- Time of past OR future Camino
- Next Camino Ingles Ferrol
For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here. (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation) |
---|
This is awesome. I walked the Camino Frances in 2010 and stayed in small albergues and dorms along the way. I suspect my next Camino will be in private rooms, so any and all tips for great places with a hint of luxury are very welcome!I’ve just had the most amazing meal!
Context: after walking for 6 hours and only getting as far as 12km, I bailed and called a taxi to come get me to take me the next 12km to Ponte de Lima, where I promptly bought a new pair of kicks, yes they were the Hoka Speedgoats.
I was hobbling so badly, I knew I had made the right decision and decided the next day to cab it to my next stop. I realised on day 2 that 25km a day was not doable for me. I have 12 days total to get to SdC and I knew I had to modify the plan, the plan being the Stingy Nomads itinerary. After much thought, I came up with a solution, it involved a couple of private stays but if that means I can walk into SdC with a smile rather than hobble, I was game.
Enter Casa da Quinta do Cruzeiro in Fontoura. Shared room (2 of you) for €35 includes dinner and breakfast.
There is a glorious pool, I thought it was just the trick for my poor swollen feet. I called and asked how early I could arrive seeing as I was going to take a taxi, Pedro said arrive any time you like, he needed to be in Porto during the day but that he would arrive back in time to prepare dinner. I turned up at 9am.
First off it was so nice to have all the space to myself for once! I took a shower and didn’t have get dressed while still slightly damp! I washed some stuff and didn’t have to squeeze it in amongst everyone else’s washing. And I got the pool all to myself, it was pure luxury.
Then came dinner, succulent chicken, potatoes, soup and bread. I ate it all, there was too much food for one person but I couldn’t leave it, everything on that chicken that was edible was gone! Then Pedro made me coffee.
To top this all off, no-one else turned up so I have a private room and essentially a private pool. Why have I not heard about this place?!! Pedro was so inviting, gave me plenty of space and has been a smashing host.
If anyone needs a touch of luxury, or much needed R&R, I can 100% recommend this option.
Bonus, it is right on the Camino so you don’t even need to add any extra steps! I’m going to sleep well tonight. Goodnight all! Happy belly signing off
Ahh, the two golden rules of camping on the Camino. Be wary of green grass and any place near a bell tower. How many times I have been taught that lesson, and I’ve yet to learn it.Memorable, but for different reasons then the OP.
On the Camino Levant there were a lot of remotes sections where we had to camp out, sick of lying on rocks we thought we had lucked out when we found a lush green patch next to a maze field, there was even an oak tree for shade. We bedded down and watched the stars twinkle above us, luxuriating on the comforable pad of grass. It was fine till 3am when a torrent off water hit us, I sat bolt upright and wondered what was going on, just in time to see the sprinkler boom rotating around towards us again. Should have known it, nowhere else was green in those barren lands.
I’ve just had the most amazing meal!
Context: after walking for 6 hours and only getting as far as 12km, I bailed and called a taxi to come get me to take me the next 12km to Ponte de Lima, where I promptly bought a new pair of kicks, yes they were the Hoka Speedgoats.
I was hobbling so badly, I knew I had made the right decision and decided the next day to cab it to my next stop. I realised on day 2 that 25km a day was not doable for me. I have 12 days total to get to SdC and I knew I had to modify the plan, the plan being the Stingy Nomads itinerary. After much thought, I came up with a solution, it involved a couple of private stays but if that means I can walk into SdC with a smile rather than hobble, I was game.
Enter Casa da Quinta do Cruzeiro in Fontoura. Shared room (2 of you) for €35 includes dinner and breakfast.
There is a glorious pool, I thought it was just the trick for my poor swollen feet. I called and asked how early I could arrive seeing as I was going to take a taxi, Pedro said arrive any time you like, he needed to be in Porto during the day but that he would arrive back in time to prepare dinner. I turned up at 9am.
First off it was so nice to have all the space to myself for once! I took a shower and didn’t have get dressed while still slightly damp! I washed some stuff and didn’t have to squeeze it in amongst everyone else’s washing. And I got the pool all to myself, it was pure luxury.
Then came dinner, succulent chicken, potatoes, soup and bread. I ate it all, there was too much food for one person but I couldn’t leave it, everything on that chicken that was edible was gone! Then Pedro made me coffee.
To top this all off, no-one else turned up so I have a private room and essentially a private pool. Why have I not heard about this place?!! Pedro was so inviting, gave me plenty of space and has been a smashing host.
If anyone needs a touch of luxury, or much needed R&R, I can 100% recommend this option.
Bonus, it is right on the Camino so you don’t even need to add any extra steps! I’m going to sleep well tonight. Goodnight all! Happy belly signing off
Man I just wanted to warn against the Stingy Nomads blog. Those people must be doing 20-25 miles a DAY. The woman on that blog is a machine. They aren't nomads, they are on the level of professional hikers. Unless you are some kind of elite athlete, I don't think their 'itineraries' are doable.
Stayed here 2015 and it was a highlight of our Camino Portugues.Casa Fernanda (Camino Portuguese)......Anyone having been blessed by their hospitality will understand the family's dedication to pilgrims. Early morning after breakfast as my son and I were leaving...Jacinto (Fernanda's husband) called out to my son and said...."David, look after your father ".....word that warmed my heart then and now.
Well, you said most memorable. To me that doesn't necessarily mean lovely or swanky. One of mine was on the Portugese in Grijo just before Porto in a dirty crappy albergue with the most disgusting shower. The only other pilgrims were a lovely 70 something French woman walking from Lisbon like us, and a drunk Portugese man who was making pilgrimage to Fatima. We went next door to a family home where we were given a dinner of soup, pork, potatoes and dessert and yes, plenty of port. We ate with 3 generations with the grandfather a veteran who fought in Angola. It was so much fun and the family was so welcoming and accommodating. The wife got a little too enamored of my husband and was feeling him up! Haha! We decided to make our exit then. Very memorable.I’ve just had the most amazing meal!
Context: after walking for 6 hours and only getting as far as 12km, I bailed and called a taxi to come get me to take me the next 12km to Ponte de Lima, where I promptly bought a new pair of kicks, yes they were the Hoka Speedgoats.
I was hobbling so badly, I knew I had made the right decision and decided the next day to cab it to my next stop. I realised on day 2 that 25km a day was not doable for me. I have 12 days total to get to SdC and I knew I had to modify the plan, the plan being the Stingy Nomads itinerary. After much thought, I came up with a solution, it involved a couple of private stays but if that means I can walk into SdC with a smile rather than hobble, I was game.
Enter Casa da Quinta do Cruzeiro in Fontoura. Shared room (2 of you) for €35 includes dinner and breakfast.
There is a glorious pool, I thought it was just the trick for my poor swollen feet. I called and asked how early I could arrive seeing as I was going to take a taxi, Pedro said arrive any time you like, he needed to be in Porto during the day but that he would arrive back in time to prepare dinner. I turned up at 9am.
First off it was so nice to have all the space to myself for once! I took a shower and didn’t have get dressed while still slightly damp! I washed some stuff and didn’t have to squeeze it in amongst everyone else’s washing. And I got the pool all to myself, it was pure luxury.
Then came dinner, succulent chicken, potatoes, soup and bread. I ate it all, there was too much food for one person but I couldn’t leave it, everything on that chicken that was edible was gone! Then Pedro made me coffee.
To top this all off, no-one else turned up so I have a private room and essentially a private pool. Why have I not heard about this place?!! Pedro was so inviting, gave me plenty of space and has been a smashing host.
If anyone needs a touch of luxury, or much needed R&R, I can 100% recommend this option.
Bonus, it is right on the Camino so you don’t even need to add any extra steps! I’m going to sleep well tonight. Goodnight all! Happy belly signing off
For me its the albergue in the attic of the church in Granon. I cannot put my finger on why its special but it is just one of those placesI’ve just had the most amazing meal!
Context: after walking for 6 hours and only getting as far as 12km, I bailed and called a taxi to come get me to take me the next 12km to Ponte de Lima, where I promptly bought a new pair of kicks, yes they were the Hoka Speedgoats.
I was hobbling so badly, I knew I had made the right decision and decided the next day to cab it to my next stop. I realised on day 2 that 25km a day was not doable for me. I have 12 days total to get to SdC and I knew I had to modify the plan, the plan being the Stingy Nomads itinerary. After much thought, I came up with a solution, it involved a couple of private stays but if that means I can walk into SdC with a smile rather than hobble, I was game.
Enter Casa da Quinta do Cruzeiro in Fontoura. Shared room (2 of you) for €35 includes dinner and breakfast.
There is a glorious pool, I thought it was just the trick for my poor swollen feet. I called and asked how early I could arrive seeing as I was going to take a taxi, Pedro said arrive any time you like, he needed to be in Porto during the day but that he would arrive back in time to prepare dinner. I turned up at 9am.
First off it was so nice to have all the space to myself for once! I took a shower and didn’t have get dressed while still slightly damp! I washed some stuff and didn’t have to squeeze it in amongst everyone else’s washing. And I got the pool all to myself, it was pure luxury.
Then came dinner, succulent chicken, potatoes, soup and bread. I ate it all, there was too much food for one person but I couldn’t leave it, everything on that chicken that was edible was gone! Then Pedro made me coffee.
To top this all off, no-one else turned up so I have a private room and essentially a private pool. Why have I not heard about this place?!! Pedro was so inviting, gave me plenty of space and has been a smashing host.
If anyone needs a touch of luxury, or much needed R&R, I can 100% recommend this option.
Bonus, it is right on the Camino so you don’t even need to add any extra steps! I’m going to sleep well tonight. Goodnight all! Happy belly signing off
I was going to say Molino Galoches. I was my first day of my first Camino, and I was kind of amazed that I'd made it. We had a full house - 1 American, 1 Canadian, 2 Belgians, 2 Alsatians, 2 Aussies, and a Brazilian. Wonderful dinner, much laughter as we communicated in all our languages, and a great breakfast the next morning before we went on our separate ways.In Villavante the Casa Rural Molino Galoches. I rolled into town after a long hard day of walking. Called the proprietess as I was lost and she promptly came to my rescue. I was there early November, the last night before they closed for the season. Only one in the place. Wonderful home cooked meal. Delightful location on a creek.
I find their stages to be pretty normal. They recommend 12-14 days to walk from Porto to Santiago. There is one long stage of 34 km, but that could be split. Their stages are similar to Gronze.Man I just wanted to warn against the Stingy Nomads blog. Those people must be doing 20-25 miles a DAY. The woman on that blog is a machine. They aren't nomads, they are on the level of professional hikers. Unless you are some kind of elite athlete, I don't think their 'itineraries' are doable.
That is what I thought too! I was going to go read their blog - to verify - but I remembered them having normal/average mileage compared to other pilgrims.I find their stages to be pretty normal. They recommend 12-14 days to walk from Porto to Santiago. There is one long stage of 34 km, but that could be split. Their stages are similar to Gronze.
Of course not everyone can average 25km/15.6 miles a day. But it's up to each individual to gauge their ability and adjust accordingly.
Well, you said most memorable. To me that doesn't necessarily mean lovely or swanky.
The parador win Leon I think was my most memorable!I’ve just had the most amazing meal!
Context: after walking for 6 hours and only getting as far as 12km, I bailed and called a taxi to come get me to take me the next 12km to Ponte de Lima, where I promptly bought a new pair of kicks, yes they were the Hoka Speedgoats.
I was hobbling so badly, I knew I had made the right decision and decided the next day to cab it to my next stop. I realised on day 2 that 25km a day was not doable for me. I have 12 days total to get to SdC and I knew I had to modify the plan, the plan being the Stingy Nomads itinerary. After much thought, I came up with a solution, it involved a couple of private stays but if that means I can walk into SdC with a smile rather than hobble, I was game.
Enter Casa da Quinta do Cruzeiro in Fontoura. Shared room (2 of you) for €35 includes dinner and breakfast.
There is a glorious pool, I thought it was just the trick for my poor swollen feet. I called and asked how early I could arrive seeing as I was going to take a taxi, Pedro said arrive any time you like, he needed to be in Porto during the day but that he would arrive back in time to prepare dinner. I turned up at 9am.
