Portugal. SELF-GUIDED Departures for a minimum of 2 persons travelling together. For dates and prices visit:

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1 Portugal Camino Portuguese Alternative route for the world famous pilgrimage Choice of two different eight day itineraries Combine both to make a two week walking holiday SELF-GUIDED Departures for a minimum of 2 persons travelling together Tour Grade B/C Tour Code - TPOC For dates and prices visit:

2 Introduction For the many who ve already completed our ever-popular Camino de Santiago pilgrimage walk along the French Way from Sarria to Santiago, following the Camino Portuguese will provide a delightful addition to your pilgrimage portfolio. It is claimed that the Camino Portuguese offers the richest cultural and architectural heritage of all the Camino s. For those that have yet to undertake the Camino, this will clearly be a refreshingly different alternative to the French way. Our Camino Portuguese is available in two convenient, but different eight- day itineraries for you to choose from; a Portuguese (Porto to Tui) section and a Spanish (Tui to Santiago) section. If you can t decide which, or have more time available then you can combine both and walk all the way from Porto to Santiago de Compostela in just two weeks. This Camino, which was used by Queen Isabel of Portugal in the 13th Century, heads north following the Atlantic coast of Portugal & Spain. The Camino Portugues gently winds along ancient tracks & paths, running through woodlands, villages, farmlands & historic towns. The final leg of the Portuguese Way starts in Tui (Spain) and crosses Galicia from South to North. It also stays close to the Atlantic coast until Pontevedra before heading East to reach the main destination of everyone walking on the Caminos: Santiago de Compostela! Daily distances are designed to challenge, but completing the Camino de Santiago is well within reach of anyone who maintains a reasonable level of fitness and enjoys walking. IMPORTANT NOTE- The Camino de Santiago is a justifiably world famous, and exceptionally popular pilgrimage trail. As a result, the demands and pressures for accommodation along the route are exceptionally high. Whilst we offer flexible departures for the Camino de Santiago, accommodation is naturally always upon request and subject to availability. Subsequently we have found throughout our years of experience operating self-guided walking holidays along the Camino de Santiago it is advisable to be flexible with your preferred dates e.g. be able to travel mid-september, rather than specifically on the 14 th September only. With the assistance of our specialist Camino de Santiago ground agent we will be able to check the availability of accommodation along the way and quickly let you know what exact dates would be available for you to undertake this holiday Pilgrims credentials & certificate of completion Every pilgrim who has walked the last 100 km of the route to Santiago (Tui to Santiago and Porto to Santiago qualify. Porto to Tui will clearly not qualify) has the right to receive an official certificate from the cathedral's Pilgrim's Office in Santiago (those professing a spiritual or religious reason for their pilgrimage will receive a certificate in Latin - la Compostela; those who do not profess such a reason, will receive a different certificate, in Spanish, actually awarded by the Santiago city hall, although picked up in the same place as the Compostela). In order to prove your achievement, on arrival in Santiago, you must present the office with your 'credentials'. This is a sort of 'passport', which will be with your route notes and maps at your arrival hotel, and you get this stamped and dated in churches, city halls, hotels, restaurants or other establishments along the way. The Holiday Routine As this is a self-guided holiday you can dictate your schedule, bearing in mind the walking that you will need to undertake each day. However do bear in mind that the Portuguese and Spanish eat their evening meal much later than standard in the UK, and it can sometimes be hard to get breakfast before 7am at the hotels/b&b s. Walking conditions You will be provided with fully detailed walking notes and maps. In general, the route is well way-marked with official 'milestones', plaques, and painted yellow arrows on trees, stones and buildings, and in the event you feel lost, helpful locals are always ready to lend a hand, and there are usually other pilgrims about too! The terrain is varied but with no extremes. Mostly it is rolling hills (lots of short flat stretches alternating with small hills). The walking surface is varied: quiet paved country roads, muddy or grassy farm or forest tracks, easy mountain/hill paths narrow semi/paved cobblestone rural paths and some sections along main roads. You can expect to walk an average of 20 km each day (some days are longer), which is why this trek is graded a B/C. But don t forget that on walking days you will only need to carry a small rucksack with essentials such as rainwear, camera and water, etc. since we take care of luggage transfers for you. In the unlikely event that you cannot continue the day s walk there is often the possibility of taking a taxi or local bus. A full explanation of the trip grading can be found online at Portugal- Camino Portuguese 2

