Advice for mother/daughter duo - last 100+km

[luckygus]

Hi.

My daughter is studying in Lisbon in the fall and asked me to join for her a Camino before she begins. Because our time is sadly limited and because she would like to get her Compostela, we have decided to walk the last 100km (ish). We are both physically fit, but we aren't hoping to break any speed records (20 miles/day would be our comfortable upper limit). Mostly, we are just looking to spend time together on this journey.

We arrive from the US on 13 Aug and will travel to our still-TBD starting point. We will stay either 1 or 2 nights there (depending on what's advisable), then will start on our walk either on 14 or 15 Aug. My daughter has to be back in Lisbon on 21 Aug, so that gives us either 6 or 7 days to walk, unless we take a shorter route/faster pace and add a day onto the end or spend a day or two together in Lisbon after the Camino.

For my somewhat last-minute planning, I'm using Brierley's guide and a few blogs, but I'd be grateful for advice about:

1. Where to start (I've read conflicting opinions about whether Redondela is "official" or not);
2. Whether to stay 1 or 2 nights at our starting point before we begin;
3. Route (central versus spiritual, and if spiritual, boat or no boat). Also, should we stick to the timing/route plan as outlined in the guide, or would do you have suggestions for deviations?;
4. If we make the walk in fewer than 6 days, any suggestions for where we should either take a rest day or spend an extra night or two at the end?

Thank you!
Gus

 

[J Willhaus]

Sounds like a wonderful trip. It will probably be hot so maybe think about booking rooms with AC if you are not staying in albergues. I would try to stay an extra day in Santiago rather than take a rest day. I think the boat may times may vary so look at that, too.

 

[GettingThere]

Hi.

My daughter is studying in Lisbon in the fall and asked me to join for her a Camino before she begins. Because our time is sadly limited and because she would like to get her Compostela, we have decided to walk the last 100km (ish). We are both physically fit, but we aren't hoping to break any speed records (20 miles/day would be our comfortable upper limit). Mostly, we are just looking to spend time together on this journey.

We arrive from the US on 13 Aug and will travel to our still-TBD starting point. We will stay either 1 or 2 nights there (depending on what's advisable), then will start on our walk either on 14 or 15 Aug. My daughter has to be back in Lisbon on 21 Aug, so that gives us either 6 or 7 days to walk, unless we take a shorter route/faster pace and add a day onto the end or spend a day or two together in Lisbon after the Camino.

For my somewhat last-minute planning, I'm using Brierley's guide and a few blogs, but I'd be grateful for advice about:

1. Where to start (I've read conflicting opinions about whether Redondela is "official" or not);
2. Whether to stay 1 or 2 nights at our starting point before we begin;
3. Route (central versus spiritual, and if spiritual, boat or no boat). Also, should we stick to the timing/route plan as outlined in the guide, or would do you have suggestions for deviations?;
4. If we make the walk in fewer than 6 days, any suggestions for where we should either take a rest day or spend an extra night or two at the end?

Thank you!
Gus

This sounds like a wonderful idea. I don't have experience of the Portuguese route so will leave others to answer your questions. But just wanted to mention, in case you weren't aware, 15 August is a major public holiday in Spain and Portugal (and elsewhere), and often when people start their summer holidays. So if you are starting your walk around then you'll need to prepare for shops etc to be closed, and possibly a lot of people walking and at transport hubs (including the weekend before, as the 15th is a Monday). But don't let that put you off, you and your daughter will have a great time!

 

[Camembert]

Hi.

My daughter is studying in Lisbon in the fall and asked me to join for her a Camino before she begins. Because our time is sadly limited and because she would like to get her Compostela, we have decided to walk the last 100km (ish). We are both physically fit, but we aren't hoping to break any speed records (20 miles/day would be our comfortable upper limit). Mostly, we are just looking to spend time together on this journey.

We arrive from the US on 13 Aug and will travel to our still-TBD starting point. We will stay either 1 or 2 nights there (depending on what's advisable), then will start on our walk either on 14 or 15 Aug. My daughter has to be back in Lisbon on 21 Aug, so that gives us either 6 or 7 days to walk, unless we take a shorter route/faster pace and add a day onto the end or spend a day or two together in Lisbon after the Camino.

For my somewhat last-minute planning, I'm using Brierley's guide and a few blogs, but I'd be grateful for advice about:

1. Where to start (I've read conflicting opinions about whether Redondela is "official" or not);
2. Whether to stay 1 or 2 nights at our starting point before we begin;
3. Route (central versus spiritual, and if spiritual, boat or no boat). Also, should we stick to the timing/route plan as outlined in the guide, or would do you have suggestions for deviations?;
4. If we make the walk in fewer than 6 days, any suggestions for where we should either take a rest day or spend an extra night or two at the end?

