Whether it be a conscious spiritual pilgrimage or just an opportunity to get away and move at a slower pace for a while. Walking, being present only to what is in front of you, quieting your mind, finding your peace within is the experience of the Camino.
You cannot help but be transformed by this journey. The walking can be challenging for the body, but as we reach our destinations, a different town and hotel each day, there is your luggage and a clean comfortable room waiting to welcome you for the evening. Typically there is plenty of time to rest, take a hot shower, explore the town and try the local cuisine. And the best part is meeting up with your fellow travelers and exchanging the days stories over a nice meal.
This was my first Camino experience and it is a great way to go if you have the time and the inclination. But as many of us do not have that kind of time there are many other ways to do the Camino in a shorter time period. There really are no rules or regulations, everyone’s Camino is unique and personal and can be deeply transformational.
As we celebrate in Santiago and contemplate our return home, we realize somehow we are changed. We are ready for the next steps on our life journey and know deep within our souls that with love and an open heart and an open mind all things are possible!
We will be a group of 10-14 people, the group naturally splits up into smaller groups walking together or alone. The Camino is very safe and supported by the local people, who are always willing and delighted to help with directions and advice!
Please note-there is ALWAYS a cab option for part, or all of the day. The only rule is to listen to your body and only do what feels right, safe and fun for you!
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Itinerary
Day 1 ~ Arrival in Porto Portugal
Arrival and welcome dinner in Porto Portugal, a coastal city located on the Duoro River in northern Portugal. Porto is quickly becoming a top tourist destination in Europe, even being called a little Paris. It is famous for its Port wine production and houses, which line the beautiful river. A river boat tour is a must! We will dine on local specialties and meet our fellow pilgrims. I highly recommend arriving at least one day ahead to explore this soulful city.
“But the beauty is in the walking-we are betrayed by destinations”
Gwyn Thomas
Day 2 ~ Viana Do Castelo
We will take a short train ride to Viana Do Castelo, another gorgeous town in northern Portugal known as the jewel of the Costa Verde. After checking into our hotel you will have the afternoon to explore, and rest up for our walk tomorrow! Dinner is on your own with many fine choices.
“All truly great thoughts are conceived while walking.”
Friedrich Nietzsche
Day 3 ~ Vila Praia de Ancora
We begin our Camino this morning after breakfast. Today our walk is approximately 12 miles along the beautiful Atlantic coastline. Our destination is Vila Praia de Ancora, another beautiful little city on the sea.
“If we are facing in the right direction, all we have to do is keep walking.”
Zen proverb
Day 4 ~ A Guarda
We continue along the coastline approximately 8 miles today walking to Caminha where we leave Portugal and take a short ferry ride, crossing over the river Minho to the Galicia region of Spain. A short walk and we arrive at A Guarda, a fishing village, known for it lobsters! A late lunch or dinner is included today at our fabulous hotel restaurant.
“I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in.”
John Muir
Day 5 ~ Oia is Viladesuso
Our miles today are approximately 10, a highlight, besides the stunning coastline, is the small town of Oia famous for the beautiful monastery on the sea. This is a great place to stop for lunch or a snack. Our destination, just a few miles past Oia is Viladesuso, and hate to say it… another small town with gorgeous views of the ocean.Day 6 ~ Baiona
More walking along the coastline to Baiona a very quaint seaside town with many great Restaurants on the harbor, known for their seafood and Albarino white wine. A must see is the Baiona Parador, a historic hotel on the cliff as you enter town. Explore this town for a bit, have a snack or lunch. Another mile of walking, we stay in Nigran, and you guessed it… a seaside paradise! Pristine beaches and fabulous restaurants are on the menu here!
“Walk as if you are kissing the earth with your feet.”
Thich Nhat Hanh
Day 7 ~ Baiona-Redondela
Today we take a short bus ride to our starting point for our 8 mile walk into Redondela. Here the Camino meets up with the central Portuguese route, and we will encounter many more pilgrims from here to Santiago. It is a real treat to meet people from all over the world walking the Camino. A friendly “Buen Camino” is the official greeting! Our hotel tonight is on the Vigo Estuary is quite lovely, and dinner is included in their highly-rated restaurant.
“Adopt the pace of nature. Her secret is patience.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Day 8 ~ Redondela to Pontevedra
11 miles. Today we head inland on the original Portuguese route. Our path today takes us through peaceful vineyards and eucalyptus woods. We arrive in the historic riverside city of Pontevedra. The Camino runs right through the center of town, and a must-see is the Santuario de Paragrina (pilgrim chapel). This beautiful 18th-century chapel has a floor plan in the shape of a scallop shell and is considered one of the great treasures of the Camino.
