Welcome to the Camino Portugués with Fresco Tours! To kick off our trip we will sit down with our group and Fresco Tours guides for an orientation meeting to learn about our next 10 days on the Camino de Santiago. After an introduction for the days ahead it is time to get to know Guimarães, the city that is considered to be the birthplace of Portugal. As our local historian shows you around the town, you will walk the streets of the historic district, which was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its pristine preservation and authenticity.
Perhaps the most famous monument of Guimarães, and of the country, is the medieval castle that was built in the 10th century under orders of Mumadona Dias to defend the monastery against attacks by Moors and Norsemen. The castle was expanded upon in the 11th century and became the official royal residence in 1139, when Portugal gained independence from the Kingdom of León. It was in this palace that the first King of Portugal, Afonso Henriques, was born in 1100.
After an enriching tour of the city it is time to try the local cuisine for dinner, and then off to get a good night’s sleep to prepare for our first day of walking tomorrow!
