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Hello, I will be walking the Portuguese Coastal Camino in spring 2020 (mid-May’ish). This will be my first Camino and my first « walking » trip. I am fairly fit, but have never undertaken anything like this before. I’m 55 years old. After doing some research - including on this amazing site - I have decided to walk the coastal camino from Porto to Santiago, and then to Finisterre.
I have lived my whole life as an over-achiever, and I want this trip to be about the journey rather than making sure I walk X number of km each day, to get to my destination by X date. Therefore, I am looking to build as much flexibility into this trip as possible.
Ideally, I would like to decide each morning how much I feel like walking on that day, if I feel like walking it with my backpack or not (I have temperamental knees), where I would like to stay that night (albergues vs hostels vs hotels), and then set off on that day’s journey, without rushing to get to the destination before 2 pm each day, which I have read and heard is the time to get to where you are going in order to get a bed.
Is this type of flexibility possible? I read about the companies who can shuttle your bag to the next stop, but can I decide each morning where my next stop will be, or do I have to decide in advance? Is it possible to make reservations at any of the accommodations the morning of (assuming vacancy)? For accommodations, is there a real risk that I won’t find any accommodations if I don’t arrive before 5 pm? What is the worse case scenario in that regard? And are there companies that can work out all those things for me, each day as go (« one-stop service »); or if I want this type of « one-stop service », I have to make those arrangements well in advance?
Many thanks in advance!
Caroline
Thank you @henrythedog for your sage advice. I do over-thinking very well, along with over-achieve and over-plan! I can already tell that the camino is just what I need to explore the « under » parts of me! ☺
Thank you so much @KariC! The idea of a taxi is something I had not thought of, and which appeases many of my worries about « what if’s ». Many thanks.
Hello, I will be walking the Portuguese Coastal Camino in spring 2020 (mid-May’ish). This will be my first Camino and my first « walking » trip. I am fairly fit, but have never undertaken anything like this before. I’m 55 years old. After doing some research - including on this amazing site - I have decided to walk the coastal camino from Porto to Santiago, and then to Finisterre.
I have lived my whole life as an over-achiever, and I want this trip to be about the journey rather than making sure I walk X number of km each day, to get to my destination by X date. Therefore, I am looking to build as much flexibility into this trip as possible.
Ideally, I would like to decide each morning how much I feel like walking on that day, if I feel like walking it with my backpack or not (I have temperamental knees), where I would like to stay that night (albergues vs hostels vs hotels), and then set off on that day’s journey, without rushing to get to the destination before 2 pm each day, which I have read and heard is the time to get to where you are going in order to get a bed.
Is this type of flexibility possible? I read about the companies who can shuttle your bag to the next stop, but can I decide each morning where my next stop will be, or do I have to decide in advance? Is it possible to make reservations at any of the accommodations the morning of (assuming vacancy)? For accommodations, is there a real risk that I won’t find any accommodations if I don’t arrive before 5 pm? What is the worse case scenario in that regard? And are there companies that can work out all those things for me, each day as go (« one-stop service »); or if I want this type of « one-stop service », I have to make those arrangements well in advance?
Many thanks in advance!
Caroline
Is this type of flexibility possible? I read about the companies who can shuttle your bag to the next stop, but can I decide each morning where my next stop will be, or do I have to decide in advance? Is it possible to make reservations at any of the accommodations the morning of (assuming vacancy)? For accommodations, is there a real risk that I won’t find any accommodations if I don’t arrive before 5 pm? What is the worse case scenario in that regard? And are there companies that can work out all those things for me, each day as go (« one-stop service »); or if I want this type of « one-stop service », I have to make those arrangements well in advance?
Mornign Caroline
No idea why you or anyone asks advice about doing the Camino. Just do it and then you will know the answers. It's easy. I did it at 70. The only concern is your knees and all the replies in the world cannot answer that - only you can - but I agree with Mike - do travel light - even lighter than that!.
Having said that May is a busy month so accomodation might be a problem - why not go in a quieter month. Good luck.
amcg
Hi Caroline,Hello, I will be walking the Portuguese Coastal Camino in spring 2020 (mid-May’ish). This will be my first Camino and my first « walking » trip. I am fairly fit, but have never undertaken anything like this before. I’m 55 years old. After doing some research - including on this amazing site - I have decided to walk the coastal camino from Porto to Santiago, and then to Finisterre.
I have lived my whole life as an over-achiever, and I want this trip to be about the journey rather than making sure I walk X number of km each day, to get to my destination by X date. Therefore, I am looking to build as much flexibility into this trip as possible.
Ideally, I would like to decide each morning how much I feel like walking on that day, if I feel like walking it with my backpack or not (I have temperamental knees), where I would like to stay that night (albergues vs hostels vs hotels), and then set off on that day’s journey, without rushing to get to the destination before 2 pm each day, which I have read and heard is the time to get to where you are going in order to get a bed.
Is this type of flexibility possible? I read about the companies who can shuttle your bag to the next stop, but can I decide each morning where my next stop will be, or do I have to decide in advance? Is it possible to make reservations at any of the accommodations the morning of (assuming vacancy)? For accommodations, is there a real risk that I won’t find any accommodations if I don’t arrive before 5 pm? What is the worse case scenario in that regard? And are there companies that can work out all those things for me, each day as go (« one-stop service »); or if I want this type of « one-stop service », I have to make those arrangements well in advance?
Many thanks in advance!
Caroline
What a lovely post! I think your wife is a lucky lady.When you get done you will be amazed at how many things you didnt have to worry about, how much fun you had, how you want to share this with someone else, and on and on.
I had your same trepidation 4 Caminos ago. Now I just watch the forum to help people like you.
Here is a great YouTube series that is in progress right now for the route you are taking. He posts a new episode each Thursday and lucky you, he's nearly to SdC.
Have a great trip. If you wait till July you can walk with my wife and I. This will be my third CP. By the way, we're 9 years older than you. You'll have to problems.
I was 67 when I walked from Lisbon to Santiago, Coastal Route in May. I flew by the seat of my pants. Not having a days end destination. I never had any problems finding a bed, either in a Hostel, BandB or Hotel. The food and people were amazing. This was my second Camino - French way in 2015, So I was prepared with a very light pack, about 12 pound. Remember 80% of the Coastal route is on boardwalk, sounds nice, but , no so easy day after day.Hello, I will be walking the Portuguese Coastal Camino in spring 2020 (mid-May’ish). This will be my first Camino and my first « walking » trip. I am fairly fit, but have never undertaken anything like this before. I’m 55 years old. After doing some research - including on this amazing site - I have decided to walk the coastal camino from Porto to Santiago, and then to Finisterre.
I have lived my whole life as an over-achiever, and I want this trip to be about the journey rather than making sure I walk X number of km each day, to get to my destination by X date. Therefore, I am looking to build as much flexibility into this trip as possible.
Ideally, I would like to decide each morning how much I feel like walking on that day, if I feel like walking it with my backpack or not (I have temperamental knees), where I would like to stay that night (albergues vs hostels vs hotels), and then set off on that day’s journey, without rushing to get to the destination before 2 pm each day, which I have read and heard is the time to get to where you are going in order to get a bed.
Is this type of flexibility possible? I read about the companies who can shuttle your bag to the next stop, but can I decide each morning where my next stop will be, or do I have to decide in advance? Is it possible to make reservations at any of the accommodations the morning of (assuming vacancy)? For accommodations, is there a real risk that I won’t find any accommodations if I don’t arrive before 5 pm? What is the worse case scenario in that regard? And are there companies that can work out all those things for me, each day as go (« one-stop service »); or if I want this type of « one-stop service », I have to make those arrangements well in advance?
Many thanks in advance!
Caroline
Caroline...lots of great advice...you can do this! the Coastal route is magnificent. Consider spending a couple of days in Porto to see that great city. It is wonderful. You can then start from the Cathedral, and can get a credential there as well if needed. You can walk or take the tram to Matosinhos on the coast and begin your walk there. Check the guide books so that you know your options. We found the 'Village to village' guide more helpful than the Brierley, but check others as well before you go. Walking the coast on the boardwalks in just stunning...you will have a great time!
