WanderingBrian
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Sept 2023
For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here. (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation) |
---|
Well sorta....You can follow any combo that you wish. If you want to obtain a Compostela in Santiago you must walk at least the last 100km to SdC.
The Way is the goal, IMHO...It's many years since I stopped collecting Compostelas, although I worked as a volunteer in the PO in May/June 2019. I call it payback time for what the Caminos have given me in the last 11 years.ps. which is more important - the journey or the award?
I agree, a starting stamp in Tui, a couple a day in between and a couple in Padron should satisfy the office. But I would suggest as it's not strictly official: please just accept and be prepared to let it go if they do make an issue of it.The "recognized route" thing only applies to the last 100km into Santiago but is also rather dependent on the Pilgrim's Office interpretations. If you start in Tui you're 114km from Santiago. Get your two stamps a day in somewhere the PO might find on their lists and you should be fine. In previous, friendly, discussion with the PO it was suggested that Pilgrims are supposed to walk to Santiago. The implication that spending time wandering about Iberia did not count as a pilgrimage to Santiago.
It'll probably come down to the voluntaria/o on the jump the morning you arrive and your ability to persevere. While I've never seen any sin in "taking the long way round" some do seem to.
Buen Camino
ps. which is more important - the journey or the award?
Thank you.The "recognized route" thing only applies to the last 100km into Santiago but is also rather dependent on the Pilgrim's Office interpretations. If you start in Tui you're 114km from Santiago. Get your two stamps a day in somewhere the PO might find on their lists and you should be fine. In previous, friendly, discussion with the PO it was suggested that Pilgrims are supposed to walk to Santiago. The implication that spending time wandering about Iberia did not count as a pilgrimage to Santiago.
It'll probably come down to the voluntaria/o on the jump the morning you arrive and your ability to persevere. While I've never seen any sin in "taking the long way round" some do seem to.
Buen Camino
ps. which is more important - the journey or the award?
I always get a Compostela but only have one framed (my first) and it still sits in a closet. I do like getting them and they are scattered in tubes around my house. But when I stumble across one I still like to look at it and remember.The Way is the goal, IMHO...It's many years since I stopped collecting Compostelas, although I worked as a volunteer in the PO in May/June 2019. I call it payback time for what the Caminos have given me in the last 11 years.
Me and my wife did a similar route in May 2019, but we started in Valença do Minho. We didn't do the Ruta de Padre Martín, but we did take variant option after Pontevedra to go to Vilanova de Arousa. From there we took the boat to Pontecesures. On arrival at SdC there were no issues regarding it's validity, even with the boat trip it's over the 100km minimum. Mind you, a very keen checker-upper in the Pilgrims' Office gave all my stamps a good eye-balling to make sure I still had 2 stamps per day.So originally I was thinking Coastal (Porto to Pontedevra) plus the Variante Espiritual. But now I am considering this option if anyone is familiar:
Thoughts on this? I cannot see any reason why this would not be a recognized route.
- Start in Valenca/Tui - normal Camino Portugues until Pontevedra.
- Then switch to the Variante Espirutual until Combarro
- Then switch to the Ruta de Padre Martín Sarmiento until eventually meeting up with the Variante at Vilanova de Arousa.
- Then take the boat up to Padron, resyncing with the Camino Portugues.
- Onwards to SdC as normal
Please listen to Tinker if it is important to youth get one. He does know his Camino stuff. If you walk from Tui and then do the Spiritual Variant you will be fine and will be able to get your Compostela. If not it is a crapshoot. But you can always come back another time. It seems you would have more time to walk as you mentioned starting in Porto. You could always walk to Muxia and Finisterre. It is a beautiful loop to take. Then you could get your Santiago Compostela and the certificates from both Muxia and Finisterre.Thank you.
