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Buen Camino: What a Hike through Spain Taught Me about Investing and Life
Lots of people take a walk to clear their heads, but have you ever walked over six hundred miles to do it?
In the summer of 2018, Gordon J. Bernhardt, founder and president of Bernhardt Wealth Management, set a goal of walking the Camino de Santiago, an ancient pilgrim route in Spain, as a way of reconnecting with what mattered most in his life. Seeking clarity for his business, his relationships, and his priorities in life, he set out on a misty, gray morning from a small town in the French Pyrenees. With people of all ages, nationalities, and beliefs, he traveled the trail leading to the Cathedral de Santiago de Compostela, near the Atlantic coast of northern Spain.
The lessons Gordon learned as a peregrino—a pilgrim—on the Camino ranged from insights on financial advising and investing to the importance of noticing the tiniest details of each like the ant trails winding across the path at his feet, or the “smiling sunflower” that lightened his steps in the middle of a hot summer day, or the simple greeting of “buen camino” hand-painted on a rock beside the trail.
In Buen What a Hike through Spain Taught Me about Investing and Life, you’ll walk the trail with Gordon and his “fellowship” of traveling companions as together they seek a common destination. Along the way, you’ll learn the importance of taking with you only what you really need. You’ll experience the unexpected pleasures of hearing musicians strolling along a narrow street in a Spanish village, and you’ll feel the exhausted gratification of finally standing atop an oceanside hilltop, gazing out at “the end of the world.”
If you have ever longed for greater clarity—in a career, in a relationship, or in understanding life’s true priorities—take some time to walk the trail with a dependable, friendly fellow traveler. Buen What a Hike through Spain Taught Me about Investing and Life will remind you that though we’re all walking a different path, we’re all headed for a common destination.
In the summer of 2018, Gordon J. Bernhardt, founder and president of Bernhardt Wealth Management, set a goal of walking the Camino de Santiago, an ancient pilgrim route in Spain, as a way of reconnecting with what mattered most in his life. Seeking clarity for his business, his relationships, and his priorities in life, he set out on a misty, gray morning from a small town in the French Pyrenees. With people of all ages, nationalities, and beliefs, he traveled the trail leading to the Cathedral de Santiago de Compostela, near the Atlantic coast of northern Spain.
The lessons Gordon learned as a peregrino—a pilgrim—on the Camino ranged from insights on financial advising and investing to the importance of noticing the tiniest details of each like the ant trails winding across the path at his feet, or the “smiling sunflower” that lightened his steps in the middle of a hot summer day, or the simple greeting of “buen camino” hand-painted on a rock beside the trail.
In Buen What a Hike through Spain Taught Me about Investing and Life, you’ll walk the trail with Gordon and his “fellowship” of traveling companions as together they seek a common destination. Along the way, you’ll learn the importance of taking with you only what you really need. You’ll experience the unexpected pleasures of hearing musicians strolling along a narrow street in a Spanish village, and you’ll feel the exhausted gratification of finally standing atop an oceanside hilltop, gazing out at “the end of the world.”
If you have ever longed for greater clarity—in a career, in a relationship, or in understanding life’s true priorities—take some time to walk the trail with a dependable, friendly fellow traveler. Buen What a Hike through Spain Taught Me about Investing and Life will remind you that though we’re all walking a different path, we’re all headed for a common destination.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 27, 2022
11 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 21, 2025
Buen Camino is a reflective, heartfelt journey that blends travel, personal growth, and financial wisdom in a way that feels deeply human. Gordon Bernhardt captures the soul of the Camino its quiet lessons, unexpected companionships, and the clarity that comes only from walking mile after mile with intention. A grounded, meaningful read for anyone seeking perspective in life or work.
August 15, 2023
sad to say this book had so much potential
however
the author keeps inserting his business of a financial investment manager into EVERY chapter.
it became so frustrating that sad to say i gave up
i wish him well on any future endeavors and future books
however
the author keeps inserting his business of a financial investment manager into EVERY chapter.
it became so frustrating that sad to say i gave up
i wish him well on any future endeavors and future books
February 6, 2024
2.5, rounding up.
This was 25% stories from the Camino, 50% promoting the author's personal finance business, and 25% other quotes and anecdotes. I enjoyed the sections about his experience on the Camino but was put off by all the self-promotion.
This was 25% stories from the Camino, 50% promoting the author's personal finance business, and 25% other quotes and anecdotes. I enjoyed the sections about his experience on the Camino but was put off by all the self-promotion.
December 16, 2023
The author wrote his camino experiences with many correlation with real life which gives me more new perspectives.
October 2, 2024
This book made me want to grab my tennis shoes and catch the next flight to Spain to walk The Camino de Santiago (AKA the Way of St James) and yet, in another sense, the stories Gordon Bernhardt tells makes you feel like you are right there with him as he is walking across Spain.
The pictures are absolutely beautiful and I loved the comparisons he makes to life as he encounters each joy and hardship on his trek. This book is more than just a travel log, it's about the important things in life. Gordon Bernhardt is a financial advisor and you can see he carries his fiduciary responsibilities seriously as he makes comparisons to life/investing throughout his travels and he does it in such a way that you find yourself saying to yourself, "Hmmm. That makes sense."
Gordon adds some nice additional 'gold nuggets' at the end of the book. I especially liked the 26 tenets of his business known as The Bernhardt Way. I have seen these on the bottom of his emails and have always wanted to ask for the list but, at the time would be focused on the business I was doing with him. You see, he is my financial advisor and I'm proud to also call him my brother.
The pictures are absolutely beautiful and I loved the comparisons he makes to life as he encounters each joy and hardship on his trek. This book is more than just a travel log, it's about the important things in life. Gordon Bernhardt is a financial advisor and you can see he carries his fiduciary responsibilities seriously as he makes comparisons to life/investing throughout his travels and he does it in such a way that you find yourself saying to yourself, "Hmmm. That makes sense."
Gordon adds some nice additional 'gold nuggets' at the end of the book. I especially liked the 26 tenets of his business known as The Bernhardt Way. I have seen these on the bottom of his emails and have always wanted to ask for the list but, at the time would be focused on the business I was doing with him. You see, he is my financial advisor and I'm proud to also call him my brother.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews