Spirit of the Camino

By Nick Leonard

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!... more

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FAQs about Spirit of the Camino:

How many episodes does Spirit of the Camino have?

The podcast currently has 44 episodes available.

Spirit of the Camino episodes:

September 27, 2025 6.3 - Hiking the Italian Lakes
In this episode, Nick and Wendy recount their summer hiking adventure on three different trails around three famous Italian (and occasionally Swiss) lakes: Maggiore, Lugano and Como. Buon cammino!
Show Notes
Il Cammino del Lago Maggiore: https://www.camminolagomaggiore.it/
Il Balcone dei Tre Laghi (guidebook): https://www.ediciclo.it/it/libri/dettaglio/il-balcone-dei-tre-laghi/
Il Sentiero del Viandante: https://www.ilsentierodelviandante.eu/en/
Main places mentioned: Sancarlone (the giant statue), Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso, Arcumeggia, the Abbey of San Pietro in Vallate.
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1h 12min
June 26, 2025 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.
...more
47min
May 19, 2025 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
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47min
September 16, 2024 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
Arufe
Pedre
Codaseda
Couso
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1h 1min
September 09, 2024 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
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30min
August 13, 20245.5 - 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 Flórez on the second night.
Take the alternate route between O Barco and A Rua on the other side of the river, up to the waterfall.

Casa Rural options after Monforte: Pinheiro and Villariño, or the albergue at Diomondi for the church.

Last 100km: consider staying at Casa Leiras in Dornelas and Reina Lupa, 10km from Santiago.
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44min
July 31, 2024 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
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39min
July 20, 2024 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
...more
53min
July 13, 2024 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-porte-di-30-comuni/
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36min
July 06, 2024 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 Rome, perhaps including San Giovanni in Laterano (St. John of Lateran) with the statue of St. Francis directly opposite the church.
Official Website: https://www.viadifrancesco.it/en/
...more
52min

FAQs about Spirit of the Camino:

How many episodes does Spirit of the Camino have?

The podcast currently has 44 episodes available.