Camino Portugues - A delightful seaside adventure exploring ancient paths

PORTUGUESE CAMINO

Fecha: Viernes 19 de septiembre de 2025

Horario: 16:00

START LOCATIONS: Hotel Duoro Porto

This adventure retreat is 8 nights, meaning you will drop deeply into the daily step-by-step ritual. Imagine leaving your busy life behind for an extended period, so that you gift yourself some much-needed life contemplation. Taking time away from life, challenges, problems and "stuff" gives us space to see and feel things from a different perspective. The path will work its special magic on you - while your body and legs do the walking, your heart and soul will do the talking. Connect to the power of thousands who have walked before you carrying something in their heart to heal, release or bring forth through this sacred walking. I'm excited to see where the path leads, what treasures you stumble across, the delicious local food you get to savor and the meaningful conversations you will strike up as we explore the path ahead together.
It is just sheer bliss knowing all you have to carry is your light rucksack as your main luggage gets transferred daily.

This is Portugal and Spain in style!

After a delicious local breakfast we get ready to explore today's path following the seaside (Litoral del Norte) Camino route from Porto to Santiago de Compostela. This is an epic 15-night adventure covering 158 kilometres that will be sure to wear some tread off your favourite walking boots and put a sparkle back in your heart!

We stop regularly to soak up the majestic coastal views and resting our feet while eating the best local food for lunch. Think authentic barbeques with catch of the day and local vegetables grilled to perfection. Or of course, another yummy coffee and Pasteis de Nata to fuel a few more kilometers. That's my favourite time of day - a sweet and caffeine treat! We fill up our water bottles from drinking fountains or streams and learn about the local culture from our local bilingual guide. It's a delight to explore the treasures we come across - symbols, churches, murals, sculptures and sacred pilgrim markers.

Each day varies from 13 - 30 km walking traversing different landscapes that
offer insights, culture, beauty, laughter and connection - as well as making room in
our bellies for the local pilgrims' feasts of food after a long day exploring! All that fresh air, talking and exploring will make us hungry for sure.

Each night you can explore the villages and towns to soak up local life and all the hidden gems around each corner - or rest up for the next day ahead.

Any irresistible shopping you do en route can just be popped into your main luggage without you having to worry about carrying the extra weight every day.

WHAT TO EXPECT!!!
Use the art of walking to celebrate & contemplate - past, present & future
Reconnect to joy and fun as you let your adventurous side play
Learn to trust yourself again as you follow your inner compass north
Be inspired by the visual feast of art en route - sand, symbols, shells
Communicate with your heart and body again - seeking the treasures in each moment
To reconnect to aspects of yourself perhaps forgotten, hidden, lost ....
To breathe life and passion into your new life on the horizon
Acknowledge and integrate a recent 'goodbye' and letting go
Use walking as a daily ritual step-by-step
Give form and space to a new 'hello' arising in your life
Honor a special time or significant celebration
Mark your birthday or anniversary
Open your heart to new possibilities

ALLOW YOURSELF TO CELEBRATE YOUR LIFE!

WHAT'S INCLUDED

8 nights Accommodation 3* hotels ALL en suite rooms
8 group Dinners – Pilgrim Style wholesome, nutritious, filling!
8 Local style Breakfast to set us up for the walk ahead
Intentional morning process to focus each day
Evening connection and reflection

Kate and Corlene on hand for personal attention, support and inspiration
Bi-lingual local guide to maximise local cultural knowledge en route and ensure we never get lost
Luggage transfers daily – only need to walk with your small day-pack
Holiday Tour Pack on your phone with maps etc.
24-hour support backup through our reputable Camino partners
Camino passport and Pilgrims Service in Santiago Cathedral
Transfer to Santiago airport for your departure home

Expect a few delightful surprises along the way!

​WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED:

Flights or travel to Portugal and from Spain
Transfer to our Porto hotel (arrive at a time suitable to your international travel plans)
Lunches -we pause en route for rest and local sustenance
Additional beverages /alcohol
Gratuity for the guide/staff
Items of a personal nature e.g. optional Restorative Massage upon arrival in Santiago
Medical and Travel insurance (recommended)
Visas where required

YOUR SPECTACULAR ITINERARY

• Day 1 - PORTO ARRIVAL

Start your Camino de Santiago journey in gorgeous and colorful Porto, with its UNESCO-listed old town, picturesque riverfront and home to Port wine. Discover the best of Portuguese hospitality as we connect with each other before your walk on the Portuguese Coastal Way!
We get a good night’s sleep ahead of our early and exciting start tomorrow.

• Day 2 - Povoa de Varzim – 25km

Today we take the Metro to Matosinhos to avoid the outskirts of Porto and reach the coast to start our Camino walk. Get off at the ‘Mercado’ stop. You will walk following the coastline, passing fishing villages, forts and chapels, the prehistoric castro of San Paio and of course, beautiful sandy beaches.

• Day 3 - Esposende – 22km

Enjoy a stroll along the pretty Póvoa de Varzim harbour and explore its medieval district before you continue your Camino. Walk up to the Convento de Santa Clara to discover the best views of the town and the surrounding coast. On your way to Esposende you will pass the popular seaside town of Póvoa de Varzim with its sandy beachfront and cross the Coastal Natural Park, Parque Natural do Litoral Norte.

• Day 4 - Viana do Castelo – 24km

Today you will continue your Camino coastal walk from Esposende, across the Coastal Natural Park, on your way to Viana do Castelo. Take the opportunity to taste the local cuisine, explore the historic center of town and take the funicular to the Basílica de Santa Luzía for great views. Legend has it that the Romans were so impressed by Viana’s beauty when they reached the town in the first century BC that they thought they had reached the paradise.

