Just finished - Camino Portugues from Valenca

[Patz]

I'm just back from my first Camino. It took 6 days to walk, although we had planned for 8.

Before we left, I read through the forums, worrying about everything from whether I was prepared enough to whether I was forgetting anything. Before I left, a friend told me: The Camino takes care of you. But I did not really believe that, until we got there, and then the people you encounter on the Camino happened, and now I can't wait to do my next one.

Now I am thinking of doing the Camino Portugues again, this time starting from Porto, this May. I did the first one in a group of 3. I enjoyed it very much, but would love to try doing it on my own.

I think the Camino reminded me of how much unsolicited kindness there is in the world and also reminded me of what simple happiness feels like.

 

[L Squared]

Welcome home. It takes most people a year to start their second camino. Sounds like it will only be a month between your Caminos. You are very fortunate.

 

[Marius]

Thank you Patz for your post.
We'll walk the same Camino starting also in Valença in about 2,5 weeks. It is also our first one and we are also reading a lot and thinking about all this - probably - unimportant things
Anyway - we are looking forward to making the trip and posts like yours shows that it was the right decision!

 

[Frank Carroll]

I'm just back from my first Camino. It took 6 days to walk, although we had planned for 8.

Before we left, I read through the forums, worrying about everything from whether I was prepared enough to whether I was forgetting anything. Before I left, a friend told me: The Camino takes care of you. But I did not really believe that, until we got there, and then the people you encounter on the Camino happened, and now I can't wait to do my next one.

Now I am thinking of doing the Camino Portugues again, this time starting from Porto, this May. I did the first one in a group of 3. I enjoyed it very much, but would love to try doing it on my own.

I think the Camino reminded me of how much unsolicited kindness there is in the world and also reminded me of what simple happiness feels like.

Hi Marius

I am walking the same camino in June. Any tips about where to stay, where to eat, do's and don't's? Did you start from Santiago - if so, how did you get to Valenca?

Buen Camino

 

[Marius]

Hi Marius

I am walking the same camino in June. Any tips about where to stay, where to eat, do's and don't's? Did you start from Santiago - if so, how did you get to Valenca?

Buen Camino

Hi Frank,

we' ll fly into Porto then go by train (www.renfe.com) to Valença.

Here are some recommended albergues on the Camino beginning in Valença:
Valença: Av. dos Bombeiros Volontários
O Porriño: Carretera de O Porriño a Gondomar
Redondela: Casa da Torre
Pontevedra: Rùa Otero Pedrayo
Briallos: Lugar de Castro e San Roque
Padrón: Costiña do Carme

Buen Camino!

Edit: now I see that you surely meant Patz asking for some tips Maybe mine can help a bit too

 

[Patz]

Hi Frank,

we only stayed in the Albergue municipal. All were clean and we did not encounter bed bugs, except for the albergue in O Porriño which was closed due to dis infestation.

One thing we did, which surely helped avoid blisters (none of us got any) was to remove our shoes and air our feet every 2 hours or so. I know it's not the same for everyone, but maybe we were just lucky

One thing I wouldn't do in the future is to obsess too much about details. The great thing is just to go with the flow.

We flew in to Madrid and got a train to Vigo and then another train to Valenca from Vigo. I think there is a train from Santiago to Vigo. You can check the Renfe web site, even though the English version isn't too great!

Buen Camino!

 

[pilgrim b]

Looks like you are the latest to be smitten pilgrim Patz, you join quite a list and their is absolutely no cure. You will need to join "The Friends of Al" and he's not a lot of help either when it comes to finding a cure. Buen Camino

 

[Rikkitikkitavi]

I'm just back from my first Camino. It took 6 days to walk, although we had planned for 8.

Before we left, I read through the forums, worrying about everything from whether I was prepared enough to whether I was forgetting anything. Before I left, a friend told me: The Camino takes care of you. But I did not really believe that, until we got there, and then the people you encounter on the Camino happened, and now I can't wait to do my next one.

Now I am thinking of doing the Camino Portugues again, this time starting from Porto, this May. I did the first one in a group of 3. I enjoyed it very much, but would love to try doing it on my own.

I think the Camino reminded me of how much unsolicited kindness there is in the world and also reminded me of what simple happiness feels like.

Congratulations! I just finished Caminho Tejo/Caminho Compostela from Lisbon to Santiago. The Portuguese people (generally) are very friendly and kind.

I highly recommend staying Seminario Menor and Hospederia San Martinho Pinario in Santiago. They are very atmospheric and connect you to the many people with the church who studied and lived in Santiago.

There is a great alternative to Padron in the "Monastery" in Herbon. It is mapped in Brierly's guide. Unfortunately7, the hostel in Herbon is open from June to October only.

Definitely enjoy the great food in Portugal and visit the amazing historical sites such as the Convent of Christ in Tomar and the Roman ruins at Coimbriga.

I started at the Church of Santiago in Lisboa and walked to Fatima. I then went to Tomar and walked to Santiago. My regret is only having one full day in Santiago.

 

[miguel_gp]

Hi Marius
....... Did you start from Santiago - if so, how did you get to Valenca?

Buen Camino

There is a daily bus at 12:00 from the Santiago bus station that calls at Valenca. Journey time 2hrs 15 min but you get an hour back as you cross the border. There is an indirect train route via Vigo also. Departs Vigo at 0920 and 1812. There are several trains each day between Santiago and Vigo.