Spirit of the Camino: Recent Episodes
Nick Leonard
Spirit of the Camino is a podcast about the unique and magical experience that is the Camino de Santiago. Join us on this adventure and discover the spirit of the camino for yourself!
In this episode, Nick and Wendy recount their summer hiking adventure on three different trails around three famous Italian (and occasionally Swiss) lakes: Maggiore, Lugano and Como. Buon cammino!
Show Notes
Il Cammino del Lago Maggiore: https://www.camminolagomaggiore.it/
Il Balcone dei Tre Laghi (guidebook): https://www.ediciclo.it/it/libri/dettaglio/il-balcone-dei-tre-laghi/
Il Sentiero del Viandante: https://www.ilsentierodelviandante.eu/en/
Main places mentioned: Sancarlone (the giant statue), Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso, Arcumeggia, the Abbey of San Pietro in Vallate.
In this episode, Nick and Wendy recount the second of their Italian Easter walks on the popular Via degli Dei (the 'Path of the Gods') between Bologna and Florence. Buon cammino!
Show Notes
Official Website: https://www.viadeglidei.it
Towns mentioned: Madonna dei Fornelli, Sant'Agata, San Piero a Sieve, Fiesole.
In this episode, Nick and Wendy discuss their challenging but rewarding pilgrimage on the Via degli Abati (Path of the Abbots) in north-central Italy. Tune in to find out what made this walk such an adventure, and buon cammino!
Show Notes:
Regions: Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany
Main Towns: Pavia, Bobbio, Bardi, Pontremoli
Official Website: https://viadegliabati.com
Our Live Forum Thread: Via degli Abati
Our final episode for this season is an epic one as Wendy recounts her solo pilgrimage on the little-known Camiño de Taverneiro in Galicia. Spoiler alert: the spirit of the camino shines brightly on this route. Bo camiño!
Show Notes:
Links:
Wendy's summary of this camino: https://shorturl.at/Xdgo5
Guidebook for the Taverneiro: https://shorturl.at/LZbX6
Holy Year 2021 video featuring Carlos Núñez: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5vtgonpuII
Places Mentioned:
Monção (Portugal)
Salvaterra de Miño
Arufe
Pedre
Codaseda
Couso
Wendy discusses spending several weeks in Santiago this summer. In particular, she talks about the advanced Galego language course she took, the feast of the apostle and the 'massification' of the pilgrimage. Buen camino!
Show Notes:
Wendy's course: 'Galego Sen Fronteiras' - https://cursoslinguagalega.academia.gal
In this episode, Nick and Wendy give their top tips for planning a pilgrimage on the Camino de Invierno, from stages to accommodation to alternate routes. ¡Buen camino!
Show Notes:
Resources:
PDF Guide - https://shorturl.at/6aHJG
Forum Planning Thread - https://shorturl.at/06juG
Gronze - https://www.gronze.com/camino-invierno
Main Tips:
- Take the Borrenes alternative to the Orellán lookout at Las Médulas, possibly staying in Villavieja on the first night and then Casa Rosa in Puente de Domingo Flórez on the second night.
- Take the alternate route between O Barco and A Rua on the other side of the river, up to the waterfall.
- Casa Rural options after Monforte: Pinheiro and Villariño, or the albergue at Diomondi for the church.
- Last 100km: consider staying at Casa Leiras in Dornelas and Reina Lupa, 10km from Santiago.
In this episode, Nick and Wendy recount their pilgrimage on the Camino de Invierno ('Winter Way') from Ponferrada to Santiago. ¡Buen camino!
Show Notes:
Places Mentioned:
Las Médulas - Roman Mine Site
Sil River Valley
Ribeira Sacra
Monte Faro
Animal Artwork - After A Rua
Daniel and the Wax Stamp - Lalín
In our third episode about Italian pilgrimages, Nick and Wendy recount their walk on the Via Ellenica, part of the Cammino Materano network in southern Italy. Buon cammino!
Show Notes:
Via Ellenica Website and Guidebook: https://camminomaterano.it/via/9/via-ellenica
The World Heritage Endpoints: Alberobello and Matera
The Gorge Towns: Masafra, Castellaneta, Laterza, Ginosa
Rock-Hewn Church: San Nicola
As we continue our exploration of pilgrimage routes in Italy, Nick recounts his solo walk on the Magna Via Francigena in Sicily. Buon cammino!
