A Fresco Start Camino Portugués Tour

Private Bed & Bath

We understand that people do want to walk the Camino, but would rather not sleep in albergues, the communal dormitories available along the trail. Some pilgrims enjoy having their own bedrooms with a door, an en-suite bathroom, and plenty of hot water!

Freedom From Your Bags

Our self-guided clients do not want or cannot carry all their belongings with them. In fact, they enjoy being able to add some extra weight to their load and have some creature comforts, such as that Ipad!

Meals with Friends, IF you wish

Independence can be great when traveling, but it is also nice to have some occasional companions to share those tales from the trail and a meal or two!

A Live Person to Help

Are you nervous and scared? Coming to a foreign country to walk for a couple of weeks is daunting no matter how many books and web forums you’ve read. You want more than just an Orientation Packet sent to you in the mail – you want a LIVE person to answer your questions and help you take those first steps on your journey.

La Compostela

Our itinerary qualifies you for the Compostela certificate upon your arrival to Santiago.

Day 1

Tui

Accommodations: Tui (D)

Meeting time: 7:00pm

In the evening, we meet the group in the riverside border town of Tui, where many pilgrims doing the Portuguese Camino begin their journey to Compostela. Your Fresco Tours guide will hand out your Orientation Packets and review all the materials to get you ready for your Pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago! Afterwards, we'll take you to get your first stamp in your Pilgrim's Passport before enjoying a traditional Galician meal.

Day 2

Tui to O Porriño

Accommodations: O Porriño (B)

Walking: 17 km / 11 mi

With our boots and scallop shells on, your Fresco Tours guide escorts you out of town indicating the various Camino markers and the famous yellow arrows. As we leave Tui, your guide will navigate you in and out of the historic medieval town where you will be able to admire the 12th century Santa María Cathedral, the Jewish Quarter and past your first medieval bridge spanning the River Louro. Here we bid you a last "Buen Camino" as you continue on your own along the Way to Santiago! You stroll through the forested countryside on a combination of backroads and country footpaths as you make your way north through the Louro River Valley to O Porriño, an important trading town and stop for pilgrims since the 14th century.

Day 3

O Porriño to Arcade

Accommodations: Arcade (B)

Walking: 23 km / 14 mi

Leaving O Porriño, the walk begins with a light climb through typical southern Galician villages surrounded by vineyards. Look out for the occasional carved granite cross that marks the way to Santiago and the Roman milestones that marked the Roman Road Vía XIX. Before reaching the beachside town of Arcade, you will walk through the fascinating town of Redondela with its two 19th century rail viaducts that cross the town’s sky. Finish the day with the local specialties of oysters and mussels that are farmed along the estuary and the Albariño white wine.

Day 4

Arcade to Pontevedra

Accommodations: Pontevedra (B)

Walking: 14 km / 9 mi

Following the Camino, you cross the bridge of Ponte Sampaio, where a group of locals defeated Napoleon’s troops in 1809. You then cross one last hill with views of the Vigo Estuary before descending into Pontevedra. The town is best known for being the home to the Church of La Peregrina (The Lady Pilgrim) with its iconic scallop shell floor plan shape. La Peregrina is also the patron saint of the Portuguese Camino and is devoutly venerated by locals and foreigners alike. Today’s stage is shorter than the rest allowing you time to explore Pontevedra at your leisure.

Day 5

Pontevedra to Caldas de Reis

Accommodations: Caldas de Reis (B)

Walking: 22 km / 14 mi

The Camino takes you out of town and before you realize it, into the quiet forested countryside, along trails and small country lanes all the way to Caldas de Reis. You can even make a short detour and admire some spectacular waterfalls halfway through the stage. Your stage ends in Caldas de Reis, which roughly translates as the kings’ thermal waters, and like a king or queen you will feel when you dip your tired feet into the soothing natural thermal springs in town.

Day 6

Caldas de Reis to Padrón

Accommodations: Padrón (B)

Walking: 18 km / 11 mi

The day starts with an enticing walk through wooded vales, vineyards and small villages before you gain the last major hill on your Camino. The descent takes you into the Ulla River valley that separates the province of Pontevedra, which you have just crossed south to north, from the province of A Coruña, where Santiago de Compostela is. The stage ends in the historic town of Padrón (or pedrón – Galician for big stone), which pays homage to the famous rock where the boat that contained Saint James was moored to upon its arrival from Jerusalem after he had been martyred. Or in other words, this is where the Santiago story began and where you will literally be walking in the footsteps of the apostle! Padrón is also famous in culinary circles for its little green peppers, some which are hot and others that are not.