Certainly the journey is the adventure and the point. But, still, the Compostela would be nice
So originally I was thinking Coastal (Porto to Pontedevra) plus the Variante Espiritual. But now I am considering this option if anyone is familiar:
Thoughts on this? I cannot see any reason why this would not be a recognized route.
- Start in Valenca/Tui - normal Camino Portugues until Pontevedra.
- Then switch to the Variante Espirutual until Combarro
- Then switch to the Ruta de Padre Martín Sarmiento until eventually meeting up with the Variante at Vilanova de Arousa.
- Then take the boat up to Padron, resyncing with the Camino Portugues.
- Onwards to SdC as normal
Question... we are considering starting in Tui in May 2022--- taking the Spiritual path at Pontevedra and continuing like you and your wife. Would it matter if we started in Tui and not in Valenca to receive the Compostela?Me and my wife did a similar route in May 2019, but we started in Valença do Minho. We didn't do the Ruta de Padre Martín, but we did take variant option after Pontevedra to go to Vilanova de Arousa. From there we took the boat to Pontecesures. On arrival at SdC there were no issues regarding it's validity, even with the boat trip it's over the 100km minimum. Mind you, a very keen checker-upper in the Pilgrims' Office gave all my stamps a good eye-balling to make sure I still had 2 stamps per day.
Whether you start from Valença or Tui makes no difference. They're right across the river from each other. Having worked in the Pilgrims Office, I know that Tui to Santiago qualifies for the Compostela, with or without the Spiritual Variant.Question... we are considering starting in Tui in May 2022--- taking the Spiritual path at Pontevedra and continuing like you and your wife. Would it matter if we started in Tui and not in Valenca to receive the Compostela?
Next question... is that path "do-able" with a travel company sorting out our lodgings and shuttling luggage. Would love to stay at the monastery in Armenteira. My friend and I are in our late 60's and not carrying full overnight backpacks, just a day bag. Thanks!!Whether you start from Valença or Tui makes no difference. They're right across the river from each other. Having worked in the Pilgrims Office, I know that Tui to Santiago qualifies for the Compostela, with or without the Spiritual Variant.
Since you have particular places where you want to stay why not save some money and book your own accommodations.? Your local chapter of American Pilgrims on the Camino can probably help with your planning. You can have your luggage transferred with Tuitrans.Next question... is that path "do-able" with a travel company sorting out our lodgings and shuttling luggage. Would love to stay at the monastery in Armenteira. My friend and I are in our late 60's and not carrying full overnight backpacks, just a day bag. Thanks!!
Absolutely doable. My wife and I are in our early 60s. We made our own bookings, designed our own itinerary, but did use a luggage service (Tuitrans) to move our large bags from place to place, using day packs for the actual walk. My wife also has some health issues but we made it work. In one sense, using a travel company for the planning makes things easier, but then you get locked into their arrangements, which may or may not be optimal for you. We preferred the flexibility of doing our own planning. But there are pros and cons on each side so study this issue carefully.Next question... is that path "do-able" with a travel company sorting out our lodgings and shuttling luggage. Would love to stay at the monastery in Armenteira. My friend and I are in our late 60's and not carrying full overnight backpacks, just a day bag. Thanks!!
Thank you! The more I am reading and learning, it really doesn't look that hard to book in advance and design our own itinerary. The travel companies I have talked to want us to go directly from Pontevedra to Armenteira which is 21.4k and then Armenteira to Vilanova Arousa which is about 24.6k. We'd like to keep to about 8-10 miles a day. I believe maybe you posted on a different post that you went from Pontevedra to Combarro, to Armenteira to Ribadumia to Villanova de Arousa? It adds two days, but since this path is so beautiful, we really wanted to savor our time. Plus, not sure how long it would take us to go up the steep incline from Combarro to Armenteria!! Thanks!!Absolutely doable. My wife and I are in our early 60s. We made our own bookings, designed our own itinerary, but did use a luggage service (Tuitrans) to move our large bags from place to place, using day packs for the actual walk. My wife also has some health issues but we made it work. In one sense, using a travel company for the planning makes things easier, but then you get locked into their arrangements, which may or may not be optimal for you. We preferred the flexibility of doing our own planning. But there are pros and cons on each side so study this issue carefully.
