Spirit of the Camino - podcast cover

Spirit of the Camino

Nick Leonardspiritofthecamino.com
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!
Last refreshed:
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

6.2 - The Via degli Dei

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.

Jun 26, 202547 min

6.1 - The Via degli Abati

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...

May 19, 202547 min

5.7 - The Camiño de Taverneiro

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 A...

Sep 16, 20241 hr 1 min

5.6 - Summer in Santiago

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

Sep 09, 202429 min

5.5 - Camino de Invierno: Planning Tips

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 Fl...

Aug 13, 202444 min

5.4 - Camino de Invierno: Highlights

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

Jul 31, 202438 min

5.3 - The Via Ellenica

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...

Jul 20, 202452 min

5.2 - The Magna Via Francigena

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-port...

Jul 13, 202435 min

5.1 - The Via di Francesco

In the first episode of our fifth season, entitled '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...

Jul 06, 202452 min

4.5 - Madeira and the Caminho Real 23

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

Aug 02, 202350 min

4.4 - The Camino Inglés

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.

Jun 22, 202339 min

4.3 - Fátima

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!

Jun 07, 202339 min

4.2 - Caminho do Mar - Highlights and Summary

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...

Jun 02, 202348 min

4.1 - Caminho do Mar - Introduction

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.

May 22, 202336 min

3.9 - The Portuguese Coastal Route

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.

Sep 06, 202241 min

3.8 - Camino Portugués and Variante Espiritual

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!

Aug 31, 202238 min

3.7 - Camino del Salvador

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.

Aug 22, 202242 min

3.6 - Ourense, Covid, and the Last 100km

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.

Aug 15, 202243 min

3.5 - Sanabrés Alternatives

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!

Aug 09, 202235 min

3.4 - CPI: Beyond the Mountains

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.

Aug 02, 202244 min

3.3 - CPI: Rural Portugal and the Douro Valley

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.

Jul 25, 202243 min

3.2 - Viseu and the Caminho Português Interior

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.

Jul 18, 202231 min

3.1 - The Rota Vicentina

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.

Jul 11, 20221 hr 1 min

2.11 - Camino Finisterre

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!

Sep 23, 202141 min

2.10 - Caminho da Geira e dos Arrieros

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!

Sep 16, 202156 min

2.9 - Camino Torres

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! Visit https://spiritofthecamino.com for more great camino content!

Sep 09, 202138 min

2.8 - Caminho Nascente Highlights

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! Visit https://spiritofthecamino.com for more great camino content!

Sep 02, 202152 min

2.7 - The Beiras

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!

Aug 24, 202138 min

2.6 - Special Places

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!

Aug 18, 202150 min

2.5 - Local Traditions

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!

Aug 12, 202149 min
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android