Show Notes:
Main Attractions: Palermo, Monreale, Agrigento
Most Beautiful Villages/Towns: Sutera, Racalmuto
Nick's Best Sunset Spot at Agrigento: The east side of the Temple of Juno (Giunone)
Goat Art: Realised by Domenico Cocchiara; article (in Italian) with photos:
https://ripost.it/2023/08/15/le-capre-girgentane-di-domenico-cocchiara-sulle-vecchie-porte-di-30-comuni/
In the first episode of our fifth season, titled 'Italian and Winter Ways', Nick recounts his pilgrimage on the Via di Francesco (Way of St. Francis) in central Italy. Buon cammino!
Show Notes:
Major Towns: Assisi, Gubbio, Spoleto, Rieti
Other Places of Interest: La Verna Sanctuary, Cascata delle Marmore (the 'Roman' waterfall)
Entry into Rome: From Monte Sacro, consider taking the Via Nomentana (including a visit to the church of Saint Agnes Outside the Walls) to Porta Pia and from there into Rome, perhaps including San Giovanni in Laterano (St. John of Lateran) with the statue of St. Francis directly opposite the church.
Official Website: https://www.viadifrancesco.it/en/
In this episode, Nick and Wendy describe their adventurous nine-day hike around the Portuguese island of the Madeira on a historic trail, the Caminho Real 23.
Show Notes:
Caminho Real Association: Web | Facebook | Tracks
Nick and Wendy discuss their latest camino: the Camino Inglés (the English Way), including highlights, practicalities, and where the Inglés fits in the camino landscape. ¡Buen camino!
Show Notes:
3:30: Gronze Stages
24:00: Pilgrimage Traveler
Places mentioned on the Camino Inglés: Betanzos, Pontedeume, Miño, Bruma (the bed race), Sigüeiro.
Nick and Wendy discuss their experience in Fátima and their impressions of the famous Portuguese pilgrimage destination at the end of the Caminho do Mar. Spoiler alert: they were pleasantly surprised!
Nick and Wendy provide a summary of their 10-day Caminho do Mar from Lisbon to Fátima, including highlights, lowlights and practicalities. Bom caminho!
Show Notes:
Alcobaça Monastery
Sintra
Óbidos
Osvaldo's blog (in Portuguese)
Odrinhas Archeological Museum
Caminho de Nazaré
The fourth season of our podcast is called 'Fátima and Beyond' and we begin by introducing our pilgrimage to the Portuguese holy place of Fátima on the Caminho do Mar.
Show Notes:
8:30: Portuguese with Leo
15:20: Caminhos de Fátima
Places mentioned on the Caminho do Mar: Cascais, Estoril, Belém, Sintra, Óbidos, Alcobaça, Mafra.
In this episode, Wendy takes the reins as host to interview Nick about the Portuguese Coastal route that he just finished walking. Among other insights, Nick answers the big questions as to whether the coastal path feels like a camino and whether he recommends the coastal or central route from Porto.
For the final leg of their camino, Nick and Darin walk the last 100km of the Camino Portugués from Tui to Santiago, with Wendy joining them at Pontevedra for the Variante Espiritual. In this episode, they discuss the highlights of this popular route!
Nick and his friend Darin walk the Camino del Salvador and live to tell the tale! In this episode, they discuss the highlights of this beautiful, mountainous camino between León and Oviedo.
As their pilgrimage nears its end, Nick and Wendy are delayed by a positive Covid test in Ourense but after isolating, they resume the Camino Sanabrés and joyfully walk into Santiago for the fifth time.
As they continue towards Santiago, Nick and Wendy join an alternative route of the Camino Sanabrés. As part of this alternative, they have one of the most fascinating experiences they’ve ever had on the Camino de Santiago. Listen to the episode to find out what it is!
Nick and Wendy talk about their experiences and highlights on the second half of the Caminho Português Interior, including the city of Chaves and some interesting ‘wildlife’ they encountered along the way. Finally, they wrap up the CPI and compare it with other Portuguese caminos.
Nick and Wendy check in from the Caminho Português Interior and talk about the first half of this little-known camino route. In particular, they discuss the practicalities of the camino and the highlights of the trail, including yellow broom flowers, stepping stone bridges and the Douro Valley.
As they prepare to begin walking the Caminho Português Interior, Nick and Wendy discuss their expectations for this off-the-beaten-track camino. They also give their impressions of Viseu, the city that traditionally serves as the starting point for the CPI.
The third season of our podcast is called ‘Caminos and More’ and we begin with the ‘more’: the Rota Vicentina in southwest Portugal. In this episode, Nick and Wendy discuss their recent 10-day journey on this stunning coastal walking trail.
Nick and Wendy complete their coast-to-coast camino by walking to Finisterre (Fisterra). They reflect on arriving at the end of the earth and look back on their whole camino experience that started 60 days earlier on the south coast of Portugal. Buen camino!
