The Camino and the Celebrity Beyond

Hiking the Camino to Santiago de Compostela.  It is several destinations in one and can include several different countries throughout the world. The most popular is the Norte which was made popular by the move The Way with Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez.

We have known about this many years before the movie. It was always on the list, just find the time was key. Post covid, changed our accommodation plans a little, so we really planned day by day to ensure we had local hotels with amenities on our arrival each evening. The most popular accommodation are Albergues which are more of a dorm style arrangement, while that seemed perfect for the route - it was safety first so we opted on small hotels. 

We did the Coasta/Central route which was Porto, Portugal to Santiago, started on the coastal route and moved inland. With all the side hikes we went about 235 miles in 14 days. Its a very spiritual walk and we met people from all over the world. Started in Porto where we spent a few nights - beautiful city with so much to see.

We tagged on a another few days out to Muxia. Which was pouring rain and so windy we could barely stand up to get the last pictures of the journey!

As in the movie, they all needed a little pampering at the end. So we planned the hike and our "Pamper" was going to be our 5th River Cruise with Viking. But the water gods had different. Plans at the last minute we cancelled since the water was so low a ship swap was inevitable. We had done that before and it was fine but we had other friends joining us and they were 1st timers. A week before we left we changed to a cruise on the brand new Celebrity Beyond from Barcelona.This was a testament that being proactive about what lies ahead is key. We made the change to the ocean cruise and it was perfect. When you travel you have to prepare for the unexpected and embrace the change. Its all about destiny!

Viking offered no refund but a full travel credit, so we took it and re booked another Christmas market. More to come on that in another BIO.

The Beyond had just started sailing and the ship is just fabulous.The ship offers various amenities, including multiple dining options, bars and lounges, a spa and fitness center, entertainment venues, pools and hot tubs, and retail shops.

The Beyond has the first female as the Caption. Captain Kate is spectacular and she travels with her hairless cat, "Bugs" who you see in a stroller with the captain through tout the ship. 

Our itinerary was one was from Barcelona to Rome. We added a few nights pre and post cruise to visit all the sites. Night owls will love Barcelona, the city starts at 11pm and continues the the early morning hours. Sagrada Familia is not to be missed. We suggest all clients visit. Our Italy stops included Florence, Naples and Rome. Several optional shore trips from Florence  include Cinque Terre - the 5 villages seen by foot, Portofino,  Pisa of course, bike tours, cooking classes or even a visit to the top of the Duomo in Florence.  We had an overnight so we could do so much more. We have been to Italy many times, so Naples we opted for a private driver to Positano - one four favorite places. But a visit to Pompeii is a must for 1st times. Many choose a day to Capri which is a beautiful visit with the Blue Grotto by ferry.

When in Rome, well the Vatican is just amazing to see, the Colosseum, Pantheon and the Forum can all be done in a busy day. I always suggest a few days pre and post on these cruises, no reason to rush through a city. My suggestion is always 3 nights - enough time to see everything and time to feel familiar with each city. 

Nothing worse than to come home from the trip of a lifetime and someone says "did you see..." and you say no I didn't have enough time. I had to get home.