Dora (
) and I tackle some hot-button Camino questions and hard-won logistics. Curious how the Camino stacks up against a Grand Canyon rim-to-rim? Whether you “must” carry your pack? Or how to avoid a travel routing mistake that nearly derailed Day 1? Press play and find out.(00:01:03) How did Dora first hear about the Camino—and what finally pulled her back after 30 years?
(00:03:32) Should you walk solo or with a friend if you’re not a “solo traveler”?
(00:05:20) Why choose the Camino Primitivo—and is the last 100 km a smart first-timer pick?
(00:06:56) Does the 100-km “Compostela rule” shape how people plan their routes?
(00:09:18) How does the Camino compare to a Grand Canyon rim-to-rim hike for difficulty and pain management?
(00:12:05) What does effective Camino training look like (stair sessions, back-to-backs, and a max-distance test day)?
(00:15:24) Walk, bike, or even horseback—what counts toward a Compostela (and why cyclists need 200 km)?
(00:16:11) Pavement vs. path: how “hikey” does the Primitivo feel day to day?
(00:18:20) Introvert on the trail: will you meet people—and what changes when Primitivo meets the Francés?
(00:21:32) Where can you debrief in Santiago (Pilgrim House, language-specific reflection rooms)—and why two nights helps?
(00:24:01) Sightseeing before or after the Camino—what do veteran pilgrims recommend (and why)?
(00:32:03) “Is sending your bag cheating?”—unpacking Camino judgment, budgets, and what “authentic” really means.
(00:45:38) How safe is it—plus the AlertCops app tip every pilgrim should know.
(00:49:23) The €300 mistake: why flying into Porto to reach Lugo sounded smart—and became an 8.5-hour headache (with a happy wine discovery).
Interested in the Camino Primitivo? Camino Conversations guest Hana Maris spoke with me about walking the entire route. Click here for that interview.
More Camino Conversations
To see other Camino Conversations videos (including interviews with those who have done various routes), click here for the archive.
Join us live here on Substack every Wednesday at 11am.
🥾Ready to start planning your Camino?
Rebecca Weston
Camino Planning & Preparation Guide (for People 45+)
Rebecca@TheCaminoCalls.com
Your Camino adventure should feel exciting, not stressful — here are some ways I can help you get ready:
🎥Watch Camino Conversations for practical tips and advice from my guests who have done the Camino (or more than one!).
🗓️ Camino Planning Session (45 min): Get answers to your top questions and a notes doc created during our call.
📞 Full Camino Experience: 6 coaching calls with detailed notes to plan your trip with confidence and ease.
🥾 Walk With Rebecca: 7-day hybrid Camino walks — 3 days guided, 4 days independent, private rooms, preparation classes, and optional check-ins. Click here to be the first to be notified about my next trip.
About me: I walked my first Camino in 2012 . Since then, I have walked over a dozen Caminos—alone or with others; in spring, summer and fall; in Spain, Portugal, and France. I’ve also spent many days volunteering along the trail, and if I’m not walking one now, I’m planning the next—and would love nothing more than to help you plan yours, too.
