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Camino de Santiago - Practical Preparation and Background
New 2013 edition now available. This guide to preparation for the Camino de Santiago contains the following:
Planning and Preparation: advice on when to walk, which part to walk, what to bring (clothes, equipment, etc.), what not to bring (very important), travel to your starting point, internet resources and budgeting.
On the Camino: advice and information about what to expect on the Camino. Terrain, waymarkings, accommodation, food and drink, money matters, keeping in touch (telephone, internet, etc.), health - with advice on staying healthy and accessing the Spanish health service, Camino administration, etiquette and safety - staying safe and planning for any eventuality.
The Caminos: information about the other Caminos, a list of book about the Caminos (unfortunately, many of which aren't available in English) and Camino statistics with the most popular starting points, nationalities, routes and busiest months.
History: the aim of the History section is to give you an understanding of the historical background to the Camino and the role it played in the foundation of modern Spain and Europe. It contains a history of Spain and a history of the Camino from its beginnings to its revival in the late 20th century. There's also an account of life on the Camino in the middle-ages and the types of people who walked then, their motivations and the hardships and hazards they faced.
Society, Culture & Environment: gives a brief outline of the fascinating mosaic that is modern Spain, its politics, culture and peoples. The natural environment of northern Spain and the impact of the Camino on it. A description of the architectural styles and periods you'll see along the Camino.
Communicating: advice on making yourself understood and understanding others, with a Menu Guide to help you decipher menus and the most useful Spanish words and phrases for Camino life plus a few phrases in Basque and Galician.
Glossary: a concise reference for many Camino-related persons and things.
This new edition, published in September 2013, has been extensively changed, updated and expanded based on feedback and criticisms received from readers over the past two years and the author's experiences of walking various Caminos during that time. Most of the changes and additions are in the areas: - Packing, what to bring: with the different packing options listed in detail, and the pros and cons of different items explained. - A typical Camino day is described, from waking at the crack of dawn to bedding down at nightfall. - There's detailed information about how Pilgrim Hostels work, and what it's like to stay in one? - Health: blisters, bedbugs, heatstroke, and other Camino hazards are described with advice on avoiding them and dealing with them. Thanks to everybody for their feedback and their help with this new edition. Buen Camino!
Planning and Preparation: advice on when to walk, which part to walk, what to bring (clothes, equipment, etc.), what not to bring (very important), travel to your starting point, internet resources and budgeting.
On the Camino: advice and information about what to expect on the Camino. Terrain, waymarkings, accommodation, food and drink, money matters, keeping in touch (telephone, internet, etc.), health - with advice on staying healthy and accessing the Spanish health service, Camino administration, etiquette and safety - staying safe and planning for any eventuality.
The Caminos: information about the other Caminos, a list of book about the Caminos (unfortunately, many of which aren't available in English) and Camino statistics with the most popular starting points, nationalities, routes and busiest months.
History: the aim of the History section is to give you an understanding of the historical background to the Camino and the role it played in the foundation of modern Spain and Europe. It contains a history of Spain and a history of the Camino from its beginnings to its revival in the late 20th century. There's also an account of life on the Camino in the middle-ages and the types of people who walked then, their motivations and the hardships and hazards they faced.
Society, Culture & Environment: gives a brief outline of the fascinating mosaic that is modern Spain, its politics, culture and peoples. The natural environment of northern Spain and the impact of the Camino on it. A description of the architectural styles and periods you'll see along the Camino.
Communicating: advice on making yourself understood and understanding others, with a Menu Guide to help you decipher menus and the most useful Spanish words and phrases for Camino life plus a few phrases in Basque and Galician.
Glossary: a concise reference for many Camino-related persons and things.
This new edition, published in September 2013, has been extensively changed, updated and expanded based on feedback and criticisms received from readers over the past two years and the author's experiences of walking various Caminos during that time. Most of the changes and additions are in the areas: - Packing, what to bring: with the different packing options listed in detail, and the pros and cons of different items explained. - A typical Camino day is described, from waking at the crack of dawn to bedding down at nightfall. - There's detailed information about how Pilgrim Hostels work, and what it's like to stay in one? - Health: blisters, bedbugs, heatstroke, and other Camino hazards are described with advice on avoiding them and dealing with them. Thanks to everybody for their feedback and their help with this new edition. Buen Camino!
- GenresTravelNonfictionSpain
168 pages, Paperback
First published July 4, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 23, 2015
A very practical go to manual which I might find useful when I take this pilgrimage in the future. I got a little bogged down with the extensive history of Spain which I thought unnecessary.
May 28, 2017
If everything goes according to plan (and it almost never does in my life) I'm going to retire from my current job in May of 2021 and Melissa and I are going to get on a plane, fly to Europe, and walk the Camino de Santiago while we figure out what to do with the rest of our lives. Under the theory that it never hurts to start planning early, I've begun reading books about it. This one is a good practice guide to getting ready. Wish me luck. :)
March 11, 2018
While this was full of good advice and practical knowledge and really got me in the mood for our Camino walk later this year, it also suffers from the self-publishing ills of bad grammar, repetitive sections, questionable organization...
April 12, 2025
Good know-before-you-go info.
February 11, 2017
Útil e interesante
Un libro que ofrece información de utilidad para un futuro peregrino, también resulta ser interesante y bien documentado. Sin duda es bueno haberlo leído antes de iniciar esta aventura.
Un libro que ofrece información de utilidad para un futuro peregrino, también resulta ser interesante y bien documentado. Sin duda es bueno haberlo leído antes de iniciar esta aventura.
March 22, 2016
The book is just what it says - a Practical Preparation. It paints a good picture of what the Camino might feel like to a current pilgrim. Almost paints a too-easy picture, to be honest... but the author has completed the pilgrimage several times and reading it felt like speaking face to face with a friend or acquaintance who has gone. If I ever do the pilgrimage, I know I will continuously refer to this book beforehand.
February 6, 2015
The book was a good overview with many practical tips. It gives the reader a general overview of what walking the Camino would be like. It definitely peeked my interest to read further and possibly make a Camino someday.
September 13, 2015
Valuable resource
If you're at all interested in hiking El Camino this book should be part of your preparation. It is full of practical advice and helpful information. It's also a great read if you're just a dreamer like me. :-)
If you're at all interested in hiking El Camino this book should be part of your preparation. It is full of practical advice and helpful information. It's also a great read if you're just a dreamer like me. :-)
September 5, 2015
Liked it a lot - very informative - great preparation for the hike.
July 12, 2016
Excellent resources about the Camino de Santiago and what to pack and to expect!
July 13, 2016
Very interesting on practical, social, linguistic and historical aspects of the Camino.
October 3, 2016
Great overview
Lots of good practical information about walking el Camino. The history of Spain was informative but a bit more in depth than I needed.
Lots of good practical information about walking el Camino. The history of Spain was informative but a bit more in depth than I needed.
April 17, 2017
Very good information that I hope to use someday on this bucket list item.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews