One Small Step(Several Large Wines!)

[Frank66]

After several delays due to a few health issues, me and my wife have three weeks booked off work to walk from Lisbon to Porto next May. We were originally planning to walk Porto to SDC and then bolting on the SDC to Finisterre but liked the idea of Lisbon-Porto being less busy. We also fancy going back and continuing from Porto -Santiago at a later date.
I did the Camino in 2016 from SJPDP to Santiago, and returned in 2017 with my wife and walked from Roncenvalles to Burgos - so between us we have at least some idea on what to expect/pack etc. Any advice on what might catch us out would be great though.
I am just opening Michel Thomas's Foundation Portugese in preparation and planning to experiment with various cheese and port combinations over the coming months . Wish me luck with both.
Looking forward to some responses
Frank &Jules

 

[malingerer]

After several delays due to a few health issues, me and my wife have three weeks booked off work to walk from Lisbon to Porto next May. We were originally planning to walk Porto to SDC and then bolting on the SDC to Finisterre but liked the idea of Lisbon-Porto being less busy. We also fancy going back and continuing from Porto -Santiago at a later date.
I did the Camino in 2016 from SJPDP to Santiago, and returned in 2017 with my wife and walked from Roncenvalles to Burgos - so between us we have at least some idea on what to expect/pack etc. Any advice on what might catch us out would be great though.
I am just opening Michel Thomas's Foundation Portugese in preparation and planning to experiment with various cheese and port combinations over the coming months . Wish me luck with both.
Looking forward to some responses
Frank &Jules

did the Porto to SDC some years ago and have the Lisbon connection in my mind! I believe the signage has improved a lot but there is still a lot of roadwork. Don't know about the cheese and port but the grilled sardines and lots of Ro`se helped a lot. My favourite stretch is from Valencia to Tui. I am a sucker for bridges and there is quite a long one there. Amazing the difference I felt crossing from one country to another. I definitely knew when I was in Spain! Buen Camino.

The Malingerer.

 

[HeidiL]

Any advice on what might catch us out would be great though.

I liked that stretch - but I don't mind walking among cars. Just bring something very bright that will help the drivers see you.

 

[Davie Blisters]

Any advice on what might catch us out would be great though.

I had a wonderful walk from Lisbon to Santiago in May 2017 - flatter than many other Caminos, but OMG the cobblestones are a killer if you are wearing zero-drop shoes (Altra Lone Peak 3.5). If ever I repeated the journey then I'd definitely wear something more spongier. Whatever you decide you'll love the landscapes, people, food and the quietness.
Buen Camino

 

[steve 217]

Agree entirely about the cobbles .
Tui great , but for three brothers and a nephew the night we spent in the workers bar in Redondela will always be our favourite memory of the portugese Way.
Have a great Camino

 

[lt56ny]

I walked the Lisbon to SDC in 2017. Lots of cobblestones as others have said, more road walking and the first few days out of Lisbon are no great shakes scenically. It gets better as you go. The first day out of Lisbon you should start really early if you are going to go to Alpriate. There are some hotels. My friend stayed at one as you enter the town across from the gas station. If you are staying in the albergue it is nice (heard it was renovated) but it doesn't have a lot of beds. They do call the church for overflow. Not sure where those pilgrims go. The people in Portugal are the nicest people I have ever met in my life.

 

[Jacqueline17]

Frank and Jules, thumbs up to your decision on opening Michel Thomas, together with the cheese and port of course!
Michel Thomas for me has the very best way to learn languages ... his style doesn't suit all but, for those of you who'd like to learn some languages before you go anywhere, please do try it. A very different way of learning.

 

[Hurry Krishna]

After several delays due to a few health issues, me and my wife have three weeks booked off work to walk from Lisbon to Porto next May. We were originally planning to walk Porto to SDC and then bolting on the SDC to Finisterre but liked the idea of Lisbon-Porto being less busy. We also fancy going back and continuing from Porto -Santiago at a later date.
I did the Camino in 2016 from SJPDP to Santiago, and returned in 2017 with my wife and walked from Roncenvalles to Burgos - so between us we have at least some idea on what to expect/pack etc. Any advice on what might catch us out would be great though.
I am just opening Michel Thomas's Foundation Portugese in preparation and planning to experiment with various cheese and port combinations over the coming months . Wish me luck with both.
Looking forward to some responses
Frank &Jules

Have a super adventure with walking, wine and cheese. And do check out Pastel de Nata - they can be very very very good - if you like sweets

 

[David Hobson]

After several delays due to a few health issues, me and my wife have three weeks booked off work to walk from Lisbon to Porto next May. We were originally planning to walk Porto to SDC and then bolting on the SDC to Finisterre but liked the idea of Lisbon-Porto being less busy. We also fancy going back and continuing from Porto -Santiago at a later date.
I did the Camino in 2016 from SJPDP to Santiago, and returned in 2017 with my wife and walked from Roncenvalles to Burgos - so between us we have at least some idea on what to expect/pack etc. Any advice on what might catch us out would be great though.
I am just opening Michel Thomas's Foundation Portugese in preparation and planning to experiment with various cheese and port combinations over the coming months . Wish me luck with both.
Looking forward to some responses
Frank &Jules

I did Lisbon to Santiago in 2017 and repeated the Porto to Santiago bit this year with my wife. No pilgrims at all until after Tui (same experience noted by other pilgrims this year) empty Albergues but conversation was lacking. Enjoyed it though, good walking and good food. Buen Camino.

 

[David Tallan]

I did Lisbon to Santiago in 2017 and repeated the Porto to Santiago bit this year with my wife. No pilgrims at all until after Tui (same experience noted by other pilgrims this year) empty Albergues but conversation was lacking. Enjoyed it though, good walking and good food. Buen Camino.

What time of year did you walk? I did Porto to Santiago last year in October and there was no shortage of pilgrims between Porto and Tui.