2016 Reviews of Walking the Camino De Santiago with RAW Travel

James Kerin, Ballarat, VIC – October 2016 – Sarria to Santiago

We enjoyed every day of the walk. The longer days were testing but a great sense of satisfaction when completed. The accomodation was excellent, always very clean, good bathrooms with plenty of hot water and comfortable beds. The included breakfasts were certainly enough to get you going for your day’s walking. When evening meals were available at your accomodation the quality and choice was very good, delicious Spanish food. The baggage transfers were faultless.

 

Vicki Foote, Adelaide – September 2016 – Sarria to Santiago

Walking with a destination in mind each day combined with the anticipation of what we would experience and the people we would meet made each day a highlight in itself.

 

Sandra Bowmer, Sydney – September 2016 – Sarria to Santiago

Had a very memorable time walking the Camino from Sarria to Santiago De Compostela over 5 days. The first day was very warm but lots of shade. The weather changed that afternoon and we had rain for the next 4 days. All our gear was tested on the 2nd day but our spirits could not be dampened. So glad to share this special journey with my son. Our luggage turned up without a hitch each day and all the accommodation was excellent. The only comment I would make is that 3 of our nights were in farm houses where we had no option but to eat in their dining room. The food was very good but more expensive than what was available in the towns. The only other issue was that in 2 places where we had booked a twin room the hotel was providing a double room. In both instances the hotels were marvellous and were able to sort something out so we didn’t have to share a bed!

 

Magnus McNeil-Windle, Perth – September 2016 – Sarria to Santiago

Lovely accommodation in characterful restored farmhouses and hotels. Staff were all friendly and helpful. All logistics worked perfectly including local taxis to places off the Camino.

 

Melinda Robinson, Brisbane – September 2016 – Sarria to Santiago

It was a great introduction into the pilgrims life.

 

Allan Murray, Sydney – September 2016 – Sarria to Santiago

I loved the ease with which administrative and logistical arrangements were made and implemented. Everything went smoothly although it was good to know there was local backup if I needed it. RAW Travel provided a quality service.

 

Hoon Leng Ong, Perth, WA – September 2016 – Sarria to Santiago

Everything went as planned. The places that we stayed were lovely – we are now thinking of another trip to walk a different section of the Camino.

 

Timothy Mcqueen, Melbourne – September 2016 – St Jean to Logrono

Everything was fantastic. We stayed in some beautiful places, Luggage transfers all worked perfectly. Personally I would have preferred to walk more of the taxi sections.

 

Greg Peach, Sydney – September 2016 – St Jean to Logrono

We had a great time. The weather was perfect and the knees held up over the Pyrenees. It was so nice to have our boys with us to enjoy the experience together.

 

Kay Ngaire Smith, Auckland NZ – September 2016 – Leon to Santiago

I was apprehensive. 73 & travelling alone. Met with RAW travel & immediately had my questions answered. I was not let down.

 

Patricia Jones, Canberra – August 2016 – Sarria to Santiago

The availability of information on your website and through your staff was really helpful and that all went to plan during the walk. your choice of accommodation along the walk was fantastic, each place different, authentic, just loved it.

 

Judy Moore – August 2016 – Full Camino

I found Raw Travel to be extremely professional at every contact. Our Camino was everything that we expected and more, this was largely possible because of all the hard work from the people at Raw. I would highly recommend Raw!

 

Michael Kinninmont, Sydney – August 2016 – Full Camino

A wonderful experience from start to finish. Thanks for everything Tori!!!

 

Penelope de Cuyer, WA – August 2016 – Full Camino

The challenge of walking up the Pyrenees and getting to the top and the view was spectacular. The camaraderie of other pilgrims and hearing their stories. The rural hotels especially Hotel Rural Latorrien de Ane where the staff were very obliging and O Muino de Pena where we enjoyed a delicious degustation dinner.

The local RAW Travel contact, German met us at the beginning and end of our Camino and answered our questions and shared a drink with us.

 

Lani Van Dalsen, Brisbane – August 2016 – Full Camino Women’s Trip

I think it is quite unique as a walking experience. As always it depends very much on the individual and your perspective. I would recommend this to all people who love walking and meeting people from all over the world.

 

Renee Harrington, Massachusetts USA – August 2016 – Camino de Finisterre

I had a fantastic trip. The experience was great and I feel so happy that I completed the journey. See our feet hanging over the edge of the Earth enjoying the BEAUTIFUL sunset!! Thank you for organizing our holiday. Now, I can move to something else!! Thanks to you and Mel and the RAW Travel Team for dinner our first night!!! The accommodations were comfortable and the hosts friendly and welcoming!! The sites, food and wine were incredible!! I am thinking Mt Blanc next!!!

