"hiking The Camino De Santiago: Pilgrimage Travel Insurance For The Way Of St. James"

"hiking The Camino De Santiago: Pilgrimage Travel Insurance For The Way Of St. James" - All you need to know Head to the northern Spanish city of Santiago and follow in the footsteps of a worthy pilgrim dating back a thousand years.

The Camino de Santiago (or Way of St. James) is the most famous pilgrimage route in Europe, and travelers add it to their bucket lists. Few people know that the Camino (path) is actually made up of many paths. They all lead to the same destination - the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, the capital of Galicia in northern Spain, a shrine believed to be the saint of the apostles. Jacob.

"hiking The Camino De Santiago: Pilgrimage Travel Insurance For The Way Of St. James"

Beginning in the Middle Ages, devotees left their gates and went to every city in Europe to be cleansed of their sins in life. There is currently a network of nine routes of varying lengths with departure points in Spain, France and Portugal. You no longer have to be religious to walk the Camino. In fact, at the end, the questionnaire you fill out to receive a certificate of successful completion of Compostela has many options, such as exercise, adventure, culture or simply walking. Would you like to try it? Here's what you need to know.

Walk The Camino De Santiago

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In the ninth century, in a small, humble enclosure in the Galician countryside of northern Spain, a shepherd is said to have made a very special (and accidental) discovery - the body of the apostle Saint. Jacob. The Church seized the opportunity to confirm the discovery and, led by angels, brought the bodies of the two disciples by boat to the northwest corner of Spain and buried them there. His body was buried in a tomb in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Soon people from all over Europe started flocking to the tomb and the pilgrimage route was born.

Dating back 11 centuries, this once obscure town is now filled with tourists, many of whom choose to walk, not just to see the church's iconic cemetery.

The best (and most popular) time to lace up your shoes is from May to September - although a month-long trip is also possible. July and August are particularly hot, with some routes offering little shelter from the sun.

Camino De Santiago: How To Walk Spain's Most Famous Route

Don't forget to put on a new pair of walking shoes before you start walking to avoid blisters as your feet and shoes get used to each other. If you pack your stuff in your bag every day, it's a good idea to try it out to find and deal with any inconveniences and assess whether you can handle the weight.

Keeping track of your accommodation isn't absolutely necessary, but it's worth considering if you know where you are at every stage of your journey. So there is no need to wander around looking for a place to sleep. You don't have to wander this way – you can avoid the traditional tourist hotels and find B&Bs, homestays, farm stays and luxury hotels. There are many tour operators who can organize the whole thing for you, or even provide a "Sherpa service" to carry your luggage for the day, so you only need a small bag for your trip. For this you will need plenty of water, snacks, sunscreen and a rain jacket.

In the early stages, you can collect your pilgrim's passport (or peregrino credit) and get it stamped twice a day (at shops, cafes, etc.) as proof of your journey. You can buy it for around €2 or download the digital version* to your phone. The paths are well marked and often symbolize the Camino.

Every year, hundreds of thousands of tourists walk the Camino without incident – in fact, the biggest danger comes from traffic when crossing the road or walking along certain busy roads. Blisters and sunburn are the most common problems. But take all the usual precautions when traveling - let others know where you're going and when your journey will end. Carry your phone in case of emergency (higher range is better) and follow your gut.

Camino De Santiago, Spain: Five Things To Know Before The Trail

Solo travelers often wonder how safe it is to walk the Camino alone. Due to the popularity of the pilgrimage routes, especially the Camino Francis, it is impossible to walk alone anyway. There may be other solo hikers if you wish.

The Camino de France (or French Way) is the most famous route, starting from the French port of Saint Jean Pied before entering Spain. Covering cities such as the Pyrenees, Pamplona and Leon, it is more than 500 miles long and most walkers aim to complete it in five or six weeks. You must be naturally fit to do this. However, there are plenty of places to stop along the way – bars, restaurants, inns (called albergues), shops and hotels – so there are plenty of options for short days, occasional stops or longer breaks when needed.

Do you like a challenge? Choosing a short section of the Camino Francis is easy. All you have to do is walk 62 miles to reach Compostela and say you've walked the Camino. Make sure you travel the right distance from Zaria City.

Best for those who want a challenge but don't feel like a big trip. With some inclines and flat trails, it's a great option for those concerned about fitness levels.

How To Pack For The Camino De Santiago Pilgrimage Trail

Camino Portugal has become the second most popular option for Santiago de Compostela. Part of its appeal is that it's mostly flat, which makes it easy to ride. The route starts in Lisbon and passes through Coimbra and Porto in the north, admiring the beautiful Atlantic coast. The whole thing takes 382 miles to walk, and most people give themselves a month to complete it. If you don't want to tackle all that, you can start from Porto via the Coastal Route (174 miles) or the Central Route (162 miles).

Want more challenges? The Camino del Norte is a more peaceful coastal option, but requires a higher level of fitness. It covers a 513 km route that starts in Irun and includes coastal cities such as San Sebastián, Bilbao and Santander.

Above all, enjoy the stunning scenery for yourself: take a less crowded and uncrowded route through this mountainous region.

Spain's Camino Primitive (Original Way) was the first pilgrimage route made to Santiago by King Alfonso II of Asturias in the 9th century. The 200km drive from Villaviciosa takes you through the medieval city of Oviedo and through the rugged Cantabrian mountains. There are several steep climbs along the way, making it a wild and far-reaching challenge. The bonus is a lovely feeling of solitude that's hard to come by in more popular lines. Most hikers take two or more weeks to complete this.

El Camino Walking In Spain

Want more challenges? Why not add a few days of walking to Santiago? The Camino Finisterre is another 53 miles to the mountain of Cape Finisterre, Spain's most westerly point.

The best thing about getting a hiker is that it's one of the shortest official routes you can take to get certified, and it's not just the last 60 miles of the Camino Francis.

Camino English was traditionally used by Englishmen (as the name suggests) and Northern Europeans who traveled by boat to Spain and landed in Ferrol on the Atlantic coast. The 76-mile trail heads south and requires six days of travel. The first few days are mostly mountainous, then you'll pass through flat, forested terrain as you approach Santiago. It's less crowded than some of the longer lines, making the Camino perfect for people who want to enjoy the Hajj but don't have time to waste.

Want more challenges? To add to the classic Camino, first start in the French countryside from a town near Lyon to Port St. Jean Pied and add 450 miles. climb

Lessons Learned On The Camino De Santiago — The Lily Bee

Solitude is the best to find.

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