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Prepare for the Camino – With Every Answer in One Place

Camino Planning Workshops

Created by Colleen | Updated : 30 August 2025 | ,

You’ve heard about the Camino and you’re thinking, I’d like to do that! But where do you start? How do you prepare for the Camino de Santiago?

I’ve walked the Camino 23 times and guided hundreds of pilgrims to Santiago. Which is why I created my Camino Planning Workshops:

  • I answer the questions everyone asks and the ones you don’t even know to ask.
  • I share everything I wish I’d known before my first Camino.
  • I pass on everything I’ve learned from more than a decade of walking

Whether you’re planning your first or going back for a second, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know – all for just $35!

YouTube video

Get all 6 of my Camino Planning Workshops for just $35

I answer hundreds of your Camino questions — covering routes, travel, stages, accommodation, daily life, and packing — all in one place. It’s like getting advice from a friend who’s already walked the Camino 23 times!

Common Camino Planning Struggles (Do These Sound Familiar?)

Before you even put on your boots, (or find them for that matter) you’ll find that preparing for the Camino can be a bit of a maze…

  • You’ve joined Camino Facebook groups and ended up with more opinions than answers
  • You can’t decide which airport to fly into, let alone which Camino to choose
  • Your backpack feels heavy before you’ve even packed it
  • You’re worried about finding accommodation, the bed race or making costly mistakes
  • You secretly wonder if the Camino really is for you

If you feel like this then don’t worry – you’re not alone!  Almost every pilgrim feels like this at the start. And that’s exactly why I built my workshops – to take away the stress and give you the confidence to enjoy your Camino and the preparation beforehand.

Why Trust Me With Your Camino Planning Advice?

I’ve read some fabulous Camino blogs… and some questionable advice too. But when you’re short on time how do you choose where to look, and how do you sort the wheat from the chaff, or know who to trust?

My workshops are the advice that I’d give to my friends – and here’s why you can trust me:

  • I’ve walked thousands of kilometres on the Camino de Santiago for over a decade
  • I’ve guided groups, answered hundreds of pilgrim questions, and made my fair share of mistakes along the way
  • I’ve volunteered in the Pilgrim Office, albergues and even collected rubbish along the Camino
  • I’ve been teaching Camino Planning Workshops since 2019, and after countless requests, I  moved them online to share what I wish I’d known before my first walk
YouTube video

Get all 6 of my Camino Planning Workshops for just $35

I answer hundreds of your Camino questions — covering routes, travel, stages, accommodation, daily life, and packing — all in one place. It’s like getting advice from a friend who’s already walked the Camino 23 times!

What My Are Students 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 – 100s of Answers at the Touch of a Button

The beauty of my workshops is flexibility — you can buy just one, pick a couple, or grab the full bundle of six. 

Workshop 1: What Is The Camino?

Totally new to the Camino? Then start here. Discover the history, traditions, and modern Camino life. We’ll make sense of jargon like sello, credencial and Compostela, share books, apps and movies  and discover if the Camino really is life-changing?

Workshop 2: Which Camino To Walk

Not sure which Camino is right for you? Learn about the different routes that lead to Santiago, the tools I use, the Compostela rules, including for the last 100 km, and how to choose the route that matches your own dream.

Workshop 3: Travel To & From The Camino

Confused about flights and transport? We’ve flown around the world and we’ve learned the best ways to get in and out of Spain, France and Portugal. We’ll cover flights, trains, buses, baggage storage, visas, Schengen rules — and the tools we use to join the dots once you land.

Workshop 4: Planning Your Camino

Worried about the ‘bed race’ or how far to walk each day? I’ll show you how to build a stage plan that works for you, when to take rest days, where to find accommodation (from donativos to special stays), and how to avoid the common planning mistakes.

Workshop 5: A Typical Day On The Camino

But what’s it really like walking the Camino? From mornings in the albergue to evenings at a pilgrim dinner, we’ll talk about daily rhythm: breakfasts, walking etiquette, finding food and water, doing laundry, sleeping well, and the emotional ups and downs along the way.

Workshop 6: What’s In My Bag

Not sure what to pack or worried your bag will be too heavy? See exactly what I carry — packs, shoes, clothes, socks, first aid, foot care, sleeping bags and toiletries — plus practical tips for keeping the weight down without leaving out essentials.

Get all 6 of my Camino Planning Workshops for just $35

I answer hundreds of your Camino questions — covering routes, travel, stages, accommodation, daily life, and packing — all in one place. It’s like getting advice from a friend who’s already walked the Camino 23 times!

Are You Ready To Take The Stress Out Of Planning Your Camino?

I’ve poured my heart into these workshops. They’re not just another YouTube video or a list of tips after one or two walks — they’re everything I wish I’d known before my first Camino, and everything I’ve learned from the other 22!

Get all 6 of my Camino Planning Workshops for just $35

I answer hundreds of your Camino questions — covering routes, travel, stages, accommodation, daily life, and packing — all in one place. It’s like getting advice from a friend who’s already walked the Camino 23 times!

Yellow arrow marker on Camino Norte

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.

I’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.

TrueTraveller : 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. I’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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