Lessons from the Portuguese caminho

[peter56]

Just completed Portuguese caminho, using senda littoral out of Porto, crossing to central Caminho, and doing Spiritual variant.
1. Forget all about digital version of the credential. The stamped version gives a nice set of stamps and almost any cafe, restaurant on route will give a stamp.

2. On mo account cycle this route. Some rocky climbs, totally unsuitable for bikes.

3. Using a horse is presumably a joke!

4. If doing spiritual variant take Amare nautical. Great, fast ride with guide. Exhilarating. The other boat, office end of be wooden pier in Vilanova, looks like mass transport carrier in comparison! Also office not open when to hey said it would be, and problems getting through on phone.

5.Os Castanhos in Baerantes great place to o stop

6. At monastery no place available, fancy turning a pilgrim away, unforgivable!

 

[peter56]

Just completed Portuguese caminho, using senda littoral out of Porto, crossing to central Caminho, and doing Spiritual variant.
1. Forget all about digital version of the credential. The stamped version gives a nice set of stamps and almost any cafe, restaurant on route will give a stamp.

2. On mo account cycle this route. Some rocky climbs, totally unsuitable for bikes.

3. Using a horse is presumably a joke!

4. If doing spiritual variant take Amare nautical. Great, fast ride with guide. Exhilarating. The other boat, office end of be wooden pier in Vilanova, looks like mass transport carrier in comparison! Also office not open when to hey said it would be, and problems getting through on phone.

5.Os Castanhos in Baerantes great place to o stop

6. At monastery no place available, fancy turning a pilgrim away, unforgivable!

 

[peter56]

Further points:.
1. Don't assume food and accommodation more plentiful as you approach Santiago, not the case.
2. Guidebook a bit negative re final stretch, in fact a lovely walk, some nice woodland and hamlets until final 2-3 kilometers.
3. At outskirts of Santiago, route splits into two routes. We took right fork. That was the end of any signage!! Reached cathedral after asking locals at 8.45 pm! Done from boat in one final push for the line!!
4. Portuguese tourist info offices most helpful. In Ponte de lima booked a guest house and Poussada in Valenca. If budget stretches highly recommended for rest and recuperation and cocktails and river view at end of Portuguese section
Spanish tourist offices most friendly, but will not book or reserve anything eg hotels, transport.
5. A little Portuguese and Spanish goes a long way, and couple of stops in Portugal had to communicate entirely in Portuguese.
6. Seafood highly recommended, 10-12 euro pilgrim special lifesaver on occasion!
You may find a bottle of vinho Verde with alvarinho grape essential for well being every day. But drink lots of water and/or cola zero to maintain hydration.
7. Walking poles really help take the strain.

 

[FLEUR]

Just completed Portuguese caminho, using senda littoral out of Porto, crossing to central Caminho, and doing Spiritual variant.
1. Forget all about digital version of the credential. The stamped version gives a nice set of stamps and almost any cafe, restaurant on route will give a stamp.

2. On mo account cycle this route. Some rocky climbs, totally unsuitable for bikes.

3. Using a horse is presumably a joke!

4. If doing spiritual variant take Amare nautical. Great, fast ride with guide. Exhilarating. The other boat, office end of be wooden pier in Vilanova, looks like mass transport carrier in comparison! Also office not open when to hey said it would be, and problems getting through on phone.

5.Os Castanhos in Baerantes great place to o stop

6. At monastery no place available, fancy turning a pilgrim away, unforgivable!

Just completed Portuguese central and Variante Espiritual route.
Agree with your comments.
The Monastery was full and wouldnt even give us a stamp!
Os Castanos at Barrantes was excellent. Good price for lovely evening meal and because we left before their 09.00 breakfast they left us juce fruit, yoghurt and sandwiches all wrapped ready to eat or take with us.
Bradomin hôtel at Vilanova booked us places on the Pilgrim ferry. Excellent journey up river to Padron.