portuguese spiritual way - ultreya tours the camino agency ... · coastal camino joins the interior...
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ULTREYA [email protected] +1 646 934 6859
THE PORTUGUESE SPIRITUAL WAY INCLUDES
• En-suite accommodation in charming luxurious manors, 3 & 5* historical hotels including the Paradores of Baiona & Pontevedra (subject to availability)
• All breakfasts and three-courses dinners (house wine included with dinners on request)
• Luggage transfers from hotel to hotel • Emergency support from our local team • Dinner at a Michelin Star restaurant (if available) • 1h catamaran cruise along the Ulla River
FACT FILE
Accommodation Luxurious Manors & 3 to 5* HotelsTotal Walking Distance 118 kmDuration 9 days / 8 nightsStarts BaionaStops Vigo, Redondela, Pontevedra, Meaño, Cambados, PadrónEnds Santiago de Compostela
Walk & Sail the Portuguese Coastal Route. Be among the first to discover the Portuguese Spiritual Way, also known as the Maritime Way, from stunning Baiona along the coast to Santiago de Compostela staying in luxury hotels.
This Camino was recently approved for the Certificate of Accomplishment by the Pilgrim Office and it allows you to enjoy some of the best of Galicia while you walk the Camino de Santiago: walk along the stunning beaches of the Rias Baixas ; eat the freshest seafood ; stay in two stunning Paradores, a spa hotel and in beautiful Galician Pazos (Palaces) with their own Albariño winery ; eat at a Michelin Star Restaurant ; cruise the same river as the legendary stone boat carrying Saint James’ remains would have cruised before arriving into Santiago de Compostela ; walk the charming Route of Water and Miles ; pass impressive and historical Monasteries - plus obtain your Compostela!
PORTUGUESE SPIRITUAL WAY
PRICE & DATES
Can be organized on request for any number of participants from April to October - except the week of the Festival of the Albariño in Cambados (first week of August) - subject to availability and price fluctuations.
€1350 per person
• No dinners discount: - €240 per person
• Support van for the week: + €2200 for the group
• Accompanying Guide for the duration of the tour: + €2200
• Transfer in from Vigo Airport and out from Santiago Airport: + €120 per car up to 4 passengers
• Extra night in Santiago in the same hotel: + €200 per room (dinner not included)
• Extra night in the 5* Parador of Santiago: + €300 per room (dinner not included - upgrade + €100)
• All taxes and gratuities for the hotels • Guided tour of the 18th century Pazo
do Faramello with the Marquess (if available)
• A detailed guidebook per room • A Pilgrim Kit per person including an
official Pilgrim Passport (Credential) • Walk between 11 km and 21 km per day
ULTREYA [email protected] +1 646 934 6859
DAY 1 - MAKING OUR WAY TO BAIONA
Make your way to the stunning Baiona by taking a private taxi, bus or train from Vigo (about 30 min drive) or a taxi from Porto (1h30 drive). You will be staying in one of our favourite Parador in Spain: a Medieval Fortress Parador on Monterreal peninsula in Baiona’s Bay which was renovated into a stunning 4* hotel with impressive views onto the ocean, On March 1, 1493, the Pinta, one of the ships from Columbus’ voyage to discover the New World returned to Europe and arrived in Baiona, making the town’s port the first to receive news of the discovery of America. A replica of the ship can be visited, and the event is celebrated every year. So, if time allows during the afternoon, go for a walk of the old town, visit the Pinta and relax by the ocean before watching the sunset onto the bay of Baiona and enjoying a gourmet dinner in your hotel.
DAY 2 - 21 KM - WALK FROM BAIONA TO VIGO
Today, you finally begin your journey on the Portuguese Way Coastal Way or Caminho da Costa in Portuguese. Leave behind Baiona, to follow the coast across the Rías Baixas through the beach-town of Nigrán and towards the city of Vigo. The region you will be walking until Cambados is world-famous for its Albariño white wine and delicious shellfish but the views are also breathtaking. You will walk along long white prestine beaches and admire, in the distance, the magnificent Illas Cíes, named the most beautiful beaches in the world, and the Bay of Vigo with its Natural Park. After walking 21 km along the coast, you will be arrive and stay in an incredible 5* hotel right on the Camino (if available) about 5 km before the city center of Vigo (so you don’t have to walk so much today). This luxurious Galician Manor offers gardens with sea views and direct access to Carril Beach but also one of the best spa in the region. We will treat you to a relaxing 90 min circuit before dinner in the hotel.
