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  1. John Sikora

    Language for camino portuguese?

    Brings to mind a story. Was walking the Portuguese and stopped to have dinner with some pilgrims I had met along the way. They didn't speak any Portuguese. I tried to learn a little before I left so I tried it out on the server. She didn't say anything, but the order was correct so I was feeling...
  2. John Sikora

    Accommodation options on the Camino Portuguese: To book or not to book?

    Others have spoken about the weather and the general crowds, but I'd like to add a different view point. Throwing aside the what's a true pilgrim discussion as irrelevant, I'd recommend that you first consider your style of walking and going through the day. I'm the type of person who likes to...
  3. John Sikora

    Santarem or Tomar for a Rest Day

    One more vote for Tomar. Santarem is very nice but it's not as nice as Tomar. As others have stated, make sure you find the time to see the Convento. Also, the area along the river is very nice for dinner. If memory serves, the walk into Tomar is less than inspiring but don't let that set your...
  4. John Sikora

    Where to start? Tomar? Porto?

    Another vote for starting in Tomar. Spend a day or so there as well as Coimbra. They are both very nice towns with a lot of history to see. As others have said, the Coimbra to Porto is a lot of industry but I still liked the walk. If you need the time, skip that section.
  5. John Sikora

    Camino Portugues which parts to jump

    I enjoyed the entire walk from Lisboa to Sanitago, but the first three days or so are largely urban. That doesn't bother me, but it isn't unique in any real aspect. As others have also said, the train runs parallel to the path so you can skip it easily. Starting in Santarem sounds like a good...
  6. John Sikora

    Solo travel - Lisbon to Porto

    I have to agree with those that have said avoidance is not a good idea. I walked Lisbon to Porto a few years ago on the way to Santiago and found the cities very interesting. Yes, it's not the historical treasure trove that some Caminos are. But, Tomar and Coimbra and Fatima are worth a visit...
  7. John Sikora

    Camino Portuguese is very nice, but...

    I looked at the cobblestones as the cost for eating an extra pastry :)
  8. John Sikora

    Information wanted about Camino Portugues

    I'd agree that there is less on the CP than the CF, but that said, there are a lot of guides, internet resources, blogs, and Facebook groups. There is a Facebook group just for the CP which can be quite helpful. I'll even plug my own videos of each (most) of the stages at 5x speedup so that you...
  9. John Sikora

    Porto area options

    Take a look at this link. Forget the advertising. It's a good list of cities close to Porto than you can get to. Good list. Most are accessible via the CP, if not I think the rest are by bus...
  10. John Sikora

    Help choosing which Camino Portuguese to follow

    I walked the CP a year or so ago from Lisbon. The Lisbon to Porto section has its merits. There are some very nice towns and cities to visit along the way. It is more (much more) urban than the CF but it definitely has charms of its own. The CP from Porto to Santiago is more like the CF...
  11. John Sikora

    Lisbon

    Very different but equally enjoyable. I walked from Lisbon to Santiago. Don't let the first few days get to you. It's more urban and not as historic (although you could dispute that) than the CF. I found the food better than the CF. I also enjoyed the Lisbon to Porto part due to the intermediate...
  12. John Sikora

    Portugal=cobblestones

    If you find something you want to check, you might want to take a look at my GoPro footage of the VDLP from Seville to Salamanca. It's a more informative set that shows the actual walk speeded up by a factor of 10 so if you're wondering what a particular section looks like you can take a look...
  13. John Sikora

    Starting from Lisbon — good or bad idea?

    I have to put in a vote for Lisbon to Porto as well. Although I wasn't sure when I walked it. It was hot, road walking, and not a lot of pilgrims. But in hindsight, the cities you go through, the food, and the locals that you interact with make it well worthwhile. It's different. But then, each...
  14. John Sikora

    finding my way around

    I think you will find it easier than you think. Porto to Santiago, while not as crowded as the Camino Frances, has a number of pilgrims and is a very pleasant walk. If you are taking the coastal route, there are many places to stop without problems (lots of cafes along the beaches). I've used...
  15. John Sikora

    Lisbon or Porto?

    I enjoyed the Lisbon to Porto but then I like towns and villages. There are fewer Albergues but there are many nice small cities (Santarem, Coimbra, Tomar and others. But it’s not as scenic as the Porto and north part. Lots and lots of cobblestones on both sides. I didn’t find any problems with...
  16. John Sikora

    Portugal=cobblestones

    And if you have poles, don't forget that many of the separations between the cobblestones are just large enough to catch the poles. As are the separations on the decking along the coastal route. Spain had the inquisition tortures. Portugal has cobblestones. You get blisters in odd places since...
  17. John Sikora

    CP strike May 20-21

    Just got a note from Portuguese Rail that most trains are going to be cancelled on those two days with possible disruptions on the 19th and 21st.
  18. John Sikora

    Bus/taxi services along the Coastal Route

    Thanks for watching my amateur attempts. I'm headed to walk the first part of the Camino de la Plata (Seville to Salamanca) tomorrow so I'll be posting the first 25 days or so when I get back (postings sometime in June/July).
  19. John Sikora

    Bus/taxi services along the Coastal Route

    I walked from Porto to Santiago last year and taxis are readily available. So are buses but not on all segments. I actually look at each planned segment and then do a room2rio website lookup to see what my options are. Some of the segments many even have local railroad to choose from. Either way...
  20. John Sikora

    Portugal

    The walk from Lisbon to Porto is largely urban. While nice it doesn't stand out as a "great" walk. But if you like visiting towns there are some nice cities (Coimbra, Fatima (a bit off the track), Tomar (really nice), etc. The coastal walk from Porto to Santiago along the cost is really great...

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