This was great! I am planning my first Camino (Frances) May of 2025. Your short videos are perfect and have been very informational. And I now follow you:)
Thank you for all of your videos! I’m going to be doing the Camino Frances this may and your “This is The Camino” video was the first thing that inspired me to start this journey! Love your joyous disposition, hope your day is well :)
I am planning my very first Camino (in August / September) and I take it as a sign, that the guidebook you're holding is the "Camino Portugues" for almost everyone I talked to about it tried to persuade me not to choose the Portugues route for the very first one, they said it would be better to take the Camino Francés for the first time. But I am absolutely sure that I want to take my journey on the Portugues route. Thank you so much for the videos, I find it amazing that you are walking the Camino every summer / spring or whenever you can. Keep on sharing, Nadine! ☺🤩Hugs and greetings from Hungary!
I'm so happy that you're following your instincts... yes, walk the Camino Portugues! It's going to be great, and no reason to need to do the Frances as your first. The Portugues is well supported and beautiful and I think you're going to love it!
Great advice! Pack and shoes are #1 for sure! I like taking the guide book too. They’re very informative and all aspects. Your videos are really informative! Great job!
What a wonderful intro for planning my first Camino. This was such a warm and friendly video that it made me wish we could walk the Camino together at some point. I know that’s not possible, but it’s a very nice thought.
Hi Nadine. Happy New Year. Thank you for the videos. They are an amazing resource. I’m planning my first Camino in May celebrating my 60th, with 2 of my sisters. They walk quicker than I do, as I tend to plod along enjoying the scenery. One question, did you get an esim or local SIM card for your mobile phone. Our Australian Telco providers are very expensive for international roaming, and what apps do you use to communicate with family and friends?
Thank You Nadine, booked my flight today to Paris, will take the train down to SJP and start the Francis, up and over... Now to get training... Love your advice, thank You Love and Rainbows
happy new year to you ... thank you for your vids... i am going on my first Camino...my first trip to Europe.... it's a little "Overwhelming" ...hahaha stealing your lines now.... buen Camino keep that smile on your dial.. 😁
Another great video, thank you Nadine! My husband listened last night to one of your videos, he's totally on board with my choice to go on Camino. He even started to help me find the right pack!! Thank you for being so inspiring to me!
How exciting!! And I love that my videos might help family members feel more comfortable about their loved ones doing the Camino (especially the solo women!)
Happy New Year! Thank you for your videos and all the helpful information. I completed my first Camino Português Central from hometown Murtosa (about 45km south of Porto) in Sept 2023. Which one is my next Camino, hmmm, which one??
Good video Nadine! I keep coming back to your videos, not just becasue of the good content but positive vibe you have. Maybe you already done a video on this, but I would like to know more ideas about food you can cook/eat without having to go to a restaurant. I ended up eating Noodles and sandwiches/bread when I didn't go out to eat. Lost about 4 kg in two weeks and I'm not overweight. Stretching routine would also be nice, if you need to do those. (because I sure did need it).
Great ideas, I'll have to pull some ideas together on food and what's easy/convenient to cook in albergues (and no, I haven't done a video on this yet!) As far as stretching goes, I think I finally need to pay attention and do some stretching pre/post walking. I'd always been okay going without, but this past summer was a different story and also I'm 10 years older than when I first started walking! Got to take care of myself if I want to keep walking for many years, and I think stretching is going to be an important part of that. So if I can figure out a routine that helps me, I'll be sure to share it!
Happy New Year Nadine. All great tips. Whilst I haven't done a camino (and was planning to in 2024) your tips are still awesome for any hiker. When I bought a pair of hiking shoes and did a long walk in them, I realised that yes, they are great, comfy shoes but a half size too small so I had to buy a second pair half size bigger and they are perfect. And yes, getting professionally fitted for a pack is the second best thing you can do! I love my Osprey pack which was professionally fitted, I've been using it forever.
You know people who never set out of their comfort zone.... this video is like trying to explain going to mars...they'll never go there. Also you have to be in shape for walking everyday....some fat buck on the couch is not going to walk a Camino.
Thank you so much for this, and for your generosity!! I'm so happy that my videos have been helping you prepare (AND be inspired) for your Camino. Buen, buen Camino!
The first camino is totally intimidating, and getting that first stage really eases the stress. I had my dad on the first camino, and only joined him for the last two weeks. For me, I absorb info by text and find reading the guide book at breakfast for the first half of the day and at lunch for the second half really helps me to stay on track. It's also something for my brain and hands to do as the body is refuelling and unwinding a little. Great video x
You know, I've had a couple other people say that over the years! I like Helen Hunt, so I'll take it ;) And I just bring one pair of hiking shoes to walk in (and a pair of flip flops to change into in the afternoons/evenings)
@pismorichy - some ppl have shoes & trek sandals (instead of flip flops) and use them alternately, esp if going in summer. Some wear socks w/ sandals when hiking.
Tha Camino Forum that you linked to in the description is a fabulous resource. There are so many archived posts on just every aspect of Camino walking. It helped me immensely!
I agree, the Camino Forum is an amazing resource (and I also like to just go and browse through the posts, see what people are up to, etc) Great pilgrim community there!
Like Nadine says you don't have to train much at all, but I think the more you can do the better. I walked my first Camino this summer and my training was walking up to 5 km a few times a week for a couple of months before the Camino (with and without a pack). I should have done atleast one longer 20 km walk to get a better sense of how my shoes fit. As it was I got blisters on the first day which was a bit annoying but didn't hurt much. What did hurt was my calves, as my legs were not used to this kind of work. So learning some stretches ahead of time is a good idea.
