Taking Your Family on the Camino de Santiago

Taking your family on the Camino de Santiago! There's a scary thought. It came up in conversation recently. It might take a bit more planning. Would you do it?

#familycamino #caminowithfamily #caminofamily

⚡ Camino de Santiago Blog ⚡
For more details about each Camino journey you can visit the detailed blogs at https://robscamino.com/
It includes daily videos, blogs and photos.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GOOD CAMINO VIDEOS FOR NEWBIES
I thought it might be useful to point these out, as they address a lot of questions that Pilgrims have when planning their first Camino:

🦶🏽 How to Avoid Blisters on the Camino - Yes it can be done:
   • Camino Foot Care - How to Avoid BLISTERS o...  

🤐 What They Don't Tell You about the Camino - 10 Things to Know:
   • What They Don't Tell You about the Camino ...  

🧳 Camino de Santiago Packing List:
   • What's in my Pack for the Camino? - Camino...  

⚠️ Camino Warning - Before You Walk the CAMINO de Santiago:
   • Camino Warning - Before You Walk the CAMIN...  

📅 Planning your First Camino - 12 Camino de Santiago Planning Tips:
   • Planning your First Camino - 12 Camino de ...  

👟 Camino de Santiago Footwear - Boots, Shoes, Trail Runners or Sandals?:
   • Camino de Santiago Footwear - Boots, Shoes...  

✈️ Camino Travel - Trekking Poles on the Plane:
   • Camino Travel - Trekking Poles on the Plane  

😨 8 Common Fears about the Camino:
   • 8 Common Fears about the Camino  

Camino Blog Posts You Might Find Interesting
Camino Costs: https://robscamino.com/general/how-mu...
Plan Your Camino: https://robscamino.com/general/how-to...
VdlP Blog: https://robscamino.com/category/camin...
Camino Invierno Blog: https://robscamino.com/category/camin...
Camino Life Lessons: https://robscamino.com/2018/camino-le...
Camino Stories: https://robscamino.com/2015/category/...

Thinking about walking a family Camino? In this video, I dive into what it might actually take to organise one – and trust me, it’s not quite as simple as booking a few flights and grabbing a backpack! The idea first came up at a family event when Ronnie suggested, half-jokingly, “Why don’t we all do a family Camino?” – and that got me thinking seriously about the pros, cons, and the real logistics behind a group pilgrimage across Spain.

I talk through everything you need to consider before you set off. First up – expectations. Why does everyone want to walk? Is it for a nice stroll through Spain’s beautiful countryside, a spiritual journey, or just a different family holiday? With 10 to 12 family members ranging from kids to grandparents, there’s no way everyone will have the same goal. So, setting some shared expectations is absolutely vital.

Then there’s the question of distance and fitness. How far should you walk each day? We’d be balancing ages from around 5 years old to 60+, with varying fitness levels. Aiming for 15 to 20 km a day seems reasonable, but with kids involved, you’ve got to be flexible. I also chat about how long you’d want to walk – a week might not really capture the Camino spirit, so I'd be pushing for at least 10 days if possible.

Accommodation planning is a biggie too. Finding 12 beds in the same village each night? Not easy! On a solo Camino, you can just turn up, but with a family group, you’ll almost certainly need to book ahead. I cover the pros and cons of staying in albergues, pensions, and private rooms, and why budget, comfort, and privacy all need to be factored in carefully.

And what about communication? We’d definitely need a family WhatsApp group and Spanish SIM cards so we can stay in touch as we naturally spread out along the trail each day. Walking at your own pace is crucial – forcing a big group to walk together just invites injuries and grumpy faces!

Another point I raise is the importance of contingency planning. What happens if someone gets sick or injured? With kids involved, you need a solid Plan B to get people home safely if needed, without disrupting the whole group’s journey.

I also share thoughts on gear (no need to break the bank – use what you've got if you can) and training (a little bit of walking practice with a backpack before departure makes a huge difference). Plus, I question whether we’d do it “guided style” – with all stages pre-planned and accommodation booked – or a more free-flowing independent approach. For newbies, I'd lean towards a bit more structure!

Ultimately, a family Camino can definitely be done – it just takes a lot more planning, a lot of patience, and a good sense of humour. I’d love to hear from you if you’ve ever walked the Camino as a group or with your family. What challenges did you face? What tips would you give? Drop your stories in the comments – it would be brilliant to swap notes!

Thanks for watching – and to my family, if you're watching this... have I scared you off, or shall we start booking flights?