Testimonials
As a novice pastel painter, I loved the gentle introduction to the medium that Mary provided; the explorations of pastel hues and values made the colors and textures of the Asturian countryside come alive.
Laurel S, USA – Art in Asturias
We’ve been home three weeks and still talking about our Camino. It was a such memorable experience. We were lucky to have such a nice group of people to travel with and Virginio and Javier and Pepe are the best. Thank you for a beautiful life experience.. Buen Camino
Liz W. – Camino Long Walk 2012 USA
Thank you for all that you did to make each day of our trip so special. Like wedding planning, there are so many details, seen and unseen, that go into planning such a successful time. Thank you for your professionalism, your easy going nature, your positive attitude and your patience. You have a gift for this sort of hospitality.
Nancy F, USA
What a trip! I have the most amazing time – blisters, rain, mud and everything. I loved it, loved it! I am already looking forward to my next adventure with you and Spanish Steps. It has been my pleasure meeting you and I am so glad you were on this trip. Thanks again and Happy Travels.
Susan B, Newfoundland – Via Francigena 2014
We traveled, ate, slept,and experienced in the best of company. The walk to Santiago was a dream come true. Now I cherish the memories and will always treasure the experiences along the way…”it’s not the destination but the journey”…so true. Thanks, Judy…Blessings, Pilgrims.
Anne R, USA Camino
Many thanks Judy. Geno, Bonnie and I loved the Camino, the company, the guias/Jorge, Mario and Guillermo, and the many vistas, chance encounters and variety of experiences we encountered. It was just the right fit for us. Geno of course walked every single step of the way, body surfed in the Atlantic at Finisterre with the guias and was our truly Camino spirit. I was so touched by so many of the pilgrims we kept meeting and greeting including the Pilgrim Mass with the senser. The “picnics” and the quemada were of course special. Bonnie keeps talking about it, hence my recommendation that our son, Alex do it again but from Oviedo. Safe travels and we look forward to walking again with Spanish Steps!!! Un abrazo!
Mike & Friends – The Complete Camino 2012 Hawaii
I would follow Mary Padgett just about anywhere to take one of her classes – and this year I followed her all the way to Asturias, Spain for the class of a lifetime. The combination of Mary’s teaching skills and hiking and painting in one of the most breathtaking regions in Europe made for an experience I will never forget. Judy and Juan Carlos were gracious hosts – and the food and accommodations were perfect. I would do it again in a heartbeat!
Sally H., New York – Art in Asturias, Fuentes de Lucia
Hi Mary! First of all, I want to say I truly enjoyed my trip on the Camino with Spanish Steps in September!!! The guides – Lu, Jorge, Olga and Giulio, were wonderful and very helpful. I want to thank Spanish Steps for such a great experience.
BECKY P – Camino Way 100, 2015
Another wonderful adventure with Spanish Steps. You and the guides along with asking Glen to join the Cathar Trail Adventure made it all unique and wonderful. Thank you for your guidance and confidence in our walking. We love all our trips. With you we see places most people won’t see, the backroads etc.
Betty and Bill W. – The Cathar Route, France
Thank you, Judy, for Spanish Steps and the life-changing experience of the Camino de Santiago. I had the pleasure of joining the group who went from Ronscevalles on October 1. Jorge, Xavier, Mario and our intern Guillermo were absolutely fabulous – knowledgeable, sensitive, generous and very patient! Given our demographic, I was so impressed with how well they kept our camino boat afloat with grace and humour always. Your concept works. I will never ever forget my camino experience and tell everyone who asks that they should go immediately to your Web site and get excited.
All the best in the coming year to you and your organization.
Janice R – The Complete Camino 2012, USA
Thank you for the most wonderful trip Judy: Everyday was a treasure and you made it so, as always. Everything was first rate and the walk was spectacular. With deep peace and gratitude.
Lois S., Alberta, Canada – Le Chemin de Saint Jacques
My friend Jennifer and I had a wonderful time on the Camino Long Walk with Spanish Steps this past month. It exceeded our expectations. The accommodations were all so nice, quaint and comfortable. The meals were fabulous. We really enjoyed the company of our fellow pilgrims in our group. However, your guides Virginio and Giulio were the facilitators that made it so special! What gems they both are!
