After travelling around the world and experiencing the Himalayas, Aconcagua, and other intrepid routes, our guides fell in love with the Camino de Santiago. So, they decided to move to Spain and make this passion their way of life!
Discover more about their journey:
Silvia Santos, Follow the Camino Tour Guide
Born and raised in Bilbao, before starting to work on the Camino as a tour guide, Silvia was a mountain guide in the Himalayas for many years. But it was not until she had the opportunity to go on the Camino for the first time that she understood the reason why so many people travel every year from places like Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and more to walk the Camino de Santiago.
When she first walked the full French Way from St Jean Pied de Port to Santiago de Compostela it took her 3 months, and she was so passionate about it that she wanted to know all the legends and stories about the Camino. She went into almost every bar along her way and seized the opportunity to talk to local people and pilgrims.
She now lives in Galicia and has been working as a much-loved Follow the Camino guide for the last 6 years.
Making an effort together unites us, it’s a good bond. It was a mystery for me why people would fly from Australia or other areas of the world to walk the Camino and come back over and over again. I think it is the people, the other pilgrims, the experience of going through it together, doing it with joy, doing it laughing, doing it with freedom, that creates a good bond.
– Silvia Santos
Silvia gave us invaluable information about the Camino and made my time on the Camino beyond memorable.
Francisco Álvarez, Follow the Camino Tour Guide
Born in Barcelona, Francisco moved to Ponferrada, a town right on the French Way, at a young age so he’s very familiar with the Camino. He made his first pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in his twenties and then he started to travel around the world.
Fran, as he prefers to be called, has lived in California, India, Philippines, Thailand, and Laos, where he discovered his great talent as a tour guide. When he decided to come back to Spain, he was very clear about what he wanted to do – he wanted to show people the Camino de Santiago as a tour guide, and he has now been doing it for the last 7 years.
If you’re lucky enough to have him as a tour guide, don’t be surprised if he starts playing the guitar at dinner!
Walking the Camino is a unique experience that you don’t get anywhere else. The walking, the nature, the culture, how we get together as a group and you make friends for a lifetime.
– Fran Alvarez
My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the walk. Our guide, Francisco, was great! The group that we joined were awesome and from all parts of the world. Excellent rooms, food, and journey.
– Jack from Texas
We were warmly greeted at the airport by our guide, Fran. Each part of our trip was explained in detail. The hotels, meals, and the walk were amazing. Great job!
– Mary from Texas
Pedro Caro, Follow the Camino Tour Guide
Pedro has described himself as “in love with life and the Camino de Santiago”. He is passionate about history, art, and nature (particularly in Spain). Pedro lives between two of the most beautiful regions of Spain: Galicia and Granada, dividing his time as a tour guide on the Camino de Santiago, and in the Alhambra and the Arab-influenced neighbourhood around it. He’s very keen to discover the world, he never misses the opportunity to discover a new city, a new book, or a new person.
I am in love with life and the Camino de Santiago.
– Pedro Caro
Paloma, Follow the Camino Tour Guide
Born and raised in a fishing town near Finisterre (the most westerly point of Spain), Paloma describes herself as an outdoor person. She not only likes to travel but to experience the trip more in-depth, immersing herself in the local culture and working with locals. That’s why she decided to be a guide, obtaining a Galician guide licence in 2010. For Paloma, to be a guide is a rewarding profession as it gives her the opportunity to work outdoors and escape the routine. After living in different countries like Ireland, France, and Cuba, Paloma decided to move to Santiago de Compostela where she now works as a tour guide. She also loves languages, animals, music, history, and supports environmental causes.
I am an outdoor person who doesn’t just want to travel, but wants to truly experience the trip in-depth.
– Paloma