First off it was so nice to have all the space to myself for once! I took a shower and didn’t have get dressed while still slightly damp! I washed some stuff and didn’t have to squeeze it in amongst everyone else’s washing. And I got the pool all to myself, it was pure luxury.
Then came dinner, succulent chicken, potatoes, soup and bread. I ate it all, there was too much food for one person but I couldn’t leave it, everything on that chicken that was edible was gone! Then Pedro made me coffee.
To top this all off, no-one else turned up so I have a private room and essentially a private pool. Why have I not heard about this place?!! Pedro was so inviting, gave me plenty of space and has been a smashing host.
If anyone needs a touch of luxury, or much needed R&R, I can 100% recommend this option.
Bonus, it is right on the Camino so you don’t even need to add any extra steps! I’m going to sleep well tonight. Goodnight all! Happy belly signing off
Would love to hear about it!!!Yes, I’m having one of those memorable ones tonight!
Would love to hear about it!!!
The lessons of the camino are hard won.Ahh, the two golden rules of camping on the Camino. Be wary of green grass and any place near a bell tower. How many times I have been taught that lesson, and I’ve yet to learn it.
I’ve heard about Rabanal, need to get there one day!1. and 2. Rabanal del Camino (Frances) and Bodenaya (Primitivo) for the hospitaleros kindness
3. Casa Vanesa (Primitivo) for kindness and dinner.
What city? I am starting my research/planning of the Portuguese route for next summer.Casa Fernanda (Camino Portuguese)......Anyone having been blessed by their hospitality will understand the family's dedication to pilgrims. Early morning after breakfast as my son and I were leaving...Jacinto (Fernanda's husband) called out to my son and said...."David, look after your father ".....word that warmed my heart then and now.
In the country between Barcelos and Ponte de Lima.What city? I am starting my research/planning of the Portuguese route for next summer.
Of all the towns on all the caminos I have walked Ponte de Lima is my favorite.In the country between Barcelos and Ponte de Lima.
See here for details https://www.gronze.com/portugal/viana-do-castelo/vitorino-dos-piaes/acogida-casa-da-fernanda
Casa Fernanda comes up a lot, what is it about the place that makes it special? The meal? The people? The host? The nightly activities?In the country between Barcelos and Ponte de Lima.
See here for details https://www.gronze.com/portugal/viana-do-castelo/vitorino-dos-piaes/acogida-casa-da-fernanda
I stayed there when I walked the CP this year. It was a very welcoming place, both by Fernanda and her husband, and the other pilgrims. That might have been helped by the presence of two other Australians and that most, if not all, of those staying were reasonably fluent in English. Probably over half of us spoke English as our first language, with a scattering of other European languages.Casa Fernanda comes up a lot, what is it about the place that makes it special? The meal? The people? The host? The nightly activities?
I overheard someone leave and say it was the best, they were singing etc, sounds like my absolute nightmare!
Hearing how hospitable this house was I knocked on the door as I was passing as I was utterly desperate to use the loo, it was around 7-8, I could hear people. She almost turned me away, almost. I think my face must have fallen hard as she changed her mind and dragged to the loo. That was my first experience of Casa Fernanda so I’m not really inclined to go back and stay.
So, please tell me it was an off moment and my experience was not indicative of famous Casa Fernanda
Very true, @dougfitz ..…. I do note, however, that what can be memorable on one camino can be excruciatingly bad when one stays again. Far too much of what makes a place feel good is in the context of the time you stayed, such as the community of the pilgrims you are with and your own circumstances when you stayed. These are clearly not constants.
What city? I am starting my research/planning of the Portuguese route for next summer.
I would not let your relatively short experience with Fernanda deter you from visiting Casa Fernanda when next you walk the CP.
1. and 2. Rabanal del Camino (Frances) and Bodenaya (Primitivo) for the hospitaleros kindness
3. Casa Vanesa (Primitivo) for kindness and dinner.
In keeping with the theme you have started, Casa Fernanda is one of the more memorable places that I have stayed. I do note, however, that what can be memorable on one camino can be excruciatingly bad when one stays again. Far too much of what makes a place feel good is in the context of the time you stayed, such as the community of the pilgrims you are with and your own circumstances when you stayed. These are clearly not constants.
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?