Day 7

Padrón to Santiago de Compostela

Accommodations: Santiago de Compostela (B)

Walking: 26 km / 16 mi

7 days, 118 kilometers, and you have arrived to Santiago de Compostela. Congratulations! Head to the Pilgrims’ Office for your last stamp in your Passport and request that well-deserved certificate, the Compostela, for having walked to Santiago. You are going to love this magical city filled with fantastic monuments and a lively buzz from the international pilgrims and university students that fill its medieval streets.

Day 8

The city of Santiago

Accommodations: Itinerary ends (B)

After your breakfast our local historian gives you a closer look at the amazing Cathedral that has seen so many transformations since the original chapel built in the 9th-century. Its age seems almost impossible when looking at the Baroque façade that graces the entryway. Afterwards, make sure you give your well-earned hug to St. James! Alas, your itinerary has come to a finish.

*Please note: This itinerary is subject to slight modifications due to hotel availability, weather, festivals, and other occurences.

Orientation Meeting

A Fresco Tour guide will hand deliver your Orientation Packet and give you a detailed meeting on the first night in Tui. Your Welcome Packet is filled with all the materials you’ll need to transform into a pilgrim: Your credentials (Pilgrim’s Passport), a scallop shell, daily maps of the route, a guide book with historical information of the villages that you will pass through, and a few other goodies for the trail! We’ll answer any questions that you have before starting your journey to Santiago and on the next morning lead you out on The Way! Minimum of 3 people for this service to be provided.

Accommodations

7 nights in a combination of 3 & 4 star hotels, restored manor homes, and small inns located on the Camino. All rooms have their own bathrooms. We’ve chosen places for their hospitality, comfort, and location.
*Keep in mind that you will be walking specific distances through rural countryside; therefore, 3- and 4-star hotels are not always available along the route.

Meals

All breakfasts are included with your hotels. We have arranged that they will be supplemented from the standard Spanish breakfast of coffee & toast. The first night of the itinerary, our guide will take you for dinner at one of our favorite places in Tui – wine and beer included. Afterwards, we will provide you with a list of places along the Camino with food recommendations. Let us know if you have any dietary restrictions and we can ask our hotels to accommodate for those as well!

Limited Group Size

Although this tour is Self-Guided, we’ve limited the size of each departure to 16 participants. Availability is on a first come, first serve basis.

Luggage Transport

We will arrange for the transfer of 1 suitcase / piece of luggage (20 kg / 45 lbs MAX) per person between your hotels on your walk along the Camino. If the weight of your bag exceeds the limit, you will need to divide it into 2 pieces. Please contact us for details for rates for extra bags.

Guided Visit

In Santiago, our local art historian will provide you with a guided visit of the Cathedral and the surrounding squares. Minimum of 5 people for this service to be provided.

Additional Services

We are here to help! Need assistance with hotels prior to or after your trip? Questions about what to wear? Need a taxi while on the trail?

Based in Spain, we are here to make sure that your trip runs smooth as can be – we are available!

* Please note that any additional services purchased will have the following conditions:
Hotel reservations – can be cancelled up to 1 week before arrival without penalty
Extra luggage/Private transfers – can be cancelled up to 72 hours before without penalty

General FAQ for all tours

Getting There & Back

How do I get to A Fresco Start Camino Portugués starting point?

Tui, Spain is the official starting point of A Fresco Start Camino Portugués 118 km tour and is located on the border of Spain and Portugal. The most convenient way to get to Tui is from Porto or Lisbon (both located in Portugal), although it can also be reached from Madrid, Spain.

