Featured below are a few items that would make ideal gifts for the Camino enthusiast in your life, or for your own Camino dreaming and scheming. New this year: an audio guide to help get you started, a Spain travel planning service, and an urgent plea to save part of a Camino. These promos were submitted by fellow pilgrims (or allies) and I try to include works created within the last year or that have not been featured previously.
Featured Books
Once Upon a Camino
By Matthew S. Wilson
Partly inspired by his own pilgrimage to Santiago in 2010, Once Upon a Camino is a story of love, adventure and time travel – enjoyed by those who’ve walked to Santiago or those who simply enjoy a page-turning story.
Available in paperback and Kindle on Amazon, with a planned release on Audible before Christmas!
Yellow Arrow Fever: The Grumpy Pilgrim’s Guide to Santiago
By Rudy Noriega
Strap on your hiking boots and prepare for a comical expedition into the heart of the Camino. With humour as dry as the landscapes and a plot as winding as the Camino itself, this tale reminds us that even the most hardened hearts can be softened by the companionship of those we least expect. Get ready to laugh, cringe, and raise an eyebrow as Rudy’s journey unfolds in the most delightfully unpredictable ways.
Pilgrim: Finding a New Way on the Camino de Santiago
By Carolyn Gillespie
Pilgrim is a coming-of-(middle)-age tale. The story is ultimately one of transformation, of rebirth and redemption. Written with warmth and honesty, Pilgrim shows what can happen when we jump off the path we are on and step onto a new one, where nothing looks the same.
The question is no longer what do I want to do with the rest of my life? The question is who do I want to be?
The Grief of Goodbye
By K.D. Field
Discover an emotionally charged tale of love, sacrifice, and redemption in The Grief of Goodbye. Can a mother’s unwavering determination save her self-destructive daughter before time runs out? The Grief of Goodbye weaves a tapestry of love, resilience, and the lengths we go to protect those we cherish.
Camino Wandering (Updated Edition)
By Tara Marlow
The second edition of Camino Wandering is out, with a new cover and an added epilogue. Transporting readers alongside an extraordinary experience, Tara Marlow explores the strength and importance of female friendships. And by delving into complex and real-world issues while giving an authentic glimpse of the pilgrim trail, the author’s powerful message of gaining knowledge of one’s true self will engage and inspire.
Available in Hardcover and Kindle from Amazon.com.
Web: http://www.taramarlowauthor.com
Facebook: /taramarlowauthor
Walking with Sam: A Father, a Son, and Five Hundred Miles Across Spain
By Andrew McCarthy
An intimate, funny, and poignant travel memoir following New York Times bestselling author and actor Andrew McCarthy as he walks the Camino de Santiago with his son Sam.
Available in Hardcover and Kindle from Amazon.com.
This is also available on Audible and narrated by McCarthy himself! My Camino sister, Jane, met him while he was on his book tour and she had him sign her copy and take a photo together. I’m jealous! He’s even more hot now that we know he’s walked a few Caminos. Am I right?!? Get this book, you’ll love it!
Spiritual and Walking Guide: The Wisconsin Way
By Stacey Wittig
The Wisconsin Way is a pilgrimage route loosely based on the Camino de Santiago. The American Camino, which highlights shrines, monasteries and European-style churches situated in dramatic glacial landscapes of farmland, forests and lakes, is an unforgettable alternative to walking European pilgrimage routes. This handy three-in-one book incorporates daily devotions for spiritual direction, the historical context of the spiritual hotspots encountered along the route and way guides for the physical journey. This, and more Stacey Wittig guides are available at Amazon.com.
I just love Stacey! I met her at the 2018 American Pilgrims Gathering, bumped into her in Santiago, and recently met her for tapas during a her cruise stopover in San Francisco. She’s truly an inspiration!
Learn more about UNSTOPPABLE Stacey Subscribe to her email updates to get a free report on finding cheap flights!
Pasatiempos Peregrinos
By Maria Seco
Pasatiempos Peregrinos offers a treasure trove of 80 language activities, carefully curated to provide both entertainment and educational value to Spanish language learners. The topics covered are related to travel in general and the Camino de Santiago in particular, such as accommodation, food, health, transportation, shopping, etc.