 

Cinea Ryan, Canberra – August 2016 – Walk & Cycle Camino Adventure

A trip of a lifetime!

 

Ben Naismith, VIC – July 2016 – Camino Highlights

Walking was a great way to see and experience the country. It really provided time to absorb the culture and beauty. I loved how connected the people were with their heritage. We happened to walk through many hamlets on St James Day and could hear families celebrating through open doors and windows. Their lifestyle, particularly the farmers, appeared unaffected by modern influences. I also loved that each town’s church bells still tolled the time. It was so atmospheric and timeless.

 

Barry Welsby – June 2016 – Full Camino

You delivered exactly what you said you would: the accommodation bookings and luggage transfers all worked with out a hitch.

 

Brenda, NSW – May 2016 – Full Camino Women’s Trip

I loved all of it!! The mountains, the scenery, churches and of course the company of the other ladies. I enjoyed the challenge that presented itself everyday and the great satisfaction of walking into Santiago de Compostella knowing I had walked every kilometer.

 

Sally Bradford – May 2016 – Camino de Finisterre

My walk out to the North Atlantic was magical. At 6:00 a.m. the morning I left my room, the pitch dark and “starkers” I plunged myself into the frigid waters below my hotel. The word that came to mind was “jubilant.”

 

Michele Nardi, NSW – May 2016 – Full Camino

We made it to Santiago, and in the process had a truly wonderful experience. We loved it! Our accommodation was a stand out. The local Mill houses, B&Bs, Rural Hotels were all marvellous…..and the Paradores simply unbelievable!!! The food the wine and the coffee stops made our day! Thank you for the brilliant organization. There wasn’t a single hitch. I have been recommending Raw Travel since we embarked on our journey, and even more so now we are home.

 

David, Tasmania – May 2016 – Full Camino

Walk of a lifetime: the major highlight would be the friendships and encounters with fellow pilgrims over the five week journey.

 

John, Melbourne, VIC – May 2016 – Full Camino

Very well organised with excellent accommodation and hassle free transfer of our luggage to make our walk as enjoyable as possible. Our pre-trip preparation was essential, especially on the long days! We met other pilgrims who also booked through Raw Travel but stayed at different hotels but they had the same good experience as us. It was a privilege to have completed this walk and to have experienced so much in this unique way.

 

Joanna Phillips, QLD – May 2016 – Full Camino

I enjoyed the blend of gorgeous landscapes, Spanish history, great food and wine, meeting interesting people and the fabulous varied accommodation.

 

Susanne Sutton, WA – April 2016 – Sarria to Santiago

The entire holiday was a huge success, and I would rate having walked the Camino from Sarria to Santiago as being one of the highlights of my life. Everything about the walk, including the accommodation, food and luggage transfers lived up to our expectations.

 

Vere Fairbairn, Witchcliffe, WA – April 2016 – Sj Jean to Logrono

Thank you for organising and making our Camino journey so fantastically special. We finished our walk from St Jean de Pied Port to Longrono last Thursday and were just so sad it was ending there – perhaps we should have gone on to Burgos. Another time. Everything about our journey was so well organised and the information you gave us about what to expect and the training was just so useful. We felt really prepared and fortunately for us nothing went wrong and we made it to Longrono without any injuries or blisters.

 

Sally Bradford – April 2016 – Full Camino

My journey held even more than I could have imagined. Choosing to walk on my own was the right decision for me. I never felt alone with the steady procession of others on the Way. And yet I was free to walk, sing, pray and generally converse with everyone I held in my mind and heart. And those who joined me on the path from time to time.

The accommodation was great, and some even magnificent. Even on my longest sections I was bolstered by knowing at the end of my day awaited a friendly greeting and a warm bed. And many more bathtubs than I could have imagined!

The transport was flawless, and German’s help necessary on two occasions. I can find fault with nothing – even when at the time barking dogs kept me awake and I wanted to scream at the neighbours!

 

Jeffrey Keniry – April 2016 – Full Camino

The Camino is a wonderful experience, more so in hindsight as we reflect on our personal achievement and the great variety of scenery witnessed, from the snowy crossing of the Pyrenees to the seemingly endless meseta wheatfields, to the mountains and verdant forest paths of Galicia . It is remarkable that an 800 km walk passing through countless villages little changed over hundreds of years, and some substantial cities, can be completed with perhaps no more than 30 km of the modern commercial world to contend with.