and walk the last 100km. They had read from guide books and forums that it is easy to find overnight accommodations upon arriving at the major towns, even if it is in a crowded albergue (hostel), and they wanted to confirm that this was the case.
Walking the Camino alone
Do you have questions about walking the Camino alone? Is it safe? Will you be lonely? What if something happens? Read my thoughts here. If you are still concerned, join a tour group. Enjoy the individual aspects of your journey at your own pace and make great friendships with other travelers.
Melide - Arzúa
After enjoying the local food in Melide, we will make our way to Arzúa. The route is a mix of well conserved and repaired trails together with some more abrupt sections. You will cross the Iso river and reach the village of Ribadiso while walking through some of the most spectacular scenery in el Camino. We will make sure to try the renowned cheese varieties from this region (Arzúa-Ulloa). In March they hold a Cheese festival at the village dedicated to this local staple, famous enough to carry its own trademark.
Five Reasons to walk el Camino
Walking the Camino is a liberating experience. You are away from your daily life and there is something magical about taking part in a 1000-year-old tradition. It is not only the physical aspect of walking, but the inward journey everyone is taking and the solidarity that brings people together.
Packing list for your Camino tour
Packing for your Camino is exciting! There are so many books, forum discussions and blogs about what to bring and what not to bring. Here are our recommendations. Don't miss the downloadable packing list!
O Pedrouzo - Santiago
Ready with anticipation as this is the final stage of the journey on the Camino, some pilgrims eager to reach their final goal in Santiago usually make it through this stage pretty fast. Other pilgrims, sad to see their wonderful time on the Camino coming to an end, choose to take it easy through the leaf covered paths. Monte de Gozo (Hill of Joy) is the first place from where you can see the spires in Santiago's Cathedral. After that, you will arrive in Santiago where you can visit the famous Obradoiro square, the Cathedral and have a chance to hug the apostle.