• Day 5 - Vila Praia de Ancora – 19km

Today you will leave Viana do Castelo and continue along the beautiful Atlantic coastline heading North. Today is quite an easy day, giving you plenty of time to enjoy a relaxed pace and have enough time to make the most of the seaside villages and towns along the way. You will stay in the coastal town Vila Praia de Ancora.

• Day 6 - A Guarda – 13km

From Vila Praia de Ancora you will continue on your coastal Camino towards Caminha, right by the Minho estuary, where the River meets the Atlantic. From Caminha, you will take the ferry-boat Santa Rita de Cássia across the river Minho to Galicia. There are about 10 crossings per day from Caminha to A Guarda (schedule varies depending on the season). Ticket fare not included in the holiday package. From the ferry to can continue straight to A Guarda or take a detour along the estuary for great coastal views (4km longer). If you have time, once you reach A Guarda, take a visit to its famous hilltop ‘castro’, celtic settlement.

• Day 7 - Baiona – 30km

From the fishing village of A Guarda, your path continues northwards where you will be afforded some more breathtaking views of the ocean on your left. Tonight you will reach the busy seaside town of Baiona with its gorgeous marina. While in Baiona, visit one of the towns attractions such as the Museo de la Carabela Pinta and the Monumento Encuentro entre dos Mundos.

• Day 8 - Bus Transfer to Padron

After our hearty breakfast we hop in the transfer bus and get dropped off at Padron, while our luggage goes on to the capital. Together we walk the final stretch of our Camino into Santiago de Compostela.

• Day 8 continued - Padron to Santiago de Compostela – 25km

A glorious 25 km walk takes us all the way from Padron into Santiago de Compostela at the end of our epic pilgrimage traversing two countries. It is a gem of a city: small enough to be explored and be discovered on foot but always vibrant and lively. Wander the cobbled streets of its UNESCO-listed old town, go for a stroll in the Alameda Park and discover regional flavours in the local market (Mercado de Abastos) and the many restaurants and bars.

The Pilgrim Passport is something you will take with you as you walk along the Camino de Santiago. The Pilgrim Passport has panels with boxes where you can collect the different stamps along the way. These are usually collected by pilgrims in the place where they sleep such as an Albergue or hotel but they can also be obtained in churches, town halls and many other places along the routes to Santiago.
Before our farewell dinner we will attend the pilgrim's service in the Cathedral- a fitting end to our beautiful journey.

• Day 9 - Departure from Santiago de Compostela

Last-minute shopping or another visit to the cathedral before transferring to the airport for your departure. If you wish to stay on in the city this can be arranged- speak to me about this when booking.

YOUR INVESTMENT

Shared Twin Room: £2990 pp
Single Room: £3390 pp

Deposit of £1000 secures your place
2nd payment £1000 due 30th April 2025
Full Balance payable by 15th July 2025

Single rooms limited to 5 spaces only!
TC's to be signed upon application
Arrangements can be made for monthly installments to spread payments out!
Note: if you are traveling solo we will pair you up with a suitable roommate for twin room option

WHO WILL SIMPLY LOVE THIS CAMINO!!

If you are a water baby then this route is definitely for you! You LOVE the healing and inspirational energy of the seaside - salty air, cooling sea breeze, crashing waves, coastal flora, sand-dunes, exquisite water and sand to gaze at while you contemplate life. This route hugs the Portuguese and Spanish coastline, rivers and estuaries until we turn inland for the last stretch to Santiago de Compostela.

You relish the idea of exploring two different cultures. Portugal is a country full of wonders — charming castles, pristine beaches, and a metropolitan capital spattered in remnants of the past if you happen to visit Lisbon too. Its buildings are covered in thousands of intricately decorated hand-made tiles in countless colors and patterns. The food is humble, fresh and always elevating local ingredients and simple flavors to their greatest potential — and its pastries are divine recipes concocted by nuns. Its people are friendly, kind and helpful - especially when walking the Camino - they are always on hand to show the way by waving in the direction of the next bit of path.

reveling
Spain is all about the food, colours, passion and the vibrant local food markets The Spanish are all about savouring and not rushing - to take their time, and to deliberately appreciate the world, people and food ! From absorbing the architecture or reveling in a siesta before walking the final part of the day, will you listen to the call to slow down a bit?

You are also guaranteed laughter, insights, tears, amazing conversation, delicious food from two different cultures, and a truly memorable journey with Kate and Corlene!
Make lifelong friends formed by walking, eating and exploring life together. Your life and outlook simply cannot be the same after walking 158 kilometers!

You will be interested in joining Kate and Corlene if you...
Have always wanted to walk this beautiful seaside route from Portugal into Spain
You don't fancy doing this amazing trip solo - sharing with like-minded folk will be awesome.
You appreciate unique experiences along the journey as we uncover the magic of each day
You love details being expertly taken care of by professionals so you can just BE
You are looking to meet some interesting new people and deepen connections
Make special memories by walking with a friend or relative
Ready to have an adventure and walk with something sacred in your heart
Focus on having fun and connecting to yourself and others
You LOVE that your luggage will magically reach your next destination
Appreciate the guidance of locals and experts to make the most of your trip
You are excited to get walking "fit" before heading off in September 2025!

Who WON'T appreciate this unique trip?
Please don't join us if you are not interested in having a good basic level of walking fitness to appreciate the daily route. If you are reading this far down the page, surely this doesn't describe you, right? It is also vital to be able to shift between solo and shared time. Be willing to spend some time on your own walking in silence for maximum daily introspection, as well as engaging in shared conversations over group meals.