Irish Farmers Journal Country Living* Circulation: 70496 Saturday, 27 August 2016 Area of Clip: 72900mm² Page: 39 Page 1 of 3

tips for Camino

successWalking the Camino Way is an unforgettable experience. Aisling Hussey has some tips for a good trip

[email protected] REMEMBER MEDICAL SUPPLIES days and is the minimum needed to t's not about the destination but Blister pads, plasters, insect repel- collect your certificate of completion the journey,” noted my philosoph- lent and sun cream are all essen- Some braver souls will start further ical friend before we embarked tial3 items for the Camino. When we back and walk for a month or more. on our walk of the Camino. At the arrived in Santiago, this writer visited When we walked the French Way time, we were facing what felt like numerous pharmacies in search of endless kilometres ahead of us - with in fune, it was thronged with walkers Epsom salts but to no avail. Book a minimalI training completed before- and cyclists. The crowds, coupled with hotel with a bath and-bring the salts hand - and were becoming slightly the markers along the way, make it you won’t regret it. fearful. impossible to get lost. Thinking of completing the Cami- Indeed, during our few days of STAY HYDRATED walking, there were moments when no? Follow these tips for a good trip. Another important thing to re- we wanted nothing more than to member is to stav hvdrated. The) reach the next pit stop. However, it LEAVE EARLY IN THE MORNING are4 plenty of cafes to pick up some was - as many other walkers before us If you plan on walking the Camino water, so you won’t be stuck. can testify - an unforgettable experi- during the hotter summer months, ence. But what possesses anyone to aim1 to be on the road by 7am. You TRAIN BEFOREHAND walk hundreds of kilometres and call might feel tired and sore early in the This writer started out with great it a holiday? morning, but most walkers will be on intentions and tried to follow a The Camino de Santiago (Way the road early. training5 plan. However, I left for the of St lames) is the pilgrimage to the Camino having barely completed a Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela TAKE YOUR TIME 10km walk. Unsurprisingly, I was in in Galicia in north-western Spain. The Walking the Camino is not a race. agony after two days. Camino Ways cathedral is the focal point of the city, Take in your surroundings and have a lots of plans and tutorials on and where the remains of the apostle 2chat to fellow pilgrims, many of whom www.caminoways.com - it’s definitely St lames are buried. have travelled from all over the world. worth your while building up your For this reason, many complete The highlight of our trip was un- fitness levels before the trip. And don’t it for religious purposes. Others do it doubtedly the camaraderie on the way forget to break in your shoes! CL to get away from everything, or as a - not one person will pass without the personal challenge. customary “Beun Camino” greeting. There are a myriad of different It may sound simple, but it made routes to takes, but the French Way is the walk so much easier. Also don’t most popular with pilgrims. Many will forget to pack your pilgrim passport do the last 100km from Sarria to San- and get it stamped everywhere you go. tiago, which can be completed in five Irish Farmers Journal Country Living* Circulation: 70496 Saturday, 27 August 2016 Area of Clip: 72900mm² Page: 39 Page 2 of 3

Getting there FLIGHTS ACCOMMODATION Aer Lingus operates up to All kinds of accommodation five flights per week from can be found on the Camino, Dublin to Santiago de from hostels to more up- Compostela with one-way market boutique options. fares including taxes and charges starting A full week of walking from Sarria (six from €49.99. This is a summer service and nights) would start at €560 per person runs until 31 October. For further informa- sharing, including standard accommoda- tion, log onto aerlingus.com tion, with dinners on walking days, luggage transfers and holiday pack with practical TOURS information, including pilgrim passport. Dublin-based CaminoWays. This package is offered by Dublin-based com specialises in walking Camino Ways. The company also offers a and cycling tours on the Country Cottages package. many Camino de Santiago We stayed for three nights, starting routes, including the famous French Way, from Arzua, which cost €299 per person Camino Frances. sharing, including accommodation, one They organise both self-guided and dinner, luggage transfers and holiday pack. guided tours. Prices for a six-night self- The first place we stayed was Casa guided tour walking the last 100km into Teodora in Arzua. It’s a family-run guest- Santiago de Compostela start from €560 house in the market town. per person sharing including half-board Our final stop was Hotel Gelmirez in accommodation, luggage transfers, pilgrim Santiago de Compostela, which is ideally passport and holiday pack with practical located in the old town near the cathedral information. and has modern and comfy rooms. For a free quote visit caminoways.com, email their travel specialists info@camino- ways.com or arrange an appointment at their Dublin city centre office.

Take in your surroundings and chat to fellow pilgrims. Irish Farmers Journal Country Living* Circulation: 70496 Saturday, 27 August 2016 Area of Clip: 72900mm² Page: 39 Page 3 of 3

Cathedral of Santiago tie Compostela in Galina in north-western Spain.