Thank you!
Gus

You are lucky Gus.

If you want to apply for a Compostela certificate, you either start in O Porriño on the Central Route or Vigo on the Coastal Route Both officially counted on 100 kms due to the Pilgrims Office.

I give you an idea of the traditional distances as e.g. mentioned in the Brierley guide
the central route
o Porriño to Redondela/Cesantes. 20 / 23 kms
Redondela to Pontevedra 20 kms ( from Cesantes 17 kms)
Pontevedra to Caldas de Reis 20 kms
Caldas de Reis to Padron 20 kms
Padron to Santiago 24 kms

the coastal
Vigo to Redondela 21 km ( to Cesantes +3 km where is a better albergue, o refúxio de la Jérezana)
from Redondela see above

i should not llike to stay in Vigo ( big city) or O Porriño ( industrial town)
If I were you I should stay in Valença Portugal or Tui (Spain ) and take public transport to o Porriño starting walking the next day
you also can take the train from Valença to Vigo but look at www.renfe.com for the correct time schedule of the trains to get in time in Vigo .

the Variante Espiritual does not count for applying the Compostela certificate anyway not from O Porriño or Vigo
the Pilgrims office only knows the route by Porriño , Redondela, Pontevedra Caldas de Reis Padron and Santiago. Or Vigo Redondela etc for the last 100 kms.
if you do the Variante you have to start in Valença or Tui to reach 100 kms.

Or on the coastal start in Baiona instead of Vigo.

where to stay is up to you
I stayed several times for a restday in Pontevedra but it will be nice to stay one more day in Santiago although it is very busy and touristical.

and back to Porto/Lisbon ,
hop on the bus Gus
Don't need to discuss much
Just drop of the key, Lee
And get yourself free
and make a new plan Stan

 

[trecile]

I would start in Valenca or Tui. You can reach Santiago in 5-6 days from there.
Check Gronze for suggested stages.

Camino Portugués Central | Gronze.com

www.gronze.com

 

[Camembert]

This sounds like a wonderful idea. I don't have experience of the Portuguese route so will leave others to answer your questions. But just wanted to mention, in case you weren't aware, 15 August is a major public holiday in Spain and Portugal (and elsewhere), and often when people start their summer holidays. So if you are starting your walk around then you'll need to prepare for shops etc to be closed, and possibly a lot of people walking and at transport hubs (including the weekend before, as the 15th is a Monday). But don't let that put you off, you and your daughter will have a great time!

These are good remarks. I did not realise that it is 15th of August, dia da Assunção da Virgin Maria.
the chosen coastal route covers only Vigo and that is a big city with few tourists ( now and then a cruiseship that will dock there and leaves the same day with its 4000 passengers. ) Restaurants will be open .From Vigo the stage is to Redondela and than you are on the central route and there mainly pilgrims are the “tourists”
the only thing is that including the weekend before lots of bikers leave from Porto . they do the distance Porto to Santiago in max. 4 days and maybe lots of Spaniards who generally walk the last 100 kms . So advice is book in advance if you want to .

 

[Piparoo]

Consider starting in Baiona. Lovely seaside village one or two days walk to Vigo. Do the spiritual, take the boat, you’ll need no more than seven days total.

 

[Camembert]

Consider starting in Baiona. Lovely seaside village one or two days walk to Vigo. Do the spiritual, take the boat, you’ll need no more than seven days total.

This is a nice suggestion but coming from Portugal it is quite a job to get in Baiona by public transport.

An idea is to hop on the bus Gus from Lisbon ( I presume they are arriving there from the US )
ALSA Bus company runs a connection between Lisbon and Santiago with a stop either in Porto, Braga (highly advised to visit ) Valença and Vigo.
This stop in Vigo is at the Vigo busstation and I think there are busconnections to Baiona but not at frequent times. Maybe a taxi from there. It is about 20 kms.

 

[Piparoo]

This is a nice suggestion but coming from Portugal it is quite a job to get in Baiona by public transport.

An idea is to hop on the bus Gus from Lisbon ( I presume they are arriving there from the US )
ALSA Bus company runs a connection between Lisbon and Santiago with a stop either in Porto, Braga (highly advised to visit ) Valença and Vigo.
This stop in Vigo is at the Vigo busstation and I think there are busconnections to Baiona but not at frequent times. Maybe a taxi from there. It is about 20 kms.

That’s what I’d recommend, take a bus to Vigo and taxi to Baiona. It’s a lovely town. Our favorite of the Camino, along with Combarro.

 

[TrvlDad1]

I would second Valenca; we started from the Forteleza in 2019 and arrived in SdC in six days (walking days) with a two-day stay in the parador in Pontevedra. It was my third Camino but the first for two friends not into roughing it. They had a blast.

