Spirit of the Camino – Details, episodes & analysis

Wendy discusses spending several weeks in Santiago this summer. In particular, she talks about the advanced Galego language course she took, the feast of the apostle and the 'massification' of the pilgrimage. Buen camino!

Show Notes:

Wendy's course: 'Galego Sen Fronteiras' -  https://cursoslinguagalega.academia.gal

In this episode, Nick and Wendy give their top tips for planning a pilgrimage on the Camino de Invierno, from stages to accommodation to alternate routes. ¡Buen camino!

Show Notes:

Resources:

PDF Guide - https://shorturl.at/6aHJG 

Forum Planning Thread - https://shorturl.at/06juG 

Gronze - https://www.gronze.com/camino-invierno

Main Tips:

1. Take the Borrenes alternative to the Orellán lookout at Las Médulas, possibly staying in Villavieja on the first night and then Casa Rosa in Puente de Domingo Flórez on the second night. 
2. Take the alternate route between O Barco and A Rua on the other side of the river, up to the waterfall. 
3. Casa Rural options after Monforte: Pinheiro and Villariño, or the albergue at Diomondi for the church.
4. Last 100km: consider staying at Casa Leiras in Dornelas and Reina Lupa, 10km from Santiago.

The fourth season of our podcast is called 'Fátima and Beyond' and we begin by introducing our pilgrimage to the Portuguese holy place of Fátima on the Caminho do Mar. 

Show Notes:

8:30: Portuguese with Leo 

15:20: Caminhos de Fátima

Places mentioned on the Caminho do Mar: Cascais, Estoril, Belém, Sintra, Óbidos, Alcobaça, Mafra.

In this episode, Wendy takes the reins as host to interview Nick about the Portuguese Coastal route that he just finished walking. Among other insights, Nick answers the big questions as to whether the coastal path feels like a camino and whether he recommends the coastal or central route from Porto.

For the final leg of their camino, Nick and Darin walk the last 100km of the Camino Portugués from Tui to Santiago, with Wendy joining them at Pontevedra for the Variante Espiritual. In this episode, they discuss the highlights of this popular route!

Nick and his friend Darin walk the Camino del Salvador and live to tell the tale! In this episode, they discuss the highlights of this beautiful, mountainous camino between León and Oviedo.

As their pilgrimage nears its end, Nick and Wendy are delayed by a positive Covid test in Ourense but after isolating, they resume the Camino Sanabrés and joyfully walk into Santiago for the fifth time.

As they continue towards Santiago, Nick and Wendy join an alternative route of the Camino Sanabrés. As part of this alternative, they have one of the most fascinating experiences they’ve ever had on the Camino de Santiago. Listen to the episode to find out what it is!

Nick and Wendy talk about their experiences and highlights on the second half of the Caminho Português Interior, including the city of Chaves and some interesting ‘wildlife’ they encountered along the way. Finally, they wrap up the CPI and compare it with other Portuguese caminos.

Nick and Wendy check in from the Caminho Português Interior and talk about the first half of this little-known camino route. In particular, they discuss the practicalities of the camino and the highlights of the trail, including yellow broom flowers, stepping stone bridges and the Douro Valley.