Virginio is so organized and so knowledgeable – his evening talks about the history of the Camino made our trip so much more meaningful. And he was so encouraging when we found walking difficult some days, especially when it rained. We all really enjoyed meeting up with his lovely wife and daughter when they joined us on a few occasions. They were delightful! Giulio’s sense of humour and playfulness really helped the group to gel. His delicious picnics were the highlights of our days. When I developed problems with my feet he very kindly took me shopping for some walking sandals so I could continue the trek. He even gave us great advice for our trip to Madrid afterwards. Both Virginio and Giulio were very generous with their time and advice, not only with our group but with other pilgrims that we encountered along the way.
They are great ambassadors for your company. I will definitely recommend Spanish Steps to any friends who are considering a visit to Spain or Italy. Thank you very much for a great experience.
Patricia M – The Camino Long Walk, Canada
There’s something really special about crossing a border by bridge from Portugal to Spain, especially with Tui as your first stop. So enchanting! The beauty continued on this route with fascinating & beautiful towns, endless vineyards and spectacular views of the coast. Each day captured the essence of pilgrimage & my mind calmed as I walked.
Heather, UK – Camino Portuguese
I wanted to write to say thank you for a really fantastic time at the yoga retreat I just experienced. Fuentes de Lucia is a very special place. You and Juan-Carlos have created a fantastic destination in a beautiful setting. The food is pretty great too! Lu and Pablo were both truly fantastic on the tour. They were very patient and went far beyond the call of duty to accommodate everyone in the groups’ wishes. The process of booking and the transfer were very smooth, too: impressive given that I booked so last minute! Thanks for a wonderful experience.
Jenny, USA – Yoga Retreat 2012
Thank you again for a wonderful Camino experience. I will remember this trip for years to come, and I have to say I’m a bit sad it’s over and we have to return to our daily lives. The walking was a challenge at times, but I wouldn’t trade the experience for the world. We have nothing but praise for Lu, Guillermo, and Spanish Steps! Your expertise, good humor, kindness, and stamina are the stuff of legend.
Cynthia, TX Camino Finisterre 2013
The combination of your incredible joie ‘d vivre and “whatever” and “year-yeah-yeah,” makes you the ideal innkeeper and hostess and I worry I will never get these women back on the trail again if they can’t come home to the hospitality you pampered them with! Juan Carlos was a wonderful addition to the mix and the two of you are charming bookends to your B&B and a pretty matchless pair in terms of entertaining! You’ll definitely hear from us again – either through return visits or client referrals or both! This was a hard year for me because of personal challenges and thanks to your flexible and enthusiastic support overlaid with your charisma and customer service orientation, you made it very easy for me and unforgettable for the group.
Muchos, muchos gracias and muchos love and best wishes. We will be in touch!
BJF – Asturias Adventures at Fuentes de Lucia, USA
I wanted to thank you for hosting such a wonderful trip. There is nothing I would have changed. I LOVED all the surprises you had for us. Camilo was great, could not ask for a better guide. It was fun to have a “celebrity” lead us. The paths you picked for us were amazing. The gorge was a treat and the biggest surprise. Cooking classes were fun, your renovation turned out great, food yummy and the weather….how did you plan that?
Joanne, USA cooking/Hiking Asturias Sept 2014
Judy, Thank you so much for the incredible trip on the Via Francigena. I loved “nearly” every minute of it. Your professionalism and thought show each and every day.
Thank You!
Patricia de L. – New Mexico. Italy-Via Francigena 2012
I wanted to get back to you and let you know that my clients Ruth and her friend Jean loved their trip! They can’t stop talking about it. I have seen a few pictures and they are bringing me more to see soon. I will recommend your company next time I have people who want to do this trip.
Ruth P. AZ., USA 35 Day Complete Camino 2014
The hotels and country inns (casas rurales) along the Camino were outstanding and clean. The reception folks were friendly and helpful. I would want to stay in them again. The meals were also outstanding and plenty! We enjoyed Jorge and Mario. Attentive, fun and always helpful and available. Although our group had several fluent Spanish speakers, their English was excellent. I would like to do the Camino again, but so many other places to walk and experience. We walk 5 to 7 miles everyday, year-round with our dog in the woods near our home. So we are always fit for longer treks and enjoy excellent health. Muchas gracious!
