The trail - French Camino
Solo hiker near Arzúa.
Barrera Books
Jeffery Barrera
Based in Madrid, I work as a guide on the Camino, and in my free time I write guidebooks.
Since 1994 I have walked the Galician section of the French and Portuguese Caminos over 60 times, and the Camino from the French border twice. I have also walked the English Way, the Primitivo and the Camino de Madrid. Because I get to walk the Camino on a regular basis, I do not have to rely on other people or sources for updates; nothing wrong with that, I just like to see and experience the changes myself.
And yes, I also find time to head into town and visit the Prado and Thyssen Museums. My strategy for an enjoyable visit? Choose 10 or 20 paintings you would like to see and ignore the rest (you can use A Survival Guide), also spend a little time just wandering until a painting catches your eye, and then wrap up your visit with a coffee or tea at the Museum Café.
The Camino de Santiago
Since 813, when Pelayo discovered Saint James’s remains and Alfonso II ordered the first church to be built, pilgrims have been walking to Santiago de Compostela.
According to the Pilgrim’s Office, in 2023, over 440.000 pilgrims had completed their pilgrimage and had requested their Compostela. In 1992, fewer than 10.000 pilgrims completed the pilgrimage to the city.
The Camino is a big business again, although surprisingly it has not been developed as much as you would have expected. The large corporations have ignored the Camino so far. Do not expect to see any of the classic chain fast-food restaurants or hotels. The dozens of new pilgrim hostels are found mainly within the villages and towns, usually in renovated old homes and injecting much needed funds into these dying communities.
Why buy a Survival Guide?
... and not any other guidebook for the Prado and Thyssen museums?
... or any other guidebook for the Camino de Santiago?
Camino Pics
Because the Camino is beautiful and I get to walk it every year.
Crossing into Spain - Portuguese Camino
Viewpoint at the Mount of Santa Tecla.
Trail arbours - Portuguese Camino
Walking through vineyards near Caldas de Rei.
Coup de Foudre - French Camino
She says 'Hi' everytime I walk through Ventas de Narón
Where it all began - Portuguese Camino
Santiaguiño Hill near Padrón, where Saint James lived and preached.
Beyond Galicia
The Camino in southern Navarra.
Which way? - Portuguese Camino
Grab your Survival Guide and find out!
Galician villages - French Camino
The Camino as it makes its way through Vilachá, near Portomarín
Rush hour - Portuguese Camino
Local farmers in Portugal.
Into the woods - French Camino
The Camino between Palas de Rei and Melide.
Sunrise - French Camino
Early morning at O Cebreiro.
Making friends - Portuguese Camino
The sculpture of Father Juliám López Souto at the Church of Santa María del Alba.
Get in touch
Some useful links
For your Camino de Santiago or your next visit to the Prado or Thyssen Museums in Madrid.
Fresco Tours
Best tour agency on the Camino, and not only because I work for them!
The Camino de Santiago Forum
In my opinion the most comprehensive pilgrim website around with a very useful blog.
American Pilgrims on the Camino
The already classic site geared mainly for American pilgrims from the USA.
The Confraternity of Saint James
The British answer to the American site and just as helpful.
Xacobeo Galicia
The Galician Government's offical site for the Camino. Very flashy.
Catedral de Santiago
There's no debating the information in this website, it's run by the Cathedral Chapter.
Museo Nacional del Prado
The Prado Museum's official website.
Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza
The Thyssen's official website
Survival Guide's Facebook Pages
For regular updates, information and much more