Spirit of the Camino

By Nick Leonard

Society & Culture Religion & Spirituality Places & Travel

What's Spirit of the Camino about?

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!

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Spirit of the Camino episodes:

08.02.2023
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
06.22.2023
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,...
06.07.2023
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!
06.02.2023
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
05.22.2023
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...
09.06.2022
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...
08.31.2022
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...
08.22.2022
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.
08.15.2022
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.
08.09.2022
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...
08.08.2022
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...
08.02.2022
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...
07.25.2022
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,...
07.18.2022
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.
07.11.2022
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. ...
09.23.2021
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...
09.16.2021
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...
09.09.2021
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!
09.02.2021
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!
08.24.2021
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!
08.18.2021
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....
08.12.2021
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!
08.01.2021
2.4 - Villages of the Alentejo
The focus region of the Caminho Nascente is the Alentejo. In this episode, Nick and Wendy talk about walking through remote villages in this fascinating part of Portugal. Bom caminho! Visit https://spiritofthecamino.com for more great camino content!
07.26.2021
2.3 - Islamic Heritage
Nick and Wendy talk about the Islamic heritage that they encountered during the first few stages of the Caminho Nascente in southern Portugal, especially in the town of Mértola. Bom caminho! Visit https://spiritofthecamino.com for more great camino content!
07.19.2021
2.2 - Walking in the Algarve
Nick and Wendy describe being on pilgrimage in the Algarve, Portugal's most famous tourist region, during the first four stages of the Caminho Nascente. Bom caminho! Visit https://spiritofthecamino.com for more great camino content!
07.12.2021
2.1 - Caminho Nascente Introduction
As they prepare to set out on their spring 2021 camino, Nick and Wendy introduce the route they chose, the Caminho Nascente in southern Portugal, and discuss the things they're looking forward to. Bom caminho! Visit https://spiritofthecamino.com for more great camino content!
01.12.2021
1.7 - Portuguese Way Top Tips
In the last episode of our first season, Nick and Wendy wrap up the Portuguese Way by giving their top tips for this camino as well as discussing a few other things that didn’t make it into earlier episodes. Bom...
12.29.2020
1.6 - Camino Languages
Nick and Wendy discuss their experience with languages on the Portuguese Way. Wendy, a polyglot and former United Nations translator with a degree in Portuguese, gives her insights into both Portuguese and Galego. Bom caminho and bo camiño! Visit https://spiritofthecamino.com for...
12.15.2020
1.5 - The Variante Espiritual
Discover (or relive!) the highlights of the Variante Espiritual as Nick and Wendy discuss this increasingly popular variant at the end of the Portuguese Way. Bom caminho! Visit https://spiritofthecamino.com for more great camino content!
12.01.2020
1.4 - Central or Coastal?
One of the main debates surrounding the Portuguese Way of the Camino de Santiago is whether to take the central route or the coastal route from Porto. To discuss this topic, Nick and Wendy are joined by camino author Elle...
11.17.2020
1.3 - Is it Worth Starting in Lisbon?
Nick and Wendy join the debate about whether it’s worth starting the Portuguese Way in Lisbon. They discuss various aspects of the camino between Lisbon and Porto, including the trail itself, some important destinations along the way and a few...
11.05.2020
1.2 - Walking in Portugal
In this episode, Nick and Wendy talk about how walking a camino in Portugal is different from walking in Spain. In particular, they discuss Portuguese identity, the cultural similarities between northern Portugal and Galicia, and some practical aspects of being...
10.28.2020
1.1 - Pandemic Camino
Our first season focuses on the Portuguese Way. In this episode, Nick and Wendy talk about walking from Lisbon to Santiago during the coronavirus pandemic and how that made it a different camino experience. Bom caminho! Visit https://spiritofthecamino.com for more great...
10.28.2020
Introduction and the Spirit of the Camino
In our opening episode, hosts Nick and Wendy introduce themselves and discuss their history on the Camino de Santiago and their plans for the podcast. They also look at the concept of the spirit of the camino and what it...

What's Spirit of the Camino about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Spirit of the Camino episodes:

4.5 - Madeira and the Caminho Real 23

4.4 - The Camino Inglés

4.3 - Fátima

4.2 - Caminho do Mar - Highlights and Summary

4.1 - Caminho do Mar - Introduction

3.9 - The Portuguese Coastal Route

3.8 - Camino Portugués and Variante Espiritual

3.7 - Camino del Salvador

3.6 - Ourense, Covid, and the Last 100km

3.5 - Sanabrés Alternatives

3.5 - Sanabrés Alternatives

3.4 - CPI: Beyond the Mountains

3.3 - CPI: Rural Portugal and the Douro Valley

3.2 - Viseu and the Caminho Português Interior

3.1 - The Rota Vicentina

2.11 - Camino Finisterre

2.10 - Caminho da Geira e dos Arrieros

2.9 - Camino Torres

2.8 - Caminho Nascente Highlights

2.7 - The Beiras

2.6 - Special Places

2.5 - Local Traditions

2.4 - Villages of the Alentejo

2.3 - Islamic Heritage

2.2 - Walking in the Algarve

2.1 - Caminho Nascente Introduction

1.7 - Portuguese Way Top Tips

1.6 - Camino Languages

1.5 - The Variante Espiritual

1.4 - Central or Coastal?

1.3 - Is it Worth Starting in Lisbon?

1.2 - Walking in Portugal

1.1 - Pandemic Camino

Introduction and the Spirit of the Camino

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