2025 E1 - The Old Fart’s Guide to Camino de Santiago - Part 1

This video is part one of a two-part series on the Camino de Santiago. In this first installment, we focus on key planning tips, while part two dives into important considerations for your journey along the trail.

Documents mentioned in this description can be found at the following location:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1uGrNx3d_vssun4xrdXhf8V4A1iaqutZc?usp=drive_link


★PLANNERS★

Planning a Camino de Santiago journey? A reliable travel company can make your trip seamless and enjoyable. Suggested companies:

- Camino Ways – https://caminoways.com
- Santiago Ways – https://santiagoways.com
- Galiwonders – https://galiwonders.com
- Pygmy Elephant – https://pygmyelephant.com

★ PARADORES★

Exploring the Camino de Santiago becomes even more special when staying at Paradores, a network of historic and luxurious hotels strategically located along the various Camino routes. Here is a partial list:

- Parador de Baiona
- Parador de Calahorra
- Parador de Gijón
- Parador de Hondarribia
- Parador de León (Hostal de San Marcos)
- Parador de Olite
- Parador de Pontevedra
- Parador de Ribadeo
- Parador de Santiago de Compostela (Hostal dos Reis Católicos)
- Parador de Santo Domingo de la Calzada
- Parador de Sos del Rey Católico
- Parador de Tui
- Parador de Vilalba
- Parador de Villafranca del Bierzo

For a more detailed list of Paradors, see “Paradores - All routes.pdf” at the above link.

★ BOOKING YOUR LODGING USING WEBSITES AND APPS★

Enhance your Camino de Santiago journey with these essential apps and services, designed to provide everything from navigation support to accommodation booking and luggage transport.

- Wise Pilgrim – https://www.wisepilgrim.com
- Buen Camino App – App Store / Google Play
- Camino Ninja – App Store / Google Play
- Caminofacil (luggage transport) – https://caminofacil.net/en/
- Gronze (Spanish) – https://www.gronze.com
- Booking.com – https://www.booking.com

★ THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BOOKING LODGING★

Deciding where to stay on the Camino de Santiago involves careful consideration of several factors to ensure a comfortable and convenient experience tailored to your needs and preferences. here are some things to consider:

- Location – Is it on the trail or is a detour required?
- Booking – Can you reserve ahead or only walk in?
- Amenities – Laundry, kitchen, Wi-Fi, AC, lockers
- Pilgrim Services – Pilgrim Menu, baggage transfer
- Reviews – Ratings, bedbug reports
- Special Needs – Accessibility, pets, pharmacy nearby

I have placed a copy of my itineraries for Camino Francés and Camino Portugues which also show my favorite accommodations. See document “Camino Francés.xlsx” and “Portugues.xlsx”

★ CREDENCIAL DEL PEREGRIN0★

Obtaining your Credential (Credencial del Peregrino) is an important step for Camino de Santiago pilgrims, as it serves as your official pilgrim passport and provides access to special services and accommodations along the journey. It is best to secure your Credential in your home country before departing for your pilgrimage. This is a list of where you can obtain it, depending on your location.

- Australia – https://www.afotc.org/passport-credencial/
- Belgium – https://www.st-jacques.be/
- Canada – https://www.santiago.ca/credencials-and-badges/
- China – https://americanpilgrims.org/request-a-credential/
- France – https://www.compostelle.fr/
- Germany – https://www.jakobus.de/
- Ireland – https://www.caminosociety.ie/passports-editing-version
- Italy – http://www.confraternitadisanjacopo.it/
- Japan – https://www.tb-kumano.jp/en/kumano-kodo/dual-pilgrim/
- Netherlands – https://www.santiago.nl/
- Philippines – https://americanpilgrims.org/request-a-credential/
- Portugal – https://www.caminhoportuguesdesantiago.com/
- South Africa – https://csjofsa.za.org/membership-csjofsa/
- Spain – https://www.caminosantiago.org/
- Switzerland – https://www.jakobsweg.ch/
- United Kingdom – https://www.csj.org.uk/pilgrim-passports
- United States – https://americanpilgrims.org/request-a-credential/

★ PACKING LIST★

Preparing for your Camino de Santiago adventure is much easier with the help of detailed packing lists available on various trusted websites, offering guidance on what to bring for a smooth and enjoyable journey.


https://americanpilgrims.org/packing-list/
https://caminoways.com/camino-packing-list
https://followthecamino.com/en/blog/camino-de-santiago-packing-list/

For my detailed Packing list, see “Packing List.xlsx” at the above link.

Buen Camino!

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