- Time of past OR future Camino
- May 2022 - Porto to Santiago, Littoral-Spiritual
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Perafita | MON 20 TO TUES 21ST | CARAVELA | ||
VILA DO CONDE | TUES 21ST TO WED 22ND | HOTEL BRAZ AO | ||
ESPOSENDE | WED 22ND TO THURS 23 | Villa dos Corcéis | ||
VIANA DE CASTELO | THURS 23 TO SAT 25 | Hotel Laranjeira | ||
CAMINHA | SAT 25 TO SUN 26TH | Arca Nova Guest House & Hostel | ||
OIA | SUN 26 TO MON 27TH | HOTEL RAINA | ||
BAIONA | MON 27 TO THUR 30TH | HOTEL ROMPEOLAS | ||
VIGO | THURS 30TH TO FRI 1ST | HOTEL ZENIT VIGO (dont stay here rubbish and expensive) | ||
REDONDELA | FRI 1ST TO SAT 2ND OCT | AS CHIVAS | ||
PONTEVEDERA | SAT 2ND OCT TO SUN 3RD OCT | Hotel Boa Vila | ||
COMBARRO | SUN 3RD OCT TO TUES 5TH OCT | HOTEL COMBARRO | ||
A ARMENTEIRA | TUES 5TH OCT 6th WED 6TH OCT | RESERVED | ||
VILANOVA DE AROUSA | WED 6TH OCT TO FRI 8TH OCT | APARTMENTS PASARELA | ||
PADRON | FRI 8TH OCT TO 9TH OCT | HOTEL CHEF RIVERA (old traditional Spanish but OK hotel ) | ||
SANTIAGO | 9TH TO 13TH OCT | Hotel Atalaia B&B | ||
I did the same in 2016Requesting advice. I'm doing my first Camino May 2022. Below is the route plan. I'm hoping experienced Caminoistas may have advice, ideas, to offer and points of view to share.
Background: I'm 65, an experienced day hiker for many years, but now have osteoarthritis (both hips, one foot) to manage. I'll be carrying my own modest-size/weight pack, and have my main luggage (with non-essential stuff) sent to ahead to SDC for my arrival.
I've tried to plan a route with hotel options at each stop. After I get some feedback from experienced folks, I'm going to start booking hotels. (I was surprised in my preliminary research that many hotels are already booked for the days I want.)
Plan to leave Porto following the advice of those very helpful Stingy Nomad folks: Start at Sé Cathedral, walk down to Rio Douro and follow the river all the way out of the city following Senda Litoral. And I hope I've planned this walk properly to include the Variante Espiritual...
Thank you!
DB
THE PLAN (man plans, god laughs)
Day 1 - May 14 Saturday
8 miles - Walk to Matosinho
Day 2 -May 15 Sunday
15 miles - Walk to Vila do Conde
Day 3 - May 16 Monday
14 miles - Walk to Fão
Day 4 - May 17 Tuesday
17 miles - Walk to Viana do Castelo
Day 5 - May 18 Wednesday
Rest Day - Viana do Castelo
Day 6 - May 19 Thursday
15 miles - Walk to Caminha
Day 7 - May 20 Friday
21 miles - Walk to Baiona
Day 8 - May 21 Saturday
Rest Day - Baiona
Day 9 - May 22 Sunday
16 miles - Walk to Vigo
Day 10 - May 23 Monday
11 miles - Walk to Redondela
Day 11 - May 24 Tuesday
13 miles - Walk to Pontevedra
Day 12 - May 25 Wednesday
Rest Day - Pontevedra - (My wife, Joan, joins me here!;-)
Day 13 - May 26 Thursday
Rest Day - Pontevedra
Day 14 - May 27 Friday
8 miles - Walk to Combarro
Day 15 - May 28 Saturday
14 miles - Walk to Ponte Arnelas
Day 16 - May 29 Sunday - (Joan's Birthday!)
8 miles - Walk to Vilanova de Arousa
Day 17 - May 30 Monday
17 miles by Boat
2 miles - Walk to Padrón
Day 18 - May 31 Tuesday
11 miles - Walk to Milladoiro
Day 19 - June 1 Wednesday
5 miles - Walk to Santiago de Compostela
Day 20 - June 2 Thursday
Rest Day - Santiago de Compostela
June 3 - Fly to Amsterdam!