 

[lt56ny]

Don't sweat it. Pick a route. Check Gronze.com to see if albergues will be open or not in the towns you want to stay in. Plan less and Enjoy this GOLDEN opportunity to walk at least 100K with your daughter. Who knows what may unfold in front of your eyes. You are one lucky mom. The less stress and the greater happiness of going with the flow may give you an opportunity to walk with her again and maybe a much longer one.

 

[luckygus]

WOW, WOW, WOW! I am bowled over.

Thank you all for taking the time to reply and for sharing your Camino wisdom. So much great information here, much more than I had even hoped for! I'll do a bit more planning and reading and will circle back with any questions. In the meantime, feeling very grateful for your advice and for making me feel even luckier than I already did to have this adventure.

Gus

 

[Charlene Mounce]

My daughter and I just finished yesterday, started in Tui, 6 days. Beautiful. We flew to Vigo, were offered a taxi share from the airport which was great. One can also bus. Extremely helpful concierge in airport. We got to Tui early enough to walk across the bridge to Valenca. Porriño is not a charming town but you are only eating and sleeping. We had an extra day and spent it in Santiago de Compostela touring the cathedral and city center.

 

[Ultreia et Suseia!]

Hi.

My daughter is studying in Lisbon in the fall and asked me to join for her a Camino before she begins. Because our time is sadly limited and because she would like to get her Compostela, we have decided to walk the last 100km (ish). We are both physically fit, but we aren't hoping to break any speed records (20 miles/day would be our comfortable upper limit). Mostly, we are just looking to spend time together on this journey.

We arrive from the US on 13 Aug and will travel to our still-TBD starting point. We will stay either 1 or 2 nights there (depending on what's advisable), then will start on our walk either on 14 or 15 Aug. My daughter has to be back in Lisbon on 21 Aug, so that gives us either 6 or 7 days to walk, unless we take a shorter route/faster pace and add a day onto the end or spend a day or two together in Lisbon after the Camino.

For my somewhat last-minute planning, I'm using Brierley's guide and a few blogs, but I'd be grateful for advice about:

1. Where to start (I've read conflicting opinions about whether Redondela is "official" or not);
2. Whether to stay 1 or 2 nights at our starting point before we begin;
3. Route (central versus spiritual, and if spiritual, boat or no boat). Also, should we stick to the timing/route plan as outlined in the guide, or would do you have suggestions for deviations?;
4. If we make the walk in fewer than 6 days, any suggestions for where we should either take a rest day or spend an extra night or two at the end?

Thank you!
Gus

I've yet to do my first camino in September, but what I can tell you about all my mother-daughter trips is that our conversations, interactions, laughs, and even fights are more valuable than gold now that my mom is very old can't travel. If I could go back in time, I wish I had spent less time helping and hanging out with other travelers to be more present with my mother. I'd kill for a recording of one of those conversations now :,(

Ultreia!

 

[Carmen L. Padron]

Check this site for the Camino Portugues forum, you will find more specific information there like on the boat ride and the Spiritual variant. Buen Camino

 

[Ultreia et Suseia!]

Check this site for the Camino Portugues forum, you will find more specific information there like on the boat ride and the Spiritual variant. Buen Camino

Thank you Carmen for the advice,

et Suseia!

 

[Robo]

WOW, WOW, WOW! I am bowled over.

Thank you all for taking the time to reply and for sharing your Camino wisdom. So much great information here, much more than I had even hoped for! I'll do a bit more planning and reading and will circle back with any questions. In the meantime, feeling very grateful for your advice and for making me feel even luckier than I already did to have this adventure.

Gus

How did it go?

 

[luckygus]

How did it go?

Hi, Robo! Our time on the Camino was even better than we hoped, in every way. We walked for 6 days, starting in Baiona and walking along the coast until we veered onto the Spiritual Variant. On our last day, we took the earliest boat north and finished our journey to Santiago. We experienced so much serendipity and magic along the way, from extraordinary encounters with the kindest of strangers to stumbling upon unexpected delights like the Festas da Peregrina in Pontevedra, but more than anything, spending that time with my daughter was the gift of a lifetime.

Once I again, I owe my thanks to those who answered all of my questions and generously shared their insight and wisdom. Buen camino a todos!

 

[Robo]

Hi, Robo! Our time on the Camino was even better than we hoped, in every way. We walked for 6 days, starting in Baiona and walking along the coast until we veered onto the Spiritual Variant. On our last day, we took the earliest boat north and finished our journey to Santiago. We experienced so much serendipity and magic along the way, from extraordinary encounters with the kindest of strangers to stumbling upon unexpected delights like the Festas da Peregrina in Pontevedra, but more than anything, spending that time with my daughter was the gift of a lifetime.

Once I again, I owe my thanks to those who answered all of my questions and generously shared their insight and wisdom. Buen camino a todos!

When's the next one?