5 (Unique!) Tips for the Camino de Santiago

[@harrykey2448]

I am endlessly amazed at how many people suffer from blisters on Caminos or other long hikes. My last blisters were about 24 years ago. Since then I have had no blisters or other foot issues. My tip is when you go to buy new hiking shoes or boots take out the insoles and stand on them. If your feet overlap the insoles the shoes are too tight and will cause blisters or other foot issues. Make sure there is extra room in the shoes for when your foot swells...usually a full size bigger than your normal shoe size. Lastly I always wear toe socks with lightweight merino wool mix socks over. I have walked multiple Caminos plus many long distance hikes in my native Scotland and elsewhere. I never get blisters.

[@johnbutler8998]

The bad moments always make the best Camino stories!

[@NadineWalks]

They certainly do!!

[@carlotarodriguez144]

In Santiago, I met Carlos from Pais Vasco. He takes pictures with an old fashion camera. I had my picture taking just as I looked arriving to Santiago (looking tired, with all the gear on my back, trekking poles in hand, knee brace, etc). That became my favorite picture!!!❤

[@AlexSilva-ie7yp]

As a person who has done the Caminho Português a hand full of times, and who is also portuguese I know how generous the restaurant portions are so I've been taking with my a 1L AIRTIGHT TUPPERWARE. It's great for leftovers (and the planet) but also for those days when you go to supermarket and want a plate to mix a can of tuna and a tomato.

[@NadineWalks]

Even better option because it's cut down on the waste of ziploc bags (or whatever container you might be given for your leftovers). I've often thought about bringing something like. that but my pack is so small that I really don't have the room (it's hard to imagine that but, my pack is always completely filled!) But this is a GREAT tip to share!

[@yabetta]

The what's app- lack of Spanish speaking ability/reservations is a great piece of advice, thank you!

[@lisabristow4509]

I took a picture of my feet in the cathedral in santiago . It reminds me that I sat for over an hour contemplating and reflecting on my journey. I used 2 sandwich bags to put as a barrier between my socks and shoes when it was raining to keep my feet dry. A zip lock bag can also be used to collect berries along the way too! Great tips - thank you.

[@GideonSmit]

Such valuable tips, I've not tried asking to take leftovers home on the Camino but it makes perfect sense, especially to use the flour tortillas. A recent tip is to fold a wet bar of soap in a "sponge cloth" (Swedish cloth?) before putting it into a bag. That soaks up all the moisture and weighs almost nothing. Prevents soft soggy soap 😊

[@jennifermestre1606]

Great tips! I walked my first Camino last year and these are all things that I did. I completely agree with you about the ziplock bags. I ended up having to buy some at one point because I didn't bring enough. They are so useful!

[@NadineWalks]

Yeah, every year I tell myself- "Oh, this will surely be enough extra ziploc bags"... and then it never is ;)

[@SandiTerps]

I just finished my third Camino 10 days ago. All of your tips are spot-on! I do all of them except the wraps. I generally use bread instead. Same idea. I’ve also noticed a big change since my previous Camino. The Camino used to be predominantly a cash experience. Not so now. I was surprised by how often I could use my debit and or credit card. COVID seems to have had an impact on this. Please make sure you have both cash and cards and never let the cards out of your sight. Take pictures of them to keep on your phone in case you have to call customer service or your bank.

[@sharonlivingstone5956]

Also send photos of documents etc to yourself on email, that way they're accessible if your phone goes missing, gets damaged or your cloud storage forgets to upload your photos or documents

[@NadineWalks]

Yes, great, great suggestion! It's always so good to be prepared in case something happens, and having photos of your documents- which you can access from a place other than just your phone- is so important.

[@NadineWalks]

I've noticed this, too, that debit/credit cards are becoming more commonly used on the Camino. On my last few trips I've still mostly used cash, but it's definitely changing a bit!

[@FrancisManning]

Nadine just one little tip or piece of advice. When taking off shoes and socks to air feet don't forget to put sun cream on feet. This happened to me recently. Could get burned very quickly. Sudocream is good help though. Thanks for your videos

[@NadineWalks]

Yes, a very, very good tip! I don't always remember to do that, and you're right, our feet don't usually see the sun so they're must more likely to get burnt!

[@douglasoster7102]

I would recommend a very light weight journal which can serve as a record of daily events, impressions, names and addresses. It is also useful for sketches and practicing a foreign language.

[@NadineWalks]

Yes, this is a great recommendation! I often carry such a journal on my walks (though I tend not to write as much as I intend... maybe this time around I'll try my hand at daily sketches! They won't be very good, but it could be a meaningful experience)

[@douglasoster7102]

@@NadineWalks Writing about a camino, or any trip, has been a way for me to experience things with more understanding. I know a woman who started painting small water colours in her journals which are accompanied by her words of the day, so this is another possibility for preserving memories.