As for staying at the Armenteira monastery, see this Forum thread: https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...-coastal-portuguese-routes.70544/#post-933900
It's not hard at all to design your own itinerary. I wouldn't book everything in advance. Book the first few nights, then you will have a better idea of how far you want to walk each day. After that you can book a day or two ahead, and everywhere that you stay will have the envelopes and information for the luggage transfer companies.Thank you! The more I am reading and learning, it really doesn't look that hard to book in advance and design our own itinerary. The travel companies I have talked to want us to go directly from Pontevedra to Armenteira which is 21.4k and then Armenteira to Vilanova Arousa which is about 24.6k. We'd like to keep to about 8-10 miles a day. I believe maybe you posted on a different post that you went from Pontevedra to Combarro, to Armenteira to Ribadumia to Villanova de Arousa? It adds two days, but since this path is so beautiful, we really wanted to savor our time. Plus, not sure how long it would take us to go up the steep incline from Combarro to Armenteria!! Thanks!!
Doing the SP in two days, as your travel company suggests, would be pedal-to-the-metal walking for my wife and me! We prefer to "saunter" and enjoy ourselves. So, yes, we did the Pontevedra-Combarro-Armenteira-Ribadumia-Vilanova de Arousa stages and even took a day off in Combarro. I'll PM you with additional info. In any case, your situation shows how a travel company can lock you into an arrangement that may not work for you. The Armenteira ascent, by the way, took us 4 hours but people who are really fit could probably knock an hour off that.The travel companies I have talked to want us to go directly from Pontevedra to Armenteira which is 21.4k and then Armenteira to Vilanova Arousa which is about 24.6k. We'd like to keep to about 8-10 miles a day. I believe maybe you posted on a different post that you went from Pontevedra to Combarro, to Armenteira to Ribadumia to Villanova de Arousa? It adds two days, but since this path is so beautiful, we really wanted to savor our time. Plus, not sure how long it would take us to go up the steep incline from Combarro to Armenteria!! Thanks!!
Thanks Ken! Exactly my thinking!!! I appreciate your feedback!Doing the SP in two days, as your travel company suggests, would be pedal-to-the-metal walking for my wife and me! We prefer to "saunter" and enjoy ourselves. So, yes, we did the Pontevedra-Combarro-Armenteira-Ribadumia-Vilanova de Arousa stages and even took a day off in Combarro. I'll PM you with additional info. In any case, your situation shows how a travel company can lock you into an arrangement that may not work for you. The Armenteira ascent, by the way, took us 4 hours but people who are really fit could probably knock an hour off that.
In general, while I believe travel companies are not necessary, I don't oppose their use. It's your money, after all. And for some people, without that layer of reassurance, they might not make a Camino after all. Or they want to spend their time on other sorts of preparation.Thank you! The more I am reading and learning, it really doesn't look that hard to book in advance and design our own itinerary. The travel companies I have talked to want us to go directly from Pontevedra to Armenteira which is 21.4k and then Armenteira to Vilanova Arousa which is about 24.6k. We'd like to keep to about 8-10 miles a day. I believe maybe you posted on a different post that you went from Pontevedra to Combarro, to Armenteira to Ribadumia to Villanova de Arousa? It adds two days, but since this path is so beautiful, we really wanted to savor our time. Plus, not sure how long it would take us to go up the steep incline from Combarro to Armenteria!! Thanks!!
Email may work fine, but we just called them and made reservations for a certain date. I think we did this about a week in advance.Hey Everyone! We decided to book our own way....!! Any insider tricks or ideas on how to make a reservation at the Monastery in Armenteria? I have looked at different fb groups and some say send them an email request and others say call.... I also wondered about arriving by a certain time?? Thanks in advance!
