El Camino de Santiago en camper, ¿por qué no?

One of the great advantages of traveling in a van is the total freedom that you will have during your vacation on board a rental camper. If you have decided to travel with Puzzle Campers sure you want to know some routes that you can travel in van. Did you consider making the Camino de Santiago on camper? It is the perfect option if you do not have the time to walk. So, why not tour it in rental camper? You will visit cities and towns that you will like and others that you will not like. Traveling in a rental van, you will decide to stay longer or to leave if you do not like it. It is one of the great advantages of traveling in a van! There are four most popular roads but traveling in camper you can adapt to your needs. Prepare your luggage to live the Way in a different way!

A little history

Do you know the origin of the Camino de Santiago? The origin of this historic route begins in the 9th century when the tomb of the Apostle Santiago in Compostela is discovered. King Alfonso II el Casto ordered the construction of the cathedral of Santiago to honor its relics. From that moment on, the Camino de Santiago becomes the most important pilgrimage route in Europe. Pilgrims from all the countries of Europe began their pilgrimage and this led to the development of the area. To this day the Camino de Santiago is one of those things that one must do before he dies. But, sometimes, it is difficult to have so much time so why not enjoy the Camino de Santiago in camper? A route through historic buildings of Roman, Gothic style … The Camino de Santiago is undoubtedly a great experience regardless of the way you travel.

Before starting

– Whichever way you choose will be a good choice but be aware that the road is long. You will visit many interesting villages and places. That is why organization is fundamental. You can establish a list of priorities and if you have more time you can visit other places that you had not planned.

– Perhaps one of the reasons why you have decided to travel the Camino de Santiago in camper is because you can take your pet. Remember that dogs must travel in trasportín or with a special harness. Ah! And watch out for the high temperatures … our furry pets are very sensitive to heat stroke.

– When preparing the luggage, take into account all those things that are essential on the trip. In addition if you want to make walking some stage of the road you must bring clothes and footwear suitable for it.

– To make the trip in camper as cheap as possible it is best to cook on the van. You know that our furgos include kitchen, sink and refrigerator. Take advantage of it! You can prepare delicious recipes on the van.

– Enjoy! In trips not everything always comes as one expects. Do not despair! Focus on solving the unforeseen and … back on the road! Do not forget that you are on vacation and the important thing is to enjoy the trip.

The French Way

This route of approximately 780 kilometers is the most chosen route by pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago. The original route was born in the French town of Saint Jean Pied de Port. Within our borders, this route begins in the Navarrese town of Roncesvalles. If you choose this route, you will visit cities like Pamplona, Logroño, Burgos, Leon or Astorga. In addition to these beautiful cities, the French road crosses rustic landscapes that are dotted with monuments.

The French route is the route with more historical relevance. If you decide to travel the Camino de Santiago in camper for rent and you decide on this route you will enjoy charming places such as the cathedral of Burgos, the small town of Castrillo de los Polvazares or the Episcopal Palace of Astorga which has the signature of Gaudí. The cultural heritage that forms the way is abundant, you will not be bored! You can cook whenever you want in the van but surely you also want to enjoy the delicious gastronomy of the different provinces that you will visit. Take the trip in a rental van to taste the famous La Rioja wine, a rich cooked maragato in León or the tasty blood sausage from Burgos.

The Northern Way

It is also known as the coastal road, this route of the Camino de Santiago runs along the coast of the Cantabrian Sea, although some of its sections run through the interior. In total sum about 700 kilometers, it begins in Irún and crosses Guipúzcoa, Vizcaya, Cantabria, Asturias, Lugo and La Coruña before reaching Santiago de Compostela. Going along the north road you will visit a lot of charming towns: San Sebastián, Comillas, Llanes, Luarca … They are perfect places to travel in rent van!

This route is ideal if you want to enjoy incredible landscapes. In the rental van you can move freely, you can take advantage to visit the precious reserve of Urdaibai that catches you on the way. In addition if you are going to travel in camper for rent in summer surely you want to have the possibility to give them a bath in some beach. Of course, you can not finish the trip by van without enjoying an afternoon of pintxos by San Sebastián or iros of Asturias without trying a rich fabada before arriving at Santiago de Compostela.

The Finisterre-Muxía Way

This is the shortest route of the Camino de Santiago, total in 83 kilometers that if you arrive to Muxía, will be 119 kilometers. It is perfect if you do not have too much time to travel in camper for rent. More than the Camino de Santiago, the road to Finisterre is an extension of the French road, the pilgrims traveled there to reach the end of the world. They considered the end of the pilgrimage.

The road to Finisterre passes through new municipalities: Ames, Negreira, Mazaricos, Dumbría, Cee, Corcubión, Fisterra and Muxía. If you choose this route you can enjoy the most authentic Galician coast. It is on this route where the pilgrims collected a scallop shell, so today all the pilgrims carry one in their backpack or cane. This route is a different way to cross the Camino de Santiago in camper. Do not forget to try the delicious seafood of the area!

The Primitive Way

They say that the primitive road is one of the most charming routes to cross the Camino de Santiago. It is the

first known Way, that took Alfonso II the Casto, in the ninth century to visit the tomb of the Apostle Santiago. It is born in the cathedral of Oviedo (near our northern base!) And crosses the western area of Asturias. Pass through Grado, Salas, Tineo, Borres, Pola de Allande, Mesa and Grandas de Salime. Enter Galicia by the top of Acebo. It arrives until A Fonsagrada, Baleira and Castroverde. You will arrive to Lugo, from where you can not go without visiting its famous Roman wall. If during the Camino de Santiago in camper you sting the worm to do some stage walking, you can cover the 100 kilometers that separate Lugo from Santiago. Thus you will get the famous certificate of pilgrimage. From Lugo you will pass through San Romao da Retorta, Melide, O Pedrouzo until you reach Santiago de Compostela.

If you do not have much time but want to enjoy the atmosphere of the Camino de Santiago in camper, the primitive road is a very good option. Also our northern base is very close to Oviedo.

We arrived in Santiago!

Once completed this particular pilgrimage in camper for rent you will arrive to Santiago de Compostela, World Heritage Site. It is wonderful to be able to visit this city in van! When you do, you will understand why. It is a city full of life. Pilgrims, university students, tourists … among all are responsible for giving life to this city so special. To know the city you can make a journey of one, two or three days, depends on the time that you have. You can not leave Santiago without visiting its Romanesque cathedral with Renaissance and Baroque touches and, if you have the opportunity, do not miss the Botafumeiro. Of course, you can not leave the city without having tasted the delicious Santiago cake before.

Conclusions

Walking the Camino de Santiago in rent camper is a different and fun way to travel this historic route. Well because you do not have much time, travel with dogs or children, choose the route that you choose will be a good choice. They are different roads, each with its particular charm that will take you to the magical city of Santiago de Compostela. If you have the possibility to cross the Camino de Santiago in camper, do not miss the opportunity! It is a different way of pilgrimage. And even if you do not get the official credential of pilgrims, you will have enjoyed the Way of Saint James in a different way than other pilgrims. In addition if you feel like doing some stage of the Camino de Santiago, you can turnaround to drive the van. Always in your way and pace, making the stops that appeal to you. You know that’s the best thing about traveling in a rental van!

Photos via: National Geographic, Tourisme France, Tourism Asturias