ITINERARY: The Pilgrimage

15th October Dublin to Vigo

Today you will take a flight to Santiago de Compostela (flights are available from Dublin or London; but can also be organised from a different airport). The group will be collected at Santiago Airport and travel to the hotel in Vigo, where you will have time to explore the city’s port and Old Town.

16th October Walking from Vigo to Arcade (22km)

Departing Vigo, you’ll begin your Camino experience with a walk along the coast to Arcade. The terrain is quite flat, which makes it a very pleasant walk. As you leave the city behind, the route passes through quiet rural areas, with the stunning views of the estuary and Rande bridge on your left. In the early afternoon, you’ll reach Redondela, the point where the Coastal Camino Portuguese route joins the traditional Camino Portugues trail, and a great place to stop for lunch. After lunch, you will then continue to Arcade, a lovely fishing village famous for its oysters, and a perfect place to stop for the night. 

17th October Walking from Arcade to Pontevedra (13km)

This morning is a relatively short walk, allowing for a bit of recovery from yesterday’s long first walk day. After leaving Arcade this morning you’ll pass the hamlet of Santa Marta Bertola just over half way through your walk day, and 5km further on you’ll reach the beautiful Old Town in Pontevedra city. After checking into your accommodation, take some time to stroll to town and admire its cobbled streets, squares, Romanesque churches and the Pilgrim Virgin church, Virxe da Peregrina, looking after pilgrims on their way to Santiago.

18th October Walking from Pontevedra to Caldas de Reis (22kms)

After Pontevedra, you’ll notice a change in the scenery as the route moves away from the coast and begins to take pilgrims inland and through pine forests. You can stamp your passport in the pretty chapels and churches along the way such as Santa Maria de Alba and San Mamede Church in Portela. After Portela, depending on time, it might be possible to take a detour to visit the waterfalls at the Ría Barosa Natural Park. Your finish line for today is the town of Caldas de Reis, famous for its hot springs.

19th October Walking from Caldas de Reis to Padron (20km)

Today is a shorter walking stage than previous days and you will be passing various hamlets and villages where you will be able to take a coffee break and get your pilgrim passport stamped. From the village of Santa Marina the Camino trail takes pilgrims along lovely forest paths into Padron, home of the famous small green peppers and Galicia’s most illustrious poet: Rosalia de Castro. In the town’s Alameda Park you will find a statue dedicated to 19th century poet Rosalia de Castro as well as Camilo Jose Cela, Nobel Prize of Literature and also a native of Padron.

20th October - Walking from Padron to Santiago de Compostela (23km)

While the day starts along similar forest paths to previous walking days, as you get closer to the outskirts of Santiago de Compostela the stage becomes gradually more urban, with asphalt replacing the forest tracks and countryside we’ve become accustomed to. It is an exciting day as we tackle the last into Santiago. As the group nears Santiago’s Old Town and approaches Obradoiro Square and the Cathedral, the excitement and joy of all pilgrims is palpable. Walking into Obradoiro Square, you will finally reach Santiago Cathedral where the atmosphere of exhilaration and jubilation is something special, a memory that you will treasure forever. Enjoy and savour this moment, you have arrived!

21st October – Exploring Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela, destination of pilgrims for centuries and capital of Galicia is a city full of wonders, with beautiful cobbled squares, arched streets and cosy nooks and crannies. Originally built in the 9th century on the spot where the remains of Saint James were found, the Cathedral is the city’s most important landmark and monument but there are many other wonderful places not be missed in Santiago’s Old Town such as the Abastos Market, the Alameda Park, the University Buildings and its many museums. In the lively streets of the Old Town such as Rua do Vilar, Rua Nova and Rua do Franco you will find a vibrant mix of pilgrims, locals and students enjoying the many cafes, bars and restaurants. Galicia’s traditional cuisine can be found everywhere; the famous Galician octopus, empanadas (savory pastries), Padrón peppers, caldo gallego and Tarta de Santiago almond cake are just some of the region’s many unmissable delicacies you should sample.Santiago city is split in two areas: the Old Town (Zona Vella), and the New Town (Zona Nova). You can also venture into the New Town, wrapped around the historic quarter and a short walk away where you will find many stores. 

22nd October – Departure

This morning after breakfast and check out, a local guide will take the group on a walking tour of the city, the best way to discover its magnificent UNESCO-listed Old Town. You’ll then have a little free time for lunch before being transported to the Santiago Airport for your flight home.

ITINERARY: The Online Coaching Sessions

Pre-Travel Preparation

If you don't prepare beforehand, you may end up traveling with your 'home eyes' - viewing through the lens of your own cultural background and personal experiences. This can limit your ability to fully embrace the transformational power of your pilgrimage.

