Maria

Written by Maria

Maria is from Viveiro, in the misty and beautiful northern coast of Galicia, and now calls Ireland her adopted home. She adores Santiago, where she studied Journalism at Santiago de Compostela University. She also loves travel, food, books, and arty and crafty. She has walked and cycled many trails including many Camino routes, Japan's Kumano Kodo, the Kerry Camino in Ireland and many others.

Camino Pilgrim passport

Understanding Camino Pilgrim Passports & Certificates

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This article aims to clarify the difference between the Camino Pilgrim Passports and the various Pilgrim Certificates, including the famous Compostela Certificate. Camino Pilgrim Passports & Certificates Traditional Passport and Certificate to Santiago de Compostela Many people know why they want to walk the Camino de Santiago. It may be for spiritual growth, a health […]

Understanding Camino Pilgrim Passports & Certificates Read More »

This article aims to clarify the difference between the Camino Pilgrim Passports and the various Pilgrim Certificates, including the famous Compostela Certificate. Camino Pilgrim Passports & Certificates Traditional Passport and Certificate to Santiago de Compostela Many people know why they want to walk the Camino de Santiago. It may be for spiritual growth, a health

Finisterrana Certificate

Finisterrana and Muxiana Camino Certificates

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What is the Finisterrana? Many of you will be familiar with the ‘Compostela’, the pilgrim certificate you can obtain from the Pilgrims Office in Santiago de Compostela if you have walked a minimum of 100 of the Camino de Santiago to the city or cycled at least the last 200. But did you know that

Finisterrana and Muxiana Camino Certificates Read More »

What is the Finisterrana? Many of you will be familiar with the ‘Compostela’, the pilgrim certificate you can obtain from the Pilgrims Office in Santiago de Compostela if you have walked a minimum of 100 of the Camino de Santiago to the city or cycled at least the last 200. But did you know that

The Certificate of Distance: A Testament to Your Camino Journey

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Accreditation of the number of km covered The Certificate of Distance is a special recognition for pilgrims who have walked the Camino de Santiago. Unlike the traditional Compostela Certificate, which is reserved for those completing the pilgrimage for spiritual or religious reasons, the Certificate of Distance is available to all pilgrims regardless of their motivation.

The Certificate of Distance: A Testament to Your Camino Journey Read More »

Accreditation of the number of km covered The Certificate of Distance is a special recognition for pilgrims who have walked the Camino de Santiago. Unlike the traditional Compostela Certificate, which is reserved for those completing the pilgrimage for spiritual or religious reasons, the Certificate of Distance is available to all pilgrims regardless of their motivation.

What is The Botafumeiro And When Can I See it?

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What is The Botafumeiro And When Can I See it? The ‘Botafumeiro’ is the famous giant thurible or censer in the Santiago de Compostela cathedral. It has been used since the Middle Ages, originally to clean the air when crowds of pilgrims, having completed the Camino de Santiago, arrived in Santiago de Compostela after their long

What is The Botafumeiro And When Can I See it? Read More »

What is The Botafumeiro And When Can I See it? The ‘Botafumeiro’ is the famous giant thurible or censer in the Santiago de Compostela cathedral. It has been used since the Middle Ages, originally to clean the air when crowds of pilgrims, having completed the Camino de Santiago, arrived in Santiago de Compostela after their long

Camino Pilgrims Office in Santiago de Compostela

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Camino Pilgrims Office in Santiago de Compostela. If you finish your Camino trip in Santiago de Compostela, you will receive your Compostela certificate and a warm welcome from the people at the Pilgrims Office. The Pilgrims Office in Santiago de Compostela (Oficina de Acogida al Peregrino) is located in the city centre, just a few

Camino Pilgrims Office in Santiago de Compostela Read More »

Camino Pilgrims Office in Santiago de Compostela. If you finish your Camino trip in Santiago de Compostela, you will receive your Compostela certificate and a warm welcome from the people at the Pilgrims Office. The Pilgrims Office in Santiago de Compostela (Oficina de Acogida al Peregrino) is located in the city centre, just a few

Semana Santa on the Camino

Semana Santa, Easter in Spain

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Semana Santa (Holy Week) or Easter in Spain, is one of the most important festivals of the religious calendar. When does Semana Santa take place? Easter in Spain generally starts on Palm Sunday and finishes on Easter Sunday, hence the term ‘Holy Week’ or Semana Santa. During Easter week, many towns and cities host impressive

Semana Santa, Easter in Spain Read More »

Semana Santa (Holy Week) or Easter in Spain, is one of the most important festivals of the religious calendar. When does Semana Santa take place? Easter in Spain generally starts on Palm Sunday and finishes on Easter Sunday, hence the term ‘Holy Week’ or Semana Santa. During Easter week, many towns and cities host impressive