“If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay home.”
James A Michener
Day 9 ~ Pontevedra
A well-deserved day of rest. Lots of options include getting a massage, shopping, church and museum hopping, reading, and writing in your journal.
“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.”
Helen Keller
Day 10 ~ Pontevedra to Caldas de Rei
An early start today as we have 12 miles of walking to the town of Caldas de Reis. Located on the river Umia, this town is known for it’s thermal waters, and people have been coming here for years to soak and find “the cure”.
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
Lao-Tzu
Day 11 ~ Caldas de Reis to Padron
Caldas de Reis to Padron, 10 miles. The route today is split between natural pathways and quiet country roads, with several opportunities to stop for a café con leche and snack, before arriving at Padron, where according to legend, the stone ship with the body of the apostle James was moored. We will have a wonderful dinner at our historic hotel tonight, which may feature the famous Padron peppers!
“Not all who wander are lost.”
J.R.R. Tolkein
Day 12 ~ Padron to Teo
Today we walk 8 miles to the very small town of Teo. The casa rural inn is a real treat with an excellent chef! Dinner included.
“He who would travel happily must travel light.”
Antoine de St. Exupery
Day 13 ~ Teo to Santiago
Our last day of walking. 8 miles and we arrive at our final destination Santiago de Compostela. Arriving early you may choose to attend the noon Pilgrim’s mass. We have plenty of time today for souvenir shopping, getting your Compostela (certificate of completion), and soaking in our pilgrimage. There are many great restaurants in Santiago!
“An end is only a beginning in disguise.”
Craig D Lounsbrough
Day 14 ~ Farewell
Breakfast and farewell. Fly out of Santiago.
“An end is only a beginning in disguise.”
Craig D Lounsbrough
What’s Included
- 13 NIGHTS ACCOMMODATIONS IN 3 AND 4 STAR HOTELS. The finest on this route!
- ALL BREAKFASTS
- 5 DINNERS INCLUDING HOUSE WINE
- 1 TRAIN RIDE OUT OF PORTO TO OUR STARTING POINT OF VIANA DO CASTELA
- DAILY LUGGAGE TRANSPORT-1 PIECE-40 LBS MAX OR $100 EXTRA
- PILGRIM PASSPORT AND SCALLOP SHELL
- DAILY MAPS AND INFO
- THE ROUTE IS MAPPED OUT AT WALKING 7-13 MILES PER DAY W/ AN AVERAGE OF 10 *
* IMPORTANT NOTE:
THIS IS CONSIDERED A LEVEL 3 OUT OF 5, SO YOU SHOULD BE IN DECENT PHYSICAL SHAPE. THAT SAID, THERE IS ALWAYS THE OPTION OF TAKING A CAB ALL OR PART OF THE WAY EACH DAY.
What’s Not Included
- AIRFARE
- MEALS/FOOD THAT IS NOT INCLUDED ABOVE
- NOTE: TYPICALLY ALONG THE WAY THERE ARE VERY REASONABLY PRICED CAFES, TAPAS, AND SNACKS
- OPTIONAL CAB RIDES
- NOTE: USUALLY CABS WILL ONLY BE 3-6 MILES AND IF SHARED, REALLY NOT TOO MANY EUROS
Pricing & Terms
Being that every journey is custom, Jennifer would like to personally assist you with any questions you may have and/or if you would like to sign up. Please give a call or email and she promises respond within 24 hours.
Trip Cost:
$3,900 USD Single Occupancy or $3,200 USD Double Occupancy
* A $500 deposit is required to hold your space. This deposit is non-refundable unless we can fill your spot.
* Final payment is due 45 before the trip start date.
* This is non-refundable unless we can fill your spot.
* Payments accepted via Checks, Cash, Venmo and Zelle (an additional 4 percent is added for credit card purchases )
Cancellation Fees
- 46-60 days prior to trip: 50% of the trip price will be refunded
- 31-45 days prior to trip: 25% of the trip price will be refunded
- 0-30 days prior to trip: no refund
Travel insurance is highly recommended.
We reserve the right to cancel this trip if there are not sufficient participants. We will know this in advance and recommend not buying your plane tickets until confirmation.
As the Camino can be unpredictable, Winn Journeys has the right to change the itinerary as needed.
