September 2023 – Women only Camino – Valença to Santiago

• September 27th - October 4th  (Wednesday – Wednesday)
• €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. 

Wednesday, September 27th, 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.

Thursday, September 28th, Day 2

• Transfer to O Porriño, from here the group will begin their day's walk, 20km to Arcade.
• Your day involves passing through the picturesque hamlet of Mos before reaching Redondela, a pretty place to stop for lunch.
• 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.

Friday, September 29th, Day 3

• 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.

Saturday, September 30th, Day 4

• 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!

Sunday, October 1st, Day 5

• 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!

Monday, October 2nd, Day 6

• 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.

Tuesday, October 3rd, Day 7

• Free day in Santiago - a chance to enjoy one of the world's greatest places to watch the world go by.
• Wander the streets of the Old Town and sample the food and drink synonymous with Galicia's gastronomic heritage.

Wednesday, October 4th, 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.