I´ve walked the Camino both with and without the luggage transfer service and there is a big difference. The agility of just carrying on your back what you need for the day compared to the weight of your 20kg rucksack full of clothes and stuff for another day and moment doesn´t compare. If you have booked your Camino with us at The Way Experiences, you can take for granted that your luggage transfer from hotel to hotel is included in the initial price you are quoted.
So what do you need in your daypack? Layers – keep them small and light. A fleece zip-up jacket, light rain cover jacket/poncho, lightweight down jacket, umbrella optional. Food that nourishes but also travels well such as nuts, dried fruit, biscuits and fruit. At least 2 bottles of water, go for the wide neck ones as they´re easier to refill. Swim wear – for that dip in the river or sea. You probably don´t think you´ll use it but in my experience, they take up so little space and when I haven´t popped in my swimming costume is when I´ve regretted it! A lightweight, quick drying towel is optional as if the weather is good enough for a dip you can use your fleece to dry you down or the sun to dry off. Mobile phone recharger. It doesn’t need to be enormous, just enough power to keep you fully charged for the day. Again, probably won’t need it, but it´s peace of mind for you and your loved ones that you´re online and contactable. Sun protection both sunscreen and a sunhat. There are parts of the Camino where there is very little shade, and that sunhat will really take the edge off that relentless heat beating down on you. Walking poles are optional. They´re great for steadying you on steep descents but there aren´t that many of those on the Camino. I´ve gone from never going on a Camino hike without them to increasingly not going with them so I think it´s personal choice. First aid kit – don´t go over the top though – at the very minimum plasters, antiseptic cream, gauze dressing, painkillers. Guidebook, aps, maps…I´ll leave that for another post.
The Camino del Norte is an absolutely stunning route steeped in beauty, culture and history. The Northern Way starts in Irún and there are 35 sections and 820 kilometres before you arrive in Santiago de Compostela. This route crosses the whole of the north of Spain. It´s an absolute gem, following the Cantabrian coastline from France to Galicia.
Often overshadowed by the more popular and transited French and Portuguese Way, The Camino del Norte is an absolute gem of a route. The Camino de Santiago originated in ancient times as a pilgrimage taking Christians to visit the tomb of Saint James (Santiago). All routes take you to the Galician city of Santiago de Compostela, and more specifically Santiago Cathedral.
The Jubilee or Jacobean year (Xacobeo) is the year when the day of St James the Apostle (25th of July) falls on a Sunday. This happens about 14 times each century. Every 6, 5, 6 and 11 years apparently. This was decreed by Pope Calixtus II in 1126 and coincided with the laying of the last stone at Santiago de Compostela Cathedral.
The Credencial del Peregrino or Pilgrim´s Passport is a small booklet that you carry with you and get stamped along The Way. Its origins date back to the Middle Ages when the booklet was used quite literally as a passport to provide safe passage to pilgrims travelling to Santiago de Compostela.
Sustainable travel and tourism is at the forefront of everyone´s minds so I wanted to share with you here some observations about the Camino de Santiago and sustainable tourism in rural Galicia. Operating in the most environmentally responsible manner possible is really important to us here at The Way Experiences. We are not a mass market tour operator.
As you make your way along The Camino you will be struck by the variety of the gastronomy on offer. Not just as you travel through the different regions of Spain but even down to the towns and villages you pass through. Here is a taster of a few things to expect and look out for if you are doing the final stretch of The Camino.