Visit https://spiritofthecamino.com for more great camino content!
In the last stage of their journey to Santiago, Nick and Wendy walk the Caminho da Geira e dos Arrieros. In this episode they talk about the highlights of this unknown camino, from the Roman road to the scenery to the amazing welcome they received. They also discuss the joys of Galician weather and finally meeting some pilgrims. Bom caminho!
Visit https://spiritofthecamino.com for more great camino content!
As they continue their journey to Santiago, Nick and Wendy discuss the highlights (and lowlights!) of the eight days they spent walking the Camino Torres from Trancoso to Braga. Bom caminho!
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After arriving in Trancoso at the end of the Caminho Nascente, Nick and Wendy discuss the highlights of this fabulous camino and reveal their plan for continuing to Santiago. Bom caminho!
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Nick and Wendy talk about walking through The Beiras on the Caminho Nascente. This region is full of mountains, historical villages and, most importantly, cherries! Bom caminho!
Visit https://spiritofthecamino.com for more great camino content!
Nick and Wendy talk about special accommodation options on the Caminho Nascente, including five start-up albergues where the spirit of the camino is on full display, as well as a castle-hotel and convent-hotel at the other end of the spectrum. Bom caminho!
Visit https://spiritofthecamino.com for more great camino content!
In this episode, Nick and Wendy talk about the local traditions they experienced on camino in the Alentejo related to song, wine, food, cork and pottery. Bom caminho!
Visit https://spiritofthecamino.com for more great camino content!
The focus region of the Caminho Nascente is the Alentejo. In this episode, Nick and Wendy talk about walking through remote villages in this fascinating part of Portugal. Bom caminho!
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Nick and Wendy talk about the Islamic heritage that they encountered during the first few stages of the Caminho Nascente in southern Portugal, especially in the town of Mértola. Bom caminho!
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Nick and Wendy describe being on pilgrimage in the Algarve, Portugal's most famous tourist region, during the first four stages of the Caminho Nascente. Bom caminho!
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As they prepare to set out on their spring 2021 camino, Nick and Wendy introduce the route they chose, the Caminho Nascente in southern Portugal, and discuss the things they're looking forward to. Bom caminho!
Visit https://spiritofthecamino.com for more great camino content!
In the last episode of our first season, Nick and Wendy wrap up the Portuguese Way by giving their top tips for this camino as well as discussing a few other things that didn’t make it into earlier episodes. Bom caminho and see you soon for season two!
Visit https://spiritofthecamino.com for more great camino content!
Nick and Wendy discuss their experience with languages on the Portuguese Way. Wendy, a polyglot and former United Nations translator with a degree in Portuguese, gives her insights into both Portuguese and Galego. Bom caminho and bo camiño!
Visit https://spiritofthecamino.com for more great camino content!
Discover (or relive!) the highlights of the Variante Espiritual as Nick and Wendy discuss this increasingly popular variant at the end of the Portuguese Way. Bom caminho!
Visit https://spiritofthecamino.com for more great camino content!
One of the main debates surrounding the Portuguese Way of the Camino de Santiago is whether to take the central route or the coastal route from Porto. To discuss this topic, Nick and Wendy are joined by camino author Elle Bieling, who has written guidebooks for both routes. Bom caminho!
Visit https://spiritofthecamino.com and Elle's website https://www.pilgrimagetraveler.com for more great camino content!
Nick and Wendy join the debate about whether it’s worth starting the Portuguese Way in Lisbon. They discuss various aspects of the camino between Lisbon and Porto, including the trail itself, some important destinations along the way and a few special places where they felt the spirit of the camino. Bom caminho!
Visit https://spiritofthecamino.com for more great camino content!
In this episode, Nick and Wendy talk about how walking a camino in Portugal is different from walking in Spain. In particular, they discuss Portuguese identity, the cultural similarities between northern Portugal and Galicia, and some practical aspects of being on camino in Portugal. Bom caminho!
Visit https://spiritofthecamino.com for more great camino content!
Our first season focuses on the Portuguese Way. In this episode, Nick and Wendy talk about walking from Lisbon to Santiago during the coronavirus pandemic and how that made it a different camino experience. Bom caminho!
Visit https://spiritofthecamino.com for more great content!
In our opening episode, hosts Nick and Wendy introduce themselves and discuss their history on the Camino de Santiago and their plans for the podcast. They also look at the concept of the spirit of the camino and what it means to them and to other pilgrims who have experienced the Camino de Santiago. ¡Buen camino!
Visit https://spiritofthecamino.com for more great content!