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.

Semana Santa on the Camino

Semana Santa, Easter in Spain

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 […]

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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

Pintxos Bibao

Top 10 Camino Dishes on the Camino Frances

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

Camino Pilgrim Passports, Certificates and Compostela

Camino Pilgrim Passports, Certificates, and Compostela Most people have a clear idea of why they want to walk the Camino de Santiago. It may be for religious or spiritual reasons, for a healthy challenge, for a break from everyday life, or even just the social aspect. Whatever your motivation for walking the Camino routes, you

Camino Pilgrim Passports, Certificates and Compostela Read More »

Camino Pilgrim Passports, Certificates, and Compostela Most people have a clear idea of why they want to walk the Camino de Santiago. It may be for religious or spiritual reasons, for a healthy challenge, for a break from everyday life, or even just the social aspect. Whatever your motivation for walking the Camino routes, you

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The Beautiful Val d’Orcia is The Must-See Area of Tuscany

The Val d’Orcia in Tuscany is one of the must-see regions of the Via Francigena and one of the highlights of the Camino to Rome. The Via Francigena has crossed the Val d’Orcia since Roman times when it was known as Via Cassia. Since then, the trail has linked and facilitated trade as well as

The Beautiful Val d’Orcia is The Must-See Area of Tuscany Read More »

The Val d’Orcia in Tuscany is one of the must-see regions of the Via Francigena and one of the highlights of the Camino to Rome. The Via Francigena has crossed the Val d’Orcia since Roman times when it was known as Via Cassia. Since then, the trail has linked and facilitated trade as well as

The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela – 6 Things To Know

The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela – 6 Things To Know The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela is an iconic symbol of the city of Santiago and the final point for many pilgrims walking or cycling the Camino de Santiago. Over the centuries, thousands of pilgrims from all over the world have made their way

The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela – 6 Things To Know Read More »

The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela – 6 Things To Know The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela is an iconic symbol of the city of Santiago and the final point for many pilgrims walking or cycling the Camino de Santiago. Over the centuries, thousands of pilgrims from all over the world have made their way

The Story of the Yellow Arrows on the Camino

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

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

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

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

6 Must-Sees on Le Chemin du Puy

6 Must-Sees on Le Chemin du Puy Pilgrims across Europe have been taking to the roads to Santiago for many centuries. As pilgrims traditionally started their journey from their own homes, various Camino routes developed over time, including many coming from different parts of France, the ‘Chemins de Compostelle’. Of the Camino routes in France, the

6 Must-Sees on Le Chemin du Puy Read More »

6 Must-Sees on Le Chemin du Puy Pilgrims across Europe have been taking to the roads to Santiago for many centuries. As pilgrims traditionally started their journey from their own homes, various Camino routes developed over time, including many coming from different parts of France, the ‘Chemins de Compostelle’. Of the Camino routes in France, the

Top things to do in Siena

The city of Siena is one of the highlights along the Via Francigena in Tuscany. Siena is a UNESCO-listed city and one of Italy’s most visited sites. Designed as a work of art to blend in with the Tuscan surroundings, the city’s perfect Gothic beauty will amaze you. If you are walking the Via Francigena

Top things to do in Siena Read More »

The city of Siena is one of the highlights along the Via Francigena in Tuscany. Siena is a UNESCO-listed city and one of Italy’s most visited sites. Designed as a work of art to blend in with the Tuscan surroundings, the city’s perfect Gothic beauty will amaze you. If you are walking the Via Francigena

Camino Culture: The Galician Hórreo

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

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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

Via de la Plata

3 Things to Know About Ourense | Via de la Plata

3 Things to know about Ourense The beautiful city of Ourense is best known to Camino walkers as the starting point of the last 100km of the Via de la Plata Camino route to Santiago. Known as ‘Auria’ by the ancient Romans, Ourense is a wonderful place to begin your Camino de Santiago. In fact,

3 Things to Know About Ourense | Via de la Plata Read More »

3 Things to know about Ourense The beautiful city of Ourense is best known to Camino walkers as the starting point of the last 100km of the Via de la Plata Camino route to Santiago. Known as ‘Auria’ by the ancient Romans, Ourense is a wonderful place to begin your Camino de Santiago. In fact,

7 things not to miss on the Finisterre Camino

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 on to Cape Fisterra. Cape Fisterra was once believed to be the last place on Earth, the edge of the known World, Finis Terrae.

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 on to Cape Fisterra. Cape Fisterra was once believed to be the last place on Earth, the edge of the known World, Finis Terrae.

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10 Top Camino Portugues Foods

Top 10 Camino Portugues Foods To Try The Camino Portugues is the second most popular route of the Camino de Santiago after the Camino Frances, according to 2020 statistics from the Pilgrims Office in Santiago. Part of the appeal of the Camino Portugues is the delicious Portuguese food on offer. The Camino Portugues route begins

10 Top Camino Portugues Foods Read More »

Top 10 Camino Portugues Foods To Try The Camino Portugues is the second most popular route of the Camino de Santiago after the Camino Frances, according to 2020 statistics from the Pilgrims Office in Santiago. Part of the appeal of the Camino Portugues is the delicious Portuguese food on offer. The Camino Portugues route begins

When in Lugo… Do as the Romans Do

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?

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

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

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

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

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