When a fellow Alaska Airlines flight attendant told Matthew Merrill she was planning to trek the 150-mile Camino Portugues along the Iberian Peninsula, he was immediately intrigued. This seemed like a bucket list adventure, and before long, the two were planning the adventure together.

We admire Matthew’s intrepid pursuit of this terrific journey, and are grateful to have him as a loyal airfare customer. It makes us proud that our snacks helped him enjoy the adventure of a lifetime.

Check out our full Q&A below, and send us stories of your own snack-laden adventures.

Are you the sort of person that takes trips like these, or is this out of character?

Matthew: Honestly, I never would have considered taking this trip on my own. I love to travel, but trekking for two weeks in Europe was a bit outside my comfort zone. My only previous trips to Europe were a visit to France as a teenager and a Mediterranean cruise in 2014. While planning our Camino, we found an amazing travel company, The Natural Adventure, that handled all of our hotel reservations, baggage transfers, and more. Stress-free travel all the way, except for the occasional blister!

What went into the preparations for the trip?

Matthew: We diligently planned and prepared for our Camino. We spoke with others about their Camino experiences, joined Camino social media groups, researched online and read guidebooks. Since I’m often on layovers for my airline work, I began walking long distances about three months prior to our trip. Our Camino covered eight to 12 miles each day, so I often circled the 6.1-mile perimeter of Central Park in New York City. The uneven cobblestones of Central Park helped prepare me for similar terrain throughout Portugal and Spain. And breaking in good hiking shoes is paramount in preparing to trek the Camino.

Describe the trip. Any interesting or funny or scary stories?

Matthew: My friend Sil and I met at John F. Kennedy International Airport, then flew an all-nighter to Lisbon. From there, we took the high-speed train to Porto. We enjoyed two days exploring the amazing food and sights of Porto, including a river cruise and bus tour of the city. Starting in Porto, our Camino led us a week through Portugal and a week through Spain, ending at Santiago de Compostela. Nothing scary occurred, just lots of jokes and laughter shared with fellow pilgrims, as well as a few Lost in Translation moments.

What happens besides walking? Talk about the interesting people you met, places you ate, and other activities.

Matthew: Ah, the food! We enjoyed many delicious meals, both at restaurants and at small, local guesthouses along the route. We enjoyed local grilled lamb with roasted lemon potatoes at a Michelin-rated restaurant in Pedra Furada, octopus pizza in Arcade, and many cups of café con leche along with Portuguese custard tarts. We met various people from all corners of the globe, each on their own personal journey and with different motivation to experience the Camino.

What made you think to bring airfare snacks?

Matthew: As a regular customer, I knew airfare’s healthy, plant-based snacks would be perfect for our trip. I ordered the 25-snack sampler, including a variety of snacks to satisfy any cravings we might have along the way. I follow a low-sodium diet and was able to customize my selections to include dried fruit, nuts, and protein bars. On several occasions we offered snacks to our fellow Camino pilgrims, which were always gratefully accepted.

Are you happy you brought the snacks? How did you feel to have them with you on the trip?

Matthew: One of our toughest moments was the day we climbed a mountain in Labruja, Portugal. When we reached the top, we were exhausted and celebrated by “snack-nicking” while enjoying the beautiful vistas. Just knowing we had healthy snacks available at all times helped to alleviate any concerns of reaching our next meal or having a source of sustainable energy.

Was there a specific, favorite snack you liked having?

Matthew: My two favorites were the Healthy Truth Mango Slices and Barùkas Nuts. The mango slices satisfy my sweet cravings and the barùkas nuts are incredibly satisfying with a great exotic taste. My airfare snacks were a regular staple, along with ham and cheese sandwiches and ripe, low-hanging grapes we enjoyed throughout the many vineyards we passed.

What recommendations do you have for someone who wants to do the Camino?

Matthew: Watch The Way, a 2010 film starring Martin Sheen about trekking the Camino Frances from France to Spain. There’s actually a re-release of the movie coming up in select theaters in May this year. This movie is an excellent portrayal of one man’s pilgrimage and is a great representation of the journey. In addition, check out this book, these guided tours, and this video series.