Responsibility Clause
Winn Journeys acts as a tour operator. The suppliers providing transportation, sightseeing arrangements and hotel accommodations for the tour program are independent contractors and are not agents or employees of Winn Journeys. All coupons, receipts, and tickets issued are subject to the terms and conditions specified by suppliers. By utilizing the service of the suppliers, you agree that Winn Journeys will not be liable for any change in schedule, strikes, delay, acts of governments, fires, riots, theft, pilferage, epidemics, quarantine, medical or customs regulations, accident, loss, injury, or damage to you or to those traveling with you in connection with any accommodations, transportation or any other services or resulting directly or indirectly from any occurrence or conditions beyond its control, including defects in vehicles, breakdown in equipment, thefts, delay or cancellation of or changes in itinerary for any act, omission, or event during our time together.
Winn Journeys and suppliers contracted for services reserve the right to refuse to accept or retain any person whose behavior is deemed likely to affect the smooth operations of a tour or adversely affect the enjoyment or safety of other passengers. Winn Journeys shall be under no liability to any such person for refund, compensation, repatriation or any other matters arising. Winn Journeys is not responsible for circumstances beyond its control. Trip cancellations resulting from the inability for trip to depart as scheduled, such as cancellations due to acts of war and/or terrorism, war, God, or nature.
A Day in the Life of a Pilgrim
Read an actual day from Jennifers journal.
Dinner last night at a restaurant around the corner from the hotel it was nice but again was too late for me to eat. Garlic soup, a broth filled with rich peppers onions and garlic very, light and comforting, I must try this at home. Then a delicious grilled chicken skewer very simple infused with smoky garlicky flavor. when asked if I wanted red or white, which always comes with the Pilgrim meal, I said red, they came over and put a whole bottle of local red on the table, no label and it was delicious!
This morning I had a lovely breakfast at the hotel and out at 8 AM. Only a few other pilgrims starting out this morning. A nice temperature with light cloud cover, perfect for walking. As I was leaving town a sweet local women around 80 years old stopped and looked at me with the most kind loving smile. She said hola, buenos dias, Buen Camino, and then she started walking with me for a bit, showing and pointing the way, although it was very clearly marked. Such a sweet supportive simple gesture, she just wanted to help be of service to a pilgrim. As I waved goodbye and thank her, I cried.
I walked through more wheat fields filled with vibrant red poppies and other wildflowers white, yellow, and purple. Walking through vineyards with baby grapes, the first stages of a delicious Rioja wine. The way today was quiet, I passed a few pilgrims and several more passed me. At one point I heard English behind me and knew that Americans were coming, as they approached the guy handed me a peach, and we said Buen Camino, American? Yes they responded where from California, me too, where? Palm Springs OMG wow me too! what a small world. This was my meeting of Heather and Craig. We walked and talked for a few miles, I took a break after a steep uphill and they moved on. As I finally made it into town my feet aching once again I sat and changed into my sandals. Heather and Craig came up behind me and sat with me handed me their contact info and hoped to see each other again. ( note> we have….and remain good friends!)
I found my hotel, it was OK a bit noisy but clean and once again the innkeeper was very kind. I showered and tried to nap to no avail so went out into town to try and find some inserts for my boots take some photos and wait for dinner hour. It is quite busy where I am, so head back to the quieter Square and find my spot for a glass of wine and writing. A patio at the gorgeous Parador hotel, beautiful and majestic, why am I not staying here? It is all perfect I know but I need to research and stay at one of these historic hotels soon. It is peaceful, church bells just rang at 6 PM, locals just returning from siesta, Sun high and bright, mothers with strollers and small children. And of course you can always tell who the pilgrims are, because they have changed into their sandals and they are all limping along slowly . How lucky I am, thank you is all that is needed.
Back to the hotel, I had arranged for a 7 PM dinner, early for this area. The innkeeper was waiting for me and invited me downstairs to the dining room, it was only me there, she brought local red wine and water, a small plate of tapas and a large plate of vegetables, green beans, carrots sliced potatoes, a bit overcooked but still fresh vegetables was a very nice treat. And bread of course bread, bread all the time with every meal! The next course was a salad, simple and then chicken. She said in broken English, this is my specialty Pollo con salsa, it was absolutely delicious! she came and asked me how it was and in my broken Spanish I said yes yes very good, muy Bien! then she came and we tried communicating through gestures. I had my translator and said ” I feel your heart in your food.” I don’t know if she knew exactly what I was trying to say, but she smiled, no words were necessary.
Nobody else ever came for dinner I felt honored and taken care of. We said our good nights and off to bed I went, feeling blessed and grateful, I slept like a baby.
Praise!
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