News from the road – Taste the Spanish Camino – May 2025

In early May, a small group of enthusiastic walkers set off on an unforgettable journey — covering several hundred kilometres across three of the Camino routes in Northern Spain, all leading to the historic city of Santiago de Compostela.

We completed our pilgrimage to Santiago and received our Compestela certificate with a sense of achievement.  In the early evening, we attended Mass at the majestic Santiago Cathedral and witnessed the Botafumeiro, a dramatic swinging of a giant incense burner high above the congregation, a centuries-old tradition that once helped to mask the smell of weary pilgrims.

The tour was as much about cultural and culinary discovery as it was about walking. We sampled the best of Northern Spain’s cuisine. A tapas tour introduced us to the specialties of different local restaurants — we visited  six in total, each offering something unique and delicious. We also enjoyed meals in lively markets, where we could wander and sample pinxtos of our choice. A true culinary highlight was dining at Michelin-starred restaurants — a first for all of us. These amazing dinners began around 8:30 and often lasted until midnight, with more than 16 beautifully presented courses served in an orchestrated performance throughout the evening.

Our accommodation added a touch of luxury and history to the experience. We stayed in several Paradores — government-owned hotels set in historic buildings such as monasteries and palaces, all thoughtfully restored and full of character.

Our itinerary also featured enriching cultural moments off the Camino trail. In Madrid, we experienced the raw emotion and intensity of flamenco during a passionate live performance.  The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao was another highlight, and later we visited the stunning Marqués de Riscal winery, which features a spectacular building also designed by Frank Gehry, echoing the Guggenheim’s titanium curves and ribbons.

Throughout our journey, we encountered a remarkable variety of architecture from cathedrals to civic buildings, banks and apartments — in styles ranging from modernist and neoclassical to baroque. The Spring weather remained cool but ideal for walking with some of the paths lined with wild flowers.

This guided Camino walk offered the perfect balance of active travel, cultural insights, companionship and gourmet indulgence.