Camino Francés 101 – An introduction to the Last 100KMs Tour.   Introduction to the Camino de Santiago and our Last 100Kms Tour What is the Camino de Santiago? The Camino de Santiago, or The Way of Saint James, is one of the oldest and most famous pilgrimage routes in Europe.  Pilgrims came on foot from all…

Spain, Gay Madrid and the Camino de Santiago with Out Adventures and Andaspain   Introduction to the Camino de Santiago 1. What is the Camino de Santiago? The Camino de Santiago, or The Way of Saint James, is one of the oldest and most famous pilgrimage routes in Europe.  Pilgrims came on foot from all over Europe…

Let’s get ready! Maybe you have booked a trip already. Maybe it’s itching the back of your mind. Either way, your pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago is a very real possibility.  You want to prepare for the Camino as much as you can, both physically and mentally. But where to start? Getting ready for…

Our Camino Walking Tours 2020 – We have just finished our 2019 Camino de Santiago season and despite a little bit of too much rain in October (although that did not stop our determined pilgrims), we could not have asked for a better season! We are always grateful for our expanding Andaspain family of pilgrims….

The Camino de Santiago is a generic description of the numerous routes which lead to Santiago de Compostela. There are many routes leading to Santiago de Compostela. These include paths from England, France, Germany, Scandinavia, and the list goes on.

Here are 10 must-see sights along the Camino Francés from St. Jean Pied de Port to Santiago de Compostela.

This masterpiece was completed in the 12th century with history and rituals linked to the ancient pilgrimage of the Camino de Santiago.

Pulpo, or octopus, has become one of the signature foods along the Camino de Santiago.

This Galician tradition is the reading of an ancient “spell” that dates to the Celtic times and today is still practiced along the Camino de Santiago

Learn about the Compostela, or Certificate of Completion, of the Camino de Santiago and how much you must walk to apply for yours.

How to order your coffee along the Camino de Santiago (including Spanish translations).

Along the Camino del Norte sits the Cistercian Monastery of our Lady of Sobrado which dates to the 10th Century.

We visit the impressive Frank Gerhy’s hotel and winery on our Best of the Camino de Santiago tour!

Spanish fritters are just one of the many famous sweet foods consumed in Spain during Carnival, or Entroido, which takes place every Spring in Santiago de Compostela.

Scaffolding covered the dramatic spires of the Cathedral de Santiago from 2013 to 2018 while the Church underwent a multi-million Euro renovation project.

Try our recipe for Orejas, or pig ears, a sweet Spanish desert similar to a funnel cake.

Castillo de Mota del Marqués is along the Via de la Plata, or the Silver route, which is the longest Camino de Santiago in Spain.

Get to know Vanessa and Kate, the co-founders and owners of Andaspain Walking Adventures, and hear how they fell in love with the Camino de Santiago.

The town Puente la Reina which translates to Bridge of the Queen is home to a 11th Century bridge and sits along the French Way of the Camino de Santiago, just west of Pamplona.

Filloas de Leche Gallego is one of the many delicious foods made in Galicia, the region in Northwest Spain along the Camino de Santiago, as part of the Carnival celebrations.

We are sharing our Tortilla Espanola recipe straight from the family kitchen of Vanessa’s mother who has perfected this traditional Spanish dish.

Polvorones are Spanish shortbread cookies that are now only mostly consumed during the Christmas season.

Learn about the Spanish traditions and foods eaten during the famous celebration of Carnival in Santiago de Compostela.

Orujo is a very popular and very tasty after-dinner drink found in Galicia along the Camino de Santiago.

Camino de Santiago – Guided or Self Guided? Many people from around the world come to walk the Camino de Santiago and this number is growing each year. People choose to walk in various different styles for their Camino journey. Some pilgrims decide to throw on a backpack and walk right out their front door….

Pilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago are warned of the legends of the Santa Compana and the story of the lost souls.

Castillo Templario de Ponferrada, or Castle of the Knights Templar, is a castle-fortress built by the Knights Templar and is in the town of Ponferrada along the Camino de Santiago.