Thank you so much Pinzi! I am definitely planning on having a phone. Your sentence about ‘when the spirit moved us’ capture perfectly how I want to walk the camino, thank you!My brother and I just walked the Portugues from Tui to Santiago in late Sept. On the first day of our Camino we waited till we got into town (Porrino) to find a place to stay and it worked. Stayed at an Alberque. The other days we figured out where we wanted to wind up the next day while we were having dinner, and used Booking.com to search and book.
A friend we made on the Camino would usually wait till she got into town, and it usually worked. Occasionally she would call ahead for a room while she was walking. Worst case for her was having to walk/ride back/ahead to another town, which happened on occasion.
We had our bag shipped on the last day to a hotel we had booked in Santiago, and we had to arrange for pick up the night before using our phone/internet. We used Correios to ship. Correios required us to arrange for pick up the night before. There are others who will transport bags. I don't know if the others will schedule same day, but suspect they will not.
We had a great trip. We didn't rush. Stopped when the Spirit moved us to stop. Usually got to the next town by 3-4 PM. Gave us plenty of time to clean up, eat, explore ect... Having a phone which we could use to search and book was VERY VERY useful. Hope your Camino is all you are wishing it will be.
Thank you! This really helps me see the down side of over planning, and I really appreciate your candour about your experience. I have read a lot about the Variante Espiritual and will definitely make sure not to miss it. Thanks again!My wife and I completed the Porto to Santiago route this summer in July. It was pretty awesome. We booked a lot of nights and wish we would not have done so. The first day we hiked to Matosinhos and then took public transit back to Porto where we had a couple of nights booked. That seemed to work well. Ideally we would have booked a place there and gone light on our first day to get over jet lag, etc. It was a good way to ease into the trip.
As we walked there were lots of places to stay. Many not listed in the books. A Portuguese Pilgrim showed us the app "Camino Tool" which had more places on it than we had as well as places to eat which was good. We booked the first 8 nights which did not leave us a lot of flexibility. This was more because we wanted to make sure we had a place to stay. In the end it was not necessary. There were a few places we wanted to stay longer and could not with the bookings.
One recommendation would be to do the Variante Espiritual as we really enjoyed that part of the trip the most. There are a couple of hills if you go that way but they were nice as the coastal route is pretty flat.
Buen Camino
Hello, I will be walking the Portuguese Coastal Camino in spring 2020 (mid-May’ish). This will be my first Camino and my first « walking » trip. I am fairly fit, but have never undertaken anything like this before. I’m 55 years old. After doing some research - including on this amazing site - I have decided to walk the coastal camino from Porto to Santiago, and then to Finisterre.
I have lived my whole life as an over-achiever, and I want this trip to be about the journey rather than making sure I walk X number of km each day, to get to my destination by X date. Therefore, I am looking to build as much flexibility into this trip as possible.
Ideally, I would like to decide each morning how much I feel like walking on that day, if I feel like walking it with my backpack or not (I have temperamental knees), where I would like to stay that night (albergues vs hostels vs hotels), and then set off on that day’s journey, without rushing to get to the destination before 2 pm each day, which I have read and heard is the time to get to where you are going in order to get a bed.
Is this type of flexibility possible? I read about the companies who can shuttle your bag to the next stop, but can I decide each morning where my next stop will be, or do I have to decide in advance? Is it possible to make reservations at any of the accommodations the morning of (assuming vacancy)? For accommodations, is there a real risk that I won’t find any accommodations if I don’t arrive before 5 pm? What is the worse case scenario in that regard? And are there companies that can work out all those things for me, each day as go (« one-stop service »); or if I want this type of « one-stop service », I have to make those arrangements well in advance?
Many thanks in advance!
Caroline
The coastal route is wonderful as there are few hills and the vistas and villages are wonderful. My wife and I (we are 62) just completed the Porto to Santiago route in October, and it was wonderful (our second Camino, 1st was Frances). We did book our accommodation ahead and knew where we needed to be at the end of each day. That works for us. I applaud you on your plans to take it a day at a time. You will enjoy this freedom and gain a whole new perspective from walking the Camino that way. We carried our packs, both well under our 10% body weight, and had no issues with them. There are so many ways to do this. You will have to decide what works for you. That changes as you walk too, eg we had a day, entering Vigo, the largest city on the Coastal route, where city fatigue required the last few km be via taxi! There are so many beautiful villages to explore each day that having the freedom to stop and enjoy them will be wonderful. One section I highly suggest slowing down and enjoying is between A Guarda and Baiona, where many people walk straight through to Baiona. We stopped in Oia, only a 15km walk from A Guarda, and then it was about the same to Baiona. We met people who were exhausted from doing the 30km without the stop and therefore had little energy to explore Baiona, one of the more enchanting towns along the Coastal way. Staying at the Parador there might be a special stop if you so choose (we did not) but walked around it as our evening stroll.Hello, I will be walking the Portuguese Coastal Camino in spring 2020 (mid-May’ish). This will be my first Camino and my first « walking » trip. I am fairly fit, but have never undertaken anything like this before. I’m 55 years old. After doing some research - including on this amazing site - I have decided to walk the coastal camino from Porto to Santiago, and then to Finisterre.
Many thanks in advance!
Caroline
Thank you @Rod Murray. I will make sure to make the journey to Baiona one that enables me to fully enjoy the sights! And thank you for the mention of the 10% of body weight as a rule of thumb... I had not heard it before, and it makes me realize I can probably do that and just carry my pack. I am naturally a very light packer, so I should be able to take up that challenge (more easily than the non-planning challenge in fact!). Thanks again!The coastal route is wonderful as there are few hills and the vistas and villages are wonderful. My wife and I (we are 62) just completed the Porto to Santiago route in October, and it was wonderful (our second Camino, 1st was Frances). We did book our accommodation ahead and knew where we needed to be at the end of each day. That works for us. I applaud you on your plans to take it a day at a time. You will enjoy this freedom and gain a whole new perspective from walking the Camino that way. We carried our packs, both well under our 10% body weight, and and no issues with them. There are so many ways to do this. You will have to decide what works for you. That changes as you walk too, eg we had a day, entering Vigo, the largest city on the Coastal route, where city fatigue required the last few km be via taxi! There are so many beautiful villages to explore each day that having the freedom to stop and enjoy them will be wonderful. One section I highly suggest slowing down and enjoying is between A Guarda and Baiona, where many people walk straight through to Baiona. We stopped in Oia, only a 15km walk from A Guarda, and then it was about the same to Baiona. We met people who were exhausted from doing the 30km without the stop and therefore had little energy to explore Baiona, one of the more enchanting towns along the Coastal way. Staying at the Parador there might be a special stop if you so choose (we did not) but walked around it as our evening stroll.
Just my 2 cents!
Enjoy the (non) planning that will come about as you explore these forums. This is a wonderful community.
Bom Caminho
Buen Camino
Just remember that gaining weight in your body isn't the best way to be able to carry more weight on your back! ;-)Thank you @Rod Murray. I will make sure to make the journey to Baiona one that enables me to fully enjoy the sights! And thank you for the mention of the 10% of body weight as a rule of thumb... I had not heard it before, and it makes me realize I can probably do that and just carry my pack. I am naturally a very light packer, so I should be able to take up that challenge (more easily than the non-planning challenge in fact!). Thanks again!
I'm new too and not travelling as far as you for my first adventure but I have been very happy with the service, advice, prices and alternatives offered by Lorinda at Raw travel. But I am in Australia so that may not suit you. Their website is worth a look thoughHello, I will be walking the Portuguese Coastal Camino in spring 2020 (mid-May’ish). This will be my first Camino and my first « walking » trip. I am fairly fit, but have never undertaken anything like this before. I’m 55 years old. After doing some research - including on this amazing site - I have decided to walk the coastal camino from Porto to Santiago, and then to Finisterre.
I have lived my whole life as an over-achiever, and I want this trip to be about the journey rather than making sure I walk X number of km each day, to get to my destination by X date. Therefore, I am looking to build as much flexibility into this trip as possible.
Ideally, I would like to decide each morning how much I feel like walking on that day, if I feel like walking it with my backpack or not (I have temperamental knees), where I would like to stay that night (albergues vs hostels vs hotels), and then set off on that day’s journey, without rushing to get to the destination before 2 pm each day, which I have read and heard is the time to get to where you are going in order to get a bed.
