11 Camino Inspired Quarantine Activities

Most of the world seems to be implementing various levels of self-distancing, quarantine, or other pandemic measures. Coronavirus has spread to almost every country, so these restrictions are important. But being stuck at home doesn’t have to be boring! And it doesn’t mean you have to give up on your Camino.

Here is the list of our favourite Camino-related ways to keep busy!

Read a book about the Camino de Santiago

There are so many awesome books out there about people’s adventures on the Camino. Some are stories, based on real-life or fantasy. Some are factual and can help you plan your trip.

There are new books coming out every day, and they can be ordered online so you don’t even need to leave the house.

Here are some of our favourite books about the Camino de Santiago. Let your mind wander where your feet can’t… yet!

• I’ll Push You: A Journey of 500 Miles, Two Best Friends, and One Wheelchair, Patrick Gray and Justin Skeesuck
• I’m off Then, Hape Kerkeling
• The Only Way is West, Bradley Chermside
• Spanish Steps: Travels with My Donkey, Tim Moore
• What the Psychic Told the Pilgrim: A Midlife Misadventure on Spain’s Camino de Santiago, Jane Christmas
• The Year We Seized the Day: A True Story of Friendship and Renewal on the Camino, Elizabeth Best and Colin Bowles
• Buen Camino!, Natasha Murtagh and Peter Murtagh
• Walking the Camino: A Modern Pilgrimage to Santiago, Tony Kevin
• Walk in a Relaxed Manner: Life Lessons from the Camino, Joyce Rupp
• The Camino: a Journey of the Spirit, Shirley MacLaine
• Walking Home: A Pilgrimage from Humbled to Healed, Sonia Choquette

If reading isn’t your thing – try a Camino podcast!

Watch a movie about the Camino De Santiago

There are PLENTY of movies to watch about the Camino. Some are high budget, some are cellphone camera videos, there is something for everyone.

Have a look at our list of the Best Films About The Camino De Santiago. You will also find plenty more online!

Learn Spanish for your Camino

Whilst you can always resort to a bit of sign-language along the way, it can save you a lot of arm-waving to know some key phrases. Learn some basic Spanish before your Camino and get ready to order that wine like a pro. Speaking of food and drink, if you have any dietary restrictions this Vegan on the Camino guide also contains a basic Spanish foodie phrase section.

We love Duolingo and Babbel if you are looking for an app to help you learn.

Keep fit so that you can go on the Camino later

Ok, so you might not be able to walk the Camino this month, or for the next couple of months – but you’ll want to be fit for when the Camino is open again. There are loads of videos on YouTube for workouts you can do at home. We have also made a list of things to help with Staying Fit if your Camino has been Postponed.

You can also virtually walk the distance of the Camino Frances here! Buen virtual Camino!

Learn to cook Spanish and Portuguese food

Are you dreaming of sinking your teeth into a moist tortilla? Or savouring a freshly made paella? How about nibbling at a traditional Spanish or Portuguese desert?

The food on the Camino is incredible, and while you may not be able to replicate the ambience, you can have a go at replicating the tastes.

Try these recipes –

• Caldo Gallego – Traditional Galician white bean soup
• Tarta de Santiago – An almond cake for pilgrims
• Croquetas de Bacalao – Fried fish croquettes
• Patatas Bravas – A comforting potato dish
• Easter Torrijas – A classic Easter treat in Spain

Order in some Spanish and Portuguese wines

If you are cooking then, of course, you need to something to sip as well… The world of online shopping is waiting for you, with plenty of excellent Spanish and Portuguese wines available online!

Explore the options and then dive into the sampling. We order most of our wines from Baggot Street Wines because we love supporting local businesses. They also have a massive selection!

If you are a white wine lover we recommend trying some Alberino wine… yum!

Browse Instagram for gorgeous Camino pics

Instagram is always loaded with pictures to inspire your wanderlust. People have shared some of the most beautiful photos of the scenery, the people, and the food of the Camino.

One of the easiest ways to find them is by searching hashtags. Some of our favourites are #followthecamino, #buencamino, #caminofrances, #caminoportugues, #caminodelnorte, #compostela, #stjamesway, #caminhodesantiago, #peregrino, #jakobsweg, #elcaminodesantiago, and #buencaminoperegrino… but of course there are loads more!

Learn to take gorgeous pictures yourself

With all that Instagram content in mind… maybe it’s time to learn how to take stunning pictures yourself! After all, you’ll soon be out on the Camino with a million beautiful things to capture!

Here’s our guide to photographing the Camino. You can also watch many interesting videos about landscape photography on YouTube!

Learn more about the Camino de Santiago

The Camino de Santiago has a long and fascinating history. So, of course, many people have written about it! You could spend hours clicking through Wikipedia articles, Lonely Planet guides, pilgrim association websites, and blogs like ours.

Here are a few of our favourite blogs to help you learn about the Camino –

• Everything You Need To Know About the Apostle St. James the Greater
• Top 10 Things to Do and See in Santiago de Compostela
• The 2021 Camino Holy Year – What is it?
• The Scallop Shell And Other Symbols of The Camino
• Feast of St James, the patron saint of Santiago de Compostela
• Top Festivals on the Camino de Santiago

Take a tour of the Camino

The wonders of modern technology mean that you can visit incredible places right from your home.

You can look at some stunning pictures of churches along the Way of Saint James online. Check out this slideshow of monasteries along the Camino.

Santiago also has loads to see online! For example, with this virtual tour of the Santiago Cathedral. The Museum of Pilgrims and Santiago has a virtual tour available, so you can learn plenty and see some of their artefacts through that as well.

Start planning your Camino!

Our Camino experts are still here and ready to help you to plan your dream Camino adventure! You can book now and your booking will be fully flexible. You can move it to later in the year, or even next year, with no change fees.

Our team will get to know you and help you plan the best Camino route and stage and itinerary for you. It is all personalised, individually tailored to you, and focused on giving you an incredibly high-quality experience.

So go on, give yourself something to look forward to. Contact us today to start planning your Camino.