Camino de Santiago - Tips:
- Choose the right pilgrimage- There are many pilgrimages to choose from and they are all unique in their own way. Find the right route, distance, season and itinerary that suit your goal and interests.
- Prepare your feet- You will be living in your boots, so they will be the most important gear you will have on the pilgrimage. Get good, rigid, ankle supporting walking or hiking boots. Buy them in plenty of time before you go and make sure they are as comfortable as possible!
- Pack light- Keep it basic. The last thing you want is to be weighed down by a heavy backpack.
- Prepare- Even though you will need to pack light the weather can change very quickly so make sure you prepare for all weather conditions.
- Find your pace- Walk at your own pace. It’s your journey and your experience so make the most of what’s best for you.
- Look out for signs- Follow the Camino de Santiago signs and markings, they are very useful.
- Practice makes perfect- The pilgrimages are within everyone’s ability but it is recommended that you do some training in advance to your journey. A little bit of training will go a long way!
- Check- Check the hours of light for the time of year you are travelling. This will allow you to adapt your walking day to the hours of light.
- Research- The Camino is a UNESCO- listed trail as it has been connecting people and cultures for many centuries. Learn about the culture and the history of the towns, villages and regions you will be passing.
- Experiment- Each route and region has its own cuisine and specialities. These include the ultimate Galician traditional dish pulpo (octopus) and shellfish, Galicia is considered to be the shellfish and fish capital of Spain.
- Festivals- Whichever route you are walking expect to encounter local festivals that take place throughout the year.
- Bring a camera- You are guaranteed to see some of the most spectacular sights so make sure you bring your camera to capture your experience.
- You don’t have to do it all at once- There’s no pressure to do a whole route in one go. People tend to walk sections of a walk then return the next year to continue where they left off.
- Talk- The social element makes a pilgrimage a great experience, talk to fellow walkers you meet along the way, you will encounter many different nationalities.
- Learn- Learn a few sentences or key words in Spanish or any other Camino language.
- Participate- Engage with the locals if you are able to string a few sentences together, they are friendly and like to talk to you even if you don’t speak the same language.
- Greetings- Wish fellow pilgrims a ‘Buen Camino!’
- Enjoy- Don’t forget to enjoy yourself on your journey!