Is this type of flexibility possible? I read about the companies who can shuttle your bag to the next stop, but can I decide each morning where my next stop will be, or do I have to decide in advance? Is it possible to make reservations at any of the accommodations the morning of (assuming vacancy)? For accommodations, is there a real risk that I won’t find any accommodations if I don’t arrive before 5 pm? What is the worse case scenario in that regard? And are there companies that can work out all those things for me, each day as go (« one-stop service »); or if I want this type of « one-stop service », I have to make those arrangements well in advance?
Many thanks in advance!
Caroline
I'm new too and not travelling as far as you for my first adventure but I have been very happy with the service, advice, prices and alternatives offered by Lorinda at Raw travel. But I am in Australia so that may not suit you. Their website is worth a look though
You don't need any help, you're going to have a great time. Have fum.My wife and I, 56 & 57, are doing the coast route from Porto to Santiago de Compostela in June 2020. Our itinerary is 3 nights in Porto to enjoy the town, visiting the Duoro valley and experience the food. After this we are doing 6 days walking to Baiona. We have booked all the places we want using Booking.com which I used extensively on the Camino Frances in 2017 and Via Francigena last year. We are treating ourselves to the Parador hotels in both Baiona and Santiago. We will do two nights in each, with a rest day in Baiona, then 6 days walking to Santiago de Compostela and two nights there (well worth it).
Hi Caroline!Hello, I will be walking the Portuguese Coastal Camino in spring 2020 (mid-May’ish). This will be my first Camino and my first « walking » trip. I am fairly fit, but have never undertaken anything like this before. I’m 55 years old. After doing some research - including on this amazing site - I have decided to walk the coastal camino from Porto to Santiago, and then to Finisterre.
I have lived my whole life as an over-achiever, and I want this trip to be about the journey rather than making sure I walk X number of km each day, to get to my destination by X date. Therefore, I am looking to build as much flexibility into this trip as possible.
Ideally, I would like to decide each morning how much I feel like walking on that day, if I feel like walking it with my backpack or not (I have temperamental knees), where I would like to stay that night (albergues vs hostels vs hotels), and then set off on that day’s journey, without rushing to get to the destination before 2 pm each day, which I have read and heard is the time to get to where you are going in order to get a bed.
Is this type of flexibility possible? I read about the companies who can shuttle your bag to the next stop, but can I decide each morning where my next stop will be, or do I have to decide in advance? Is it possible to make reservations at any of the accommodations the morning of (assuming vacancy)? For accommodations, is there a real risk that I won’t find any accommodations if I don’t arrive before 5 pm? What is the worse case scenario in that regard? And are there companies that can work out all those things for me, each day as go (« one-stop service »); or if I want this type of « one-stop service », I have to make those arrangements well in advance?
Many thanks in advance!
Caroline
More similar than you know...i felt like I was reading my own post lol. I absolutely CAN’T wait to hit the road....have an amazing journey and I look forward to reading your account of it. I’d like to write a travel blog too but clueless on how to do it...so will keep a diary instead that I can look back on one day when I’m very very old and grey. I’m addicted to hiking and nature and travel is my drug...so I know this may be the start of many journeys for me. Just wish I was younger.....!@Jacki thank you for your post! My intention is to write a travel blog when I get there and would be happy to share it with you and others! I will provide the link on this forum before I leave. I really appreciate you sharing how similar our ways of being are and how the Camino can create opportunities to explore different ways of being!
Thanks for the link! Quick question and one I’ve had trouble finding an answer for on the forum. What is the anticipated daily budget for food and accommodation? I do want to sleep in places that are not always a hostel environment as I really require a quality sleep if I’m to walk the daily distances....but I also want to embrace the whole pilgrim bonding experience too...so need a happy medium lol.So much good advice in this thread that I really can't add much.
We used the accomodation list from https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...stal-and-central-route-camino-portuguese.404/ to make temporary plans each morning, as our distances depended on that day's energy! (We made the list, so it kinda made sense - and have kept it updated since 2016). You can see the distances in the list - we brought a printed version along.
bom caminho!
