2026 CAMINO DE SANTIAGO PILGRIMAGE, SPAIN 🇪🇸
WHEN TF?
June 21–27, 2026
WHERE TF?
Fly into A Coruña airport on June 21.
Fly out of Santiago de Compostela airport on June 27.
WAIT WTF? WHICH PART OF THE CAMINO?
The final 100km of the Camino Francés — from Sarria to Santiago.
WHY TF?
For the glamour and the occasional midday gin & tonics. Obviously.
Nah, it’s for the subtle life recalibration that tends to occur somewhere between kilometer 67 and 11.
WHO TF?
If something in you whispered “yes” before your mind caught up —
you already know that you are being called to walk it.
"Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet."
- Thich Nhat Hanh
Why are we walking this section?
Technically?
It’s the minimum distance required to receive the Compostela certificate. As if we’re doing this for a human-made stamp. Ha! Yeah no, eff that.
Holding the dual pilgrim certificate — for having completed both the Camino de Santiago (Spain) and the Kumano Kodo (Japan). Whatevs.
Spiritually?
The Camino de Santiago is said to be one of the greatest energetic crossroads on Earth — a place where something invisible and undeniable hums beneath the soil.
Astronomically?
There’s a long-standing theory that the Camino Francés mirrors the arc of the Milky Way — that medieval minds aligned the route with the galaxy itself.
Bottom line is that this path has magnetized humanity for centuries.
Seekers. Skeptics. Poets. Heartbreakers. Saints.
And yes — my mother-in-law’s beloved Shirley MacLaine.
They all followed the yellow arrows west.
And now… us.
We will start walking on June 22nd, fresh off the Summer Solstice.
Honoring the 6 longest days of the year with quiet contemplation altered with giggles with fellow pilgrims.
Even in the rain, it’s mystical, mythical, and breathtakingly magical.
Come take refuge in the natural world and rediscover the quiet wisdom of your inner one.
Wildflowers galore
Call me a queenager, but this is not a backpacking–wash-your-underwear-in-sink situation.
Our rolling suitcases will be transported ahead to each night’s accommodation.
That said, we’ll be staying in a wide range of places — from a simple dorm-like pilgrim refuge to Gwyneth Paltrow’s beloved Galician farmhouse (photo below), renowned for some of the most exquisite local food and wine.
Parada das Bestas
Expect a true feast for our final dinner in Santiago — held in the very place where my parents celebrated their 40 years of marriage.
I have a quiet hunch this pilgrimage may become one of those unforgettable, life-marking experiences. Or not. Let’s find out.
Come find your way.
Music by: The real and lovely Camino birds
THE WALKING PLAN
DAY 1 — June 21
Arrival day in Lugo
DAY 2 — June 22
Sarria → Portomarín (22 km)
DAY 3 — June 23
Portomarín → Palas de Rei (25 km)
DAY 4 — June 24
Palas de Rei → Arzúa (29 km – our longest day)
DAY 5 — June 25
Arzúa → O Pedrouzo (19 km)
DAY 6 — June 26
O Pedrouzo → Santiago (20 km)
DAY 7 — June 27
Departure day from Santiago
Endless wild flowers quietly cheering us on…
ABOUT ME
I was raised by a fiery Galician mother — so you could say this route runs in my blood.
My grandfather was an agricultural engineer who served as a liaison between local landowners and the King of Spain, helping secure parts of the route as we know it today.
There’s even a plaque bearing his name in recognition of his efforts. We’ll find it together.
This will be my 4th time walking this stretch of the Camino, and I cannot wait to rediscover it through your eyes.
My gentle giant husband, my 14 year old son, and my 11 year old daughter will also be joining us.
There’s something beautifully full-circle about walking a path my grandfather helped shape — now alongside my own little crew.
If you are still reading this, you are warmly invited into this unfolding storyline.
INVESTMENT
759 EUR/ person
There is limited space so please let me know asap if you intend to come.
Solo or with your own little crew.
WHAT IS INCLUDED:
6 nights’ accommodation— ranging from simple pilgrim refuge to a fancy farmhouse
6 Galician breakfasts (think fresh orange juice, jamon, Spanish Tortilla, and café con leche everywhere)
3 restorative evening Yin Yoga sessions
Transfer of luggage
Transfers from accommodation to Camino
Oceans of fresh air, ancient esoteric symbols, tall trees, existential revelations, storytelling, the lovely fluffy donkey pictured below, and other small miracles I cannot promise but strongly suspect will occur…
July 2019 — my brother and I in Lugo, where our mother was born and raised, the day before we began walking the Camino.
I have been known to occasionally walk in a dress, it’s quite the look with sexy Tevas. The photographer consciously chose to cut them out.
Pilgrim perk: four-leaf clover lover luck. 🍀
TYPICALLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I HATE HIKING, THIS IS NOT FOR ME, RIGHT?
I hate hiking too! But this is different, I promise. The landscape keeps changing. There are tiny food joints along the way serving excellent tapas. And the people you meet somehow make the kilometers melt away.
CAN I UBER PART OF IT?
Absolutely. Pilgrim purists may clutch their scallop shells, but yes—you can absolutely taxi a section if needed. This is a pilgrimage, not a punishment.
WHAT KIND OF SHOES DO YOU RECOMMEND WEARING?
You do not need hiking boots for this. In fact, unless you already own a well-broken-in pair that you love, I recommend leaving them at home (learned that the hard way).
Personally, I like alternating between sneakers and sexy Tevas.
Your feet will appreciate the variety.
HOW DO I AVOID GETTING BLISTERS?
I highly recommend double-layered socks (I love the brand Wright). They dramatically reduce friction and make a surprising difference.
WILL I EARN THE CERTIFICATE?
Yes. You’ll also earn a suspicious attachment to lentil soup.
WHY THE GIN & TONICS?
Yes.
WHAT WILL THE WEATHER BE LIKE?
Yes.
WILL I HAVE A LIFE-CHANGING SPIRITUAL AWAKENING?
Possibly.
WHERE AND WHEN SHOULD I LAND? TAKE OFF FROM?
Plan to land in A Coruña or Santiago de Compostela on June 21st.
We’ll start walking on June 22nd and arrive in Santiago on June 26th.
Plan to fly out on June 27th from either airport.
If you are connecting through Barcelona or Madrid, I strongly recommend scheduling a long-ish layover—unless you’d like to arrive on pilgrimage without your suitcase.
(Also learned that one the hard way.)
Photo courtesy of Alina Enggist, captured while she lay in a field of dandelions.
She did eventually sit up to picnic — yes, picnic. The verb. 😉
And did I mention the daytime drinking?
Day 2- Just like in Ireland, the Camino is littered with anonymous ancient ruin, quietly standing, seemingly ignored and unnoticed.
Patron Saint of Cuteness and Siestas at km 72
Pure arrival energy in Santiago de Compostela— my friend Gwendoline was serenaded and adorned by traditional musicians. Bagpipes and all.
Ta-daa! (And featuring the sexy Tevas!)
And that’s my two cents on it all.
Hope you’ll come experience the magical wonders of being pilgrims together under the same milky way…
Partly thanks to mi abuelo, the path is ready.
Are you?
What you might accidentally say to strangers you pass at the airport on the way back home.