Guided Pilgrimage Portuguese Coastal Camino – The Renaissance Path
Portuguese Coastal Camino – The Renaissance Path
INFORMATION
days: 12
nights: 12
walking distance: 175 km or 110 mi
value: €4.500
single supplement: €1.300
DATES (Click for sign up!)
October 2, 2023 FULL
October 30, 2023 Last 4 Spots
DESCRIPTION
Also known as the Atlantic Way, the Portuguese Coastal Camino dates from the early Renaissance. It parallels the coastline of the beautiful Atlantic Ocean and it grew in importance as the population of the coastal cities increased due to the burgeoning economic trade with the Americas, Africa and the Far East.
We must highlight the Salnés Spiritual Variant and the Traslatio. Known as the Origin of all the Paths it recreates, according to legend, the course of the boat carrying the remains of the Apostle St. James, when it arrived in Galicia. The route runs along the beautiful estuary of a Natural Reserve and along the unique maritime Via Cruxis in the world. In a word: Unforgettable!
Embark with us on a journey of a lifetime life!!
INCLUDED
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24 hours per day English-speaking guide assistance
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12 nights in stellar accommodations
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12 dinners and all breakfasts
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3 Guided visits – Fatima, Porto and Santiago de Compostela
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Support vehicle provided during the entire tour
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Ground transportation
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Luggage Transfer between accommodations during the walking tour
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Mobile phones with Portuguese/Spanish line
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Pilgrims Kit
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Botafumeiro Ceremony
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Photos of the entire Tour
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Celebration Dinner

ITINERARY
The Renaissance Path is walked during a 12 day period. We have divided the journey into days of similar length, and deliberately tried to leave the last day a bit shorter than the others so that we arrive in Santiago de Compostela with enough time and energy to get to stroll around town before our celebration dinner. Below is the city to city itinerary, but please note that specific hotels vary between dates and are therefore not published here. They are provided at the time of booking, along with a more detailed schedule that you can share with your friends and families.
DAY 1 – Lisbon – Fátima Sanctuary – Porto
We gather at our hotel lobby in Lisbon, at 8am, for the drive to the Sanctuary of Fátima, where we’ll have a very special and informative guide tour and, after lunch we’ll head to the romantic Porto, for our overnight stay in a very special place!
Accommodations in Porto

DAY 2 – Leça da Palmeira – Labruge – walk of 11 km (7 miles)
Our Way will start in a very special place, near the ocean. Besides the ocean blue, the yellow of the sand and the white of the clouds, we’ll find plenty of history of Portugal on our way: the Memory Obelisk, built in 1832 and representing those who faught in the Portuguese Liberal Wars. A little bit more further, the pitoresque and multi-colored fishing village of Angeiras, with it boats, traditional fishing houses and you’ll probably find some fisherman sewing the damaged fishing nets.
And, we are in Porto and we have a surprise ready for you!!
Accommodations in Porto

DAY 3 – Marinhas to Darque – walk of 19 km or 12 mi
From the unique 9th century church of St Michael’s the Archangel of Marinhas, we will enter in a bucolic scenario at the special bridge over the Rio Neiva. Another iconic point of this day is the Church of Santiago de Castelo de Neiva, the first one dedicated to Santiago in Portugal and built in 862. From Castelo do Neiva, we follow a majestic forest path to the quiet village of Darque, from which we first see the impressive Sanctuary of Santa Luzia.
Accommodations in Viana do Castelo

DAY 4 – Carreço to Moledo – Walk of 18 km or 11 mi
The already familiar yellow arrows lead us to the small paradise of the Convento de Cabanas. It is a pastoral and romantic place with luxuriant vegetation, sparkling streams and old watermills. The surroundings are further embellished by scattered tiles inscribed with lovely poems. Following the river through a verdant forest we will head to Vila Praia de Âncora. With the blue of the sea on our left, we will reach Moledo, know for the fish and beach.
Accommodations in Viana do Castelo

