I'm planning to walk from Porto to Santiago later this month. I will have a week or so spare at the end - not really wanting to go to Finisterre and Muxia and wondering if anyone has any recommendations for a few spare days. I'm actually wondering about walking some of the way back towards Porto, maybe taking a different route? Any thoughts much appreciated! [/QUOTE ]
You could obtain your Compostella when you arrive in Santiago and finish the CF. Next you might walk south from SdC following the Camino Portuguese upto the old Spanish/Portuguese border at Tui/Valenca.
In December 2011 after finishing the
Camino Frances I continued to Finisterre, per usual, and then walked to the Portuguese border at Tui/Valenca de Minho. This involved going " backward " along the Camino Portuguese from Santiago. To go backward is more complicated than you might think; since then the path was hardly well marked, searching for the famous yellow arrows pointing opposite my direction wasn't easy. Viewed backwards the arrows resembled anchors. Thus it all was a bit of a treasure hunt!
Although the weather was cold and very WET the Galician albergues were great and generally well heated; often I was the only pilgrim. There was no problem using the same Credential as on the CF. I particularly enjoyed walking across the river Minho from Tui on the 19th century bridge designed by Eiffel of Parisian tower fame to Valenca de Minho and its Vauban fortress.
Bom Caminho!