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Camino Planning Workshops for First-Time Pilgrims

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You’ve heard about the Camino and you’re thinking, I’d like to do that! You’ve read blog posts, watched YouTube videos, joined Facebook groups, and somehow ended up with more questions than answers.

Wouldn’t it be great if there was a resource with everything in one place, created by someone who has been in your shoes and knows exactly how you feel?

When I was planning my first Camino, I quit several times before I’d even left home. I was convinced that the Camino simply wasn’t for people like me.

And yet I walked 800 kilometres solo across Spain… and then went back for more.

After more than a decade of walking the Camino de Santiago, I created my Camino Planning Workshops to bring everything I’ve learned together in one single supportive space. They’re designed to help nervous first-time pilgrims prepare with confidence and feel ready to take start their own amazing adventure!

Why Trust Me and My Support?

I’ve walked the Camino more than twenty times across multiple routes and different seasons. I’ve been visiting Spain for over 40 years, guided Camino groups, volunteered in albergues and the Pilgrim Office, and helped hundreds of pilgrims prepare for their own journeys.

I created Then We Walked to share clear, practical Camino advice based on real experience. I’ve poured that knowledge (and a lot of love) into my online workshops.

I put far more into them than I ever intended because I wanted to create the resource that I wish I’d had before my first Camino. A place with straightforward, supportive guidance, without spending weeks jumping between blogs, forums, Facebook groups, and YouTube videos.

I know there are lots of free Camino resources online, and many of them are excellent. But I created these workshops for people who want things organised, clearly explained, and easy to return to when they need it.

I created the workshops to be complete, practical, and easy to use, so you can dip in and out whenever it suits you, without feeling pressured to follow a schedule.

What’s Included in the Complete Camino Planning Workshops

There are six workshop modules, each focusing on a different aspect of planning your Camino. You can follow them in order or dip into the sections that feel most relevant to you.

Workshop 1: What Is the Camino?

Learn about the history of the Camino and St James, ancient paths, traditions, and culture, all while making sense of terms like sello, credencial, and Compostela.

Workshop 2: Which Camino Should You Walk?

Not all Camino routes are the same. I compare the major routes and help you figure out which Camino actually fits you. And which is best for your fitness level, travel style, available time, and goals. 

I’ll also explain the pros and cons of each of the most popular routes.

Workshop 3: Travel To & From the Camino

After years of Camino and international travel, we’ve learned the easiest ways to navigate flights, trains, airports, and transfers and how to avoid the common mistakes that cause unnecessary stress.

I break down how to get to and from Spain, France, and Portugal and show you the tools we use when planning our Caminos.

Workshop 4: Planning Your Stages & Finding a Bed

Worried about the bed race or daily distances? I’ll show you how to build a realistic stage plan that works for you, including rest days, booking strategies, and how to avoid common planning mistakes.

Workshop 5: A Typical Day on the Camino

What is the Camino really like day after day? From early mornings in albergues, snoring, communal meals, laundry, food stops, walking etiquette, and the emotional highs and lows of pilgrim life. 

Workshop 6: What’s In My Bag

It is so easy to overpack.  And waste money on unnecessary gear. I show you exactly what I carry, how I reduce pack weight, how I choose footwear, and how to lower your risk of blisters before you even set off.

Most first-time pilgrims massively overpack because they’re scared of forgetting something important. I did the opposite and regretted being so ruthless. I’ll show you a happy medium.

And I really do believe that our packing advice alone could probably save you the 35$ cost of the workshops in unnecessary purchases.

Who Needs These Planning Workshops?

My Camino Planning workshops are especially helpful if:

You do not need to be an experienced hiker or an athlete to walk the Camino.  I certainly wasn’t. You simply need good preparation, realistic expectations, the right gear and belief in yourself and your ability

Why I Created My Camino Workshops

There’s a huge amount of Camino information online.  Some of it is excellent but some of it is conflicting, outdated, or written by people who have only walked once.

I have learned so much over the years and I am passionate about the Camino.  I know that there is no one ‘right’ way to walk.  And if I can pass on what I’ve learned and help just one pilgrim to walk then I’ll be happy.

The Camino changed my life, and I believe it can be life-changing for others too.  I don’t want it to feel out of reach, or impossible for you.

I wanted to create something different. I didn’t want it to be generic or make it feel too difficult.  I wanted to create a practical, supportive resource that feels like sitting down with a friend who can guide you through the process.

What My Students Are Saying

“Just buy it! All of it! The most thorough, thoughtful Camino planning resource you can use.”

“The workshops were brilliant — they changed everything.”

“You taught us everything we needed to know — and so much we didn’t know to ask.”

“So much information, so generously shared. A perfect preparation.”

“Well-organised, motivating, and full of hard-earned wisdom.”

Camino Planning Workshops FAQs

1. Do I need hiking experience to understand the course?

No. The workshops are designed for complete beginners.

When I walked my first Camino, I was 51, overweight, recovering from cancer treatment, and never even owned a backpack.

I created these workshops for people like me. Ordinary people who feel called to the Camino but aren’t sure where to start.

2. How long do I get access to the course?

You have lifetime access to all the workshops.

There’s no expiry date, and whenever I update or add new content, you’ll continue to have access to it.

3. Can I watch at my own pace?

Absolutely. In fact, it’s better if you do.

There’s a lot to take in, so I encourage you to move through the workshops in a way that works for you; just like the Camino, one step at a time.

4. Are the workshops suitable for solo pilgrims?

Yes, very much so.

I walked my first Camino solo, so I understand the worries and questions that many solo pilgrims have before they leave home.

The workshops are helpful for all types of pilgrims, whether you’re walking solo, with a partner, or in a group. And Gerry also contributes throughout, so the advice isn’t only focused on women.

5. Which Camino routes are covered?

Much of the guidance applies to all routes, no matter which Camino you choose to walk. However, I do discuss the more popular routes:

But more importantly, the workshops teach you the tools and planning process you need to confidently plan and prepare for any Camino.

6. How do payments work?

The workshops are hosted securely through ThriveCart, which uses Stripe for payments.

Stripe is one of the most trusted and secure payment systems used worldwide. 

7. Do I need Social Media to access the course?

No. The workshops are accessed entirely online through your course login.

If you use Facebook, you’re also welcome to join my private Camino community but this is completely optional and not required to follow the workshops.

Are You Ready To Start Planning Your Camino?

You already know that you want to walk and something is calling you to the Camino. You wouldn’t have read this far if you didn’t.

I know that most first-time pilgrims aren’t looking for perfection. They need clarity, lots of reassurance, and the confidence to take those first steps. That’s exactly why I created these workshops.

I’ll help you avoid common mistakes, help you to stop overpacking, show you how to prepare realistically, and understand what the Camino is really like before you leave home.