DAY 5 – Caminha to Oia – Distance of 19 km or 12 mi with 1,6 km by boat
This is one of the most beautiful stages of our way! As in ancient times, we will cross the border between Portugal and Spain by boat across the Minho River. Once on Galician soil, we can enjoy one of the most impressive views of the day: a panorama of the Atlantic Ocean with the shorelines of both Portugal and Spain. Next, walking along the sea on dirt paths, we will arrive at our destination: the magnificent 12th century Monastery of Santa Maria de Oia.
Accommodations in Vigo

DAY 6 – Vigo to Redondela – Walk of 19 km or 12 mi
Leaving Vigo for its old town, the Auga Traída trail will take us through leafy woods on dirt and asphalt roads. We will be rewarded by a flat path and superb views over the Vigo River and, to the North, the famous and beautiful Cíes Islands. After we leave the Baroque Chapel of St. Andres, we will reach Redondela and join with the Portuguese Central Way.
Accommodations in Pontevedra

DAY 7 – Redondela to Pontevedra – Walk of 20 km (12.5 miles)
Fabulous panoramic views of the Vigo River, the ancient Roman Pontesampaio Bridge, and the skyline of Pontevedra, the city of the Pilgrim Virgin, will comprise our day. It’s an amazing and historical town full of diverse architecture, ancient connections to the Camino, and welcoming warmth of the locals. This day will remain in our memory!
Accommodations in Pontevedra

DAY 8 – Pontevedra to Armenteira – Walk of 21 km or 13.5 mi
After crossing the Pontevedra bridge, we will join the agrarian path of the Salnés Spiritual Variant. In just seven km, we will reach the impressive 7th century Monastery of the Poio of Cistercian origin. Nearby, the idyllic and emblematic fishing village of Combarro will welcome us with its peculiar Hórreos and magnificent views of the Ría de Arousa. We will end this great day in the unforgettable 11th century Monastery of Armenteira.
Accommodations in Armenteira

DAY 9 – Armenteira to Vilanova de Arousa – 24 km or 15 mi
This is a day that we will be happy is a long one. We will have the time to savor the beauty of the indescribable Water and Stone Route. Here we will find magical forests of chestnut, oak and pine trees. The air is filled with freshness and the sounds of a peaceful brook enhanced by the splashing of small waterfalls. At this point, we will enter the region of the vineyards of the Rías Baixas, famous for its white wines which we will be sure to taste!
Accommodations in Armenteira

DAY 10 – Vilanova de Arousa to Pontecesures to Milladoiro – 24 km by boat and 21km on foot
Known as the Origin of the Paths, this path retraces the route of the return of the remains of St. James to his beloved Galicia. Heightening the meaning of this special day, we will sail the only maritime Via Cruxis of the world along the estuary of the Ria de Arousa and the Ulla River. This experience will indelibly mark this stage of our Way.
Accommodations in Milladoiro

DAY 11 – Milladoiro to Santiago de Compostela – 7.5km or 4.7 mi
Today, we walk into Santiago de Compostela over the historical stones of this magical old town. In the plaza fronting the Cathedral de Santiago, we will be surrounded by the sounds of bagpipes mingling with the excited voices of hundreds of other pilgrims awaiting the Botafumeiro Ceremony at the Pilgrim Mass. In the evening, we will meet again to enjoy a special celebration!
Accommodations in Santiago

DAY 12 – Santiago de Compostela
In the morning, led by a local historian, we’ll have a guided visit around Santiago where we’ll learn about the history and legends of this historical city. You’ll have a free afternoon to stroll around the beautiful Santiago, to do some shopping and, we’ll meet againg in our hotel to enjoy our Celebration dinner!!
When leaving Santiago behind, we’ll feel renewed and more prepared for the beginning of the new journey ahead, and, the words of the Portuguese Nobel Prize Saramago will make more sense than ever: “The end of a journey is simply the start of another. You have to go back to the footsteps already taken, to go over them again or add fresh ones, alongside them. You have to start the journey anew. Always.”
Hoping that you have found what you need on this Pilgrimage, allow us to Thank You Very Much for the honor given of sharing this special moment of life with us and, please, know how sincerely we hope we may one day meet again!
Accommodations in Santiago
