Positive "virtual" plans for your pilgrimages in 2021/2022

Hey everyone, I have seen several virtual Camino threads and decided to start a similar concept for planning our upcoming journeys. The situation right now is still pretty unsure etc... Yet, we all have some idea in our heads about the potential schedule of when the world is gonna open up again including our internal rules about safety - going right away when it is possible vs. waiting one more season etc.

I would like this thread to be sort of covid-less. No endless arguments and pseudo moralistic debates. Just the "virtual" plans, you have in your drawers

MY PLANS
Before the end of this year, I would love to embark on two Pilgrimages. In July I am moving to the Canary Islands with my girlfriend, who is also my Camino partner, as she is gonna spend a year abroad at a local university. I will be studying and working remotely. We will be there for 11 months in total. The great thing is, that the connections with Spain are great and frequent. We can fly directly from Las Palmas to Asturias etc...

So, our first Camino that we are planning is Camino Primitivo, which we managed to walk with some extra parts of Camino Norte last July. It is a gorgeous Camino with great albergues. The plan is to go somewhere between September - November...

My mom will be joining us, it will be her first Camino. We need to optimize the planning so we end up in Oviedo on the same day as she will be flying from Prague or Vienna There is also a possibility, that I will start with my mom, and Pippa (my girlfriend) will join us for the last few days, it will depend on her uni schedule.

The second Camino we are planning is a shorter one, yet very exciting. It is the Camino de Gran Canaria, which goes from Maspalomas to Galdar, basically across the whole island. The Camino has an awesome website. It should be around 65km with some real incline, so an optimal trip for an extended weekend. The timeframe for this pilgrimage would be November - December.

In 2022, we are planning a trip to the USA as Pippa's sister is getting married in September 2022, it will be my first visit to the American continent. The plan is to spend 2-3 weeks in the USA and 2-3 in South America, probably Peru and Ecuador, so we plan to hike to Machu Picchu plus I would love to do at least 4-5 days of a real pilgrimage there. The plan is not set yet, so we will see... In terms of European pilgrimages, I would love to do Camino Ingles + Finisterra (for the first time). The timeframe for this one would be either March-April 2022, or October-November 2022.

Raggy said:

The Canary islands are ideal for winter season walking. In addition to the Gran Canaria camino, I recommend that you check out the Camino de Santiago de Tenerife. Officially it's a 115km route that connects Santa Cruz and Puerto de Santiago, but I think you should go beyond Santa Cruz to visit the Anaga rural park to the north. You might also want to take a side trip to Mt. Teide - Spain's highest peak. Away from the coasts, you will not be among the tourist crowds (except for the trip to Teide).

Camino de Santiago de Tenerife

Camino de Santiago de Tenerife, 115 km, 71 miles, about 6 days. From Puerto de Santiago to Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Traildino grading: MW, Moderate walk, backpacking trail; Hut tour grading: T1, Walk. Find walking maps and guidebooks, self guided walking holidays and hiking tours.

www.traildino.com

The geology is spectacular and the climbs are steep but very enjoyable. Beautiful place to be in January when the rest of Europe is shivering.

Click to expand...

Thanks a lot for the tip, we are planning a trip to Tenerife to see the Loro Park and climb the Pico de Teide

Small Update:

Well, the situation is very dynamic lately in our lives, I just started a new remote web developer position, so there is a lot to learn and get used to at work.

Plus, Brexit made our life way harder with the 3 months per 180 days in Schengen. Especially, Pippa's Erasmus, as she needs to visit the Spanish Consulate in London due to student visa.

So, next week we are going to England and we might walk the Camino Portugues at the start of July if the situation will allow it. If not, we are ready to walk the Winchester - Canterbury pilgrimage in the south of England (any advice welcomed).

Also, there is a small chance that the Erasmus won't go through in Canary Islands, in that case we might just spend some time there and probably return to Scotland where we actually study. I am entitled to receive the student visa which I still don't have due to COVID, so we could be there long-term. Maybe, we will finally finish the John Muir's way that goes through Edinburgh, as we missed it last year.

Well, it is just a mess, to be honest. On the other hand, the thoughts of being back in Spain walking keeps us positive