video showing colleen's youtube with her Camino Planning workshops

Camino Planning Support | Workshops & One To One Coaching

Are you planning your first Camino and worrying that you might get it all wrong? I was!

Youโ€™ve read blog posts, watched YouTube videos, joined Facebook groups and somehow youโ€™ve ended up with more opinions than clear answers.

  • Youโ€™re unsure how far you can realistically walk each day or if you’re fit enough
  • Youโ€™re worried about the bed race and sleeping in dorms
  • Youโ€™re anxious about shoes and blisters and finding the right gear
  • And you donโ€™t want to make expensive mistakes

If this is your first Camino, these feelings are completely normal. I felt exactly the same when I started.

Why Trust Me and My Support?

Iโ€™ve walked more than twenty times. Iโ€™ve been visiting Spain for over 40 years.ย  Iโ€™ve guided groups, volunteered in albergues and pilgrim offices, and supported hundreds of pilgrims as they prepared for their first steps.

Iโ€™ve poured all of that knowledge and a lot of love into my workshops.  Iโ€™ve run these for years in person in France and now Iโ€™ve made them accessible to folks around the world.

Colleen from Then we Walked is a font of Camino knowledge which she shares in such a practical and generous manner. These workshops are filled with details but feel just like a dear friend giving you advice for your trip.

My Online Support Options

Did you know that I offer One to One support and that I created a series of Online Workshops just for the nervous first-timer and the planners amongst you?

This is the information that I share with my own walking groups and with friends when theyโ€™re planning their own Camino. It brings together everything into one clear, structured place.  Itโ€™s me, talking to you. Sharing what Iโ€™ve learned.  All in one place.

What Youโ€™ll Gain From The Workshops

After completing my workshops, you will:

  • Know which Camino route suits you and why
  • Have a realistic stage plan, or feel confident enough not to plan
  • Understand how to get there and home again
  • Feel confident about your footwear and gear and how to reduce the risk of blisters
  • Know your Credential from your Compostela and learn what your first days will really feel like

Each workshop focuses on one key aspect of preparing for your Camino. You can watch in your own time, revisit whenever you need, and move through at your own pace.

Workshops are โ‚ฌ9 each, or you can buy all six for โ‚ฌ35I am confident that Iโ€™ll save you that in unwanted gear or costly travel mistakes.

This isn’t a typical you-tube video or blogger series. It is the friend that you wished that you had that has gone on over twenty camino trips and who wants you to have the best experience you can on your first trip.

Workshop 1: What Is the Camino?

Perfect if youโ€™re completely new. Discover the history, traditions and make sense of terms like sello, credencial and Compostela.

โ†’ Learn more about Workshop One

Workshop 2: Which Camino Should You Walk?

If youโ€™re unsure which route suits you, start here. I compare the main routes and explain the tools I use to choose the right one for each season and situation.

โ†’ Learn more about Workshop Two

Workshop 3: Travel To & From the Camino

Flights, trains, airports and transfers can feel overwhelming. I break down exactly how to get to and from Spain, France and Portugal without stress.

โ†’ Learn more about Workshop Three

Workshop 4: Planning Your Stages & Finding a Bed

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

โ†’ Learn more about Workshop Four

Workshop 5: A Typical Day on the Camino

What is it really like? From mornings in the albergue to communal dinners, walking etiquette, food stops, laundry and the emotional ups and downs along the way.

โ†’ Learn more about Workshop Five

Workshop 6: Whatโ€™s In My Bag

Avoid overpacking and unnecessary expense. See exactly what I carry, how I keep weight down, how I choose footwear, and how to reduce the risk of blisters before you even set off.

โ†’ Learn more about Workshop Six

Colleen is a font of Camino knowledge which she shares in such a practical and generous manner. These workshops are filled with detail but feel like a dear friend giving you advice for your trip.

Feeling overwhelmed with planning your Camino?

Instead of searching endlessly, take a look at my Camino Planning Workshops. I turned over a decade of experience into a library of 20+ hours of practical, short, easy-to-follow videos, answering every question a pilgrim could have and plenty you’ve not thought to ask yet!

screen print of colleen's online workshops

Chat With Me | One-to-One Camino Planning

Would you really just like to sit down with me and ask questions?ย  Are there things you can’t find online or you don’t want to ask on a public forum? Or maybe you just prefer to chat? Well you can!ย 

I do offer a more personal support option with my one-to-one planning sessions:

  • Before we meet, Iโ€™ll send a short questionnaire so I fully understand your plans and concerns.
  • Weโ€™ll then spend an hour discussing whatโ€™s on your mind.
  • Afterwards, Iโ€™ll send follow-up notes so you leave with clarity and practical next steps.

Itโ€™s your hour. You choose the topics and friends are welcome to all join.  We can discuss how to:

  • Refine your route
  • Build or adjust your stage plan
  • Find accommodation or review your choices
  • Go over your existing itinerary and plans
  • Help you create a realistic daily structure
  • Go over your gear choices
  • Talk about your fitness plans and concerns

You have an hour so you can use it how you wish.  And if youโ€™ really want to get into itinerary planning, you can always book another hour once youโ€™ve put your plans into action.

โ€œJust finished a wonderful hour of Zoom with Colleen. She’s lovely-fun, easy to talk to and a font of information. I’m feeling better equipped for my Camino in September!โ€

โ€œColleen, we used many of your recommendations as we walked our way through Portugal and Spain.ย  We had the greatest Camino experience, and we wanted to give you our heartfelt thanks for your help.โ€

โ€œWe had a trip of a lifetime, thanks in no small part to your suggestions. Many thanks โ€œ

Whatโ€™s it Like to Walk the Camino de Santiago? This is Colleen starting the Camino Frances at Roncesvalles

All My Online Services

colleen walking the camino in the rain

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance

Whenever you travel, you should have great travel and medical insurance.  None of us expect anything bad to happen, but in the event of an incident, you want to be sure that your insurance will cover you.

Iโ€™ve ended up in hospital in Peru, Indonesia, Portugal, Japan and Ireland. Every time my insurance took care of everything. I would never leave home without full and comprehensive insurance.

MondialCare : Due to increasing limitations, mainly due to age, we have recently switched to MondialCare for our travel insurance. We have taken an annual policy at a very reasonable cost that includes medical and other travel cover. There are no trip length limits and the upper age for cover is 84. For Camino walkers and travel in Europe they have a low cost Schengen policy with no age limit.

TrueTravellerย : We have used this policy and were very happy with the cover, especially considering our ages and pre-existing conditions.

Globelink: We have used and recommended Globelink for years and not heard of any issues. They are a great choice for European and UK Residents.

Genki : This is an EU based company offering long term policies for nomads and travellers. Their monthly rates are very competitive for longer trips too.

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Colleen in Salamanca on the Via de la Plata

Hey I’m Colleen. Iโ€™m married to Gerry, we’ve three fabulous kids and been living in France for almost two decades. I fell in love with Spain in the 1980s and I’ve walked 1000s of miles along the Camino de Santiago. Now we’re exploring and walking the world and I can’t wait to share what we’ve learned!

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