3 You should ensure you are comfortable walking at this level of grading and are physically prepared for the trip. Self-Guided Self-guided walking holidays are in essence independent holidays and adventurous by their nature. There will be occasions when you will need to use problem-solving skills, be adaptable and have a keen eye. Route finding and losing your way, finding your way again and at times asking the locals along the way for advice/assistance is all part of the adventure. You should be confident in your navigational and map-reading skills and knowledge and experience of using a compass and or/gps (and taking one with you) is recommended. With the exception of route notes and maps (where applicable) pre-booked accommodation, baggage transfers (where applicable) and overland transfers (where applicable) you will be entirely independent. You may also need to use various forms of public transport for getting around at times. You should choose your self-guided walking holiday carefully and within the comfort levels of your own mountain walking experience. It is important you read this trip dossier before booking your self-guided holiday. Contact us if you are unsure of your suitability for any particular self-guided walking holiday before booking as the ability to be both independent and adventurous is essential. Many of our selfguided holidays are not suitable for solo/single travellers. You should contact Walks Worldwide before booking if you are considering undertaking one of our self-guided holidays as a solo/single traveller in order that we may discuss the trip suitability and your relevant experience accordingly. All the selfguided holidays we offer are operated by a local operator for whom we are effectively acting as a booking agent. Please note it is usually not possible to send route notes and maps in advance as they are retained by the local operator within the particular destination country. You may request route notes and maps in advance of your selfguided holiday no later than six weeks prior to departure. Walks Worldwide cannot guarantee that such requests can be met as this will be entirely at the discretion of the particular local operator and any additional costs such as International postage must be paid for in advance. Route notes will naturally vary from country to country and will have been translated into English by the local operator. Maps provided (where available/applicable) are usually not as detailed as Ordnance Survey maps in the United Kingdom, but will be the best available for that particular country. Your route notes will also explain the arrangements for baggage transfers etc along your route. On the majority of self-guided walking holidays you will often be following way-marked trails (either signed or with frequent symbols). In your final joining instructions we will send you contact details of the local agent (day time and emergency), as well as your first night's accommodation. You should always carry your mobile/cell phone with you at all times. In the unfortunate event of inclement weather we would advise you contact our local agent to check whether that days particular walk presents any increased difficulty before deciding whether to proceed. In your final joining instructions we will send you contact details of our local agent (day time and emergency) who should be able to provide advice and arrange assistance if required. You should always carry your mobile/cell phone with you at all times. In the unfortunate event of inclement weather we would advise you contact our local agent to check whether that days particular walk presents any increased difficulty before deciding whether to proceed. IMPORTANT-Due to the specialist nature of our holidays, day to day itineraries should be taken as a guide only, and as statements of intent and not contractual obligations. We regularly update our trip dossiers to take into account changes to trekking routes, accommodation, local transport etc. Such changes are a factor of this type of holiday and when made are out of necessity. Other factors such as adverse weather, unforeseen circumstances and other matters entirely out of our control etc can also lead to enforced changes during the course of the holiday. It is not possible to guarantee that any of our holidays will operate exactly as per the anticipated itinerary. The most current trip dossier will be made available on our website. We will also send you the most up to date trip dossier with your Final Joining Instructions approx. 2 weeks before departure and you should carefully check this for any changes that may affect your plans. Before booking you should read our Types of Trip and Essential and Useful information sections on including our Important Warning. Portugal- Camino Portuguese 3

