Daniel recommends.... 

The Camino

If you've called us with questions about a trip, there's a pretty good chance you've got Daniel on the line - he loves to share his travel experience and talk big and small about our many journeys. Daniel is based at our office in Glamsbjerg on Funen, and if he were to recommend just one trip you should go on, he'd definitely recommend walking part of the Camino.

"The first time I walked the Camino from Sarria to Santiago was a huge experience for me. Yes, there are a lot of people walking the Camino, so there are a lot of people on the path, but it helped create this amazing community that just made the trip even more special. I did the walk with my brother and it was a great experience to have with him."

See all our journeys to the Camino here

The word "Camino" is Spanish and means "road" or "path" - and since 1993 this "path" has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Camino consists of several different routes and paths, and is historically one of the most important Christian pilgrimage routes in the world. However, all the routes have in common that they all lead to the Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela. Many millions of people have found themselves on the Camino over the last thousand years, and yet it has remained largely unchanged. You still cross the same rivers, climb the same mountains and pass the same villages, chapels, churches and cathedrals. Most pilgrims who walk the Camino walk the last 100km of "The French Way", which is from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela. It's a walk with lots of history and easy walking, so most people can join in - it's also the walk Daniel did the first time he went. However, almost as many people choose to walk "The Portuguese Way", which goes from Porto to Santiago de Compostela. It's a two-week hike, so more people choose to do only the last part of the walk from Baiona to Santiago de Compostela. Whichever route you choose, however, you're sure to have an experience of a lifetime.

When you walk the Camino, it's hard not to spot the little seashell that accompanies you throughout the journey. You'll find it on the routes as a signpost, as a necklace around the necks of people you meet and as an extra little decoration on your rucksack.

The shells are also called Jacob's shells, and there are several stories as to why. One of the most popular is that St James, who gave his name to the city of Santiago, was sailed to Santiago de Compostela after his death. When they arrive, a distinguished horseman rides past on the beach. He tries to help the boat safely ashore, but unfortunately both horse and rider perish in the attempt. Legend has it that both horse and rider suddenly emerge unscathed from the waves right next to the boat carrying James's body - all covered in white seashells

Would you rather ride a bike?

If you love the wind in your hair and the feel of your feet pedalling, consider cycling part of the Camino instead of walking it. Cycling also allows you to cover more kilometres in a day than walking. This means, for example, that you can cycle the French Camino from St Jean Pied de Port to Santiago de Compostela in 18 days, where it would take 34 days to walk it. You will cycle a full 798 km of the classic Camino de Santiago "Camino Francés". Each day is different, not only in terms of how many kilometres you cover, but also in terms of how many climbs and descents you make. The landscapes will change dramatically as you cycle on - from the high peaks of the Pyrenees to the deep valley of the Ebro River in La Rioja, from the great plains of the Castile plateau to the mountains of northern León and on to the green mountain region of Galicia. It's a truly amazing trip. You can also choose to cycle the beautiful coastal route from Porto to Santiago, where you'll discover the best of northern Portugal and Galicia. If that's not your thing, you can also try your hand at the popular Central Route from Porto to Santiago. Originally created for walkers, it's also a fantastic and enjoyable bike ride that's sure to give you the experience of a lifetime.

The Camino - the adventure of a lifetime

Whether you choose to cycle or walk, there's no doubt that the Camino is an experience of a lifetime. There's a special atmosphere on the Camino that you won't find anywhere else in the world. It's for good reason that the Camino has been famous and loved for so many hundreds of years, it's an absolutely fantastic walk - whether you do it alone or with others. It's a route that impresses all who follow it with its challenges, delights and profound life lessons.

See all our Camino tours here!