
Questions and Answers
Camino de Santiago - your way
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Where is Camino de Santiago?
Santiago de Compostela which is in northwestern Spain. You can choose to start the route in Portugal (the Portuguese way) or in the San Sebastian in the Basque Country along the Atlantic Ocean (Camino del Norte or the northern way), you can start from Oviedo (Camino Primitivo), Siblia (Via de la Plata) or the most popular and popular way to Camino Frances (the French way) which begins in a small Basque town at the foot of the Pyrenees San Jean Fayde de Port, traverses the various provinces of Spain (Navarre, La Rioja, Castile) to the green and fertile area of the Galicia where the magnificent cathedral in the city of Santiago de Compostela. The length of the French road is about 860 kilometers and is considered the popular route due to the large number of pedestrians, the road offers a large supply of accommodation, water fills, restaurants and road services it is considered relatively accessible and convenient for planning. Over time, the other trails have also evolved and more and more services for pilgrims are currently provided. The Camino de Santiago is a great way to open up the world, to travel and get to know Spain and at the same time in other countries.

What is Camino de Santiago?
Camino (the Road) Santiago is an overall name for a network of ancient trails starting at various points in Europe and leading to the city of Santiago de Compostela in Spain. It is a walk to the cathedral in which Saint Santiago is buried - Jacob Ben Zebedee, one of the apostles of Jesus and the first martyr. The path has been dedicated to Christianity since the tenth century and it began as a maturation and initiation journey in pagan culture and became an important pilgrimage path in the Christian world (along with Rome and Jerusalem) to atone for evils and to show allegiance to God and his ways.
The journey following Santiago has been going on for more than a thousand years, but has been abandoned over time. In the second half of the 20th century, the old road returned to consciousness and became a modern "trek". If a few hundred pilgrims walked the route in the 1960s, in recent years the number is approaching about 300,000 hikers a year, with most not doing the route for religious reasons but for leisure. As the road became especially popular with UNESCO declaring it as a World Heritage Site in 1993.
Hikers and pedestrians who want to experience the mysterious magic that is on the way to the full track or short sections. The reasons that motivate them are many and varied, some do so to fulfill promise or other gratitude because of the adventure, but many go out into the path to change what they call routine.
Hundreds of miles of magical road passing through villages, picturesque towns and large cities throughout Spain. Monasteries, ancient guesthouses, churches and a wealth of medieval art and fairy tales intertwine the various paths of the Camino - (the road) to Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Rivers, these vineyards are just some of the sights to discover on your way to Santiago.
The apostles say that Jacob ben Zabdi, who went on to spread the gospel in the Iberian half, was executed by Agrippa I. His head was separated from his body and buried in St. Jacob's Church in the Armenian Quarter of Jerusalem. His body was sent in a small boat which was swept off the shores of Iberian Island while covered with oysters. About 800 years later, following a strange phenomenon revealed to an innocent shepherd in the Galicia sky (the Milky Way phenomenon), the tomb of the saint is found and around it the city of Santiago de Compostela soon became the source of pilgrimage to the tomb of St. Jacob. The days are the days of Spanish conquest from the days of the teachers and soon Santiago becomes the holy shield of Spain. The oyster becomes the symbol of the pilgrims walking to Santiago de Compostela and many wear it on their necks or hang it on their bags, some claim that the oyster also symbolizes the many paths leading to the tomb of the Apostle Santiago. The oyster accompanies the wayfarers on their way (along with the yellow arrow) and appears as a road sign embedded on the paths of buildings, roads and more

When is the best time to travel in Camino de Santiago?
4. Over a thousand years, thousands of people from all over the world go the way of Santiago throughout the months of the year. In recent years, more and more people are finding it a spiritual experience and a challenging journey of observation both physically and mentally. They follow the various paths leading to the messenger's grave mainly in April (flowering month and favorable weather in most areas) until the end of October the beginning of the rainy season. In the summer months it is very hot in most of the trails, but many choose to go precisely this season especially in July when the Holy Day is celebrated (July 24) so the road becomes particularly festive and in the city of Santiago de Compostela special festivities are held in honor of the Holy. Some walk in the winter season from November to March, choosing paths like the Via de la Plata that begins in Seville in the south (the warmest this season) crossing Spain and ending in northern Galicia, or in the winter (Camino Inbarno) that begins in the city of Punfreda and ends in Chez in Galicia. The Camino de Santiago is a very large network of well-marked trails and convenient for walking in Europe and Spain in general, so any season can suit walking for one or the other if only planned properly.