It’s available on Amazon and also on Maria’s popular website, https://spanishforcamino.com/. I had the opportunity to meet Maria in 2022 while walking the Camino Portugués. She does great work teaching pilgrims Spanish for the Camino.
Savings on Spain travel planning services
Karen Rosenblum, founder of Spain Less Traveled, a Spain travel consulting agency, has a sweet offer for pilgrims! She writes, “We love working with pilgrims, and while we can’t plan you Camino for you, we are here to help you plan your time in Spain before or after your walk. Thinking of extending your time in Spain to visit other parts of the country? We can help! Through our varying levels of professional Spain travel planning services, we can work with you to answer your questions and make the best use of your time in Spain, based on your interests and timeframe. Whether you just need a little help or a fully customized itinerary, our team would be delighted to assist you!”
Here’s the offer: We are offering 10% off to the Camino Provides community on our Spain travel consultation services. Simply use the coupon code CAMINOPROVIDES23 when you book either a full Spain travel consultation or a mini Spain travel consultation. You can read more about each service and make a booking through our website. To take advantage of this offer, you must book your call before the 31 January 2024. It can be used to book any available time on the calendar.
Full Spain Travel Consultation: https://www.spainlesstraveled.com/spain-travel-consultation
Mini Spain Travel Consultation: https://www.spainlesstraveled.com/mini-spain-travel-consultation
Getting Started Guide for the Camino Frances
Make your dream of walking the Camino de Santiago a reality, with the Camino Francés Getting Started Audio Guide. Go from home to Saint Jean Pied de Port without missing a step. With more than 40 audio sessions, 10+ videos, and multiple worksheets to take you step by step to your starting point and beyond.
To learn more and order, visit https://thecaminoexperience.com/getting-started-audio-guide/
Nancy Reynolds has offered this promo code: HOLIDAY20 for 20% off through December 25th
2024 Camino Provides Patches
The patch for 2024 has the date is in purple, as we work our way up the rainbow of colors. Previous years patches sold out by spring, so I recommend ordering soon if you’re planning a Camino in 2024.
Details and purchase at https://caminoprovides.etsy.com
Free shipping for US orders of $35 or more. Add a sticker to your order for just $1 each.
Visit https://caminoprovides.etsy.com
The Wise Pilgrim’s Plea to Save Part of the Camino
Michael Matynka, founder of the Wise Pilgrims guides and apps sent us this message, and I am happy to share his cause:
One of the most picturesque stretches of the Camino Portugués, on the last stage into Santiago (km 15 specifically) is under imminent threat of destruction. Plans have been in place for nearly 10 years to replace it with the construction of a high-tension power line. Neighbors and activists, alongside lawyers and consultants, have been trying to stop it. Now though the chainsaws have begun and they are less than 300m from this stage.
This is our last hope, and your involvement is crucial. The international pilgrim community must use their voice. We must prevent its destruction rather than lament it, as we are too often left to do.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP
REACH OUT BY EMAIL OR CALL – LEARN MORE AT: https://savethecamino.com/
His guidebooks and maps were previously featured on this blog: Wise Pilgrim Camino Map
Purchase his guidebooks, apps, and maps at: https://wisepilgrim.com/
Well, that’s a wrap for this year’s Camino gifts roundup. If you know of something that you think should be included in this list, email me a description and link. I may add more submissions which could be seen when you revisit this post later.
Most of the items featured in previous years posts are still available, so you can always skip back to these years 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, and 2016 to see other ideas.
I have made a Camino connection with these pilgrims who’s items are featured above, either in person or online. By supporting these artists, you are supporting the Camino creatives tribe. I see this as a way pilgrims can share their talents in a way others can enjoy, and possibly, also be inspired by the Camino!
Some of the items available on Amazon are links through their affiliate program. I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases, which helps to cover my costs of hosting and maintaining this website. There is never any additional cost to you. I also include direct links to the purchasing websites provided by the authors.
The Camino Provides 