The Portuguese Camino, from Porto to Santiago
10 night, hosted tour
September 23-October 3rd, 2023
VALENÇA DO MINHO
PORTUGAL
Beginning at UNESCO’s World Heritage site Porto, we visit the Sé Cathedral to learn of the history and importance of the Portuguese Way and just how the Jacobean culture influenced this route over the centuries.
We cross from Portugal to Spain, setting out from one of the true gems of military architecture, the fortress of Valença do Minho, to tread in the lush green corridor of Rías Baixas, home of the famous white grape varietal Albariño.
Our journey will follow parts of the 1st century Roman road Via XIX linking Braga, in northern Portugal to Astoria in Leon, where we will discover contrasts of rural life with natural landscapes, hot springs, forests, paths, medieval bridges, Roman milestones, crossroads, rivers and oak groves.
We walk through towns with fascinating history such as Tui, Pontevedra, Caldas de Reis and Padrón and finish our journey in Santiago de Compostela.
This route facilitates for those who want to walk the whole 100km but also for those who wish to walk just a small part each day and enjoy time at the beautiful hotels in the itinerary.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
♥ Guided visit of the 12th century Sé Cathedral, Porto
♥ Visit the legendary parish church of Padron with an altar of Roman origin, not far from the arrival point of the maritime transfer of the body of St. James
♥ Walk along some of the original Via XIX Roman road
♥ Immerse in the local food culture paired with wines from the region
♥ Dinner at Pepe Vieira’s Ultramar restaurant with wine pairing, Pontevedra
♥ Tasting of wines to be found along the Camino
♥ Guided tour of the city of Santiago de Compostela
♥The Pilgrims’ mass at the Santiago Cathedral with the Botafumeiro
♥ Farewell dinner in the 15th century Parador de Santiago de Compostela
♥ Optional private mass in the Santa Susana Church for our pilgrims
♥ Receive “Compostela“ certificate for completion of last 100 kms
MEET YOUR HOSTS
JACKIE THURN-VALSSASINA Originally from Perth, Western Australia, Jackie has lived in Northern Portugal for over 30 years and in the 90s in Porto where she was the Symington Family’s Public Relations Manager for their Port wines for their international markets.
Aside from her many guided tours through Portugal and Spain, Jackie’s journey in discovering the Camino de Santiago began in 2011 when she first walked the Portuguese Coastal route starting in Porto from which she has never looked back!
At the time it was very much less known route and the simplicity in following the Portuguese and Spanish coastlines, meeting people along the way, discovering villages and the unspoilt countryside was an amazing experience. This inspired Jackie to discover the other Caminos from Portugal to Santiago de Compostela. She has just walked her 8th Camino from Nazaré via Fatima. She looks forward to sharing her knowledge and insight with you.
NANCY MEAD lives in Narragansett, Rhode Island. She graduated from the University of Rhode Island with degrees in French and Art. Married to an Episcopal priest for forty-five years, she is the mother of two children and the doting grandmother of four. After two careers in the fashion industry and florist business, Nancy took up trekking at age 50. She has walked four different routes of the El Camino and has walked the Via Francigena from Canterbury to Rome amongst many other routes – over 6000 miles in total. She is also a keen gardener!
EDIE MORRILL lives in North Bergen, New Jersey. She is a graduate of Portland State University with a BS in Psychology and a Master’s in Public Administration. After graduation, she held executive positions in finance and administration for MoMA, two architectural firms and worked for General Motors Asset Management, where she held various management positions in asset management operations and risk management. In 2017, after retirement, she joined the board of Friends of the Anglican Pilgrim Centre in Santiago, where she currently serves as Treasurer.
GALLERY
The Portuguese Camino
WHAT'S INCLUDED
1 night at the Lodge Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia, Porto 5*
1 night at the Pousada de Valença, Valença do Minho 4*
1 night at the Parador de Baiona, Baiona 4*
2 nights at the Galicia Palace, Pontevedra 4*
1 night at the Torre do Río, Caldas del Reis 3*
2 nights at the Pazo Le Strove, Padrón 4*
2 nights at the Parador Santiago de Compostela 5*
Private transport by luxury coach
Tour host
Breakfast daily; 10 dinners with wine (all lunches at own expense along the way)
Visits & activities as specified
A 200 USD donation to the Friends of the Anglican Centre in Santiago de Compostela
All applicable taxes
*
Not included : Airfare & flights; any meals not mentioned above; travel insurance, gratuities for guides
Price: €4855 per person
Single Supplement: €950
Deposit: €500 per person
What past 'Camino' clients have said...
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