Walking Holidays with a Difference

A New Way to Holiday

Have you watched any of the BBC's 'Pilgrimage - The Road To...' and wondered what it's all about? Let me share an insight with you...

Ian Le-Fevre on 01 Sept 2025

There’s a reason the timeless pilgrimage trails of the Camino de Santiago endure to this day. Weaving through the rolling hills of ‘Green Spain’ in the north-west of the country, each Camino route offers a powerful sense of connection and purpose, which – given the rising popularity of pilgrimages – seems to be in our very nature to seek out. I work with Inntravel who offer routes along the French, English, and Portuguese Ways of the Camino, each of which is a wonderful challenge to undertake, rewarding you with an exhilarating feeling of achievement when you reach your journey’s end at the great Cathedral of Santiago. Pilgrimage walking truly is a whole new way to holiday - and no you definitely don't need to be religious to walk the Camino de Santiago!

Camino de Santiago Walking Holidays: The Inntravel Way

For centuries, countless pilgrims have walked the Camino de Santiago, their footsteps etching an intricate network of trails across Europe, all leading to the sacred Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain.

Today, active travellers come not only for the spiritual heritage, but also for the scenic countryside, the camaraderie on the trail and the deep sense of achievement that comes with arriving in Santiago. A Camino de Santiago walking holiday is special in its own right, but with Inntravel it becomes something truly memorable: a carefully curated, self-guided walking experience with comfort, character and local flavour built in at every step.


Why choose an Inntravel Camino de Santiago holiday?

Inntravel specialises in self-guided walking in northern Spain, focusing on the most rewarding stretches of the Camino trail. Working with them, I can arrange a tailor-made Camino de Santiago route that gives you:

  • Hand-picked, characterful accommodation
  • Daily luggage transfers so you walk light
  • Detailed route notes and local insights
  • Flexible itineraries with options to extend your stay
  • The all-important final 100 km (or more) so you qualify for your official Compostela certificate

Whether you are walking as a couple, with friends or solo, it is the ideal way to experience the Camino at your own pace, without sacrificing comfort.


Charming accommodation along the Camino routes

Welcoming and Inviting Places to Stay

Forget basic dormitories and crowded bunk rooms. On an Inntravel Camino holiday, your nights are as enjoyable as your days on the trail. Along the French, English and Portuguese Camino routes, Inntravel has plotted a string of welcoming places to stay: traditional guesthouses in Galicia’s lush green hills, converted farmsteads and historic hotels with cloisters, courtyards and a real sense of place.

Imagine cooling off in the outdoor pool at a beautifully converted farmstead on El Camino Francés after a day’s walking, or pausing for a night at the 16th-century Renaissance gem, the Parador de Pontevedra, on the Portuguese Way. On El Camino Inglés, you might relax in the secluded garden of a rural guesthouse near the cascading River Abelleira, swapping stories with fellow walkers over a glass of local wine.

Whichever route you choose, you can also upgrade your final stay in Santiago to the 5-star Parador de Santiago de Compostela. Believed to be one of the oldest hotels in the world, it sits just steps from the city’s cathedral and historic squares, giving a wonderfully luxurious finale to your Camino de Santiago walking holiday.

 

Soak up Santiago de Compostela

Plaza del Obradoiro (or Praza do Obradoiro in Galician). It is the iconic, large public square in front of the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral

Reaching Santiago is an unforgettable moment, but it does not need to be the end of your holiday. Inntravel’s Camino de Santiago itineraries all include an extra night in the city, so there is no rush to explore.

After your arrival day, you have a full day to:

  • Wander the medieval, bronze-hued streets of the Old Town
  • Visit the majestic cathedral and its surrounding squares
  • Indulge in Galician cuisine, from fresh seafood to local wines
  • Simply sit in a café, watch fellow pilgrims arrive and absorb the atmosphere

If you would like longer to unwind and explore, I can also add extra nights in Santiago to suit your plans.

 

Walk light: luggage transfers included

One of the biggest advantages of an Inntravel Camino de Santiago holiday is the included luggage transfer service. While you are out on the trail each day, your main bags are transported between accommodations for you.

That means:

  • No need to carry a heavy rucksack or wheel a suitcase
  • More freedom to enjoy the walking and the scenery
  • Space to pack a few comforts or bring home some special Spanish souvenirs

It is a simple detail that makes a big difference to your enjoyment and energy levels, especially if you are walking for several days in a row.

 

The best of both worlds: pilgrimage and holiday

Welcoming and Inviting Places to Stay

Walking the Camino de Santiago with Inntravel allows you to blend the authentic pilgrim experience with all the hallmarks of a relaxed, well-organised holiday.

Because it is not always realistic to walk an entire Camino route, Inntravel focuses on at least the final 100 kilometres of your chosen path. This is the minimum required to earn your official Compostela pilgrim certificate, while still giving you manageable daily distances, comfortable overnight stops and time to appreciate the culture, food and landscapes of northern Spain.

You enjoy the camaraderie of the Camino and the satisfaction of reaching Santiago, without compromising on comfort or flexibility.

 

The Inntravel extras that make a difference

An Inntravel Camino de Santiago walking holiday comes with thoughtful touches that active travellers really appreciate:

  • Characterful accommodation: Hand-picked hotels, guesthouses and inns chosen for charm, warm hospitality and sense of place.
  • Hidden gems: Off-the-beaten-track locations and visits, such as the opportunity to visit a magnificent Benedictine monastery dating back to the sixth century that many pilgrims on El Camino Francés simply walk past.
  • Freedom and flexibility: Walk self-guided at your own pace, with options to build in rest days or extend your stay at your favourite stop.
  • Luggage transfers: Your bags are moved for you, so you can focus on the trail and the views, not on your backpack.
  • Detailed route notes: Clear directions plus rich background information on history, food, landscape and local culture, all prepared by the Inntravel team.

For active travellers who love walking, good food and authentic places to stay, it is a wonderfully rewarding way to discover northern Spain.

 

Ready to walk the Camino de Santiago your way?

If you are feeling inspired to lace up your boots and experience the Camino trail from Sarria to Santiago or along the English or Portuguese routes, I would be delighted to help.

 

As your personal Travel Counsellor, I can:

  • Talk through which Camino de Santiago route best suits your walking experience and fitness
  • Tailor the number of nights and daily distances to match your pace
  • Arrange your Inntravel walking holiday, flights, transfers and any extra nights in Spain
  • Make sure all the details are taken care of, so you can simply enjoy the journey

When you are ready to start planning your Camino de Santiago walking holiday with Inntravel, just get in touch and I will design a trip that fits you perfectly from first step to final toast in Santiago.

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