Pintxos Bibao

Top 10 Camino Dishes on the Camino Frances

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Top 10 Camino Dishes The various Camino routes cross different regions (and sometimes, countries), each with its own traditions, culture and food. Food is an important part of any journey, and with this in mind, we think there are 10 Camino dishes you absolutely have to try while walking the Camino de Santiago. If you

Top 10 Camino Dishes on the Camino Frances Read More »

Top 10 Camino Dishes The various Camino routes cross different regions (and sometimes, countries), each with its own traditions, culture and food. Food is an important part of any journey, and with this in mind, we think there are 10 Camino dishes you absolutely have to try while walking the Camino de Santiago. If you

The Story of the Yellow Arrows on the Camino

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The name of Don Elías Valiña Sampedro might not ring any bells but you will certainly recognise his most ‘famous’ creation: the yellow arrows on the Camino, pointing the way to Santiago de Compostela. Don Elías (1929-1989) was the parish priest in O Cebreiro in Lugo and studied the history of the St James Way pilgrimage to Santiago

The Story of the Yellow Arrows on the Camino Read More »

The name of Don Elías Valiña Sampedro might not ring any bells but you will certainly recognise his most ‘famous’ creation: the yellow arrows on the Camino, pointing the way to Santiago de Compostela. Don Elías (1929-1989) was the parish priest in O Cebreiro in Lugo and studied the history of the St James Way pilgrimage to Santiago

The Fishermen’s Trail: Walk Portugal’s Wilderness

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The Fishermen’s Trail: Walk Portugal’s Wilderness I’m sitting on a sun-warmed boulder, applying an undercoat of factor 50 to face, neck and limbs, when the first dollops of a downpour sent me rummaging for my waterproofs. The Fishermen’s Trail: Walk Portugal. It’s late October in southern Portugal, so a drop of rain is to be expected

The Fishermen’s Trail: Walk Portugal’s Wilderness Read More »

The Fishermen’s Trail: Walk Portugal’s Wilderness I’m sitting on a sun-warmed boulder, applying an undercoat of factor 50 to face, neck and limbs, when the first dollops of a downpour sent me rummaging for my waterproofs. The Fishermen’s Trail: Walk Portugal. It’s late October in southern Portugal, so a drop of rain is to be expected

Fisterra: Pilgrims, Legends and Beauty

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The fishing town of Fisterra (Finisterre in Spanish) is located on the Atlantic Coast of Galicia, some 100km away from Santiago de Compostela. Cape Fisterra and its lighthouse, on a headland just outside the town, has been the final destination for pilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago for many centuries, completing the Camino Finisterre. Fisterra:

Fisterra: Pilgrims, Legends and Beauty Read More »

The fishing town of Fisterra (Finisterre in Spanish) is located on the Atlantic Coast of Galicia, some 100km away from Santiago de Compostela. Cape Fisterra and its lighthouse, on a headland just outside the town, has been the final destination for pilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago for many centuries, completing the Camino Finisterre. Fisterra:

The History of the Camino de Santiago

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History of the Camino de Santiago The Camino de Santiago is considered a bucket list destination for many people, whether you consider yourself a spiritual person or not. But how did the Camino de Santiago come to be so popular among modern travellers and what do we know about the history of the Camino? Thousands

The History of the Camino de Santiago Read More »

History of the Camino de Santiago The Camino de Santiago is considered a bucket list destination for many people, whether you consider yourself a spiritual person or not. But how did the Camino de Santiago come to be so popular among modern travellers and what do we know about the history of the Camino? Thousands

Camino Culture: The Galician Hórreo

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Camino Culture: The Galician Hórreo If you are walking the Camino de Santiago, you will start noticing some exciting structures close to most homes in rural areas as you enter Galicia. These rectangular structures are granaries called ‘hórreos’, a widespread construction across rural Galicia. Their function is to store grain and other food crops for

Camino Culture: The Galician Hórreo Read More »

Camino Culture: The Galician Hórreo If you are walking the Camino de Santiago, you will start noticing some exciting structures close to most homes in rural areas as you enter Galicia. These rectangular structures are granaries called ‘hórreos’, a widespread construction across rural Galicia. Their function is to store grain and other food crops for

7 things not to miss on the Finisterre Camino

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The Finisterre Camino has had a magical appeal for pilgrims since medieval times. Having arrived in Santiago de Compostela after walking for many weeks across Europe, they would continue their journey to Cape Fisterra. Cape Fisterra was once believed to be the last place on Earth, the edge of the known World, Finis Terrae. Many

7 things not to miss on the Finisterre Camino Read More »

The Finisterre Camino has had a magical appeal for pilgrims since medieval times. Having arrived in Santiago de Compostela after walking for many weeks across Europe, they would continue their journey to Cape Fisterra. Cape Fisterra was once believed to be the last place on Earth, the edge of the known World, Finis Terrae. Many

When in Lugo… Do as the Romans Do

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Lugo Roman Heritage If you are walking the Camino Primitivo, also known as the Original Way, Lugo will be one of the city highlights of your journey along the Way of St. James. As the only city in the world surrounded by intact Roman walls, Lugo owes much of its unique identity and character to

When in Lugo… Do as the Romans Do Read More »

Lugo Roman Heritage If you are walking the Camino Primitivo, also known as the Original Way, Lugo will be one of the city highlights of your journey along the Way of St. James. As the only city in the world surrounded by intact Roman walls, Lugo owes much of its unique identity and character to

What does the word ‘Ultreia’ mean?

