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Travel the Portuguese Way of Compostela from May 2 to 19, 2024 (18 days / 16 nights)
Join Sylvie Caouette on a small-group spiritual walking tour of the Portuguese Way of Compostela in the spring of 2024!
THIS JOURNEY IS GUIDED IN FRENCH
3,299.00$ – 3,499.00$
RELAXATION AND REJUVENATION
SPIRITUAL WALK
Join the walkers for an unforgettable and enriching experience on the Portuguese Way to Santiago de Compostela. The traditional way, staying in pilgrims’ huts, walking with your backpack, covering an average of 20 km a day. It’s a call to challenge yourself physically, mentally and spiritually. Allow yourself an incredible daily walking experience that will guide you towards a better understanding of yourself. Recommended for experienced walkers.
Highlights
Plus
I experienced the Camino de Santiago in 2017, starting in Puy-en-Velay and finishing in Spain in Finisterre at the “end of the earth” for a 1,600 km pilgrimage in 70 days of walking. During my journey, I deeply touched my dream of becoming a travel guide and taking others to live this incredible experience of pilgrimage on the roads to Compostela. I went back in 2019 with 3 other pilgrims and seeing the happiness in their eyes when they arrived at the Santiago Cathedral convinced me to make it my mission. So I undertook the Travel Guide course, joined the Spiritours team and today I accompany people on their spiritual journeys.
Depart Montreal airport in the evening for a flight to Porto on Air Transat or similar. Dinner and overnight on the plane.
Arrival in Porto in the morning. Transfer by cab to downtown Porto. Check-in at your accommodation and free afternoon to discover the charm of the 2ᵉ Portuguese city. Lose yourself in the historic Ribeira district, linger on terraces and in craft stores, admire the Douro River and brightly-colored buildings and don’t forget to visit one of Porto’s wineries. Evening at leisure.
After breakfast, departure for your first day’s walk to Labruge. We’ll follow “the smell of the sea” on foot, this maritime atmosphere admiring beaches, dunes and local wildlife. Overnight in Labruge. 14 km – 03h15 walking time
After breakfast, set off for this beautiful day’s walk along the sea. Overnight in Vila do Conde. 12km 2h55 walking time
This easy stage takes us over wooden footbridges through Povoa de Varzim, a popular Portuguese resort, past the church of San Miguel d’Apulia, into the 1st eucalyptus forest and across the Pont Luis Filippe bridge.
We return to the water’s edge, which we will follow for most of the morning. Nui to Anha. 21 km – 05h45 walking time.
We set off from beautiful Anha to join a river and cross a small dam. We’ll then climb the Serra de Santa Luzia (150 m above sea level) and take forest trails and wooden footbridges to reach the charming coastal town of Vila Praia de Ancora by the beach. 26 km – 06h15 walking time
Today is our last stage in Portugal. We reach the border through a charming wooded area and cross in an original way! We embark on a cab boat that crosses the estuary to disembark at A Guarda on Spanish soil, then follow the coastline with its ever-pleasant views, walking on wooden footbridges and forest paths before reaching Oia and its monastery facing the sea. 23 km – 5 h45 walk
A short, flat, seaside stage that we follow along roadsides and pleasant new paths. Baiona is one of Galicia’s most popular seaside resorts. The town has preserved its historic center, fine sandy beaches and numerous monuments. Among other things, you can visit a replica of Christopher Columbus’ caravel and enjoy a walk around the splendid Monte Real fortress! 18 km – 04h30 walking
This is a very varied stage. It’s our last day along the coast. The route takes us along some magnificent beaches, before we arrive in Vigo by its spectacular seafront. Vigo is a port and industrial city, and Galicia’s largest city with all its amenities and attractions. 20 km – 5h walk
After crossing the town, the path to Redondela becomes very pleasant, offering increasingly distant views of Vigo and its estuary. We cross the charming Senda da Agua path with its waterfalls and the spectacular view from the Rande Bridge, a cable-stayed bridge over 1600 meters long. Then we arrive in Redondela to join the Roman road, the Via Lusitana, which is more popular with pilgrims from all over the world. 17 kms – 04h25 walking time
A day that starts with a good climb. We pass through pretty Galician villages adorned with hórreos (maize granaries) and stone paths through eucalyptus forests. Pontevedra is known as one of Galicia’s most important ports, an importance it would retain until the end of the XVIIᵉ century. Pontevedra is a very interesting town, with the whole historic center worth a visit. 19 km – 4h45 walking
We leave beautiful Pontevedra for Caldas de Reis. This stage follows a very pleasant route. There are paths, vineyards and Roman roads. Most of the stage is spent in forests, where we cross stone culverts. We even pass under vineyards! Caldas de Reis was the episcopal see until 569, when it was transferred to Padron (Iria Flavia). Since the Middle Ages, it has been the obligatory stopover for pilgrims coming from the south. 19 km – 4h45 walking time
Penultimate stage. In Padron, we’ll visit the Santiago church. Beneath the altar lies “el pedron”, the stone which, it is said, was used to tie up the boat bringing the body of the apostle James from Jerusalem. According to tradition, it was here that Saint James preached for the first time during his stay in Spain. After his execution, two of his disciples are said to have carried
This is the last stage of our pilgrimage. We pass through countryside and eucalyptus forests before reaching the outskirts of Santiago de Compostela! We finally reach our goal on the floor of the emblematic Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela! 17 km – 4h15 walking time. If we set off early in the morning, and if we’re lucky, we’ll be able to attend the famous Botafumeiro at midday. In the afternoon, after collecting your Compostela (certificate), enjoy the town and attend the pilgrim’s mass if you wish -7.30pm. Overnight in Santiago de Compostela.