To get to Tui from Porto or Lisbon: take a direct bus or train to Valença do Minho, Portugal, which is just a 5-minute taxi ride over the border to your first night’s hotel in Tui. Here is a sample idea of timetables and prices:

CP Train – Porto to Valença do Minho & Lisbon to Valença do Minho

ALSA Bus – Porto to Valença do Minho & Lisbon to Valença do Minho

To get to Tui from Madrid: fly to Vigo, Spain (Iberia and Air Europa have frequent flights), and from there, take a bus (LUGOVE) or a taxi to Tui (30 min). Another way is to take the RENFE fast train to Santiago de Compostela and then, take an ALSA bus to Valença, Portugal. From there, you are just a 5-minute taxi ride over the border to your first night’s hotel in Tui. Here is a sample idea of timetables and prices:

RENFE Train – Madrid to Santiago de Compostela

ALSA Bus – Santiago de Compostela to Valença do Minho

If you would like to schedule a car service to Tui from either Lisbon or Porto, we recommend 100 Rumos.

How can I purchase my bus or train tickets beforehand?

There are several trains a day from Porto and Lisbon to Valença do Minho. You can buy train tickets at the following website (make sure you choose a direct train): CP – Comboios de Portugal. The main train station in Porto is called Porto Campanha.

To get to/from Santiago de Compostela by train, you can purchase tickets online through RENFE. Some routes cannot be purchased until 3-4 weeks prior to departure – please be patient. Please note that the site tends to run slowly on weekends due to heavy demand.

If you would like information on trains in Spain (different types of fares, security, food on board, etc.), Trainline is a wonderful resource. You can also buy your tickets on this site if you find the RENFE site to be confusing (just remember that tickets are not available until 3-4 weeks before departure).

Bus tickets can be purchased on ALSA.

How do I get from Santiago de Compostela to Porto, Lisbon, or Madrid?

To go to Porto or Lisbon: There are no direct flights from Santiago to Porto or Lisbon, although you can find connecting flights. Here are some sample timetables for buses:

ALSA Bus – Santiago to Porto & Santiago to Lisbon

To go to Madrid: There are several fast trains a day between Santiago and Madrid (approximately 3-4 hours). Traveling by train is the most convenient way, especially if you are planning to do some sightseeing in Madrid, as it takes you straight to the city center. If you are looking to fly, there are multiple domestic flights a day between Santiago and Madrid, as well as other major Spanish cities.

How do I get from Porto Airport to Porto Campanha station?

The fastest way to get from Porto Airport to Porto Campanha station is by taxi and it takes about 20 minutes. The price is around €30.

On the Road

What is the weather like on A Fresco Start Camino Portugués?

The Camino de Santiago covers over 750 km of northern Spain and therefore, has very different weather conditions depending on the region.

A Fresco Start Camino Portugués Tour covers the last 118 km of the Camino in the northwest region called Galicia. Here we enjoy a more temperate climate compared to other parts of the Camino de Santiago and in July and August the heat is not overwhelming.

Visit this link for current and average monthly temperatures in Santiago de Compostela.

What is the terrain like on A Fresco Start Camino Portugués?

In Galicia, the region where you will walk, the terrain is rolling green hills – there are neither steep climbs nor treacherous descents. The trail itself is a combination of very well-maintained compact dirt footpaths and paved country roads.

What is the change in elevation on A Fresco Start Camino Portugués?

You will be walking from Tui to Santiago de Compostela, the last 118 km of the Camino de Santiago. For more information on the distances between towns along the Camino and their respective altitudes, please click here.

How many kilometers are walked each day on A Fresco Start Camino Portugués?

The number of kilometers scheduled for each day varies on average from 14 to 26 km (9 to 16 miles). We have designed this tour to include the last 100 km stretch to Santiago, which is required by the Church if you are going to ask for the Compostela Certificate.

Before You Go / Preparing

What type of shoes do I need to walk A Fresco Start Camino Portugués?

Footwear is a very personal question – depending on how active you are and how much support you need. Since we will be walking the Camino de Santiago every day, comfort is key – you do not want to get blisters. You probably won’t need a full high-cut boot that covers your ankle (unless you need this support), but rather light trail walkers or even running shoes if you are used to walking. Keep in mind that there may be mud and water along the trail. Most importantly: Make sure that your shoes are well broken in!

What sort of conditioning do I need to undertake before A Fresco Start Camino Portugués?