CAMINO PORTUGUESE SPIRITUAL WAY DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
This 8 nights route brings you along the last 118 kilometers of the Camino Portugues - Portuguese Way Maritime / Spiritual Way into Santiago de Compostela.
ULTREYA [email protected] +1 646 934 6859
DAY 3 - 21 KM - WALK FROM VIGO TO REDONDELA
In the morning, you will be walking the last 5 km into the old town of Vigo before joining the interior Portuguese Route for the next couple days. Vigo is Galicia’s most important harbour and busiest city with over 300, 000 inhabitants. Vigo’s old district covers an interesting area on the slopes above the marina including a number of beautiful plazas, a multitude of high quality restaurants serving the freshest of seafood (head in particular to the famous Oyster Street), and even the remains of an old Celtic fort town. The entrance into and out of the old town, however, is less interesting and quite difficult as the city is built on a slope, so we would recommend taking a taxi from your hotel to the Old Town for a short visit and back up to where the Coastal Camino joins the interior route. Once out of the city, you will pass what is considered one of the benches with the best views in the world (a 5 min detour uphill from the Camino but the views are similar during the walk) with stunning views onto Vigo, the Atlantic Islands, the peninsula of Morrazo and the Rande Bridge, once the longest suspension bridge in the world. After a pleasant walk on a dirt path through woodlands, you will finally reach Redondela at the end of one of the famous Rías Baixas. If available, you will be staying in a unique Castle-like hotel, just after Redondela (transfers from the city center have been planned), built in 1750 and used as a military hospital during WWI with a wonderful garden (used for wedding photos) and impressive views onto the bay of Redondela.
DAY 4 - 18 KM - WALK FROM REDONDELA TO PONTEVEDRA
Today, expect two sceneries: half the day will be walking uphill by the coast with stunning views over the bay and the second part will be downhill through peaceful oak forests. You will pass the infamous bridge of Ponte Sampaio, where during the War of Independence, Napoleon’s army suffered one of its greatest defeats and cross several quaint medieval villages. You are heading for the Parador of Pontevedra, if available, in the old town of the Roman built city dedicated to the Virgen Peregrina (the Pilgrim Virgin). Once the residence of the counts of Maceda, this large palace in the heart of the historical center was completely renovated but keeps a noble charm. In the afternoon, and before dinner in your hotel, take a walk through the well-preserved old quarter of Pontevedra, most of which has been pedestrianized, and visit Santa María la Mayor Basilica, a jewel of Gothic-Renaissance architecture, and La Virgen Peregrina Church, a chapel with a scallop-shaped floor plan and beautiful night lighting.
DAY 5- 18 KM - WALK FROM PONTEVEDRA TO O BUSTO - THE SPIRITUAL DETOUR
Today, you will follow the inland Portuguese Camino for an hour before reaching the separation point with the Spiritual Variant / the Maritime Way. This detour is relatively new, it has only been accepted by the Pilgrim Office in 2013, but has the oldest origins of all Caminos. During the next three days, you will be following the detour towards Vilanova de Arousa, where you will board a Catamaran and follow the final journey of the Apostle.
ULTREYA [email protected] +1 646 934 6859
It is said that in the year 44, after his Martyrdom, the body of James the Apostle was transported on a stone vessel along the Arousa Estuary to get to the land of Galicia where he was meant to be burried. The boat is said to have gone from Jaffa to Galicia and upstream via Ulla river until reaching Iria Flavia (Padron) and later on Santiago de Compostela. This is the Initial Route of all the Caminos de Santiago. On your journey today, you will pass the Monastery of San Juan de Poio and the beautiful town of Cambarro, famous for its Horreos (a typical granary on pillars). There will be one big climb and little signs of civilization on the last 5 km. After arriving in O Busto (or earlier if you wish), a taxi will bring you to a tastefully renovated Galician Manor in Meaño, where you will stay for the night. This picturesque rural house offers a Albariño Bodega tour on demand (before 5pm), access to a swimming pool, a unique walk-in horreo, typical Galician granary and has owns of the best restaurants in the region.
