The Camino de Santiago has become one of the most sought-after tourist experiences in the world. Doing a quick search on the internet it seems that every year more than 400,000 people have been registered by the Pilgrim's Office of Santiago de Compostela.
The reasons that push people to do this "Camino" are many and the distances that are covered change depending on the routes that are chosen.
If you want to know more about the various routes, know the distances, difficulties and travel times, consult this link https://www.camminosantiagodecompostela.it/percorsi/
In May 2024 our friend Emiliano Bellini decided to do the French Way which is the most classic and extends for about 780 km.
We interviewed him for you, so that his direct experience and his personal evaluations can be of help to you in case you want to undertake the Camino de Santiago.
BF: Hi Emiliano, congratulations on completing this long journey. What made you want to do this experience?
Emiliano: Gabriele, first of all let me thank you and the BF Mountain staff for the support received during the organizational phase and throughout the journey; this adventure was born from various reasons, religious, spiritual, from the desire to test oneself, to disconnect from everyday life and to remember a friend who left too soon.
With varying percentages, they are all motivations that are well present in the majority of people who decide to face this adventure and that constantly push you to reach the final goal.
BF: What made this route so special? What was, in your opinion, Spain's winning strategy for this tourist destination?
Emiliano: I think the best thing was having the opportunity to meet and interact with people from all over the world, different cultures, different social classes (I happened to dine at the same table as a Spanish heart surgeon and a French farm worker) and the many reasons why each person had undertaken this path.
Another thing that I really liked was the ability to learn to listen to your body during all these endless 779 km; it is in fact essential to do a correct "maintenance" of the whole body, especially feet and legs and also to pay a lot of attention to hydration and nutrition, something that for me is not at all a given!
As for the strategy, I believe that the Spanish government and local communities have been very enlightened in making the Camino affordable for all budgets; furthermore, by making it pass through a part of Spain with a high agricultural vocation, they have avoided small and remote towns from losing basic services and guaranteed an image and economic return.
BF: From an economic point of view, what is the average expense that should be expected? Any useful advice on this matter?
Emiliano: Given that there are various options for doing the Camino, in my opinion (and for many others) the one to live it to the fullest is to stay in the many hostels that are found along the route; the prices are all aligned and, I believe, regulated by the government, let's say that between sleeping in a hostel, breakfast, lunch and dinner you have to consider an average of 45 euros per day.
A good way to cut costs a bit is to sleep in donated hostels (you leave a donation), run by parishes or municipalities that cost slightly less than private ones; another option to save money is to choose hostels that have a shared kitchen so you can split the shopping at the supermarket and cook (it is also a beautiful convivial moment)
As for planes, obviously the earlier you book, the less you pay (also buying the ticket is a way to give yourself a deadline!)
BF: How long did it take you to organize everything? For example, how does the flight booking work?
Emiliano: As mentioned above, the first thing to do is the outbound ticket, in my case I booked the flight to Lourdes (you can also fly to Bordeaux) for April 2024 on December 23, then towards the middle of the Camino, when I had a clearer idea about the timing (which can always vary) I also bought the return ticket from Santiago to Rome (with a stopover in Alicante) spending around 120 euros for both flights, choosing low cost airlines.
Since this is one of the most frequently asked questions, it is important to confirm that (essential) trekking poles CANNOT be carried as hand luggage but must necessarily be placed in the hold!
Once the first step is taken, you start studying the route, downloading the necessary apps, preparing your backpack, looking at the hostels where you can stay overnight (in my case I booked day by day based on the mileage set for the day) and... training!
BF: How important is the choice of equipment? How far in advance should you choose your shoes rather than your backpack and other things?
Emiliano: The choice of equipment is FUNDAMENTAL! I advise you not to listen to those who claim that with mental strength and faith (even though it is a component present on the Camino) you can get anywhere; I have seen people equipped in ways that were incompatible with the path they were taking, putting their health at risk.
Obviously the most important things are shoes (I opted for the Salomon XA PRO) and socks, to be chosen as soon as possible so that you can train and become "familiar" with them well before starting the Camino; another fundamental tool is trekking poles, especially if, like me, you have knee problems.
One thing not to underestimate is the choice of backpack (strictly with a backpack cover), you need the right volume (in my opinion 38/40 lt) so as not to make it too heavy; on this point I made a choice (which I regretted) a little against the current using an old and vintage 60 lt backpack with a slightly dated ergonomic concept.
Other very important equipment is an excellent poncho or a technical shell that can protect from frequent bad weather; I, not liking the first, opted for a Ferrino shell of a larger size in order to also cover the waist.
Technical gloves, a wool hat and a thermal shirt are essential because leaving early in the morning at those latitudes is always cold; also do not forget a fanny pack to store things to keep close at hand such as wallet and documents.
BF: What can you save on in terms of finances and what can't you save on in terms of equipment?
Emiliano: I always believe that good equipment is an excellent investment that will last over time, I would definitely avoid saving on backpacks, shoes, socks (blisters are painful!) and shells/ponchos, while perhaps you can save a little on t-shirts, always considering that technical ones dry much faster, which is very important when you have limited clothing and the weather isn't always benevolent.
Furthermore, by leaving with inadequate equipment you run the risk of being forced to buy it again during the trip, having less choice and risking spending much more!
BF: I imagine it is an experience that you will carry with you for your whole life. What would you like to share about this adventure with those who are reading this interview?
Emiliano: It's an experience that definitely changes you, I think you don't realize immediately what you've done, but as time goes by you become aware of what you've faced; you definitely need a mental predisposition to be flexible on many things because not everything always goes as imagined and unexpected events are around the corner. Personally, even though I was aware of what I was going to face, I suffered much more the "non-walking" part than the merely physical one.
One thing I will always remember is the sense of cohesion that you can feel during the whole Camino (it happened, on a holiday, to knock on doors all over the country to find a syringe to make a painkiller for a German lady never seen before), we constantly help each other to reach the same common goal; it would be very nice if people, myself included first, could bring this spirit with them into everyday life, in traffic rather than at work.
One last piece of advice I feel like giving is that if you are tempted by this adventure, do it in the ways that are most congenial to you, maybe shorten the route, go in a group if you don't feel like it alone (and you are never alone), but don't put it off because every now and then you have to take your dreams out of the drawer!
