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I started in Lisboa and walked all the way. Sure, some sections are more "scenic" than others. My life is like that too and I wouldn't do either of them any differently.
Blessings.
I completed the central route Lisbon to Santiage via Porto in 2019. I found the pilgrim infrastructure more than adequate.
Could I humbly suggest not including the speaking of English or not as either a pro or a con? It hints at cultural superiority. I'd be disappointed if Portuguese folk were...
Quanta de Burra has to be one of my favourite albergues from my two caminos. It may be because that is where I met a couple of my best camino amigos- but really the whole welcome and food experience were fantastic.
My pilgrimage from Lisbon last Sep - Oct was no more difficult and no less rewarding than the Francés the previous year.
24 days walking. No rest days.
I'm happy to respond to any specific questions you may have.
Yes indeed. Delightful folk at this café, and a terrific, simple and oh so cheap meal. I was the only dinner customer - the other pilgrim kept very much to himself but I think ate somewhere else. This was 18 September 2019.
This year I walked the Portugués from Lisbon to Santiago ...24 days, average about 27km per day. No rest days (have visited Porto and Lisbon before, and spent 3 days in each of them on the way back by train).
Last year I walked Santiago to Muxía to Finisterre at the end of my Francés...5 days...
I walked this Caminho this year, 18 Sep to 11 Oct (ie 24 days) with no rest days. People ask me which was my favourite - this or my 2018 Francés. I have to say - neither. I would happily walk either again.
Last Friday I arrived in Santiago de Compostela, having set out from Lisbon on 18 September. 24 days, no rest days, walked every millimetre, carried my pack all the way, 71 years of age, very satisfied with myself but also feeling really humble.
Yesterday I came back to Lisbon ahead of my flight...
Last week I had two stents installed in my coronary arteries, and today I booked my fare from Brisbane to Lisbon to head off on El Camino Portugués in mid-September.
Francès last year, and I'm well hooked!!
Just a comment...I'm planning Lisbon to Santiago in September. I keep reading about the extra "infrastructure " that's laid on after Porto, which really challenges me to start at Lisbon and flex my self reliance, and faith.
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