The most popular of all the Caminos. A 790 kilometer pilgrimage originating in Saint Jean-Pied-de-Port. This walk includes more Camino history and by far the most fellow pilgrims. It is also the most special and not to be missed.
With record numbers this year on the Camino, pilgrims are seeking alternatives to the Camino Frances. Be aware the headcount rises dramatically upon reaching Sarria. The good news is there are plenty of alternatives. In fact, 8 other Caminos with each offering a great Camino experience. Starting your Camino from Sarria can still be a …
8 Alternatives to Walking The Camino de Santiago From Sarria: Read More »
There are many special places and moments on The Camino. Cruz de Ferro (The Iron Cross) in the west of Castilla y Leon Province is perhaps the most spiritual for me. All three of my experiences there have been noteworthy, though this most recent one was a most powerful emotional experience. Seven years ago, while …
Yesterday was the Feast Day of Our Lady of Lourdes. For anyone considering a Camino de Santiago Pilgrimage here are 9 reasons why it is a wonderful starting point. While a high majority of pilgrims wanting to do the Camino de Santiago for a month or longer choose St. Jean Pied-de-Port (SJPP) as a starting …
Starting The Camino in Lourdes Instead of St. Jean-Pied-de-Port Read More »
Frances may be my favorite but each Pilgrim is unique. The better question to ask is, “Which Camino Is Best For Me?” First of all, it is important to be aware that the Camino de Santiago is a personal journey and there is no right, wrong, best or worst Camino. Do some research and walk …
Which Camino Should I Walk? The Camino Frances Or? Read More »
IT’S A SMALL WORLD. The Camino has a magical way of connecting like minded souls: One of the nicest things about global traveling is chance meetings with the same people in two totally different places. Well this time it’s three chance meetings across 3 continents; Uganda, Spain, and Nepal: In October, 2019, walking on the …
It’s A Small World-Uganda to the Camino to Nepal Read More »
Its A Long Way From Tipperary to Santiago. Day 92: I woke at 4:45AM, noticing my Hungarian friend, Agi, was gone. I noted to thank her for being so quiet. Leaving Mansilla de las Mulas at 5:22 it was still dark passing tiny Gloria, a middle aged woman from Ecuador. As always in The Meseta …
The Quest To Walk 50 Kilometers In A Day: Tipperary to Santiago Day 92 Read More »
Its A Long Way From Tipperary To Santiago. Day 94 After yesterday’s 54K walk, a much needed rest day was taken in Hospital de Orbigo. So I expected to have fresh legs today but no just the opposite. The moment I left Albergue Verde I felt sluggish and struggled the first hour to Santibáñez de …
A Camino moment. Tomorrow I start a long Camino to Santiago with a 30 day trek across Manaslu and Annapurna. Then to the west of Ireland to start a 3+ month walk from my ancestral home to Santiago, Spain. At the permit office in Kathmandu a smiling woman approached me, Silvia Martellotti from Italy, a …
IT’S A SMALL WORLD: Kathmandu and The Camino de Santiago Read More »
20 July. La Laguna to Villafranca. 30K Just 3K past O Cebreiro we started our descent from the mountain at 6AM. It was a dark grey but enough light so that we got by without head lamps. Very quiet as we passed just a few pilgrims. It is odd going the opposite direction FROM Santiago …
Camino Side Trips-Ribeira Sacra Wine Road Trip In Galicia. After a chance encounter with fellow American and Camino buddy Sue Duffy we went out on an unplanned, in the flow road trip in Galicia. We ended up at an up and coming wine region, Ribeira Sacra around Sober (love the name), not too far south …
This is one peregrino’s perspective so admittedly biased but I also talked with other pilgrims who have done both to confirm these points. For anybody considering either or both of these 2 great Caminos. ——– 1. MORE BEAUTIFUL NATURE ON DEL NORTE:You walk in the mountains and near or on the coast so the combined …
HOW THE CAMINO DEL NORTE IS DIFFERENT FROM CAMINO FRANCES. Read More »
Veered south from Oloron to Sarrance and then the pass at Somport just over the border in Spain. And then down into Jaca. Had a wonderful stay at the Sarrance Monastary having the dormitory to myself as the only pilgrim there. The priests and volunteers were all incredibly hospitable. Such a quiet reflective place. Perfect …
CAMINO DE SANTIAGO FROM LOURDES. Day 4-6 on Camino Arles and Camino Aragones: Read More »
Its A Long Way From Tipperary to Santiago. Day 80 Puente La Reina to Estella Yesterday I walked into Estella around 11:15 grateful that an early start got me there before the blistering 35C (95F) of the afternoon. I was winging it on where to stay and the Municipal Albergue was in a great location …
Walking up Alto de Perdon, one of the great view points on Camino Francis I pass this older couple and we chat. Jose Maria and Encarnacion are from Madrid and both 82 years old. This is the 30th Camino for them. Roncesvalles to Santiago each time. 765K (475 miles). They have walked every year for …
Inspirational Octogenarians on The Camino. TIPPERARY TO SANTIAGO DAY 78 Read More »
Last night I was leaving the Roncesvalles Abbey Albergue for the Bar to have a drink before dinner. A fellow pilgrim who I had walked with for a half hour or so during the day was in the reception area and asked if I wanted to go to the mass and a special concert immediately …
A Night of 13th Century Music at Roncevalles Abbey-TIPPERARY TO SANTIAGO DAY 76 Read More »
Arrived in St. Jean Pied de Port (SJPP) on Thursday but Friday morning it was foggy and rainy. Why not take a rest day. So today, Saturday, I left at 6:09 from SJPP and walked through the empty Citadelle street enjoying the near full moon above. And there were fewer people around than the 2 …
Via Podiensis is one of the four main pilgrimage routes through France and considered the most beautiful. Le Puy to St. Jean-Pied-de-Port is in France while Camino Frances is in Spain all but one day which is the main differentiator. Here are 10 more differences from one pilgrim’s admittedly biased perspective: 1. Quieter: There are …
HOW THE CHEMIN DuPUY (VIA PODIENSIS) IS DIFFERENT FROM CAMINO FRANCES Read More »
Made it to Mont. St. Michel today. A very special place where the religious and spiritual(nature) come together. Located on the northwest coast where Normandie and Brittany meet. Instead of driving here and parking and walking across the causeway that connects Mont St. Michel to the mainland south of the bay, I walked across the …
TODAY I FEEL LIKE A PILGRIM: Day 45 Tipperary to Santiago: Read More »
For the past 2 weeks I have been walking through Clare connecting with my home County, friends, and family but now it is time to continue on to Dublin, then the length of France before the final stretch through the field of stars, The Camino de Santiago. There is a ancient custom to carry and …
A Shell For Cruz de Ferro (The Iron Cross)-Tipperary to Santiago Read More »
A Camino moment. Tomorrow I start a long Camino to Santiago with a 30 day trek across Manaslu and Annapurna. Then to the west of Ireland to start a 3+ month walk from my ancestral home to Santiago. At the Kathmandu Trekking permit office a smiling woman approached me, Silvia Martellotti, a fellow hospitalero from …