Camino de Santiago-Style Travel Beats Conventional Trips

Posted by on September 17, 2014 in El Camino de Santiago, Skywalker--Close Encounters on the Appalachian Trail | 0 comments

I am in Europe on another one of those “sexy” trips to exotic locales. And I am bored to death. Perhaps it is no coincidence. Interestingly enough, the word ‘travel’ comes from the word ‘travails’. Which brings up a great irony. In this day and age of supersonic jets and instantaneous communication, it is harder than ever to travel well, travel fruitfully, travel soulfully. Handheld and package tours are particularly sterile forms of travel.

But the Camino de Santiago sets itself apart as a perfect equilibrium of struggle, nationalities, socializing, repartee, and red wine. What could be better? You will never want to travel another way again. And I wish I was on the Camino right now instead of schlepping around town squares, monuments, and museums on the Old Continent.

Bill Walker is the author of The Best Way–El Camino de Santiago. He is also the author of other hiking books including Skywalker–Close Encounters on the Appalachian Trail, Skywalker–Highs and Lows on the Pacific Crest Trail, and Getting High–The Annapurna Circuit in Nepal. 

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