The best solution is a camel bag (also known Camelback hydration system) which is normally built in a backpack or waist pack containing a reservoir or “bladder” commonly made of rubber or flexible plastic. The camel bag is connected to a drinking tube. For walking on the Camino you only need a “naked” reservoir what you can take into your backpack with a long drinking tube. The big advantage of this system is that it allows the wearer to drink hands-free. Recommended reservoir size range from 1.5 to 2.0 liters. 2 x 600-800 ml drinking bottles also work well. They are easy to handle, fit easily in the side pouch of your bag and can be carried in your hands if needed. It doesn’t matter if the bottles are made of plastic or alu both are light enough. You can also hang your drinking bottle to your strap with a carabiner, otherwise don’t forget, that anytime you want to drink, you have to take them off from your backpack or pouch of your bag. If you don’t want to buy a special bottle, you can use 2x500ml ordinary plastic bottles. They are also easy to handle, easy to change when it is damaged, but not eco-friendly at all.

It is not easy to walk with a dog, but it can be done with some planning. Dogs are not allowed in almost all of the hostels and albergues. There are some villages where local dogs are unfriendly. It limits your sightseeing (fo example if you want to go to a Cathedral). Anway if you sleep in a tent all the time, it is much easier with a dog, but you’ll have a different camino then others. Caminoteca tip: important to bring a little backpack for the dog, so he could carry his own food and water.

Blisters are caused by abrasion against the skin. Lubricating the skin can keep that abrasion from causing blisters. The lubricant you use should be one that will last for the length of your walk. Apply any lubricant liberally to your feet in any area that is prone to blistering.

1. Lubrication – Vaseline or similar gel – It’s cheap and it works. Put great gobs of vaseline on your feet before you put on your Cool-Max socks. No, your feet don’t slide around in your shoes – the socks prevent that. No, it doesn’t feel slimy once you put on your socks. It doesn’t wash out well but who cares – these are walking socks!
2. Socks – Select socks that fit your foot without being too tight or too loose. Choose soft wicking fabric such as coolmax (NO cotton). Cotton absorbs moisture and is usually a little rough in texture. Ensure that the socks do not have bulky stitching at the toes or heels. Lorpen, Thorlo, WigWam, and Thermolite are a few of the popular brands. Some people choose to wear two layers of socks (or a sock that is made with double layers) to aid in blister prevention.
3. Shoes – As with many other walking ailments, begin with the shoes. Your shoes must fit properly to avoid blisters. Too snug or too loose is always a problem. Be sure that you have enough room to wiggle your toes inside the toe box, and your heel does not slip when you walk. But be careful! During your camino your feet will swell at least 1 european size becasuse of everyday-walking and warm up of your feet!!! Choose hiking shoes or hiking boots, but not a running or simple street-wear shoes. Choose shoes that breath well. Shoes with a lot of fabric or mesh combined with leather are better than a solid leather shoe.
4. Rest your feet – When you have a break during the walk take off your shoes and socks to dry them a little, and rest your feet naked.
5. Moleskin – Moleskin acts like a second layer of skin to help prevent new blisters while soothing and healing those that already exist. If you feel a little pain anywhere on your feet which can become a blister, do not hesitate, take off your shoes and socks and cover that point with a moleskin immediately. Popular brands are: Compeed, Salvequick

Bedbugs still exist on the Camino. In some albergues (mainly in the older ones) bedbugs can cause problems. They live in the mattresses and active during the night. Some pilgrims (not many) can be inflicted by them. This practically means that bites appear on the whole body and you have more in each hour. Bedbug rashes are allergic reactions and may take up to a week to manifest, one of the reasons it is hard to pinpoint where one was bitten. The rashes take a while to go away but go to the pharmacy and get some lotion and some oral antihistamine to ease the itch. You must spray everything with bug spray, your backpack, your sleeping bag, your clothes, and wash them all, including the ones you wear. Don’t forget to spray your shoes as well. The bugs can hide in every tiny seam and crevasse.

The credential costs 1€ and can be obtained in bigger albergues, churches and in the pilgrim’s offices.

Practically:
Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port: Amies du Chemin de Saint Jacques at 39 rue de la Citadelle (Pilgrim’s office, Accueil Pélerins)
Roncesvalles: Collegiate Church of Orreaga/Roncesvalles (open 10.00 am-13.30pm, 16.00pm-19.00pm)
Pamplona: Albergue Jesús y Maria, Calle de Compañia 4 (Close to the Cathedral of Pamplona)

It depends on many factors:

• how early the Sun rises. It is hard to walk in the dark (regardless of a good head lamp) but there is a special atmosphere.
• from july until mid September it’s very hot  from 11 am (38-40 C), so you should strart your day as early as possible to reach the next destination in time.
• also from july until mid September there are so many pilgrims that some of the albergues will be full by the time you get there
• It is hard to stay in bed for late when everybody around you swiches on the light, gets ready and makes noise.

Caminoteca’s advice: start your day as early as possible – otherwise use ear plugs and eye mask 🙂

• Albergue Jesús y Maria in Pamplona
• Albergue de la Fuente Casa de Austria in Los Arcos
• Albergue Casa del Santo in Santo Domingo de la Calzada (http://www.alberguecofradiadelsanto.com/como_lle.htm)
• Albergue Municipal Casa del Cubo in Burgos (http://www.caminosantiagoburgos.com/)
• Albergue El Puntido in Hontanas (http://www.puntido.com/)
• Albergue in Boadilla del camino (http://www.boadilladelcamino.com/)
• Albergue Siervos de Maria in Astorga (http://www.caminodesantiagoastorga.com/)
• Albergue Ave Fenix in Villafranca del Bierzo (http://www.albergueavefenix.com/)

Technical t-shirts seem to be a better solution than simple cotton t-shirts. They are lighter and dry much faster, 1-2 hours in summer, 3-4 hours otherwise. You should take only 2 of them for your Camino changing them day by day.

If you don’t want to wash your t-shirts every day, chose a merino wool t-shirt. This keeps you warm when it’s cold, and keeps you you cool when it’s hot. They dry in a flash and don’t stink.

If you don’t want to start walking on the Camino on the day when you arrive at your starting point, you can sleep in an albergue, the only requirement is to have a Credential (pilgrim’s passport) that you can get at the Pilgrim’s office or in bigger albergues. However you don’t need to stay in the albergue where you buy your credential, you can choose another one.

Please don’t forget that usually you can stay only one night in the same albergue.

• book (except for guide books)
• dictionary
• hair-dryer in summer
• iron
• jeans
• leather coat
• knitted sweater
• city-shoes
• watch
• alarm clock
• phone, note book, tablet
• metal spoon, fork (tip: spork)
• plate
• cooking vessels
• make-up
• pyjamas
• bathrobe
• battery charger
• pillow (tip: inflatable pillow if really necessary)
• washing powder (tip: travel size liquid wash)
• normal/big size shower gel, shampoo, deo spray (tip: small/travel/mini size personal care products)
• alcoholic beverages
• water steriliser
• kettle