[@keithakers7223]

These are some invaluable tips! I love looking back on my immediate post-leg vlogs to see what I was thinking as the day was fresh and in the moment. Just seeing the complete exhaustion on my face brings me back to that day and I love it. I also 100000% agree on writing down names and WhatsApp. Sometimes names fly by and I’d be embarrassed at not remembering someone’s name that I had walked with for a few days and I wish I had just jotted it down in a note on my phone.

[@NadineWalks]

Yes! Now that I make vlogs on my trips there's less of a need for the "real" photos, because I'm capturing so much of that in the videos (but sometimes the photos are really fun to look back on, too)

[@carlotarodriguez144]

Great tips! I definitive wished I had Zip-Lock bags with me on my first camino! On the other hand, I always label my photos with people in them (iPhone feature). Even If I share the pic with the group, the names remained attached to the picture. Love having the names of the wonderful people I met along the way.

[@tightatours]

You KNOW this Nadine… ⁉️….you are a legend ❣️😁with gr8 tips too😁 Zip lock bags are good plus for my light weight long distance rides 🏍️ with tent (around Oz) & travels I ❤ my Osprey Ultralight or Sea To Summit Dry Sack/bags with WINDOW … keeps all things sorted, dry & best of all can see what is in them in a glance. Keep up the gr8 work 😊Bravo 🎉 👏

[@NadineWalks]

Dry sacs with windows!! Now that is a really great idea, I'm going to have to look for something like that! Thanks so much for the comment :)

[@jameszumwalt3660]

Some great tips, Nadine, as I prepare for my second Camino. Thanks.

[@NadineWalks]

You're welcome, I hope they're helpful!

[@lolaemily518]

Thank you Nadine, I’m always happy to see you’ve uploaded a new video. Love your practical, authentic video’s and the kind and passionate nature in which you share your experiences. Secretly hoping to meet you one day on the camino!

[@NadineWalks]

Thank you so much, what a kind comment! And you never know, we just may run into each other on the Camino one day! :)

[@EvanYeahMe]

Thanks for the useful tips Nadine!

[@NadineWalks]

You're welcome, I hope they're helpful!

[@lisadyck9503]

Thank you. 😊

[@johnb8196]

Thank you! This was really useful in planning my Camino

[@WereintheRockies]

Oh my goodness!! All this time and I didn’t know you have a KZbin channel!! So excited 🎊 🎉!!

[@NadineWalks]

Haha, I'm still wondering how in the world I became a KZbinr... ;)

[@GideonSmit]

@@NadineWalks you're a natural. I'm so glad you did.

[@ralfhedin]

You're very good. 🏆

[@NadineWalks]

Thank you!

[@johnavery5384]

When you go through security at the airport they give out free zip lock bags. On my last trip I realised that most of my stuff was packed in them. Just made me wonder why I had spent good money on packing cubes and compression sacks. 🤣🤣🤣

[@NadineWalks]

Ooh, good tip!! And haha I understand you- I use a couple of packing cubes for my clothing (which I love), but I have smaller sizes that I leave at home and use ziploc bags instead... I have no idea why! Maybe I like that the ziploc backs are clear, and so easier to see contents inside?

[@NadineWalks]

Also your comment reminds me of how you'll buy children/pets all of these fun and fancy toys and then their favorite thing is the cardboard box that you put out for recycling- ha!

[@PatrickVall-o6t]

That was awesome! Buen Camino!

[@NadineWalks]

Thank you! Buen Camino!

[@jackg7225]

Thanks Nadine. All good tips. Having a SIM card and using WA worked great for me for talking with other pilgrims while on the Camino ( and afterwards) I never looked for tortillas over there but i like you mentioned that and will do that the next time to use as a wrap or a snack, probably easy then me carrying baguettes!

[@NadineWalks]

Yes, WhatsApp is also so great for keeping in touch after the Camino ends, I forgot to add that! And I really love baguettes but I found that it was harder for me to squeeze them into my pack, plus the bread would often be stale/hard after a day. The tortillas are a nice solution to those things!

[@ThePhantomMajor]

Excellent. WhatsApp, I've learnt is essential. My 4 zip lock square & transparent sponge bags I use are a) meds b) contact lenses / glasses 👓 stuff c) toiletries d) first aid kit. Because they are clear, I can go straight to the item I want.

[@NadineWalks]

Yes, it's such a great way to keep things organized! I've found that having a 'system' for my things when on a Camino is so helpful. I get a bit stressed when too many things are just floating around in my pack, without a place...

