AnnieWalkersCamino trips.
Following are answers to some of the questions people most often ask.
What do you mean by 'Best of Both'?
There are many different ways
to undertake a pilgrimage to Santiago.
You can go by car or other transport;
you can walk parts of the way with a back-up vehicle
and have your luggage transported between overnight stops.
You can stay in 5 star hotels and Paradors,
or you can stay in little inns or rural B&Bs.
There is a chain of private pilgrim hostels along the routes
and many traditional simple pilgrim shelters,
some in ancient monasteries or converted churches.
On our walk we will have the 'Best of Both' -
some hotels and inns and some private rooms in a few pilgrim refuges
to give you a true sense of being a pilgrim.
Is this a religious tour?
No.
Although this started essentially as a Catholic pilgrimage trail,
the Camino has become a secular journey
and anyone can walk it -
Christians, Buddhists, agnostics and secular humanists.
One can enjoy it just for the wonderful hike through stunning landscapes.
The majority of the most important architectural monuments
are churches, cathedrals and abbeys
and we will do our best to visit these.
Some offer the pilgrim a special blessings and others Gregorian Chants -
all part of the rich tapestry of tradition
that makes the Camino so special.
Which Camino do we walk?
We have chosen the most scenic sections
of the Camino Frances,
the Jacobean Route par excellence,
which is the one most people talk about,
have written about
and is the most historically supported of all the Camino Routes.
to walk the Camino
but you should be fit enough to walk an average of 20km per day.
If you are unable to walk up to 20km per day
you will have to budget extra for bus and taxi transport.
There are a few roller-coaster sections with many up and down hills.
Start walking short distances at least three times a week,
There are many different ways
to undertake a pilgrimage to Santiago.
You can go by car or other transport;
you can walk parts of the way with a back-up vehicle
and have your luggage transported between overnight stops.
You can stay in 5 star hotels and Paradors,
or you can stay in little inns or rural B&Bs.
There is a chain of private pilgrim hostels along the routes
and many traditional simple pilgrim shelters,
some in ancient monasteries or converted churches.
On our walk we will have the 'Best of Both' -
some hotels and inns and some private rooms in a few pilgrim refuges
to give you a true sense of being a pilgrim.
Although this started essentially as a Catholic pilgrimage trail,
the Camino has become a secular journey
and anyone can walk it -
Christians, Buddhists, agnostics and secular humanists.
One can enjoy it just for the wonderful hike through stunning landscapes.
The majority of the most important architectural monuments
are churches, cathedrals and abbeys
and we will do our best to visit these.
Some offer the pilgrim a special blessings and others Gregorian Chants -
all part of the rich tapestry of tradition
that makes the Camino so special.
We have chosen the most scenic sections
of the Camino Frances,
the Jacobean Route par excellence,
which is the one most people talk about,
have written about
and is the most historically supported of all the Camino Routes.
Do I have to train for the walk?
You don’t have to be a super athleteto walk the Camino
but you should be fit enough to walk an average of 20km per day.
If you are unable to walk up to 20km per day
you will have to budget extra for bus and taxi transport.
There are a few roller-coaster sections with many up and down hills.
Start walking short distances at least three times a week,
building up to longer distances five times a week
for a few months before you leave.
You should be able to walk comfortably with a light backpack.
Your group leader will always be in contact
to make sure no-one is left behind.
once you have registered with the tour.
What is the accommodation like?
Accommodation is in small 1 - 3 star hotels, inns,
pensiones, B&Bs, apartments and family owned rural houses.
Ours is not a mega-bucks, 5-star luxury tour
but we have sourced the best possible accommodation
based on the location, the facilities they provide,
comfort and hospitality. And whats more, we have tried them all!
What we have found is that it is better to stay in rustic,
character-filled pensions in the old quarter of town rather
than in the more modern, smart establishments on the outskirts.
Pensiones and hostales in Spain are spotlessly clean,
are usually family owned and are, therefore, friendly places to stay.
in a few small hamlets and villages this might mean
being separated from the group for the night.
The price of the walk is based on two people sharing a twin room.
A single supplement will be charged.
What about bathrooms?
The majority of rooms have en suite bathroom/showers.
In one or two apartments, or family run B&Bs, bathrooms
are shared by the group.
in private pilgrim albergues but in private rooms (no dormitories).
This will give you the opportunity to interact with other pilgrims.
for a few months before you leave.
You should be able to walk comfortably with a light backpack.
Your group leader will always be in contact
to make sure no-one is left behind.
What should I pack?
A suggested packing list will be sent to you once you have registered with the tour.
pensiones, B&Bs, apartments and family owned rural houses.
Ours is not a mega-bucks, 5-star luxury tour
but we have sourced the best possible accommodation
based on the location, the facilities they provide,
comfort and hospitality. And whats more, we have tried them all!
What we have found is that it is better to stay in rustic,
character-filled pensions in the old quarter of town rather
than in the more modern, smart establishments on the outskirts.
