High school sweethearts Monique and Rick of Altruvistas travel partner Knowing the Way Travel have been traveling together for the past 42 years and leading groups around the world for over 25 years. One of their most popular trips was inspired by the film, The Way, and it’s happening this June.

Have you heard of that movie? Martin Sheen plays an American doctor who comes to France to deal with the tragic loss of his son (played by his real-life son Emilio Estevez, who also wrote and directed the film.) Sheen’s character ends up embarking on the historical pilgrimage “The Way of St. James” to honor his screen son’s desire to finish the journey.

The Camino de Santiago –another name for “The Way of St. James” — is a spiritual journey that pilgrims of all faiths and backgrounds have traversed for over a thousand years. Rick explains how the film inspired one of Knowing the Way Travel’s most popular trips:

“We love to walk. While watching the film, The Way, our attention was recaptured concerning The Camino. Friends had walked a portion of The Camino and a friend in Holland was on her way from France. So we collaborated with friends and promoted our first Camino along the Portuguese Way.”

Here’s a bit of background about The Camino from the film’s website:

“While there are a number of established routes leading to Santiago from all directions, the most popular is the Camino Frances, which crosses the Pyrenees Mountains along the Spanish-French border starting in St. Jean Pied de Port. Pilgrims walk the Camino for various reasons.

Some to seek penance, others enlightenment, and still others for a sense of adventure. Along the way travelers encounter albergues, refugios and casa rurals that cater specifically to the thousands of pilgrims of all ages that take this journey each year, immersing themselves in the local food, culture and history dedicated to this experience.

Regardless of whether a pilgrim’s journey begins for religious, spiritual or cultural reasons, the meditative nature of the Camino offers the perfect landscape in which to dedicate contemplation. Pilgrims follow the path amidst the villages, towns, rivers, mountains and fertile valleys that have changed the lives of millions of pilgrims who walked before them.”

For those interested in making their own pilgrimage along The Camino, Monique, Rick, and their business partner Jennifer Lang are leading their next trip there in June: Barcelona to Camino de Santiago, Spain.

All three have walked The Camino before. They will be joined by local guide Danny Mathias. He was born in Barcelona to English parents who moved there to open a pub in the 60s. He speaks fluent Spanish, Catalan and English.

About the trip participants, Rick describes:

“There are four of us working to make this unforgettable. We have two people returning from last year and two thinking about rejoining for another Camino. We have several folks joining us from our Cuba trips. We are all older professionals with a love for travel. Our trips are once in a lifetime experiences, but people continue to return for more.”

For those interested in walking The Camino with this adventurous group in June, there are 3 spots left. The tour will take participants through beautiful Spain, including Zaragoza, Bilbao, Oviedo, Costa Verde, Lugo and then a 4-day walk along the Camino de Santiago. You can read more about the trip here. In the meantime, we asked Rick to describe what participants on The Camino journey might expect. Here’s what he shared:

“The idea of spending hours walking in solitude is a joy. You are left alone with your thoughts or you walk and talk with folks; some you know and others you have just met. There are special moments every day. Last year we sat in a dining room with an Irish clan signing round robin our favorite ballads. One of our members was a blues man. It was delightful. The daily experiences are exhilarating. Four days of walking sounds intense.”

Rick explains how travelers amp up for that:

“We gear up for The Camino by walking cities as we move into position for the four days of daily walking The Camino. We begin in Barcelona for two days and then move to the cities of Zaragoza, Bilbao, Oviedo and Lugo. We walk a few countryside locations and we are eventually ready for those days along the French Way into Santiago via Sarria. Magical! Dare I say amazing?”

Is it Time for Your Own Personal Pilgrimage? Barcelona to Camino de Santiago, Spain takes place June 2-15, 2016. Remember, space is limited and there are just three spots left!

Ready to sign up? Then click here.