Don’t Overlook the Advantages of a Guided Tour in Spain

Julius — Thu, 02 May 2013 09:09:43 +0000

When you make the trek to the holy city of Santiago de Compostela in Northern Spain, you will be following in the steps of millions of people that have already travelled the Way of St. James since the medieval times, but yet, you’ll be creating an experience for yourself that can’t compare to anyone else’s. Each pilgrimage journey is unique to the person embarking on it, and whether you choose to go for spiritual reasons, for adventure or solely for exercise, it is so much more than just a myriad of hiking trails. Pilgrims come from all over the world every year to partake in the cultural tradition, and many have found it beneficial to enter into this voyage as part of one of the many guided tours in Spain that are offered.

Santiago de Compostela, Spain by Mário José Martins

Here are just some of the benefits to going the guided tour route:

Safety

As with many situations, there is safety in numbers when walking the Way of St. James. If you should become ill or injured or come across any unsavory people, there will be plenty of others, as well as your guide, to make sure you’re taken care of.

Accommodations

Accommodations are plentiful on the way to Santiago, especially on the more travelled routes, but there will be thousands of people right alongside you looking for somewhere to spend the night and you don’t want to chance all the inns being full. As part of a tour you’ll be guaranteed a comfortable place to lay your head after an excruciatingly long day of walking or cycling, and most accommodations booked through tours are much nicer than you would find on your own.

Getting Lost

Many of the different routes that will lead you to Santiago de Compostela are very well-marked due to the high volume of visitors each year. Getting lost may not be a huge concern, but for those traveling on their own and who tend to wander off, it can definitely happen. As part of a tour group you will always be accounted for and the chances of getting lost or left behind are minimal.

Streets of Santiago de Compostela, Spain by Naír la jefa

Knowledge

Most of the companies that you can book guided tours in Spain through provide tour guides that call the country home and have been immersed in the culture for a significant amount of time, if not their whole lives, as well as have years of experience navigating the Way of St. James’ many routes. Some will offer extra knowledge on the art and monuments you will see along the way and can accommodate access to must-see sites that you can only gain entry into if you are part of a guided tour.

Encouragement

The Way of St. James isn’t for the faint of heart, and there can be many challenges that a pilgrim will face during their expedition. Meeting people on the same tour and spending such a lengthy amount of time with them can forge lifelong friendships and encouragement when you think you can go no further.

You may be a seasoned traveler and used to going at it alone, but the Way of St. James trek isn’t your typical vacation, and a guided tour might be something to really consider. Happy travels!

Author’s Bio

Tiffany Olson is a blogger who lives in beautiful Northern California and loves all things travel and adventure related. She writes on many topics including guided tours in Spain and The Way of St. James (aka El Camino de Santiago).