Caminho de Santiago de Compostela!

23 a 30 de setembro 2024

How about cycling the Way of Saint James? Or better yet, on an e-bike?

Vamos descobrir o Caminho Português Central, passando por belíssimas vilas históricas e paisagens lindíssimas. Esse é atualmente um dos Caminhos mais usados por grande número de peregrinos, primeiramente pela sua acessibilidade, pois é um Caminho mais plano e menos exigente fisicamente do que outros Caminhos e também porque não deixa nada a desejar em relação à beleza da natureza e das cidades históricas.

Pilgrimages to Santiago date back to the 9th century, when the tomb of the apostle Santiago o Maior was discovered. Since then, people of all nationalities have ventured on various and diverse paths, taking risks and hardships, to make their way to Santiago de Compostela and venerate the Saint.

The reasons that still drive so many people to do the Camino are many, like tourism and sport, but mainly the spiritual side. We will have these three reasons in one trip. It is a pilgrimage, by its very origin, of great spirituality, and even the most pragmatic do not fail to be infected by the atmosphere of peace and free spirit that surround the Way. And even the less sporty feel comfortable, because we always have the option of an electric bike and a support van.In addition to these factors, the natural beauty of the Camino, which we ride along along ancient roads with their historical Roman bridges and their villages with houses, churches, and cathedrals that mark the time, always gives us new sensations.

DATAS

23 a 30 de setembro

BASIC INFORMATION

from 2490 €

Countries

Portugal
Spain

Departure

Porto

Arrival

Santiago de Compostela

Total Distance

267 km

Nº of Days

7/8 nights

Participants

7 - 14

  • Porto
  • Barcelos
  • Ponte de Lima
  • Valença
  • Tui
  • Pontevedra
  • Padrón
  • Santiago de Compostela
  • 1º dia: –
  • Day 2: 55 km
  • 3º dia: 35 km
  • 4º dia: 45 km
  • Day 5: 55 km
  • Day 6: 40 km
  • Day 6: 24 km
  • 8º dia: –
  • The Way
  • 2 countries: Portugal and Spain
  • the pilgrims on the way
  • a cidade de Porto
  • historical villages
  • many churches
  • replica of the portuguese naus
  • north coast of portugal
  • the city of Santiago de Compostela
  • the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
  • 7 noites em hotéis de boa categoria 
  • 7 breakfasts
  • Manutenção e assistência mecânica das bicicletas
  • Accompaniment by a guide during the entire trip
  • 2 x wine tasting
  • Luggage transport
  • 3 dinners
  • 3 almoços (menu peregrino) ou piqueniques
  • 2 wine tastings
  • Guided Tour in Porto
  • Guided Tour in Santiago de Compostela
  • Seguro de responsabilidade civil durante o tour 
  • Camisa de ciclismo

Price per person: 

2490 € em quarto duplo
acréscimo de 390 € em quarto individual

Normal bike: 190 €
E-bike: 290 €

*helmet and bag included

*mínimo de 7 participantes para esses valores

*acima de 10 participantes todos os jantares serão inclusos

*para menos de 7 participantes esses valores sofrerão alteração e será cobrado na última parcela do seu pagamento ou até 33 dias antes da data da viagem.

Day 1: Porto

The city of Porto was built on the banks of the hills of the Douro River.

Its historical center was classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996, but the Romans already referred to it in the 4th century as Portus Calle.

On the first day of our trip, in the afternoon, our guide will be waiting for us at the hotel reception. We gather the whole group and go on a short walking city tour through the historical area of Porto to the Ribeira.

On the other side of the river, at Ribeira de Gaia, we will have the opportunity to do a Port wine tasting (according to the group's arrival time). This will be followed by a tasty welcome dinner.

The city of Porto is beautiful and very lively. If you have not yet been there and have the time, we advise you to arrive a day before the start of our trip to enjoy it more fully.

2º dia: Porto - BARCELOS

After breakfast, we go to Sé do Porto and there we receive our pilgrim's passports to be stamped during the Way. But right there in the Cathedral we receive our first stamp. What an excitement! Many pilgrims are gathering there to begin the Way. It is contagious!

Recebemos nossas bicicletas na praça em frente a Sé e fazemos um pequeno treinamento. Recebemos as primeiras instruções e então estamos prontos para partir por sete dias de descontração numa bela aventura de peregrinação em bicicleta!

And from the heights of the Cathedral Square, from where we have a beautiful view of the city of Porto, we set off through the picturesque streets of the city to Ribeira Square, where we meet the Douro River, which will be our guide to its mouth.

Already on the first pedal strokes "someone" wishes us “buen Camino”, a "good ride”!

Passamos por típicas aldeias e  onde vamos saborear uma refeição típica da região.

As setas e os símbolos da vieira também nos indicam o Caminho que devemos seguir e o nosso destino de hoje é a cidade histórica medieval de Barcelos. O caminho de hoje é prazeroso e na bicicleta elétrica se torna ainda mais agradável.

O galo de Barcelos bem ao lado da igreja nos deixa curiosos. Vamos entender a sua história.

3° dia: Barcelos - Ponte de Lima

Após um suntuoso café da manhã, começamos nosso passeio em direção a Ponte de Lima!