Enjoy a free day to discover the beautiful city of Santiago.
Today, return by train to Porto (approx. 4h30 drive). Dinner and overnight in Porto.
Morning flight to Montreal.
** Itinerary subject to change – Exclusive tour, all rights reserved **.
PRICE
Early booking: $3,199/person (double occupancy). Early-bird discount of $100 if booked before January 2, 2024.
Regular price: $3,299/person (double occupancy)
Single room supplement: $200 (for 4-night hotel stay only). (**Based on availability – Limited quantity **)
* Spiritours offers the possibility of twinning. If we are unable to match you, Spiritours will assume the additional costs for registrations more than 60 days prior to departure, but reserves the right to match you during the trip if necessary.
* All prices are based on the exchange rate in effect on September 1, 2023.
THIS PACKAGE INCLUDES
Round-trip flight Montreal-Porto with Air Transat (or similar)
4 nights in budget hotels
12 nights in pilgrim huts (shared dormitories)
3 breakfasts, 3 dinners
All train, bus and cab transfers
Services of a guide
2 preparatory meetings
All taxes.
THIS PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE
Meals not mentioned in the program,
Beverages,
Travel insurance (see registration form),
Tips & personal expenses,
Contribution to the Fonds d’indemnisation des clients des agents de voyage (FICAV): $3.50 per $1,000.
REGISTRATION
Registration deadline: March 2, 2024 (60 days before departure or when the maximum number of passengers is reached). It is possible to register after this date, but a supplement may apply.
How to register
You can register on our website (see top right of the trip web page) or download and complete the PDF form and send it to us with your $750 deposit. Please register as soon as possible, as places are limited. Please enclose a photocopy of your passport with your registration (international travel only).
Travel insurance
For travel insurance, contact us to find out your premium.
No. of participants
Minimum 10 – Maximum 15
Documentation required
All Canadian travellers to Spain must be in possession of a passport that is still valid three months after the planned return date.
For further information, please contact
Frédérique Lafont
(514) 374-7965, ext. 207
frederique.lafont@spiritours.com
Don’t miss the webinar presentation, reserve your place!
Do I need to be in good physical health?
Yes, this trip requires good preparation and physical fitness as we walk an average of 20-25 kilometers per day with our backpack. However, it is not a question of age; people of all ages make this pilgrimage. It is not a question of strength either, but of stamina, as everyone walks at their own pace. Each morning, the guide explains the path to follow and sets a meeting point, often a refuge, where everyone meets at the end of the day. It is important to prepare yourself physically as soon as you plan to walk the Camino de Compostela. Start exercising at least 60 minutes two to three times a week. At least 3 months before departure, start training for walking and gradually increase the distance from 5 to 20 km per day.
Can I have my luggage carried?
This service is not included in the package. However, a luggage transport service can be arranged in most of the places where we stop, information available in the lodges. The guide will be able to help you arrange this transportation, but it would be better to arrange it yourself if you can communicate in Spanish.
Who is this trip for?
People who are open to the spiritual realm and to a group experience. To anyone who wishes to live this experience, regardless of gender, age, race or religious belief. However, it is clear that this pilgrimage is of Christian tradition.
What does a pilgrim shelter look like?
There are establishments of all categories, clean and welcoming, with kitchen and dining room for several people (if you want to prepare your own meal); in some cases, there is a restaurant service, simple and inexpensive. The resting places are dormitory type, with shared toilets and showers.
How do you eat on the Camino?
In many places, there are grocery stores where you can buy food for the road, for dinner or for the next day. You can also choose to eat at a restaurant where they usually offer a pilgrim’s menu (in the evening) for 12 or 15 Euros, including wine. Occasionally, you can stop at a bar (café) to have a bite to eat.
What are the advantages of joining Spiritours for this pilgrimage?
The itinerary is well organized by experienced specialists. You will benefit from the supervision of a competent guide who knows the Camino and who will encourage exchanges and reflection. You will also share the experience with a small group of pilgrims, eager to surpass themselves and to make an inner journey. Moreover, thanks to the information and preparation meetings, you will benefit from judicious advice to prepare yourself well, both physically and mentally.
“Good choice of route, wonderful scenery! I enjoyed the walk and the company of the group. A beautiful meeting with myself and a surpassing. I loved my experience and I will recommend Spiritours to my friends.”
– Karine T. , Ste-Thérèse, Qc
Travel insurance is undoubtedly a PEACE OF MIND that allows you to live and fully enjoy your trip. It allows you to deal with the unexpected without finding yourself with a financial burden. Travel insurance allows you to travel in complete SAFETY. Did you know that when you take a group trip with Spiritours, you automatically get a 10% discount on your insurance? Check with your agent for more information, or click below to shop for an individual insurance premium with Blue Cross.
Phone Canada: 514-374-7965
Toll-free: 1-866-331-7965 (CAN & USA)
Fax: 514-788-1520
Opening Hours
Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
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