My dear Friend, I m really happy to welcome and congratulate you on your decision to participate in this incredible journey along the medieval pilgrimage route known as the Way of St. James (El Camino de Santiago or just Camino in Spanish). The Way of St. James is a modern-day pilgrimage, an adventure that cultivates human authenticity. You ll meet people doing the Camino in order to find answers related with different life questions, or pursuing ownership of their own lives, some looking for the right path towards happiness, life purpose, some people in bereavement, tourists, athletes, etc. Independently of the starting goal almost everyone feels that the Camino experience had a huge and positive influence on their lives. We will team up, you and me, your Camino coach J and walk the path trodden by millions of pilgrims from all over the world since the IX century. That is literally sacred ground I believe. Although we will be going as a group, you will always have the freedom to walk on your own and at your own pace, one of the greatest benefits of doing the Camino is the possibility to connect with other pilgrims coming from all over the world, professions, beliefs, cultures... Our group will then reunite at the end of each day and sometimes in pre-set waypoints on the route. I ll always be the last of the group making sure no one stays behind. There will be a team member, a close friend, with a back-up car in case of need. And a great Chef waiting for us with a healthy, nutritious and organic meal, mainly plant based. One of the unique benefits of this activity is the personal support and preparation you will receive from me as your coach before leaving, during the walk and after your return home. Besides my training as a health coach, I have already completed this pilgrimage 4 times (in 2004, 2010, 2011 and again in 2014) and I can t wait to walk it again with you! Thank you! Sending you Love, Marco
Programme Pre Camino This amazing and life-changing pilgrimage kicks off with 3 individual coaching sessions conducted online (via Skype) and a 6-week tailor made exercise programme. Our goal is to ensure that you are physically, mentally and emotionally prepared in order to enhance your experiences during the pilgrimage. We will talk through your goals, the steps you are planning to take and also about how the Camino can help you find answers to your personal questions. You will also receive practical advice on clothing and equipment along with other helpful tips for the journey. Individual conference calls are scheduled for the last 6 weeks prior to departure. The exact schedule for these 3 calls will be set according to your availability. During the Camino Route a 6 days walk from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela - approx. 111km / 69miles Itinerary: May 19 - Arrival at Santiago de Compostela Airport and transfer to Sarria accommodation, May 20 - Walk day 1 - Sarria - Portomarin - 20 km / 12,4 mi, May 21 - Walk day 2 - Portomarin - Palas de Rei - 25 km / 15,5 mi, May 22 - Walk day 3 - Palas de Rei - Melide - 14 km / 8,6 mi, May 23 - Walk day 4 - Melide - Arzúa - 13 km / 8 mi, May 24 - Walk day 5 - Arzúa - O Pedrouzo - 19 km / 11,8 mi, May 25 - Walk day 6 - O Pedrouzo - Santiago de Compostela - 20 km / 12,4mi, May 26 - Free day at Santiago de Compostela, May 27 until 13:00 - Departure from Santiago de Compostela Airport.
A typical day at the Camino; Wake up, WC, organize backpack or suitcase and have breakfast, Start walking around 8:00 8:30, stopping for a snack within the route, Arriving to destination, stretching and, checking in at the hostal/hotel, Shower, laundry, Lunch, depending on the length of the route starting 14:00 15:00, Rest with a guided self-massage to the feet and legs, and nap Sightseeing at the location, socialising with others laugh a LOT, Dinner around 19:00, Group meeting for coaching, and night meditation and prepare the following day, Good night, you are ready to have a wonderful night of sleep J. Meal plan (this is just an estimation, might suffer minor changes): Meals Option 1 Juicing + hot meals Option 2 Mostly Juicing (400-500ml) Breakfast Juice or porridge Juice Morning Snack Juice + fruit & nuts Juice + fruit & nuts Lunch Salad + hot meal Juice Dinner Light hot meal Juice Throughout the journey, as a personal option you might want to carry your backpack with your own equipment and gear. You ll want to ask me why? Well the backpack is often used as a metaphor to the things we get attached to in our lives, what do you want to continuing carrying and what would you like to let go? As guide and coach I ll be walking with you and respecting everyone s pace, that s why I ll be the last one walking with the last person if she/he wants to. Your need for loneliness/reflection periods will always be respected. So understand that there s no set pace, you will walk at your own rhythm. Please be warned: even the most meticulous planning cannot take every possibility into consideration. The Camino experience will unfold in its own unique way and all participants must approach this journey with an open mind. I will be available almost the whole day and every day for you to share your thoughts and feelings and to offer guidance and coaching. However, your desire for solitude will be fully respected. Post Camino After the pilgrimage we will meet (one to one skype session) once more for wrapping up the activity and clarify your future life decisions (upon availability).