Christian
You are one year younger than you will be next year! That qualifies as younger!More similar than you know...i felt like I was reading my own post lol. I absolutely CAN’T wait to hit the road....have an amazing journey and I look forward to reading your account of it. I’d like to write a travel blog too but clueless on how to do it...so will keep a diary instead that I can look back on one day when I’m very very old and grey. I’m addicted to hiking and nature and travel is my drug...so I know this may be the start of many journeys for me. Just wish I was younger.....!
Thanks for the link! Quick question and one I’ve had trouble finding an answer for on the forum. What is the anticipated daily budget for food and accommodation? I do want to sleep in places that are not always a hostel environment as I really require a quality sleep if I’m to walk the daily distances....but I also want to embrace the whole pilgrim bonding experience too...so need a happy medium lol.
Are trains expensive within Portugal? Want to head south to the Algarve at the end of my spiritual journey.
Hello, I will be walking the Portuguese Coastal Camino in spring 2020 (mid-May’ish). This will be my first Camino and my first « walking » trip. I am fairly fit, but have never undertaken anything like this before. I’m 55 years old. After doing some research - including on this amazing site - I have decided to walk the coastal camino from Porto to Santiago, and then to Finisterre.
I have lived my whole life as an over-achiever, and I want this trip to be about the journey rather than making sure I walk X number of km each day, to get to my destination by X date. Therefore, I am looking to build as much flexibility into this trip as possible.
Ideally, I would like to decide each morning how much I feel like walking on that day, if I feel like walking it with my backpack or not (I have temperamental knees), where I would like to stay that night (albergues vs hostels vs hotels), and then set off on that day’s journey, without rushing to get to the destination before 2 pm each day, which I have read and heard is the time to get to where you are going in order to get a bed.
Is this type of flexibility possible? I read about the companies who can shuttle your bag to the next stop, but can I decide each morning where my next stop will be, or do I have to decide in advance? Is it possible to make reservations at any of the accommodations the morning of (assuming vacancy)? For accommodations, is there a real risk that I won’t find any accommodations if I don’t arrive before 5 pm? What is the worse case scenario in that regard? And are there companies that can work out all those things for me, each day as go (« one-stop service »); or if I want this type of « one-stop service », I have to make those arrangements well in advance?
Many thanks in advance!
Caroline
My wife and I, 56 & 57, are doing the coast route from Porto to Santiago de Compostela in June 2020. Our itinerary is 3 nights in Porto to enjoy the town, visiting the Duoro valley and experience the food. After this we are doing 6 days walking to Baiona. We have booked all the places we want using Booking.com which I used extensively on the Camino Frances in 2017 and Via Francigena last year. We are treating ourselves to the Parador hotels in both Baiona and Santiago. We will do two nights in each, with a rest day in Baiona, then 6 days walking to Santiago de Compostela and two nights there (well worth it).
Just an update.Hello, I will be walking the Portuguese Coastal Camino in spring 2020 (mid-May’ish). This will be my first Camino and my first « walking » trip. I am fairly fit, but have never undertaken anything like this before. I’m 55 years old. After doing some research - including on this amazing site - I have decided to walk the coastal camino from Porto to Santiago, and then to Finisterre.
I have lived my whole life as an over-achiever, and I want this trip to be about the journey rather than making sure I walk X number of km each day, to get to my destination by X date. Therefore, I am looking to build as much flexibility into this trip as possible.
Ideally, I would like to decide each morning how much I feel like walking on that day, if I feel like walking it with my backpack or not (I have temperamental knees), where I would like to stay that night (albergues vs hostels vs hotels), and then set off on that day’s journey, without rushing to get to the destination before 2 pm each day, which I have read and heard is the time to get to where you are going in order to get a bed.
Is this type of flexibility possible? I read about the companies who can shuttle your bag to the next stop, but can I decide each morning where my next stop will be, or do I have to decide in advance? Is it possible to make reservations at any of the accommodations the morning of (assuming vacancy)? For accommodations, is there a real risk that I won’t find any accommodations if I don’t arrive before 5 pm? What is the worse case scenario in that regard? And are there companies that can work out all those things for me, each day as go (« one-stop service »); or if I want this type of « one-stop service », I have to make those arrangements well in advance?
Many thanks in advance!
Caroline
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