Exactly, my thought is you have planned for several long day with your health issues.I did the same in 2016
Viano do Castelo to Caminha is 24 kms
Caminha to Baiona
we did it in two parts. We did not stay in Caminha( anyway not that year) but at the Spanish side of the river Minho , A Guarda .
from there we walked to Oia , stayed overnight and next day we went to Baiona
this distance is a bit over 30 kms. Count to it about 5 kms from Caminha if you are able to take the transbordador (ferry). does not sail on mondays.
otherwise you have to ask a fisherman to set you over to the other side or walk a detour of 30 kms to A Guarda by following the river to Vila Nova de Cerveira where is an international crossing point on the bridge.
I walked 4 times from Portugal to Santiago among others 3 times along the coast
very nice caminho it is and well to do .
Bom caminho
In A Guarda I stayed at the Hotel Convento de San Benito. It’s in a convent built in 1559 if I remember correctly, and is like staying in a museum. There’s even a small room near the lobby that looks like it’s from the medieval section of the Metropoitan Museum of Art, with beautifully lit 13/14th century carved statues and huge illuminated manuscripts. The room was a little small, but very nice, and had views of the harbor.Your itinerary seems quite reasonable. The only question mark, as Corned Beef suggests, is Caminha. Given the long distance from there to Baiona, you might want to get across the river and stay on the Spanish side in A Guarda. That will help you get an early start the next morning and not have to mess with the uncertainties of crossing the river. In 2018, we stayed in the Hotel Celta in A Guarda, which worked out fine. The Puerto Guardes restaurant on the waterfront in A Guarda is a great place for dinner. Like woody66, I also recommend the Hotel Rompeolas in Baiona, which has nice seaside views, and also the Hotel Chef Rivera in Padrón.
Very helpful. Thank you!Your itinerary seems quite reasonable. The only question mark, as Corned Beef suggests, is Caminha. Given the long distance from there to Baiona, you might want to get across the river and stay on the Spanish side in A Guarda. That will help you get an early start the next morning and not have to mess with the uncertainties of crossing the river. In 2018, we stayed in the Hotel Celta in A Guarda, which worked out fine. The Puerto Guardes restaurant on the waterfront in A Guarda is a great place for dinner. Like woody66, I also recommend the Hotel Rompeolas in Baiona, which has nice seaside views, and also the Hotel Chef Rivera in Padrón.
In A Guarda I stayed at the Hotel Convento de San Benito. It’s in a convent built in 1559 if I remember correctly, and is like staying in a museum. There’s even a small room near the lobby that looks like it’s from the medieval section of the Metropoitan Museum of Art, with beautifully lit 13/14th century carved statues and huge illuminated manuscripts. The room was a little small, but very nice, and had views of the harbor.
A Guarda has a lovely place called Hotel Eli Mar.I did the same in 2016
Viano do Castelo to Caminha is 24 kms
Caminha to Baiona
we did it in two parts. We did not stay in Caminha( anyway not that year) but at the Spanish side of the river Minho , A Guarda .
from there we walked to Oia , stayed overnight and next day we went to Baiona
this distance is a bit over 30 kms. Count to it about 5 kms from Caminha if you are able to take the transbordador (ferry). does not sail on mondays.
otherwise you have to ask a fisherman to set you over to the other side or walk a detour of 30 kms to A Guarda by following the river to Vila Nova de Cerveira where is an international crossing point on the bridge.
I walked 4 times from Portugal to Santiago among others 3 times along the coast
very nice caminho it is and well to do .
Bom caminho
I understand people think this way, but maybe some people don’t want the camaraderie or have other reasons for staying in hotels. Personally I suffered a devastating loss recently and was using the Camino as a way to have time to think that isn’t afforded me in my day-to-day life. I also have online language lessons 4 days a week that, believe it or not, were even a higher priority than the Camino for me. And third, for me personally, if I don’t sleep well, I can’t function much less walk 20km+ per day.My family and I walked the coastal route in early spring 2015. My daughter and her French boyfriend walked the Spiritual variant and loved it. (They had met on the del Norte in 2013. He proposed on the beach at Finnistere.) The rest of us stayed on the main coastal route -- by then well inland. I was pleasantly surprised how friendly the Portuguese are and how many speak English. Several albergues were not yet open so we did stay in a couple of hotels. But I must say -- it has almost become a rant of mine -- you get so much more of the Camino camaraderie when you stay in an albergue or hostel, whether municipal, religious, confraternity or private. I urge you to reconsider only staying in hotels. It is not the same experience. Bom Caminho.