Where to sleep in Camino de Santiago?
In all the trails you will find a wide range of accommodation of varying degrees. The pilgrims on the way to Santiago usually sleep in the albergues (raffioli / hostels) on the way. You can find two types of albergues, one municipal and the other private. The former is usually managed by local authorities and will include multiple beds in a room, shared spaces such as kitchen showers and sometimes gender-segregated and sometimes non-segregated bathrooms. These places are in full occupancy, especially during the summer months, where the number of travelers is particularly large and is based on space only. The Albergues of the second type are managed by private management The number of beds in the rooms can range from 4 to 20 people in a room with shared spaces and some can also find private rooms with shower and private bathroom. These places can be pre-booked and usually also fully booked. Apart from these, there are hostels, guesthouses and hotels of varying degrees throughout which provide full services for pilgrims including meals. I always recommend closing the accommodation in advance, it may be less spontaneous, but allows us to be more free to experience and enjoy the road and what's happening in it.

How much does it cost to fly to Camino de Santiago?
The Camino de Santiago trails start at various points in Europe, France Portugal, Spain and more. First you have to select the start and end points and then book a flight to one of the selected destinations. Airline ticket prices can range from € 300 or € 400, depending on the destination and season. Road services also vary according to the desired level of accommodation and season. The peak season is from April to October.

What is the Pilgrim's Passport?
This is a document that is signed along the way, in hostels, restaurants and other places that offer a stamp. The Pilgrim's Passport will indicate your walk on the Santiago Road. The passport is presented when you arrive at the registration office of the city of Santiago de Compostela to receive the compostella certificate. The seals will indicate that you have walked the last 100 miles. The various and unique signatures you collect along the way will be a wonderful reminder of the places you have visited and a personal keepsake from a special trip.
Pilgrim passport will also give you various discounts along the route, such as museums, cathedral entrance, and more. It will even allow you to stay in albergues designed for pedestrian walkers.
You can purchase the pilgrim passport for a nominal amount where you start to march. You will need to find out where it is sold

What is the compostella certificate?
This is a document confirming the walk on the way to Santiago, which is accepted by those who have walked at least the last 100 miles before Santiago de Copostela. In this section of the road you can feel the multitude of people joining the walk. Apart from the march of the road, there are those who choose to ride the bike to Santiago. The pedals need to go at least 200 miles before Santiago to get the compostella. Not everyone comes to walk the road from start to finish. Some walk the route for episodes, they come to the road whenever they have a chance and continue where they left off. In addition, there are those who choose not to walk certain sections of the road, advance by bus or other means of transport and continue to walk from where they came. Other travelers choose to walk only certain sections. For example, there are marchers the last 100 miles of the road.

Are there any organized groups for Camino de Santiago?
Guided group trips in Camino de Santiago are becoming increasingly popular.
Sharing the walking experience with a group can be extremely rewarding for you. This is a wonderful way to share your sense of achievement, connect with wonderful people, and share common experiences that will last you for a long time. Whether you are a single traveler looking to meet new friends or you are a small group looking to embark on the big journey, a guided tour with DARE2WALK on one of the Camino de Santiago trails is a great option for you.
You will enjoy walking the most beautiful trails, staying in high-class places in private rooms and breakfasts, close escort and Hebrew guidance from thousands of miles of experience on the trail, moving equipment from place to place, and most importantly, peace of mind that will allow you to enjoy the road.
Camino de Santiago is a journey toward personal and social, is internal and external is physical and mental, and the possibility to grow while walking is quite possible, therefore our groups are usually small (up to 16 people), to allow the exact dosage of a supportive environment and intimacy.

Do you need a visa for Camino de Santiago?
The Camino de Santiago is a walking trail that mostly passes through Spain. The starting points vary and most often in Spain, Portugal or France, in these countries Israelis do not require a visa. Crossings between the borders of these countries also do not require a visa for transit.

What do you eat in Camino de Santiago?
One of the main attractions of the road is culinary. The road to Santiago crosses different provinces in Spain, each of which features a different cuisine, ensuring excellent gastronomy throughout. From home-cooked meals in the kitchens of the various accommodations to Michelin-starred restaurants in the big cities. You can enjoy tapas alongside a glass of wine or beer or pilgrim meals that include three dishes and wine at a price of € 10-15 per diner.
Each area is characterized by a different cuisine, such as the Galician cuisine known as the guipo puff (cooked octopus) in red sauce and served on a hot frying pan, the brewed soda (apple wine) beverage, and the Santiago (rich almond cake topped with sugar powder). Asturias is known for its rich soups and meat dishes, while Astoraga is famous for its rich cusido margarato, a vegetable stew with meat served in the reverse order, first the meat then the vegetables and finally the soup.
You can also find locally sourced cheeses and wines in the various villages and towns, such as in the Bayrezzo region known for its wineries, or the Celtic village or suberrillo famous for its cream cheese (with its hat).
Breakfast at the hostels will usually include two toasts with jam and butter, a cup of coffee and a cup of freshly squeezed orange juice. During the day and along the way you can stop in one of the many cafes or inns, and enjoy a hot chocolate and cheese cucumber, a mixa salad (vegetables and tuna) or a potato tortilla (egg pie and round potato).
The Spaniards usually eat dinner late, so most restaurants will open from 8 p.m. My recommendation is to eat light things throughout the day to conserve all the energy and at the end of the day eat a good and satisfying meal

