Location: Portugal and Spain
Type of Travel: Historical pilgrimage covering scenic coastal and inland routes through the countryside and cities.
Ages: Teens to active older adults.
In 2015, I trained my first client, Bill, age group 60–64, to walk the El Camino de Santiago, an ancient pilgrimage that ends at the shrine of the apostle Saint James in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. When I was preparing him for the trip, I knew that I, too, wanted to experience a pilgrimage of similar importance. In June of 2024, I was able to walk the Portuguese coastal route from Porto, Portugal to Santiago de Compostela with my daughter, Honore, age group 25–29, and her boyfriend, Oliver, age group 25–29, accomplishing an almost decade-long goal. The pilgrimage offered me a chance to connect with both Honore and Oliver, while viewing stunning scenery, seeing historical sites, and being immersed in different cultural experiences. I was able to disconnect from work and enjoyed the opportunity to spend most of the day outside looking out on the horizon. Plus the food was delicious and the accommodations stunning. I love that this type of travel can be a “choose your own adventure.” Unlike a race or a hike to a specific spot, you can decide the right balance of movement, camaraderie, and culture!