Passamos por um mar de vinhedos e todas as nuances de verde. É simplesmente contagiante viajar por uma natureza tão mágica! E de bicicleta experimentamos tudo muito mais intensamente. Até nosso piquenique é simplesmente mágico.
O nosso destino de hoje, depois de 34 km, é a cidade medieval de Ponte de Lima, uma das cidades mais antigas de Portugal. E é um verdadeiro charme.

É conhecida também pelo famoso Vinho Verde, pois estamos nas Terras do Vinho Verde e é lógico que  uma degustação de vinhos não pode faltar.

Ponte de Lima é uma das cidades mais antigas de Portugal. E é um verdadeiro charme.

Nosso pequeno grupo se tornou uma comunidade de amigos, então a degustação de vinhos é realmente muito divertida. 

Apreciando essas paisagens, chegamos pela icónica Ponte Eiffel sobre o rio Lima, ao destino final de hoje, a bela Cidade de Ponte de Lima.

Hoje fizemos 48 quilômetros ao longo de um dia cheio de emoções. Podemos aproveitar o nosso SPA do hotel para relaxar.

4º dia: Ponte de Lima - Valença - Tui

Saímos de Ponte de Lima pedalando pela bela ponte de pedras sobre o rio Minho e continuamos por um belo caminho e descobriremos moinhos e fortalezas.

Along the way there are several little churches that we visit and where we stamp our passports. But it is not only a stamp, it is always an act with a lot of emotion.

We arrive in Caminha, former bastion of defense against Spanish and French, now better known for its beaches, festivals and pilgrimages. In Caminha we will have free time for lunch and to stroll through the streets of the historical center, climb the walls, visit the Mother Church of Caminha and the Clock Tower. It is a cozy town.

We continue our tour by bicycle, but again, if you prefer, you can get in the van and relax.

We arrive in Valença do Minho, a graceful fortress-town overlooking the Minho River. On the other side of the river, we can already see Spain, the city of Tui, which will welcome us tonight.

5º dia: Tui - Pontevedra

Leaving Tui, the Camino takes us through a mix of woods and secondary roads without traffic, to Porriño and then Redondela, where we pause for lunch.

The wishes for a "Buen Camino" that were heard today have multiplied. The spirit of the Camino overwhelms us. 

Today's destination is the city of Pontevedra, considered by many to be the capital of the Portuguese Way of Saint James in Galician lands.

The Shrine of the Pilgrim Virgin is beautiful, built in the shape of a scallop. Here we will stamp our passports again and perhaps attend a holy mass. 

Our hotel is right in the historical center of the city, where the lively Plaza de Ferreria awaits us with plenty of animation and vibrant energy!

6º dia: Pontevedra - Padron

We leave the historical area of Pontevedra towards the riverfront and cross the Lérez River over yet another Roman bridge. There are several beautiful and ancient bridges on our Way.

In this part of our journey we are accompanied by the bucolic rural landscapes of Galicia, where there is no shortage of refreshing streams. We also highlight the passage in Mount Albor.

We take a lunch break in Caldas de Reys, a spa area that, like the town, dates back to Roman times.

We now continue on to Padrón, one of the most important stopping points on the Way to Santiago. According to legend, it was here in Padrón that the boat carrying the remains of the Apostle Santiago from Jaffa arrived in 44 AD. A visit to the Church of Santiago de Padrón is almost obligatory. Under the altar is the stone - or padrón - to which the barge was attached.

In the hot springs of Las Burgas, we comfort our feet. And we can't help but taste the delicious delicacies, the pimientos de Padrón.

7º dia: Padron - Santiago de Compostela

We are now reaching the final destination. In these last kilometers, a mixture of emotions embraces us, the desire to reach Santiago de Compostela and, at the same time, not wishing our Way to end!

And suddenly, in the blink of an eye, there we are, in the Plaza del Obradoiro in Santiago de Compostela, in that immense square full of visitors and other pilgrims, in front of the majestic cathedral. What emotion! An emotion that is mixed with the emotions of the other pilgrims, coming from all corners of the world. Hugs, tears of joy, tears of conquests, laughter of happiness, and more hugs and sparkles in the eyes. Happiness stamped on the faces of all the pilgrims for this exciting achievement! Yes, a beautiful feeling when a dream comes true!

The always exciting group photo with the beautiful cathedral in the background is not to be missed! Wow! So much joy!

We come to the hotel and have to say goodbye to our bikes. It is hard to leave them, but at this point we practice the letting go that Santiago has preached so much about and we separate from these that, during this entire week, have been our tireless companions: our bikes.

After a well-deserved rest at the hotel, we go out for a short walk around the city and we all go together to our farewell dinner and enjoy the moment to reminisce with our new friends about the adventures we experienced along the way.

That was a "buen Camino"!

8° dia: Santiago de Compostela

Santiago is a beautiful city, full of monuments and picturesque streets. We are going to use this morning to explore it a little more before the pilgrim's mass, held every day at noon. This mass, especially prayed for all the pilgrims that arrive here, is a unique experience that we should not miss. 

Today we no longer have bicycles, there are no more trails and bike paths, and we no longer follow arrows. But we are certainly going to miss that "Buen Camino"!

"We leave the Camino but the Camino never leaves us!"

This trip, as described above, is subject to changes without prior notice, if necessary, for various reasons.