One big hug in Santiago de Compostela. The experience is simply incomparable. On a cold, almost chilly, day at the end of winter, you stand on the roof of one of Europe’s most historic cathedrals and have a sweeping view of a heritage city. As the rogue wind touches your face intermittently, you imagine the …
Cycling the Camino is a beautiful alternative to walking. There are many advantages to cycling the Camino, including covering more ground in less time, and it’s easier if you bring children on the Camino. If you are thinking about Cycling the Camino de Santiago routes, we have prepared this helpful list answering some of your …
Cycling the Camino de Santiago: What you need to know. Read More »
Pilgrim’s Mass in The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela Many pilgrims who finish their Camino in the city of Santiago de Compostela often want to attend a special pilgrim’s mass in the cathedral. It’s the ultimate reward after the long journey to the city. This is especially true if you are walking the Camino de …
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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. A ‘Botafumeiro’ 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 …
Holy Year 2022: What is a Jacobean year? You might have heard that 2021’s Jacobean Year celebrations have been extended to the end of 2022. But what exactly is a Holy Year and why is it worth visiting the Camino during one? A Jacobean Year or Ano Xacobeo is a Jubilee or Holy Year. A …
The quaint mountain town of Villafranca del Bierzo, on the Camino Frances, is also known as ‘la pequeña Compostela’, little Compostela. Villafranca’s Romanesque Iglesia de Santiago, Saint James Church, is home to the ‘Puerta del Perdón’, the gate or door of Forgiveness. This 12th-century church dedicated to St James is the only other temple along …
O Cebreiro Traditional Mountain Village on the Camino Frances After the charming town of Ponferrada on the Camino Frances mid-way between Ponferrada and Sarria, the classic Camino de Santiago routes, as you leave El Bierzo behind and enter Galicia, you will reach the tiny mountain village of O Cebreiro. O Cebreiro is as special as …
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This Camino Frances Map is a handy visual representation of the most famous route on the Camino de Santiago. The Camino Frances or French Way is well known for many films, books, and documentaries. The French Way or Camino Francés is the most famous and popular of the Camino de Santiago routes, attracting nearly 70% …
Hidden alcoves, sheltered by towering sea cliffs, picturesque lighthouses perched on lands edge, and an infinity of rolling green hills are some of the best Camino del Norte experiences. The landscape on the Camino del Norte is a tonic for the senses. There is a wealth of hidden treasures to be discovered on this stunning coastal …
The last two weeks in July, the city of Santiago de Compostela celebrates its biggest festival of the year: St James Festival or the Apostle Festival (Festas do Apóstolo). St James is the patron saint of Santiago de Compostela but also Galicia; which means St James Day is also Galicia Day and a holiday in the region. Many …
Fantastic news for the Camino de Santiago this week as various Northern Camino routes, including the Northern Way and Original Way, have been declared UNESCO-listed trails as part of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela. The French Way or Camino Francés was the first route to be listed by UNESCO in 1993, a prestigious status …
The scallop shell is without a doubt the most iconic and traditional Camino de Santiago souvenir. For centuries, the scallop shell has been worn by pilgrims on their way over and back from Santiago de Compostela. In addition to the classic scallop shell, the ‘coquille St Jacques’, 21st century pilgrims have many other cool Camino …
Peter Murtagh – author of Buen Camino! As part of its Celtic Extravaganza and series of events focusing on Galicia, the Instituto Cervantes in Dublin recently organised a reading and discussion with Irish Times journalist Peter Murtagh. Peter traveled the Camino de Santiago various times and is the author, along with his daughter Natasha, of …
A group of outgoing retired Irish teachers walked the last 100km of the Camino de Santiago with CaminoWays.com recently. The group had a fantastic time and have created their own Camino de Santiago song about their holiday. Thanks to the group for sharing their experience on the Camino and their lyrics!: (to the air of These …
The city of Tours gives name to the Via Turonensis, the Camino de Santiago route that takes pilgrims from Northern France and Europe to Santiago de Compostela. Located between two rivers: the Loire to the North and the Cher to the South, the city of Tours is lively, photogenic and charming; with many beautiful sights …
Andrew McCarthy on life, travel writing and the Camino Former Hollywood backpacker Andrew McCarthy’s life changed forever while walking the Camino de Santiago. In an extract from his first book, he describes how that led to a second career as a travel writer I was in a bookstore, gazing at a girl across the display …
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