I'll try to share a video with more training tips... but for now, I'll say it depends how much time you have until your Camino. Walk a bit most days (I like Erik's advice of at least 5km, but go for a bit more if you can), and also if you have the time to increase that- say, up to 10km several days a week, that would be great too. An important thing for me was to do two back-to-back 'long' days (I aimed for about 12 miles, or 20km) with a loaded pack. That helped give me a sense of how my body might feel with all that walking! Plus, it helped me get used to the weight that I would be carrying.
Nadine or other. I am doing Camino Portuguese starting this Friday 8/3. Keep seeing bunches of posts on bedding/ Sleep bag. Seems about 60/40 in favor of skipping actual light sleeping bag in favor of a sheet liner….like I used for many Europe trips in Youth Hostels. I don’t get cold at all. Windows always open at night. Heck I am a cold plunge pool guy. See MY videos? Anyway thought I’d ask you, an expert. Seems most/many Private Aubeges have blankets, paper sheets. We aren’t staying in any Municipal Auberges. Yes in several hotels. In Santiago we’ll be in CASA de ROJO. Thanks Nadine. Rojo/Brogan from Seattle.
I think, given that you don't get cold, you should be fine with a sleeping bag liner. I would take at least something small/thin like that, because not all albergues will provide the paper sheets (many probably will, especially if you're staying in private albergues). But I don't think you'll need a light sleeping bag! Good luck with your upcoming walk, and Buen Camino!
I will be leaving at the end of February to walk the Fisherman’s trail and the Camino Portuguese to celebrate my 70th birthday, and to clear my mind. Your videos have been very helpful, and the Keen Targhee has turned out to work well for me too. Thank you for both the inspiration and the attitude you bring to these walks.
So glad you're another Keen Targhee fan! And your walking/Camino plans sound amazing (I'm dreaming about going back to the Fisherman's Trail, even though I was there less than a year ago!). Good luck in your final preparations, the end of February will be here before you know it!
I walked the Fisherman's trail last march. If I'm granted enough time I would love to do it again. The scenery was absolutely epic from start to finish. The first couple of days are tough though. Those dunes! OMG! There are good local buses though if you have to skip a stage. I got sick and had to bus one day. Route finding is super easy. I booked all my overnights ahead of my trip. I hope you have a great walk.
Nadine, regarding your 2 walks on the San Salvador, I am planning to do the San Salvador and then connecting to the Primitivo at Oviedo in the Spring. What would you suggests for number of days and when best in the Spring to begin?
😊 beautiful smile 😊 Thank you as always for your great and informative videos.👌🏽 I am in the process of planning my first Camino. You are a great source of inspiration and much valued help…thank you
Nadine--so great to see you again! Yes, I have been planning my Camino I think since probably 2018. I had heard about it for years when I was a Spanish teacher, so I knew about it and knew it was there. In the years since, and all through Covid, I read many Camino memoirs, several guidebooks, read through so many websites, and I don't know how many videos, in addition to watching your channel and several others, and I have even talked to salespeople at shoe stores about their recommendations for Camino shoes, pretending that I was just about to leave! I feel like I know everything there is to know about walking a Camino--except actually walking a Camino! I just need the time to get away from work, or not be working anymore, and which one I am going to do. I am kind of waiting for the universe to help me decide between the Frances or the Portugues (from Lisbon).
Hi Nadine! Thank you so much for your videos! I hiked Camino Frances 2023 (so great!), and am now thinking about Norte this year. How would you summarize your experience hiking Norte, and your view on the differences between Norte and Frances? All the best from a cold and snowy Sweden! ☀️🥾😊👍
I LOVE the Norte! I'm really glad I had the experience of the Camino Frances first, and it took a bit of adjusting because the Norte is a different route and experience. But some stretches along the coast are just unbelievably stunning, and there are enough other pilgrims that you can find friends/community. I walked in summer so in the sections along the coast it was very touristy, and at times I lost the "feel" of the Camino (overall I'd say it wasn't as present as on the Frances, or even some other routes). It's a little more challenging, too, but I appreciated that (most days, ha!) I really liked it as a second Camino, and I hope you do, too!
Nadine do you check your backpack or carry on? If you carry on what size is your pack? If checked, do you put it into another duffel or something to protect it? Thanks
I always carry on- my pack is 24 liters (which is a bit on the small side for a Camino, but for me it's worked out well!) I think it's nice to not have to check a bag- but I know that many others do, and some kind of lightweight duffel could be smart to use, to protect the straps/pockets, etc.
I also have a 24 liter which I was considering. I really don't like the idea of having to check the most important piece of equipment. I will do a test packing of the 24. Thanks@@NadineWalks
Is a back pack with a tied together cross strap a requirement ? 😊 Walking consecutive training walks is a good idea , as it lets you know how tired you’re body gets after several days . Also let’s you know where the blisters are .
HA! I'm not sure that I can get another year out of the ol' backpack... And yes, walking longer, consecutive days is pretty important, it helped me a lot before my first Camino! I should probably try to do a full video on some training tips...
Yes good idea , I think that would be helpful . The back pack has to soldier on , It’s you’re thing . Thanks for your Camino inputs I really enjoy them 😊
Thank you so much for your videos! I started planning mine in mid August after my kids gifted me a fund for my 70th birthday! I’ve watched everything you have out there, along with a couple other great ones I follow, and have only excitement as I think towards my flight to Madrid on April 22nd! Going to do the Frances…just me and awe that I am able!
Can I email you? I’ve done 10 Caminos. I have a question about a woman I followed on her blog. Her name was Kat Davis. I loved her posts, and I need closure on that. If you can help me I would love that. ❤