Everyone has to walk their own Camino -- not someone else's.I understand people think this way, but maybe some people don’t want the camaraderie or have other reasons for staying in hotels. Personally I suffered a devastating loss recently and was using the Camino as a way to have time to think that isn’t afforded me in my day-to-day life. I also have online language lessons 4 days a week that, believe it or not, were even a higher priority than the Camino for me. And third, for me personally, if I don’t sleep well, I can’t function much less walk 20km+ per day.
I may not have gotten the experience you have decided is correct, but I had a wonderful time, met a smaller number of people, and am having exactly the experience I wanted. It’s posts like this that made me reluctant to even tell people I stayed in hotels because I didn’t want to be shamed for doing what’s right for myself.
I did get to meet and interact with other pilgrims! I didn’t need an albergue for that. The two Danish women I walked with out of Porto. One woman I ran into several times and we walked together for a few hours several days apart, and messaged each other after. Walked with a few others at other times. I had great conversations at bars and restaurants with pilgrims. I also met some awesome expats in a small village that welcomed me into their group with open arms.I would suggest checking out some private Albergues where you can probably get a private room for the same or less than a hotel- the advantage is getting to meet and interact with other pilgrims. For example, at a hotel in Caminha we never saw anyone besides the restaurant staff person who checked us in. Walking alone, you might enjoy finding a fellow pilgrim with whom you can share a meal or drink- or you might just want to stay in your room and relax! There’s a Camino Portugues Facebook group where people have posted info. on some wonderful Albergues, and you can find contact info. on apps such as Camino Ninja or Wise Pilgrim. Edited to add… nothing wrong with staying exclusively in hotels, just depends on what you’re looking for.
Terrific. I’m stoked. Thank you G for your helpful comments.I did get to meet and interact with other pilgrims! I didn’t need an albergue for that. The two Danish women I walked with out of Porto. One woman I ran into several times and we walked together for a few hours several days apart, and messaged each other after. Walked with a few others at other times. I had great conversations at bars and restaurants with pilgrims. I also met some awesome expats in a small village that welcomed me into their group with open arms.
Maybe I didn’t meet as many pilgrims as at an albergue, but it was the absolute perfect amount of interaction for me. I felt in no way cheated out of an experience because none of us slept in the same building at night.
You’ll have an amazing time. I’m a little jealous you’re going to do the Variante EspiritualTerrific. I’m stoked. Thank you G for your helpful comments.
I didn’t know @kenwillytavel has a book! I just “met” him in this thread and appreciated his point of view and help. I’ll go buy the book. Thank you, G!You’ll have an amazing time. I’m a little jealous you’re going to do the Variante EspiritualI chickened out after having a small bout of food poisoning in Pontevedra a few days ago. The climb to Armenteira made me nervous, and I considered staying in Combarro like you plan to, but decided I’ll do it after whichever Camino I do next year. I’ll just take the bus from Santiago down to Vigo and do the Espiritual then. I also just bought the book by @kenwilltravel so I’ll be better prepared next time
I literally just saw the links in his signature an hour ago and bought them bothI didn’t know @kenwillytavel has a book! I just “met” him in this thread and appreciated his point of view and help. I’ll go buy the book. Thank you, G!
How exciting, I am also commencing my first Camino from Porto leaving on 15 May but could be tempted to walk out with you on 14 May if you were interested. I wanted to stay in Matsinhos as well but find the accommodation a bit too steep for me. Maybe we could share a room? Having said that, I will be staying at Albergues as much as I can, which to my understanding usually only requires showing up or phoning ahead. Coming from Australia the exchange rate with Euro is never good (currently 64 cents to the Euro). I will be taking more time because I too have Arthritis, and have concerns about blisters, also will be 63 by then, so walking shorter distances over a longer period of time. I have until 16 June before I fly home, so very open to what the Camino provides. Please send me a message if you are interested in joining upRequesting advice. I'm doing my first Camino May 2022. Below is the route plan. I'm hoping experienced Caminoistas may have advice, ideas, to offer and points of view to share.
