Good Morning from frosty Ottawa!
I am getting closer to deciding on which way to go this autumn. It looks like the Portuguese is winning out. At the moment I'm not sure if I can meet my objectives on a marked route.
1. to start in Lisbon
2. to pass through Fatima (or side-walk if necessary)
3. to walk on the coast after Porto
4. to go to Finisterre before ending in Santiago. (I will alter that if necessary but I would like to receive the Finisterre certificate as I have only ever taken the bus there from SdC)
It looks like I will be leaving early to mid Sept. although that is not set in stone. Depends on my weather research, flight availability etc.
If you have any advice, must sees, don't do's, etc I am happy to receive all. Looking forward to your assistance with my planning.
Jim
Start in Lisbon- realize you have to walk about 400 miles to Santiago.
The first part between Lisbon and Porto the distances between places to sleep are longer than from Porto to Santiago.
The first part you have the chance to meet less co-fellows than on the second part.
From Santarèm you will have easy access to Fátima . To me personally Fátima was pretty disappointing and not worth visiting , but this is my opinion.
On the coastal after Porto it is pretty lonesome too. On the central route via Barcelos and Ponte de Lima you'll meet more people heading the same direction.
To Finisterre I have no experience.
Must sees... Coimbra. Beautiful university town Beautiful buildings, beautiful fado music
Porto. Stay another day to see all.
Barcelos ..stay another day and go by bus to the beautiful town of Braga with the world heritage church Bom Jesus do Monte. A must see.
Ponte de Lima, Valença do Minho with its famous fortress and the by George Eiffel built bridge over the Minho river connecting to Tui in Spain.
Lots to see, to enjoy..the Portugese people and their hospitality, food and wines.
The beautifull Galician scenery..
On this Portugese forum you'll find a lot of information. Read back for a while and your enthousiasm will show up.
peregrina2000 made a usefull document about the Lisbon to Porto leg the other day. You'll find it on this forum
Bom caminho