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What Is the Camino de Santiago? And Why Do People Walk it?

Camino Planning Workshop – Module 1

Created by Colleen | Updated : 30 August 2025 | ,

You’ve heard about the Camino, and you’re curious.

  • But what is the Camino de Santiago?
  • Is it one path or many?
  • Is it a religious pilgrimage or a long-distance hike?
  • And where do you sleep and how do you find your way?

I remember when I first walked I had so many questions, so many new words and so many places to learn about – I felt so confused, I wondered if I could ever really do this.

But trust me; if I can then you can!

My workshop lifts the veil and provides answers in plain English with easy to understand videos and useful downloads. Discover not just about the history but what it means to walk, and why so many people say it changed their life.

yellow Camino arrow painted on a rock on the road before Portomarin

Workshop 1 : What You’ll Learn in This Workshop

We’ll cover the basics—and then we go a little deeper. At the end, you’ll have a much clearer picture of what the Camino is, how it came to be, and why it continues to inspire so many people today. 

  • What is the Camino de Santiago? – A simple introduction to what it means to me, as well as the historical roots of this ancient path
  • Where is the Camino? – Is it just one path… or many?
  • Your “why” – Reflecting on or discovering your own reason for walking
  • Is it really life-changing? – Only you can answer that, but we’ll talk about what makes this journey meaningful and the moments that stay with you
  • A look back through time – From the earliest humans to Celtic myths, Roman roads, and medieval miracles
  • Why St James? – Why is his tomb in Santiago de Compostela?
  • The rise (and fall) of pilgrimage – Templars, relics, the Reformation, and the plague
  • Modern pilgrimage – Who walks today, and why?
  • Camino jargon – From albergues to arrows, credentials to Compostela – what does it all mean?
  • How do you find your way? – Trail markings, shells, pilgrim accommodation, and services
  • Who are today’s pilgrims? – Age, fitness, faith… and does it really matter?
  • Books & Movies : Where can you learn more about the Camino de Santiago
  • What next? – Where do you go from here? (Take the next workshop, perhaps?)
pilgrim sculpture on the camino in Valcarlos on the route between St Jean and Roncesvalles

Want to Learn About The Camino De Santiago? You Need This Workshop

Many people feel unsure—or even daunted—at the idea of walking the Camino. And yet, something still speaks them!

They worry about getting lost, not being fit enough, travelling alone, or not knowing what to expect. But the truth is, once you understand the background and the nuts and bolts of walking, it all feels more real—more possible.

This first workshop is designed to take the mystery out of it all. You’ll become familiar with the history, the spirit and meaning of the Camino—and also what it might mean for you.

Once you know what to expect your worries will becomes motivation. And if you’re still reading—well done. Maybe you already have the heart of a pilgrim.

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 to you choose, where do you start and how do you sort the wheat from the chaff or know who to trust?

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

YouTube video

Want to learn more about the Camino? Then hop over to my Free Private Facebook Group | Walking The Camino De Santiago.

Looking For More : Here’s all My Camino Planning Workshops

You may not need all six modules – but I can assure you that if you have them all, you’ll feel super confident that you have done all you can to prepare for your Camino!

2. Choosing the Right Camino Route for You

  • Workshop Cost : $9

Because there isn’t just one Camino! — there are many. We’ll look at the most popular routes, what makes them different, and walk through how your own Camino will look.  At the end you’ll feel confident about which route is right for you and why!

👉 Learn more about this workshop

3. Getting to the Camino (and Home Again)

  • Workshop Cost : $9

Flights, trains, buses, and all the little things that make travel planning smoother. We’ll look at the best tools to help you plan journey from home, from Santiago and along the way.

The skills you learn in this workshop will help with future planning too as it’s what we do every time we book a flight!

👉 Learn more about this workshop

4. Planning Your Camino

  • Workshop Cost : $9

From planning daily stages — to not planning at all. This workshops talks you through everything from arrival to accommodation, to budgeting and baggage and where to find pilgrim services — plus a whole host of practical things that will make life easier.

This workshop works whether you’re going alone, with a group or you prefer no plan at all!

👉 Learn more about this workshop

5. A Typical Day on the Camino

  • Workshop Cost : $9

What does a normal day on the Camino look like? Is there even such a thing? From waking up to walking, eating, resting, meeting others, communal dinners, and sleeping.

We’ll talk about the ups and downs of pilgrim life and what it’s really like to walk the Camino de Santiago

👉 Learn more about this workshop

6. What’s in My Bag

  • Workshop Cost : $9

Learn what you need and what you want aren’t the same! I’ll show from experience what to pack, what to buy, and what to leave behind.

I’ll show you what I carry and why — and Gerry will do the same. Between us, I promise we’ll save you the cost of the workshop in unnecessary gear alone!

👉 Learn more about this workshop

I truly believe that the Camino is for everyone. You don’t have to walk fast, or far, or even carry everything on your back. You just have to start — and the fact that you’re here means you already have.

And who knows? Maybe I’ll see you out there on the trail one day. And if I do… be sure to shout me a Buen Camino!

  • For a limited time, you can buy all 6 Camino Planning Workshops for just $35 (until 31 October). After that, the price increases to $39.
  • And there’s more — everyone who grabs the bundle at the reduced price will be entered into a prize draw to win one of three €50 vouchers to spend at Ivar’s Pilgrim Store.

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!

Tui Cathedral at night

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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