[@hidden_abroad9292]

Excellent suggestions,, and may I add Body glide anti chafe , to prevent blisters on your feet and chafing!

[@NadineWalks]

That's a great suggestion! I've never tried it but I think that could be a nice blister-prevention solution

[@angiebee598]

Do you bring different size ziplock bags?

[@jaymartell3397]

Nadine; great tip about WhatsApp - thank you! What is the best strategy for cell data service in Spain? Do you just use the global roaming plan from the US or do you get a Spanish SIM card and data plan when you arrive?

[@jackg7225]

Nadine is great in answering questions. I'll give you my 2 cents, buy a SIM card when you arrive at the airport. It was so easy. The seller tested my phone to see if it was unlocked then opened a new package and inserted the new card. I didn't have any issues with data but I did with making phone calls. Even thou the seller said I could make a call to and from anywhere. I got my card in Porto and didn't try to make any calls till I had crossed over into Spain and discovered I couldn't make calls to the US while in Spain. When I was back in Portugal I was able to call the US. So, if you buy it and use it in Spain, I don't see any issues but if you buy it in another country beware. Paid 25 euros back in April.

[@julieaoliver]

I buy SIM at an Orange store in town after arriving, not at airport.

[@NadineWalks]

Both of these previous responses are great; I've both bought a SIM at the airport, and also at a local store once arriving... I've never used an international plan from my home cell-provider, but then again I find using a Spanish/French (etc) SIM easy and cheap. On my recent spring trip to Portugal I tried out an ESIM (for the first time), and it was even easier! I liked that I didn't have to physically remove my original SIM and put a new one in, and I was able to purchase it even before I left for my trip (I just activated it once I landed in Portugal). It was a tad confusing to me to figure out exactly how to set it up, but then again phone/tech stuff isn't super intuitive to me, so others may have no problem. I used Airalo; I downloaded the app and they give step-by-step instructions, and overall I was very pleased! Inexpensive, as well. This could be something to look into as well (and maybe I'll do a video on it, if I can manage to figure out how to explain how it all works!)

[@GhettoGirlTravels]

Returned Peace Corps volunteer here and walking the Camino later this month. Refrigerator? What Refrigerator? Leftovers are good for at least two days! 😂😂😂😂

[@NadineWalks]

Haha that's hardcore! Unfortunately I have the memory of a very bad food-poisoning experience on the Camino from a few years back... so for me, it's refrigeration all the way! ;)

[@kathypeterman2886]

Love your videos Nadine. Thanks so much. We are prepping to walk Cahors, France to Finesterre and getting excited. My past Camino I do appreciate my blister photos and loved your tip on photographing the less ideal moments.

[@NadineWalks]

Oh what a great Camino that will be! I walked the Chemin du Puy from Le Puy to Moissac, so I still have to finish the end of the route (most of which you'll be doing!) The short, steep climb out of Cahors will make you question what you just got yourself into... but just keep going!!

[@intrepedo100]

You seem to be in Europe a lot. How do deal with Schweigen rules? Bye the way I will watch your Rota videos, we did it twice. First time when you had to walk on the cliffs. It has changed A lot since but still beautiful.

[@NadineWalks]

I've never had an issue with the Schweigen limits; I'm sometimes in Europe for 7-10 days in the spring, and then between 6-8 weeks in the summer, and that's it's! (well, for me that's a GREAT amount of time and I feel so grateful that I can do that!) But- so far- I'm never bumping up against the 90-day limit.

[@intrepedo100]

@@NadineWalks Thanks for the reply. I have now made our trips to Europe at approx. 44 days each, Spring and Fall. Re your tip for remembering people. I also go the other way. For some years I have had a "business" card which I hand out for them to remember me, if they want. ( my business is being retired and walking!) We have made a lot of friends/contacts that way. Next is day walks across the Pyrenees this September! All the best.

[@Sebastian-rp7jj]

👍 promo sm

[@caminoforeveryone9169]

If you are using a transport service for a bag, they like you to use Whatsapp because they can translate your message. I just have a plastic bag that I use for multiple things, to keep my clothes and money belt dry in the shower, to put wet clothes in while walking, or to put my dirty clothing in. Larger than a zip lock. You can take it shopping too.

[@NadineWalks]

Thank you for pointing out t hat luggage transport services like using Whatsapp! Another way it can come in handy. And good call about the large plastic bag, that works too, and like you said- for multiple purposes!

[@astcal]

appreciate the WhatsApp tip.

[@storiestellr]

you always have good & sensible tips, Nadine 🫡

[@NadineWalks]

Thank you! I try to share tips that I think will be useful! :)