Background: I'm 65, an experienced day hiker for many years, but now have osteoarthritis (both hips, one foot) to manage. I'll be carrying my own modest-size/weight pack, and have my main luggage (with non-essential stuff) sent to ahead to SDC for my arrival.
I've tried to plan a route with hotel options at each stop. After I get some feedback from experienced folks, I'm going to start booking hotels. (I was surprised in my preliminary research that many hotels are already booked for the days I want.)
Plan to leave Porto following the advice of those very helpful Stingy Nomad folks: Start at Sé Cathedral, walk down to Rio Douro and follow the river all the way out of the city following Senda Litoral. And I hope I've planned this walk properly to include the Variante Espiritual...
Thank you!
DB
THE PLAN (man plans, god laughs)
Day 1 - May 14 Saturday
8 miles - Walk to Matosinho
Day 2 -May 15 Sunday
15 miles - Walk to Vila do Conde
Day 3 - May 16 Monday
14 miles - Walk to Fão
Day 4 - May 17 Tuesday
17 miles - Walk to Viana do Castelo
Day 5 - May 18 Wednesday
Rest Day - Viana do Castelo
Day 6 - May 19 Thursday
15 miles - Walk to Caminha
Day 7 - May 20 Friday
21 miles - Walk to Baiona
Day 8 - May 21 Saturday
Rest Day - Baiona
Day 9 - May 22 Sunday
16 miles - Walk to Vigo
Day 10 - May 23 Monday
11 miles - Walk to Redondela
Day 11 - May 24 Tuesday
13 miles - Walk to Pontevedra
Day 12 - May 25 Wednesday
Rest Day - Pontevedra - (My wife, Joan, joins me here!;-)
Day 13 - May 26 Thursday
Rest Day - Pontevedra
Day 14 - May 27 Friday
8 miles - Walk to Combarro
Day 15 - May 28 Saturday
14 miles - Walk to Ponte Arnelas
Day 16 - May 29 Sunday - (Joan's Birthday!)
8 miles - Walk to Vilanova de Arousa
Day 17 - May 30 Monday
17 miles by Boat
2 miles - Walk to Padrón
Day 18 - May 31 Tuesday
11 miles - Walk to Milladoiro
Day 19 - June 1 Wednesday
5 miles - Walk to Santiago de Compostela
Day 20 - June 2 Thursday
Rest Day - Santiago de Compostela
June 3 - Fly to Amsterdam!
Thank for saying that, but it’s quite oppressive how people get judged by where they stay. I walked with a woman who was so nice and fun, and it wasn’t until the third time we met up that we finally both admitted we were staying in hotels. We laughed about it, but the judgement is real.Lo siento. My apologies for poor wording. I did not intend to judge those who prefer hotels or pensions. In October I stayed in the delightful Palacio de Pujadas in Viana (but the next night at a dump of a pension in Logrono for almost the same price). Some albergues can be awkward, crowded, and host world class snorers and bed bugs. But on the whole I find them a most enriching experience, worth trying. Bom Caminho
I don’t know the prices you’ve seen for other places in Matosinhos, but I stayed at a studio apt at MyTrip Porto because I was using Chase points and it looked good. According to their Google Maps page, it’s about €45 per night, and it was excellent value at that price. Super clean and with a well-equipped kitchen if you want to save some money by cooking for yourself. I apologize if this is out of your price range.How exciting, I am also commencing my first Camino from Porto leaving on 15 May but could be tempted to walk out with you on 14 May if you were interested. I wanted to stay in Matsinhos as well but find the accommodation a bit too steep for me. Maybe we could share a room? Having said that, I will be staying at Albergues as much as I can, which to my understanding usually only requires showing up or phoning ahead. Coming from Australia the exchange rate with Euro is never good (currently 64 cents to the Euro). I will be taking more time because I too have Arthritis, and have concerns about blisters, also will be 63 by then, so walking shorter distances over a longer period of time. I have until 16 June before I fly home, so very open to what the Camino provides. Please send me a message if you are interested in joining up
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