Like every year, with the beginning of the school year, there are many educational centers that are already looking for a end of year trip for their students, especially for those who have finished a cycle (Primary, ESO or Baccalaureate). Despite the fact that destinations with a coast and “sun and beach” tourism are becoming more frequent, companies like “Travel Camino de Santiago” They offer another type of vacation, betting not on the relaxation and sedentary lifestyle typical of a beach vacation, but on culture and spirituality.
“Learning by doing” It is the motto under which this organization is accepted, which insists that Education is not only limited to being inside the classroom, but that it can occur at any time and under any circumstance. In this, the Camino de Santiago is a source of knowledge, where learning is guaranteed with the great historical heritage of the routes.
So that the trip does not end up in a bag of memories and photographs, these organized stages are also They are equipped with an accompanying guide who will explain all the details and anecdotes along the route. In this way, an interdisciplinary, cooperative, co-educational experience, and focused on the environment, is ensured.
Thousands of people pass through the Camino throughout the year. Despite the fact that there was a slowdown in influx due to the pandemic, just the year before, in 2019, almost 350,000 people made this trip from one of the different starting points. Two of the most frequent by students, from You or from sarria, are in the offer of “Viajes Camino de Santiago”, in which, in addition to the monitor already mentioned above, includes accommodation, luggage transport between stages to avoid being loaded, the pilgrim’s credential and travel insurance.
Accommodation, as carried out by the vast majority of pilgrims, will be private hostels to live the experience of the Camino one hundred percent. In this way, it will allow you to meet other pilgrims, live with them and experience values such as mercy and respect. In addition, these hostels have mixed rooms organized in bunk beds, bathrooms separated by sex, equipped kitchens, laundry and common areas where you can relax and enjoy unforgettable afternoons with your fellow travelers.
The mornings will be completely dedicated to the Caminowaking up very early and thus start the trip as soon as possible until lunchtime. In the afternoon you will arrive at the accommodation for the day to restsee the town or city in which the shelter is located, and share moments of reflection and prayer learning from each other.
The French Way offer of “Viajes Camino de Santiago” begins in Sarria, where the students will stay the first night and they will be explained how the trip will work. The next day, the group will set out on a path to Portomarín. There are 22 kilometers of nature and rural areas, where the religious heritage will be the protagonist of this stage. On the third day they will reach Palas de Rei (25 km.) with already a few kilometers in their legs that will be noticed, to give way to the fourth day, which will be the longest stage to Arzúa (29 km.) and where the afternoon will be devoted to rest more than necessary. From Arzúa they will arrive at Pedrouzo (19 km.) on the fifth day, already with a backpack full of experiences, to reach the sixth day, this being the most special stage: arrival in Santiago de Compostela. After embracing the Apostle, they cannot forget to collect their Compostelas at the Pilgrim’s Office after handing over the credentials that have been sealing the entire Camino; this is the Diploma of effort, deserved by each and every one of them.
In the case of Portuguese Way, the start will take place in Tui, a neighboring town between Spain and Portugal. From there, the second day will depart for O Porriño (19 km), this stage being the ideal one to deal with the students environmental issues on environmental conservation of river environments. From O Porriño we will arrive at Arcade (19 km.) on the third day, capital par excellence of oysters in Galicia. From Arcade, the trip will reach Pontevedra with a distance of 12 kilometers, the shortest of the stages, but which will give way to the hardest path. Because the fifth stage will reach Caldas de Reis (22 km.) and its enchanting natural paradises, to give way to the sixth stage to Padrón (18 km.). Lastly, from here Santiago de Compostela will be reached on the seventh day to embrace the Apostle and collect the Compostelas. After seven very intense and emotional days, the eighth stage will be the return home.
The Camino de Santiago: an alternative school trip full of culture, art and religion – Magisnet