By priming your mind, body and soul to be in an optimal state ahead of the experience, you will able to make the most of this journey, connect on a deeper level, achieve your goals with a sense of accomplishment, and enjoy a greater sense of emotional fulfilment.

This trip includes 4 online coaching sessions to help you set intentions, clear out old baggage and open yourself up to transformation:

1.- September 6th: Physical Preparation

Priming your body with activities that will help you prepare for the physical demands of the journey.

2.- September 13th: Mental Preparation

Cultivate the right mindset with information about the local culture, history, and customs, creating a deeper connection with the destination and the people who live there.

3.- September 20th: Emotional Preparation

Building a positive emotional foundation that will help you approach the pilgrimage with a sense of wonder, curiosity, and openness by engaging in activities that inspire and uplift you.

4.- September 27th: Spiritual Preparation

Strengthen your spiritual connection ahead of the journey, define your deeper intentions and meaning behind this trip to help you center yourself and connect more deeply with the true purpose of the pilgrimage.

Post-Travel Incorporation

Without taking time for reflection after your pilgrimage, you risk losing the benefits you gained and reverting back to your old ways of thinking and behaving once you return home.

Dedicating time to identify, process and internalise what you learned and experienced during your trip will help you gain a deeper understanding of yourself, your values, and your place in the world. By applying these newfound insights to your everyday experiences, you can make positive changes, and live a more fulfilling life.

This trip includes 4 online post-trip coaching sessions to reflect on your journey, process your experiences, and create a plan for implementing lasting change in your life:

1.- November 3rd: Self-Reflection

Setting relevant goals based on your insights and experiences to maintain the momentum and motivation for growth and transformation that you gained during your pilgrimage

2.- November 10th: Plan of Action

Breaking down goals into manageable steps, making them less daunting, easier to achieve, helps with progress tracking, prioritisation, and resource allocation.

3.- November 17th: Overcoming Obstacles

Identify potential obstacles that may prevent you from achieving your goals and how you can convert them to opportunities for growth and learning.

4.- November 24th: Accountability

Having a system to support and encourage you stay accountable and on track will make a big difference in achieving your goals.

Three months online community and coaching support

As part of the programme, you will also have unlimited access to our online community, where you can ask questions, share insights, build meaningful connections, and receive dedicated coaching support to help you navigate any obstacle you may encounter before, during or after your pilgrimage.

Frequently Asked Questions: Camino de Santiago

How long is the trip?

The trip is 8 days/7 nights, but the full program including the coaching and preparation before and after is a 3-month journey.

How much walking experience do I need to have in order to participate in this pilgrimage?

You do not need to have any specific amount of walking experience in order to participate in this pilgrimage. However, it is important to be physically fit and able to walk for extended periods of time. If you can regularly walk for 10k - 15k at home, you should be well placed to walk the Camino where stages can be in the order of 20km/day. If you have any concerns about your physical ability to participate, it is recommended that you consult with a healthcare professional before signing up.

Will you travel with us?

Yes, I will be physically present for the week-long pilgrimage. While I may not walk with you every day - the Camino needs to be your experience - I will be available before and after each stage to offer support and guidance.

What kind of support and guidance can I expect from the personal coach during the trip?

You can expect daily support and guidance, both in person and online. I will be there to help you stay on track with your goals and intentions, to ensure that you have the tools and resources you need to fully embrace this transformative journey and make the most of your experience during the Camino. I will also help to prepare before and ensure that the experience of the journey remains with you in how you integrate the insights and intentions from the Camino into your life when you return home.

Can I book a bed in a twin room even if I don't have a travel companion?

Yes, you can request a bed in a twin room and we will do our best to match you with another single traveler who is also looking to share a room. However, this is dependent on availability and we cannot guarantee that we will be able to find a suitable match for you. If you want to be sure of your place, we recommend that you book a single room.

Is there a limit to the number of people who can participate in this pilgrimage?

Yes, we are limiting the number of participants for this pilgrimage to 15 people to ensure a more personalised and intimate experience.

What kind of transformation can I expect from this journey?

The Camino has the power to bring about significant personal transformation, but the specific changes you experience will depend on your individual goals and intentions for the journey. With the coaching support and the guidance of the journey itself, you can expect to gain a greater sense of clarity, purpose, and self-awareness, as well as the tools and techniques to create lasting positive change in your life.

Can I customise the coaching and support to meet my specific needs and goals?

Yes, the coaching and support provided during this journey can be tailored to meet the individual needs and goals of each participant. During our preparation and planning process, we will work together to understand each unique objective and design a plan that meets your specific needs and helps you achieve your desired outcomes.