Pensiones and hostales in Spain are spotlessly clean,
are usually family owned and are, therefore, friendly places to stay.
Can I have a single room?
A limited number of single rooms can be booked, however, in a few small hamlets and villages this might mean
being separated from the group for the night.
The price of the walk is based on two people sharing a twin room.
A single supplement will be charged.
In one or two apartments, or family run B&Bs, bathrooms
are shared by the group.
Do we stay in pilgrim refugios?
As part of the 'Best of Both' you will spend a couple of nights in private pilgrim albergues but in private rooms (no dormitories).
This will give you the opportunity to interact with other pilgrims.
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| Casa Morgade |
Will I need a sleeping bag?
Those starting from St Jean will spend two nights
in a hikers' Gitê which has basic rooms with shared bathrooms.
Sleep liners or sleeping bags are required.
Blankets and pillows are provided. (The alternative is to stay
in a dormitory with bunk-beds for 18 pilgrims in an auberge,
or in two-man tents in Orisson!)
in a hikers' Gitê which has basic rooms with shared bathrooms.
Sleep liners or sleeping bags are required.
Blankets and pillows are provided. (The alternative is to stay
in a dormitory with bunk-beds for 18 pilgrims in an auberge,
or in two-man tents in Orisson!)
In the Hostal Jakue in Puente la Reina sleep liners are required
or you can hire linen. Blankets and pillows are provided.
or you can hire linen. Blankets and pillows are provided.
you can make a light breakfast in the refuge kitchen.
In some pensions breakfast is included.
Pilgrims usually have a breakfast stop after an hour or so of walking.
Lunch can be a picnic on the side of the road
or in a café-bar or restaurant,
and dinner could be a communal affair
with pilgrims chipping in or a special pilgrim menu
in a cafe-bar or restaurant.
There are Menu del Peregrinos (pilgrims menus) offered
all along the route.
These usually consist of a three course meal for as little as €10
which includes wine, water and bread.
See my blog posts on food for more information.
The areas we walk through have wonderful regional dishes
that you should sample,
especially the tapa - little snacks served in the bars.
You have the option of taking a bus or hiring a taxi
to transport you and your pack between stages (at your own cost).
If you need more than one day's rest
you can use transport every day until you are able to start walking again.
You are free to walk at your own pace or with other group members.
It is important that each member of the group
have enough space to experience the spirituality of the landscape
and this millennia-old pilgrimage trail.
The AnnieWalkers group leader will also walk every day
and will be in contact via mobile phone.
You can walk with the leader if you choose.
If you prefer to sleep in, take more time in the villages and towns
or wait for a museum or gallery to open, you are free to do so.
We would like the the group to re-assemble
at the end of the day’s walking,
once we have all checked into our accommodation,
so that we can discuss the following day's itinerary.
At the group meeting, usually around dinner,
the leader will discuss the events of the day
and share details of the following day’s route,
sights and accommodation.
What if I want to go off on my own to see a place
or attraction off the Camino Route?
You will be free to travel wherever you wish
and to leave the group as often as you wish.
If possible, the group leader will help you plan your side excursions.
However, you will forfeit the accommodation and/or transport
that has been booked for you on the Camino.
You can do your washing,
have a siesta, sight-see or do some shopping.
A list of interesting places to see is included in your daily itinerary.
The Credencial is a passport that allows you to stay
in pilgrim accommodation on the Camino.
We will help you obtain your Credencial
when we arrive in St. Jean Pied du Port.
You will receive a rubber stamp in the credencial at each overnight stop.
You can also obtain stamps
at café bars, churches, tourist offices and so forth.
When you get to Santiago,
you present the Credencial at the pilgrims office
in order to qualify for the "Compostela."
This is a certificate of completion
based on a 14th century document in Latin
which is given to pilgrims who walk the last 100 kilometers
to Santiago and profess to have walked for a religious or spiritual reason.
If you do not profess to either,
you will be given a different (but still very nice) certificate.
It is great to walk into Santiago as a group
but if this is not possible we can all meet at a prearranged time
for a photo-shoot.
If we arrive before mid-day,
we will visit the Cathedral to perform the ancient traditions
of hugging the saint,
viewing his casket in the crypt below the altar
and attending the beautiful pilgrims mass.
If you are lucky you might see the Botafumeiro swing that day.
We will go to the Pilgrims Office to collect the Compostela
and then check into our accommodation.
This is the last night that your guide will be with you
in her official capacity.
Of course, you could take her out for a drink, if you like,
to celebrate your wonderful achievement!
The following day you will be free
to wander around the city
or you could take a bus or booked tour
to Finisterre – The End of the World –
a fitting end to your magical Camino -
or you might continue with your holiday in Spain or Europe.
We hope you will join us
on the Camino Santiago de Compostela
for The Best of Both!
Sincerely,
Annie
If you'd like to walk the Camino
but aren't quite ready to do it alone,
see my website:
but aren't quite ready to do it alone,
see my website:
for more information about
Guided Walks on the Camino Santiago
and on other Pilgrimage Trails of Europe
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