So you might want to ask me; Marco what does the activity price include? Accommodation for 9 days the best quality hotels, hostels and rural homes on the route equivalent to 3-4 stars lodging Meals for those 9 days a Montse Bradford s certified Chef will cook for us. Energetic, mostly plant based and organic nutrition and/or juicing if preferred, Car transfer from and to the the airport (if departure before 13:00, may the 27 th ), Back-up car and driver for backpack transport and as an emergency support, Guidance and coaching during the activity, 4 individual coaching sessions (3 before the activity and 1 after the activity), An exercise programme prior to the activity, 3 group life-coaching and self-development sessions on the route, 1 individual bio-decoding Bioneuroemoción session on the route. This is a powerful coaching technique that allows you to change certain behavioural patterns you wish to let go. A document with guidelines regarding equipment and procedures to consider during the pilgrimage, The pilgrim passport, E-mail and WhatsApp support prior to and during the route, Personal support and availability for guiding you, also for counselling and coaching throughout the pilgrimage. And a few extra surprise gifts you will receive when arriving to Santiago J And how much is your investment to get those benefits? If you prefer a single room 2200 EUR* And if you share a room (2 beds) 2000 EUR* *Prices do not include 21% VAT, price per person This activity is going forward if there is a minimum of 3 people interest up to a maximum of 5. Optional Travel insurance only for the period of the activity 70 EUR/person Pi-Mag water bottle, nikken technology 50 EUR/person What s NOT included Marco? The travelling costs to and from Santiago de Compostela, travel and medical insurance (mandatory), meals, drinks and accommodation outside the ones provided by our organization.
Payment procedure In order to secure your booking a deposit of 50% of the total price is required by bank transfer. The remaining amount is to be paid by bank transfer at least three weeks prior to the starting date. If you prefer, the total amount can be paid at once. Bank details o Bank Name: ING Direct o Account Holder: Marco Octávio Fernandes Rodrigues da Silva o IBAN: ES06 1465 0100 9118 0007 2669 o BIC/SWIFT: INGDESMM Cancelation policy If you cancel your trip prior to March the 19 th 2017 for whatever reason, 50% of your deposit will be refunded. If you cancel your trip after March the 20 th 2017 (included) for whatever reason, your deposit will not be refunded. If Factor Vida has to cancel the activity for whatever reason, the total of your deposit will be refunded.
The Team Blanca Nuñez was for me a beautiful discovery, the Universe offered her to us J. She lives in Galicia in a beautiful place called La Coruña, so she is a local and very close to the Camino magic. She is a certified and trained nurse who stopped working to follow her dream, doing what she loves, her passion: to cook. She followed a 4-year cooking course with Montse Bradford and now she applies the principles of energetic cuisine through nutritious and organic dishes. I feel she will mother us all J. Juan Carlos Noya is one of my best friends, organized and responsible above all, the right personality to drive us around in safety and to make sure we are following the plan I can see him looking at the watch J. But what most defines him is that he is one of the most generous, sociable and kind person I have ever met. He now spends his time, reading, dancing tango, travelling, riding his bike and motor bike, diving and learning English. We will make him a fluent after this adventure. Me, Marco Silva, in my soul I feel I am a teacher (or a coach). I feel really happy and fulfilled when I m sharing moments of knowledge, moments of beauty in nature, moments of connection with others. I occasionally need loneliness to reflect, but I would suffer if I couldn t share complicity, laughter and a hug with others. Someone said that happiness is only real when shared and I do believe so. Everything I ve studied and continue studying, since sport science, through TCM and coaching, has a similar goal - giving you the tools to live at your highest potential. I love the Camino because it helped me change my life, I hope it does the same for you J.