Tom, MN USA – Camino 2012
First of all, in a word, the entire experience not only met my expectations, it exceeded them. This was a once in a lifetime experience (or maybe if I do it again it will be a twice in lifetime). I felt filled with the beauty of the countryside, the beauty of the people and the emotional and spiritual aspects of the entire experience. The reservation process was very easy. The information was good, and helped me to plan for the trip. I felt well informed about everything along the way. The hotels and casas rurales were absolutely wonderful. They were so picturesque, very comfortable, and the people who ran them were very hospitable. It sometimes felt like staying with a family. The food was excellent, and there was plenty of it. I felt that by the end of the trip I had a new understanding of what gallegan food was all about.
The guides, Mario and Jorge could not have been better. They seemed to show up at just the right time with encouraging words. I walked all the way, but I imagine those who decided they had had enough walking for the day saw them as angels from heaven. I was impressed with the variety of their skills, including “blister surgery” on some of the pilgrims. They were both interesting people and I enjoyed the conversations along the way. Mario even juggled for us — such talent!
Thanks, Judy. This trip was a dream of mine, and your tour made it happen in a wonderful way.
Mary S. USA – Camino de Santiago Sept 2012
The hotels and country inns (casas rurales) along the Camino were outstanding and clean. The reception folks were friendly and helpful. I would want to stay in them again. The meals were also outstanding and plenty! We enjoyed Jorge and Mario. Attentive, fun and always helpful and available. Although our group had several fluent Spanish speakers, their English was excellent. I would like to do the Camino again, but so many other places to walk and experience. We walk 5 to 7 miles everyday, year-round with our dog in the woods near our home. So we are always fit for longer treks and enjoy excellent health. Muchas gracious!
Janice R, USA Yoga Retreat
Our trip was incredible and just yesterday, Lenni was passing around a copy of the Queimada Chant and its history; we are still clearly enchanted by your wonderful corner of the world!…
Patricia M – The Camino Long Walk, 2011 Canada
What an amazing experience, the hotels, food, fantastic guides, diver and our fantastic group. Could not ask for more. Hope to do it again.
Edna L, Phillippines & Canada, Camino Way 100 2014
Thanks to you and Jorge and the lodgings you chose and recommended for us, last week was an absolutely great experience. We are a group that has traveled a fair amount together and separately in varied places but I believe the consensus was this was one of the best trips ever!
Tim and Pat – Camino de Santiago, Sept 2012
Because I had such a fabulous walk this summer (Asturias Adventures), I am now seriously thinking of your Chartres trip from Paris. It’s amazing how one gets hooked on Spanish Steps trips!
Lois S., Canada, Asturias Advetures Hiking June 2015
I had a great time walking with everyone. There were a couple of days which challenged me especially when it was hot. But the group kept me going. The inns were great. Also the food at each place was. I liked the hotel where we stayed two nights. The owners were very pleasant and accommodating. Their cooking was exceptional. Finally, I really like the intimacy of the San Miguel in Santiago. Food was good last time and equally good this time. Jorge is an excellent guide and good at the group dynamics.
Again, thank you for being such gracious hosts. Looking forward to being a frequent guest.
Sue G., South Africa – Asturias Adventures & Camino del Norte June 2015
Because I had such a fabulous walk this summer (Asturias Adventures), I am now seriously thinking of your Chartres trip from Paris. It’s amazing how one gets hooked on Spanish Steps trips!
Lois S., Canada, Asturias Advetures Hiking June 2015
Hi Judy,
Brian and I were part of the 8-person private group that completed the 110km Camino route starting May 1st. What an amazing trip and so much is due to the inns, food, our excellent guide, Jorges, and how well-organized the arrangements were. Despite the rain, cold and mud, it was a fabulous experience and we will have excellent memories of the overall experience.
Thank you for everything. I will highly recommend Spanish Steps for other people who are very interested in doing this walk. Shelley
Thank You……..
Shelley from Canada Camino Way May, 2015
Dear Judy,
I wanted to write to say thank you for a really fantastic time at the yoga retreat I just experienced.
uentes de Lucia is a very special place. You and Juan-Carlos have created a fantastic destination in a beautiful setting. The food is pretty great too! Lu and Pablo were both truly fantastic on the tour. They were very patient and went far beyond the call of duty to accommodate everyone in the groups’ wishes. The process of booking and the transfer were very smooth, too: impressive given that I booked so last minute!
Thanks for a wonderful experience.
Best wishes
Jenny B., Australia – Sept 2012 Yoga Retreat