Hiking the Camino de Santiago: What It’s Really Like (And Why You Might Do It Twice) with Sofie Dolan Artwork

The Gomes Guide Travel Podcast

The Gomes Guide Travel Podcast is where travel, food, and culture meet. Hosted by San Francisco–based travel writer, storyteller, and mom of two teens Shannon Gomes, the show features thoughtful conversations with experts in the food and wine world, avid travelers, creators, tastemakers, and locals who reveal what truly makes a destination memorable—and how to experience it like a local, with food always at the center of the journey.

From unforgettable meals and hidden neighborhoods to meaningful cultural experiences and practical travel insight, each episode is designed to inspire curious travelers—especially Gen X listeners who value depth, connection, and great food—to explore the world more intentionally and to bring a sense of discovery back home.

Shannon is also the writer behind The Gomes Guide (https://thegomesguide.substack.com), a weekly travel-focused Substack filled with stories, recommendations, and inspiration for meaningful travel. Listeners are invited to subscribe for fresh ideas, insider tips, and destination inspiration delivered each week.

Whether you’re planning your next trip or simply dreaming about one, The Gomes Guide Travel Podcast celebrates connection, community, and the joy of experiencing new places through food and travel.

All Episodes

The Gomes Guide Travel Podcast

Hiking the Camino de Santiago: What It’s Really Like (And Why You Might Do It Twice) with Sofie Dolan

December 09, 2025 • Shannon Gomes • Season 3 • Episode 5

0:00 | 53:46

What would make someone walk hundreds of miles across Spain… and then go back and do it again?

In this episode, I sit down with my friend Sofie Dolan, who has hiked the Camino de Santiago not once, but twice, to talk about what makes this experience so powerful, addictive, and honestly… life-changing.

If you’re not familiar, the Camino is a network of ancient pilgrimage routes that lead to Santiago de Compostela in northwest Spain, and people walk it for all kinds of reasons: adventure, reflection, healing, or just the desire to slow down.

Sofie shares what inspired her to go the first time (without really knowing what she was getting into), and why she felt so pulled to return again.

We talk about what it’s actually like day-to-day, including:

Walking 6–20 miles a day (yes, really)
What to pack (and what you don’t need)
Where you stay, from simple inns to surprisingly beautiful hotels
How luggage transfers work (so you don’t have to carry everything)

But what really makes the Camino special isn’t just the walk… it’s everything that happens along the way.

We get into:

The people you meet from all over the world, each with their own story
The mental and emotional shifts that happen when you unplug and just walk
Why it feels like a moving meditation (and a break from the “hamster wheel” of real life)
The incredible sense of accomplishment when you finally arrive in Santiago

Sofie also shares practical tips, from the best time of year to go (spring and fall win) to why good socks and foot care can make or break your experience.

And one of my favorite takeaways? You don’t have to be an elite athlete to do this… but you do have to be willing to take it one step at a time.

If you’ve ever been curious about the Camino, or are craving a slower, more meaningful way to travel, this episode might just plant the seed.

👉 For more travel inspiration, tips, and behind-the-scenes stories, subscribe to my Substack at The Gomes Guide.