Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela

[mikemm]

Hi all

we’d like to go to Camino in first half of May and I’d like to ask you some questions:

we will start in Porto, but we have only 8 days. Do you think it is enough, or can you recommend me some better start point? Or how many kilometers per day is optimum?
about sellos – is it right, than we can get them in all churches along the way, during all the day?
and last question (I hope ) is about accomodation – where I can get a list/map with accomodation for pilgrims? Do you have any good/bad experiences?

Thank you very much

[ksam]

Mike you've come to the mother lode!! I certainly can't answer any of your questions...as they are so much like the ones I had a few months ago. But this web forum is a terrific source of information and inspiration!! Just keep checking some of the different topics and I'm sure you'll stumble on the answers! We're going in late May...so I guess we won't cross paths, BUT...should you be in Tui around the 23rd of May...perhaps we will!

Wishing you Buen Camino,
Karin

[Olga]

Hallo mikemm,
have a look at the Camino Portuguese Guide by John Brierley,
highly recommended.
Have a look at the link in this section,
Pilgrimage from Valenca to Santiago di C. in Sep 19 - 25
We arrived at Porto, there is a direct bus from the aeroport to Galicia.
We started pilgrimage in Valenca and reached Santiago di C. in 6 days /approx. 125 km/.
Albergues: Valenca - Porrino - Redondela - Pontevedra - Briallos - Padron - Santiago di C. /Seminario Menor/.
Sellos are available in all churches, caffees, bakeries, police stations, information points, albergues - there is no problem with them along the route.
And I recommend you to spend the spare days in Santiago.
Buen Caminho,
Olga

[mikemm]

to karin:

unfotunately not, we have to be in Santiago latest on 16th because of our flight home but I wish you buen camino too

to olga:

Thank you for info, now I'm satisfied and I can prepare myself with clear mind

Buen Camino to all

Mike

[Javier Martin]

Hello, Mikemm,

I walked from Barcelos in just 6 days on winter 4 years ago. From Porto to Barcelos you need 2 days.

But, 6 days for beginning in Barcelos may be too hard. Because from Ponte de Lima to Tuy you would have walking 42 km, the day before another 33 ...

I suggest you to begin in Barcelos, to enjoy to very beautiful cities of Ponte de Lima, Valença de Minho and Tui, La Serra do Labruja, and ... everything.

You can download a free guide about the Camino Portuguese from http://www.amigosdelcamino.com in spanish or portuguese, written during the spring of 2,007.

Buen Camino,

Javier Martin
Madrid, Spain.

[cruiser]

Hi all,
just finished the Camino and I took John Brierlys advise and I got the 602 ( was the 87 or 71 ) slow airport bus from Porto to Guaderes which is outside Porto. You miss all that horrible Industrial Area walking. Then it is a pleasant 25 k walk to the great Albergue in Rates. I would have to say that were I advising people on this Camino I would tell them to start in Puenta de Lima. I know its a kind of cheat but you miss miles and miles of often BUSY narrow road walking, and for me this would be the ideal place to start . After Puenta de Lima its really pleasant country walking and its about 8 days to Santiago . Country lanes, forests, orange groves, streams etc etc. . Buen camino

[ksam]

Cruiser, Thank you!!

We have 15 days and a wake up!! We have to still finalize our exact launch spot and determine how far each day ! Our return flight is on June 1st...so all told we have at least 7-8 days...but are planning around 6 -7 for actual walking...Will probably check back with you and pick your brains some more!

Gracias, Karin