April 2024 - Women only Camino - Valença to Santiago
Want to join a guided women only Camino Group?
In conjunction with our friends in Stein Travel in Tralee, we have just the trip for you!
Join our group to walk the last 100km of the Camino Portugués, from April 21st to 28th, 2024. Our group will be led by Alison Boardman, an experience group leader and walker.
The final section of the Camino Portugués is a lovely blend of having enough people around you to experience the Camino “buzz” though yet not so busy that there isn’t plenty of opportunity for some peaceful walking.
Walking this section over 6 days means that the average distance per day is a little lower than usual, thus making it a very accessible week for first-time Camino experience.
Contact us now for more details – first come first served!
- April 21st - 28th, 2024 (Sunday - Sunday)
- €1149 pps (includes flight).
- Single Supplement €220
This group is being led by Alison Boardman; Alison will be bringing her own brand of mindfulness and life coaching to the week!
- 7 nights’ accommodation in ensuite rooms on a B&B basis.
- Airport transfers from Santiago airport to Valença and from Santiago to Santiago airport for the return flight to Dublin.
- Internal transfer - Valença to O Porriño.
- Bag transfer each day.
- Pilgrim Passport (Issued by Camino Society Ireland – the only official Irish pilgrim passport).
- Guided group, led by Alison Boardman.
- Detailed walking notes and accommodation maps.
- Flights with 10kg bag allowance included (subject to flight price changes). Dublin to Porto out, Santiago to Dublin back.
Note:
- We recommend that you have adequate travel insurance in place for your trip.
Sunday, April 21st Day 1
- Fly from Dublin to Porto. Upon arrival, you are provided with a private transfer to Valença for your overnight stay.
- Take the chance to stroll around the Fortaleza - the old town within a town, looking down over the River Minho.
April 22nd, Day 2
- Walk 20km to Porriño, famous for its "Pink Porriño" granite.
- Your first steps will see you cross a Gustav Eiffel bridge over the river Minho from Portugal into Spain.
April 23rd, Day 3
- Walk 23km to Arcade.
- Arcade is the self-styled Galician home of oysters and is also a chance for you to take a beach stroll to watch the sun go down over the Bay of Vigo.
April 24th, Day 4
- Walk 13km from Arcade to Pontevedra. Your day starts by crossing the beautiful Roman bridge from Arcade to Pontesampaio.
- The short day allows you plenty of time to explore the old city centre of Pontevedra, centred around the Basilica de Santa Maria in Praza Ourense.
April 25th, Day 5
- Walk 21km from Pontevedra to Caldas de Reis. A quiet day spent mostly on minor country roads allows you the chance to relax in San Amaro on the way to Caldas.
- Caldas de Reis (“the thermal springs of the kings”) takes its name from the thermal springs that are still used today.
- This evening, we stay in Hotel Balneario Acuña - a chance to relax in their very own thermal swimming pool!
April 26th, Day 6
- Return to Caldas to walk 20km to Padrón. Passing through possible resting points at Santa Mariña, O Pino and San Miguel, the day finishes up in Padrón, a town synonymous with Camino legend. It is here that the remains of St. James are said to have been taken ashore by his followers.
- Padrón is also home to the Pimientos de Padrón – peppers with a random hot surprise that are a local specialty worth sampling!
April 27th, Day 7
- Walk 24km to Santiago. Today is all about reaching your journey’s end – you pass through Escravitude, Anguira de Suso, Faramello and Milladoiro before walking the final couple of kilometres to the cathedral in Santiago.
- Collect your Camino cert, the "compostela", in Santiago before enjoying all of the delights of this stunning UNESCO-listed old city.
Sunday, April 28th, Day 8
- Enjoy a few hours of free time in the morning before your afternoon transfer to Santiago airport for the return flight to Dublin.
