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Ponte de Lima is a great town to start from. As you noted, you can take a bus from Porto to Ponte. Or, you can take the train from Porto to Braga, and then short bus ride from there to Ponte. The last idea that comes to mind is train to Viana do Costello and then bus from there.Jungleboy, thank you.
I think you hit the nail firmly on the head with your diagnosis and your cure.
I spent a lot of time planning that first Camino - it was more than 2 years in the making because of the pandemic - and I felt that I made a good choice.
Your idea of starting in Ponte de Lima really appeals and I have spent this morning figuring out how that will work. Right now it very much looks like the way I will go.
So thanks!
Any idea of an easy route to Ponte de Lima? I'm flying in from the UK and it looks like the best route is into Porto and then jump on a bus to Ponte de Lima. Does that sound about right? I don't think it makes any sense to travel down from Santiago de Compostela.
Great! I think that's an excellent choice.Your idea of starting in Ponte de Lima really appeals and I have spent this morning figuring out how that will work. Right now it very much looks like the way I will go.
So thanks!
Yes, that would be the least complicated way. If you have a little time in Ponte de Lima, you might want to consider checking out some of the museums: 1) wine history of region with tasting room, 2) Portuguese toys, 2) military history of the area. I'd also recommend the Solar do Picato restaurant.Thanks for that info, Ken.
Assuming Rome2Rio is working correctly, it looks like the bus from Porto passes through Viana do Costello and then swings sharp right for Ponte. If that's the case I think I might as well just take the bus for the full route.
One thing we did in 2019 that was kind of fun was get a lodging within the Valença fortress and then take the tourist train across the river to the Tui Cathedral, which is well worth seeing. Most of the interesting stuff in those two towns is focused on those two areas: fortress and cathedral.2) Valença or Tui? Hard to go wrong here as they're both worth exploring. Or you could choose both and treat yourself to a 2.6km stage between them!
You stayed in the fortress? That sounds cool. How did you pull that off?One thing we did in 2019 that was kind of fun was get a lodging within the Valença fortress and then take the tourist train across the river to the Tui Cathedral, which is well worth seeing. Most of the interesting stuff in those two towns is focused on those two areas: fortress and cathedral.
We stayed in a guesthouse called Alojamento da Vila. I just checked booking.com and it's still in operation.You stayed in the fortress? That sounds cool. How did you pull that off?
The old town is within the fortress.You stayed in the fortress? That sounds cool. How did you pull that off?
Ah! Got it!The old town is within the fortress.
Ponte de Lima maybe my favorite town on any camino.(Note my two biases from the outset: 1) I am not as enamoured with the coast in general as most people seem to be unless it's spectacular, like the Rota Vicentina; and 2) I really loved the Variante Espiritual.)
I have walked both. The part you have already done is the better part; your problem here is that your first camino was too good!
Starting from Baiona is only one more stage before Vigo so that doesn't give you much new walking. A Guarda gives you two short stages (or one long one) more than that.
Yes, there is some road walking, and it's a main road (PO-552) but there is a 'pilgrim lane' (for lack of a better term) at all times - a different coloured shoulder lane. There are views of the sea but not all coastline is created equal and personally I didn't think this stretch was that impressive. It might depend on how drawn you are to the ocean. Between A Guarda and Baiona, most of it looks like this, so you can make of that what you will:
View attachment 132307
That said, there are some nice highlights. The Oia monastery is one of those (although the visit is by guided tour in Spanish only), and La Cala Inn in Oia is a wonderful place to stay. If you're into sea glass (or think you might be!), the 'beach of the crystals' between Oia and Baiona is a detour from the camino but worth going to. Baiona itself has a nice castle and a long waterfront that includes a couple of small city beaches and a marina. Between Baiona and Vigo (if you take the coastal option) the coastline is less rocky and contains quite a few low-key beaches.
My suggestion for a similar length extension would be to start in Ponte de Lima on the central, from where it's 3-4 stages to Redondela, which you would have been through. This gives you Ponte de Lima itself, a very nice town, plus Valença and Tui on either side of the border and the bridge crossing between them - both are also very interesting. You will also get to walk through a lot of vineyards on this stretch, something I always enjoy.
Wow! Praise indeed!Ponte de Lima maybe my favorite town on any camino.
There is not much else other than Rubiães for a decent stop. If you go here, I'd recommend the Pilgrim's Nest albergue, if you are OK with a private albergue. It's really a cute place in an old restored building.1) Where to stay on the first day out of PdL? Rubiães is a common choice at about 19km from PdL, and that's what we did, but it's a bit of a nothing place and if I were to do it again I'd look for a different option. I'm not sure how many other choices there are nearby, though.
2) Valença or Tui? Hard to go wrong here as they're both worth exploring.
Oh no! That is stunning! Please tell me you took this picture while standing at the edge of a major road full with trucks and buses!I loved Oia and saw this sunset there in May 2022.View attachment 132351
Actually it was from the balcony of the Hotel in Oia where we were booked, the meal at the restaurant there was top notch too! Yes, the road is close and busy, but the Way is lovelyOh no! That is stunning! Please tell me you took this picture while standing at the edge of a major road full with trucks and buses!
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