Are Camino de Santiago suitable for families?
In the tenth century, the road served as an initiation and maturation ceremony in Celtic culture. The challenging nature of the way, both physically and mentally, forced adolescents to learn to cope, to know themselves better, to get rid of the ills of the past and to transition from childhood from childhood to adulthood. Today, many families find walking for me, de Santiago established an empowering experience that enables intimacy, introspection, and imparting personal and social values of great significance to both young and old. A common phenomenon is seeing families of their generations march in Camino de Santiago.

Who does the Camino de Santiago fit for?
In its beginnings and origins, the Camino de Santiago was a religious campaign. Over a thousand years, thousands of people, including kings and priests, marched along the road to receive forgiveness from the saint. Beginning in the 1980s, the road became a spiritual trek for people who wanted to take time out of the routine, get out of the comfort zone and devote themselves to the walk during which they learn about themselves and other people. You hear empowering stories of fascinating people, experiencing pain, joyful fear and most of all unconditional love. Many people say that thanks to Camino de Santiago they became better people and were exposed to important values such as fraternity, simplicity and solidarity. Others say that walking in Camino de Santiago has forced them out of the comfort zone and overcome mental and physical limitations.
The Camino de Santiago is a trail that delivers a spirit of nature, history and art experience. He has no age and the destination is notation, because the real journey takes place inside. It is made up of a multitude of peoples and people cultures, so my recommendation is to "take it slow". Even if you have a week, 10 days or a month, plan it out so you can experience the road to the fullest and enjoy it. Do not rush, it is not a race, it is a unique experience that will leave you a seal and accompany you for a long time, give it a place.

Need to prepare for Camino de Santiago?
The length of the various trails in Camino de Santiago varies from trail to trail, but the average walk per day is between 15-25 kilometers (you can also plan less) along a varying route. Regardless of whether you are planning to go for a week or a month, it is advisable to do some body workout and exercise a few months before leaving, so you will also increase the level of fitness and the body to deal with the physical challenge and reduce the chance of possible injuries.

Breaking the road into days
The distribution of days and the route depends on many factors (season, climate, route, walking ability, accommodation, etc.). Should you also want to give yourself at least a few rest days along the way (you may want to choose places where there are local attractions of value to you), it is important to understand that the road is not a race and invites many opportunities for inner and outer contemplation, encounters and enjoyment that are integral to it.
In designing and customizing a customized itinerary you can plan and divide the road so you can enjoy the possibilities and get the most out of walking.

Where to sleep on the way?
There are local hostels "Spanish" (in Spanish) in all of the Camino trails, municipal or private, offering shared accommodation in large rooms with additional people for a very small amount. This is an opportunity to meet and meet many pilgrims, but I would not recommend them if you really want to sleep. I personally preferred the comfort of private rooms with private shower services that allowed me good sleep and regeneration for the next day. By custom made itinerary you can pre-book private rooms with the comfort of a decent bath, a comfortable bed and all the comforts you will need after a tiring walking day. You can also move your equipment to the next destination so you can carry only a daily bag and essentials.
If this level of comfort speaks to you, contact us for a quote for a custom itinerary.

Reasons to go the Camino de Santiago
Everyone has their reasons for going this special way. When I was exposed to the idea of walking, I had more reasons to go than walk. There were so many questions and fears hovering over and coping was not easy, but definitely worthwhile.
When I started researching the road, I was impressed that it was a religious way and for most pilgrims it was connected to the religious belief but the truth is that along the way I realized that it was not necessary to be religious to walk the camino. Today, a new generation of "modern pilgrims" is developing, for which the camino walk marks a turning point in life, the end of a certain phase and a new beginning, and for many, the road presents a physical and spiritual challenge towards achieving a goal. Many who dare to take a real time for themselves and devote themselves to the experience of disconnection and connection over time Nature and life experience a powerful human experience and a great sense of satisfaction in arriving at the cathedral.

Physical preparation for walking en route to Santiago
Start training a few months in advance and gradually increase the distances.
Set a goal and do the maximum to stick to it.
Try walking for a day or a few days if possible
Strengthen the body and especially the core muscles (they are very important for supporting the body and supporting the load)
Learn a simple stretch routine that you can practice before and after a day of walking.
Include a day or two of rest during the itinerary (if possible)
Allow yourself time to enjoy all the stages instead of trying to walk as much as possible - remember this is not a race.
Practice walking with carrying equipment even if you are a recipe for sending the equipment - it helps with resistance barely.
Buy walking poles and adapt walking techniques that are right for you.
Buy a pair of water-resistant hiking shoes and allow yourself plenty of time to get used to them.