We encourage you to start walking before you arrive, so that you can enjoy your experience more fully. As you will be walking from inn to inn, you should be prepared to cover the day’s full stage. They say your Camino begins the moment you decide to do it, so embrace your “training” walks and get those km’s in before you arrive to Spain! As a bit of insurance, we will also provide you will a list of taxi numbers…just in case!

General FAQ for all tours

Booking a Tour

Thank you for choosing to travel with Fresco Tours! We are very excited for you to join the ranks of our Happy Customers. If at any moment you should have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us. Thank you again and we look forward to sharing memories of a lifetime with you.

Reservations and Payments

To join us on a Fresco Tour, please visit our Secure Online Reservation Form or download and print a PDF version of the Reservation Form, one for each participant. To reserve your space on a tour, a 15% deposit per person is required and payment should be made via credit card (Visa or MasterCard only), bank transfer or via Wise transfer. The balance of your tour payment is due 60 days prior to the departure date. If the tour that you selected begins within 60 days of booking, final payment is due at that time. Failure to receive the remainder of your trip balance by the due date will be considered a cancellation.

Confirmation

Once Fresco Tours has received your registration form and tour deposit, we will send you an email with an invoice of payments received and your remaining balance, a copy of our Assumption of Risk / Liability Waiver Form and a link to your Guest Questionnaire. These last 2 items must be returned 60 days prior to the start of tour. In addition, we will send you a Confirmation Packet with information regarding suggestions on preparation, a packing and reading list and other tips to get you excited and prepared for your Fresco Tour.

Final Registration

Once we have received final payment, the signed Assumption of Risk / Liability Waiver Form and Guest Questionnaire, you will be sent a receipt and final details regarding your tour, including a detailed itinerary and the hotel contact list.

Single Supplement Fee

Due to the nature of the accommodations we use, there are a limited number of single rooms available. Requests for these rooms are based on availability. Please see the tour itinerary for the cost of this fee. In some cases, it may imply a room smaller in size than a standard double room. If you are traveling alone, and would like to share a room, we will do our best to match you with a same-gender roommate.

Cancellation / Refund Policies

All cancellations must be made in writing. No refunds will be issued due to late arrival, early departure, or any unused portion of a tour. The Assumption of Risk / Liability Waiver form must be signed and received 60 days prior to tour departure or the reservation will also be treated as a cancellation. We strongly recommend trip cancellation insurance to offset the chance you may need to cancel.

Time	Price
Cancellations received 121 or more days prior to trip start	10% of trip price
Cancellations received 120 – 61 days prior to trip start	15% of trip price
Cancellations received 60 – 31 days prior to trip start	50% of trip price
Cancellations received 30 days or less prior to trip start	100% of trip price

Fresco Tours reserves the right to change, modify, or cancel a tour prior to departure for any reason, including lack of participants (tour minimum: 3-6 passengers with 1 guide, 7 passengers or more with 2 guides) or acts of nature and/or circumstances beyond our control. In this case, any payments received will be refunded in full, and this will constitute full settlement. Fresco Tours is not responsible for any additional expenses due to a canceled tour, such as the purchase of non-refundable airline tickets.

Fresco Tours reserves the right to accept, refuse, or decline any tour member’s participation at any time for any reason. In such a case, Fresco Tour’s liability is limited to the actual cost of the unused services.

Changing Tour Dates

If we are notified of a change to your scheduled tour date 6 months prior, you can apply your tour deposit to another departure date without penalty. This change can be up to 1 calendar year in advance and is subject to availability. Otherwise, the above Cancellation Fees will be applied.

As Spain-taneous Private Tours are custom built and created with specific dates in mind, any modifications will incur a 15% surcharge.

Insurance

In accordance with Spanish law and for the duration of your tour with Fresco Tours, you are covered by a basic insurance provided by Intermundial. We strongly advise the purchase of a more comprehensive travel insurance that includes trip cancellation / interruption. We suggest using Travelinsurance.com, which allows you to compare and assess top insurance provider policies and their different coverage plans.

Traveling Safely and Responsibly

Traveling during these complex times requires a bit more planning and a lot more reassurance. We believe that the Fresco Tours style of travel is particularly well-suited to safe activities: walking in the outdoors, small group sizes, strong reliable relationships with our local partners and, most importantly, we have the local knowledge of our home – the Camino de Santiago and the Spanish culture.