I used email, sent my request in Spanish using google translate. I received a lengthy reply in Spanish. as they wants to ensure you understand the rules of coming and going, and are specific about the times the doors are locked. Our reservations were all set, the Covid changed the planHey Everyone! We decided to book our own way....!! Any insider tricks or ideas on how to make a reservation at the Monastery in Armenteria? I have looked at different fb groups and some say send them an email request and others say call.... I also wondered about arriving by a certain time?? Thanks in advance!
How far in advance did you book? So sorry that you were not able to stay!I used email, sent my request in Spanish using google translate. I received a lengthy reply in Spanish. as they wants to ensure you understand the rules of coming and going, and are specific about the times the doors are locked. Our reservations were all set, the Covid changed the plan
6 months ahead. I have heard people say there is sometimes a 2 night minimum but we had a one night booking.How far in advance did you book? So sorry that you were not able to stay!
It's the last 100km on a route recognized by the Cathedral.I’m confused. I thought the rule was you must walk the last 100 km to SdC (hence the two stamps a day rule that was at least in effect when I walked). I’d walked over 1400 km on a variety of routes leading in a zig zag to SdC but the guy at the desk only wanted to see that I’d walked the last 100 in a row with no other transportation
My point was that boat trip takes away a good portion of the last 100km, so seems like that would negate any quibbling about which earlier parts of the journey are or are not recognized. I could be wrongIt's the last 100km on a route recognized by the Cathedral.
Good to know.Ah, but the Cathedral recognizes the ferry in exactly the way it does not recognize the Camino Verde. Their ball, their game.
We got our Compostela certificates in 2015 , walking the Variante Espiritual and taking the boat from Vilanova de Arousa to Pontecessures/Padron.So originally I was thinking Coastal (Porto to Pontedevra) plus the Variante Espiritual. But now I am considering this option if anyone is familiar:
Thoughts on this? I cannot see any reason why this would not be a recognized route.
- Start in Valenca/Tui - normal Camino Portugues until Pontevedra.
- Then switch to the Variante Espirutual until Combarro
- Then switch to the Ruta de Padre Martín Sarmiento until eventually meeting up with the Variante at Vilanova de Arousa.
- Then take the boat up to Padron, resyncing with the Camino Portugues.
- Onwards to SdC as normal
I believe I read somewhere recently that as of june? the spiritual variant was now recognized officially - but of course I cannot find where I read that! Perhaps someone else can comment or knows of this ???Does walking from Vigo and taking the Variante Espiritual qualify for the compostela?
Yes, indeed. We did exactly that in 2019 and had no trouble earning our Compostela.Does walking from Vigo and taking the Variante Espiritual qualify for the compostela?
According to research I did for my book on the Spiritual Variant, it has been officially recognised as a Pilgrim route since 2013.I believe I read somewhere recently that as of june? the spiritual variant was now recognized officially - but of course I cannot find where I read that! Perhaps someone else can comment or knows of this ???
There seems to be much confusion on the boat wether it counts or not - have heard from those who frown on not having walked to that the boat is recognised and even gives you a stamp? Will be starting in Tui via the VS - which even with the boat is about 135kms.My point was that boat trip takes away a good portion of the last 100km, so seems like that would negate any quibbling about which earlier parts of the journey are or are not recognized. I could be wrong
I don’t question the boat, there’s more than one boat ride on the Norte. It’s not the total distance, I wondered about the boat ride being within the last 100 km (unlike those on the Norte) and how that worked with the “must walk the last 100km” rule, but from an answer above apparently the Pilgrims Office is fine with it so bon voyage 🛳There seems to be much confusion on the boat wether it counts or not - have heard from those who frown on not having walked to that the boat is recognised and even gives you a stamp? Will be starting in Tui via the VS - which even with the boat is about 135kms.
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?