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The Camino is full of interesting facts and phrases, and it’s always a delight to learn of another one. You might have heard or seen the word ‘Ultreia’ mentioned when researching, reading, or while walking the Camino de Santiago. The word “Ultreia” is derived from the Latin word “ultra,” which means “beyond” or “farther.” In

What does the word ‘Ultreia’ mean? Read More »

The Camino is full of interesting facts and phrases, and it’s always a delight to learn of another one. You might have heard or seen the word ‘Ultreia’ mentioned when researching, reading, or while walking the Camino de Santiago. The word “Ultreia” is derived from the Latin word “ultra,” which means “beyond” or “farther.” In

Traditional Scallop Shell on the Camino

The Scallop Shell and the Camino de Santiago

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The scallop shell is one of the most iconic symbols of the Camino de Santiago. Today, it is used, along with the yellow arrow, to guide pilgrims heading to Santiago de Compostela along its many different Camino routes. Painted on trees, sidewalks, tiles, etc… the scallop shell (or ‘Vieira’ in Galician and Spanish) will help

The Scallop Shell and the Camino de Santiago Read More »

The scallop shell is one of the most iconic symbols of the Camino de Santiago. Today, it is used, along with the yellow arrow, to guide pilgrims heading to Santiago de Compostela along its many different Camino routes. Painted on trees, sidewalks, tiles, etc… the scallop shell (or ‘Vieira’ in Galician and Spanish) will help

Celtic hercules tower a coruna

Things to do in A Coruña

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Things to do in A Coruña For centuries, pilgrims from northern shores docked in the harbour of A Coruña on their way to Santiago de Compostela. Their Camino de Santiago journey had taken them across the seas, but they would still have 75km to walk before reaching the city of St James, the end of

Things to do in A Coruña Read More »

Things to do in A Coruña For centuries, pilgrims from northern shores docked in the harbour of A Coruña on their way to Santiago de Compostela. Their Camino de Santiago journey had taken them across the seas, but they would still have 75km to walk before reaching the city of St James, the end of

Camino Culture: The story of As Marias

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Camino Culture: The story of As Marias As an exercise of made-up statistics, I would guesstimate that nearly 99% of pilgrims and visitors to Santiago de Compostela get a picture taken with the colourful statue of As Marias in Alameda Park. Hands up? If you haven’t been to Santiago but you are about to, or

Camino Culture: The story of As Marias Read More »

Camino Culture: The story of As Marias As an exercise of made-up statistics, I would guesstimate that nearly 99% of pilgrims and visitors to Santiago de Compostela get a picture taken with the colourful statue of As Marias in Alameda Park. Hands up? If you haven’t been to Santiago but you are about to, or

candle, flame, bokeh-5859094.jpg

Unmissable Christmas Activities in Santiago de Compostela

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6 Unmissable Christmas Activities in Santiago de Compostela Whether you’re heading to Santiago for a little pre-Christmas holiday or if you happen to be finishing up your Camino de Santiago (quite a chilly walk we’d imagine) during the festive season, there are some unmissable Christmas activities to keep you entertained in this Spanish city. If

Unmissable Christmas Activities in Santiago de Compostela Read More »

6 Unmissable Christmas Activities in Santiago de Compostela Whether you’re heading to Santiago for a little pre-Christmas holiday or if you happen to be finishing up your Camino de Santiago (quite a chilly walk we’d imagine) during the festive season, there are some unmissable Christmas activities to keep you entertained in this Spanish city. If

O Magosto Festival – Celebrating Chestnuts and Winter

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There are many wonderful festivals taking place throughout the year on the Camino de Santiago. One of these is O Magosto, Galicia’s classic autumn festival. This festival welcomes the winter season and is dedicated to one special product: the chestnut. If you are travelling along one of the Camino routes in late October and November,

O Magosto Festival – Celebrating Chestnuts and Winter Read More »

There are many wonderful festivals taking place throughout the year on the Camino de Santiago. One of these is O Magosto, Galicia’s classic autumn festival. This festival welcomes the winter season and is dedicated to one special product: the chestnut. If you are travelling along one of the Camino routes in late October and November,

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