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The feed, quality of life for the animal and method of slaughter has a significant bearing on the taste and nutrition that goes on your plate. It’s why I find pork and poultry in Spain to be among the best in the world. Can’t say the same about beef. But these are personal preferences.
Taking the metro to Matosinhos will shave off enough time to make for a pleasant day walk to Vd Conde. Whether doing so means you miss out on something is a matter of opinion. Depends what you enjoy and where you want to spend your time.
I’ve done two options: 1) take the subway to Oriente station and take the train to Porto. Totally manageable and a long enough ride to catch a nap before arriving. Or 2) fly from Lisbon to Porto. About 60 mins. Arrive at an airport that’s on a subway line. Faster. No naps.
Anecdotally, I’ve heard repeatedly that the walk from Lisbon isn’t great: long stretches between places to stop and a fair bit of beside the road walking. Contrast that with Porto: start in Matosinhos and Day 1 is oceanside on mostly boardwalks. At Vila do Conde, opt for the route toward...
Planning my fifth Camino (this one would be CF) and I’d like to start further back from SJPdP. Since much of the joy I get from these travels is about connecting with food and the people who make it, I’m thinking 4 days in France would be a good idea. Anyhow have some experiences to share? Thanks!
I don’t disagree that it’s a pretty view by the river. But I’d no luck finding that grocery store, except one that was a few km off the line. Everyone’s camino is different of course.
I can only comment on the route from Porto, but in my experience, the food is excellent. Seafood is the staple there and the gift of Portuguese cuisine is it teaches you even the humble sardine can be made amazing. One more observation: much of the route north of Porto is rural culture, so meals...
Having done multiple Caminos myself, the less I compare each to the one before, the more I’ve enjoyed myself. Might be worth pondering why an experience has to be just like before (e.g., not too busy, found a bed, weather good, lots of nice people, etc.) to feel satisfied. Comparison really is...
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