DAY 6 - 15 KM - WALK FROM O BUSTO TO PONTEARNELAS - NIGHT CAMBADOS
After a short drive back to O Busto, you will continue your journey inland towards the Rio Ulla. Start the morning with a visit of the Monastery of Armenteira, which belongs to the Cistercian order and was founded by the knight Ero de Armenteira in 1168 (they open at 10 am). Then, walk the relaxing “Ruta da Pedra e da Auga” (the route of rocks and water) along the Armenteira river. This section is probably one of our favourite of all the Camino as you follow a small river in woodlands during 6 km passing by over 30 medieval water mills built to grain flour. At the famous bridge of Pontearnelas, a XVI century stone bridge linked to strange rituals of prenatal baptism, you will be picked up by the owner of a 15th century house and estate is located 200 meters from the historic centre of Cambados (if available otherwise you will stay at the Parador of Cambados). Cambados is considered to be the capital of Albariño, one of the best white wines of the world so again tonight we will experience an Albariño wine-tasting and visit the Pazo’s private winery before dinner.
DAY 7 - 14 KM - 1H CRUISE AND WALK TO FARAMELLO
After breakfast, our host will drive you to the harbor of Vilanova de Arousa where you will embark a catamaran for 15 nautical miles cruise to the town of Pontecesures, just before Padrón. Following the journey of the stone boat carrying the remains of the Apostle Saint James, you will be sailing a catamaran or water taxi (depending on the tide) for about 1h. Many miracles are said to have taken place during the crossing of the body of Saint James, so your guide to tell you about the many myths & legends of the region (including dragons, witches and terrifying soul-seeking processions). If you are travelling on a Sunday, do not miss 3 km after Pontecesures Padrón’s famous food market which is open until 2 pm and enjoy the town’s speciality Pimientos de Padrón (mild small green peppers which are served fried and salted - careful some are quite spicy!). Then continue your journey through charming villages and hamlets for an extra 10 km until you reach the Pazo do Faramello, probably the most important and beautiful manor house in Galicia, where we will treat you to a guided tour of the gardens with the Marquess. You will be spending the night in a beautiful guest-house in the outskirts of the Pazo.
ULTREYA [email protected] +1 646 934 6859
DAY 8 - 11 KM - WALK FROM FARAMELLO TO SANTIAGO!
This is it! Only 11 km separates you from your goal: the resting place of the Apostle Saint James in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Starting from the Pazo do Faramello and its very useful short-cut back through the original Way which used to cross its property, you will walk about 3h through vineyards, hamlets and oak and euchalyptus forest. You will get to walk by the mysterious, abandoned ruins on the hill-fort of Castro Lupario, of the castle A Rocha Vella and the Chapel of San Martiño, where one of the most ancient Cruceiros of Galicia stands, as well as the Baroque sanctuary of A Esclavitude. Then, finally, from the hills of Agro dos Monteiros, you will get our first glimpse of Santiago de Compostela and start walking into the City of the Apostle. As you enter the City a couple routes are offered to you, we recommend following the River Sarela instead of entering through the new town and the Hospital. Soon enough after entering the Old Town, the Cathedral will present herself to you, beautiful and powerful from the Plaza del Obradoiro,. Simply stop here. Breath in and truly live this moment, do whatever feels right. You still have a few things to do today, after you check-in at your hotel, the Monastery of San Francisco - a historical 4* hotel with a swimming pool 200m away - get your pilgrim certificate, attend Pilgrim Mass & marvel at the architecture of our beloved City.
DAY 9 - START OF YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE
A wise pilgrim once told us “the real Camino starts where the Camino de Santiago finishes but I will not be afraid because the Camino will always be there for me.” Today, as we bring you to your departure airport, we hope it has brought you whatever you were looking for and wish to see you again soon on the Camino!
ULTREYA [email protected] +1 646 934 6859