  Feliz Navidad – A Spanish Christmas! Spaniards are known for stretching out the festive period into a month-long celebration. The start of the Spanish Christmas celebration begins on the 8th of December and continues through to the 6th of January. During this whole month, the bakeries have their windows filled with the popular Spanish Christmas…

What is an horreo? This is a question we often hear as we walk across northern Spain along the Camino de Santiago. It is a query about the raised, narrow and long buildings, often topped with a cross, scattered across the Camino upon entering the state of Galicia. The next question usually is, how do you pronounce it? Just think of America’s…

The Royal Monastery of San Pelayo de Antealtares (Mosteiro de San Paio de Antealtares in Galician) is a Spanish convent of Benedictine nuns. It is situated snugly in the old town of Santiago de Compostela, bordering the Plaza de Quintana across from the back wall of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. The building was originally founded in…

Azabache As you take your final steps on the Camino de Santiago, leading into the Plaza de Obradoiro, you are walking down the very famous street, Rua de Acibecheria, or the street of Azabache. This street was once the designated street housing the only shops that sold the protective stone, Azabache, in the old town of Santiago…

The cake of St James We think everyone should have an easy Tarta de Santiago recipe to make at home! The Tarta de Santiago is a traditional Spanish almond cake found along the Camino de Santiago.  It is a must-try along your journey to Santiago de Compostela. History It is thought to date back as…

The Two Marias The small local park in Santiago de Compostela is called Alameda Park just past the old town. Upon entering you are greeted by a statue of two ladies. The statues are replicas of the Spanish sisters Maruxa and Coralia Fanino Ricart. Both ladies are brightly dressed and offer an open hand in…

Author Iain Dryden shares with us his love for Spanish wine in this guest article, along with giving pilgrims the opportunity to win a copy of his book, Camino Voices…   When your kidneys refuse to forget the chemicals much of our food is laced with, you get a little fussy about what slides down…

Spain’s Natural Remedy   Lesser Celandine If you walk the Camino de Santiago in Spring you will see the hills of Galicia scattered with small yellow flowers. These plants are called Lesser Celandine. They bloom in late February with the flowers opening in the morning and closing as the sun goes down.  These wild flowers…

Caldo Gallego Caldo Gallego is a traditional soup from Galicia, Spain. The word caldo translates to broth.  If you order caldo in Spain you would receive only a bowl of broth. However, here in Santiago de Compostela, when you order Caldo Gallego it is not a simple broth, but you will find a pork based…

Portomarin is a beautiful small town located in the Spanish province of Lugo. Should you walk the Camino Frances, you would arrive to the town of Portomarin on Stage 27 of your walk; or this inviting town could be your first stop on the Camino de Santiago should you walk the last 100 KM from…

The Mercado de Abastos, or the market here in Santiago de Compostela, began in 1874 with people setting up shops in pavilions made of iron and glass to trade their local Galician products in the town centre. This market has been remodelled many times during its existence, but the last remodel in 1945, transformed the…

On average, Galicians eat seven kilos of cheese per year! Every Spring, Arzua hosted its annual cheese festival. This event is not to be missed as dairy farmers bring their cheese from all over Spain, as well as promoting the locally made cheese from the farms of Galicia. The cheeses are displayed within the town’s…

The Puerta Santa, or the Holy Door, is open.  On the 13th of March 2015, Pope Francis surprised the world when he announced the Jubilee de Miscericordia, or Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, for the year 2016. Pope Francis declared the start of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy on the 8 December 2015, from the Feast…

Semana Santa Join us on our Easter Tour!  Semana Santa or “Holy Week” is one of the most special times to be on the Camino de Santiago. This week-long celebration fills the streets of Santiago de Compostela with processions.  It is a tradition made famous in Spain as the population turns out to celebrate the…

Churros con chocolate   How and where to eat them After walking over 100k or more along the Camino de Santiago to reach this hallowed destination you will probably feel like you deserve a treat! One option is a traditional Spanish breakfast of Churros and a thick cup of  chocolate.  The chocolate is so thick…