Camino de Santiago - Practical Preparation and Background

Updated edition published January 2020

This is a book for everybody who wants to walk the Camino but doesn't know where to start!

It covers everything you need to know to get you and your equipment ready for this big adventure.

It gives you the detail and background information you need to make the important decisions about where to walk, when to walk and what to bring.
The following topics are covered in detail:

Packing - what to take, or more importantly, what not to take. This is the most important part of your preparation. How to choose equipment, what to think about and watch out for when buying hiking clothes, shoes, socks and a backpack.

Health and safety - how to avoid, or if necessary, deal with blisters, bedbugs, heatstroke and other hazards of the Camino. How to access the Spanish health service and stay safe. What can you do before you leave home to help avoid disasters?

What to expect on "the Way" – What's a typical Camino day? What's it like staying in a "pilgrim hostel"? Where do you eat and what's the food like?
Communicating – how do people manage if they don't Speak Spanish? How to order food in restaurants?

History of the Camino and of Spain from its beginnings to its revival, what was the Camino like in the middle ages? Who walked it then? What hardships and hazards did they face?

Society, culture and environment – politics, culture and people of modern Spain.

Internet resources - including details of websites and Facebook pages and groups where you can meet other pilgrims.

"A pilgrim is everybody who sets out from their home on the open road looking for something."

'This is a real mini-encyclopedia of the Camino, written in a friendly, no-nonsense way with lots of tongue-in-cheek humour... There is nothing esoteric or prescriptive about Kelly's approach – he's done the business and presents facts and subjective advice in a wry "take it or leave it"/"this is how it is" style: very refreshing and un-earnest!' Confraternity of St James Quarterly Bulletin, June 2019