4 Portuguese Section (Porto to Tui) Outline Itinerary Day Your 'at-a-glance' Itinerary (with distance, time, ascent and descent) Overnight Accn. Meal plan 1 Arrive Porto Porto Hotel 2 Porto to Fajozes (5hr 45 in, 23km +250m, -150m) Fajozes Hotel BD 3 Fajozes to Lalin via Arcos (6hrs 15 mins, 25km, +50m, -50m) Lalin Hotel BD 4 Lalin to Barcelos (3hrs 45mins, 15km, +50m, -300m) Barcelos Hotel BD 5 Barcelos to Ponte de Lima (8hrs 15mins, 33km, +220m, -220m) Ponte de Lima Hotel BD 6 Ponte de Lima to San Pedro de Rubiaes (4hrs 45mins, 19km, +450m, -250m) San Pedro Hotel BD 7 San Pedro to Tui (5hrs, 20km, +150m, -250m) Tui Hotel B 8 Depart Tui (or continue to Santiago on the Spanish section) B Spanish Section (Tui to Santiago) Outline Itinerary Day Your 'at-a-glance' Itinerary (with distance, time, ascent and descent) Overnight Accn. Meal plan 1 Fly to Santiago and travel to Tui by bus or private taxi Tui Hotel 2 From Tui to O Porrino (16km, 4hrs, +90m, -80m) O Porrino Hotel BD 3 From O Porrino to Arcade (22km, 5h30, +310m, -300m) Arcade Hotel BD 4 From Arcade to Pontevedra (11km, 3h, +100m, -180m) Pontevedra Hotel BD 5 From Pontevedra to Caldas do Rei (24km, 6h, +110m, -100m) Caldas do Rei Hotel BD 6 From Caldas do Rei to Padron (18km, 4h30, +120m, -100m) Padron Hotel BD 7 From Padron to Santiago (24km, 6h, +310m, -60m) Santiago Hotel B 8 Depart Santiago B Combination of Portuguese and Spanish Section (Porto to Santiago) Outline Itinerary Day Your 'at-a-glance' Itinerary (with distance, time, ascent and descent) Overnight Accn. Meal plan 1 Arrive Porto Porto Hotel 2 Porto to Fajozes (5hr 45 in, 23km +250m, -150m) Fajozes Hotel BD 3 Fajozes to Lalin via Arcos (6hrs 15 mins, 25km, +50m, -50m) Lalin Hotel BD 4 Lalin to Barcelos (3hrs 45mins, 15km, +50m, -300m) Barcelos Hotel BD 5 Barcelos to Ponte de Lima (8hrs 15mins, 33km, +220m, -220m) Ponte de Lima Hotel BD 6 Ponte de Lima to San Pedro de Rubiaes (4hrs 45mins, 19km, +450m, -250m) San Pedro Hotel BD 7 San Pedro to Tui (5hrs, 20km, +150m, -250m) Tui Hotel B 8 From Tui to O Porrino (16km, 4hrs, +90m, -80m) O Porrino Hotel BD 9 From O Porrino to Arcade (22km, 5h30, +310m, -300m) Arcade Hotel BD 10 From Arcade to Pontevedra (11km, 3h, +100m, -180m) Pontevedra Hotel BD 11 From Pontevedra to Caldas do Rei (24km, 6h, +110m, -100m) Caldas do Rei Hotel BD 12 From Caldas do Rei to Padron (18km, 4h30, +120m, -100m) Padron Hotel BD 13 From Padron to Santiago (24km, 6h, +310m, -60m) Santiago Hotel B 14 Depart Santiago B B=Breakfast, D=Dinner For enhanced day to day descriptions and other information- see following pages Portugal- Camino Portuguese Printed on 15/11/2010

5 Portuguese Section (Porto to Tui) Day 1 Arrive Porto and make your way to your hotel in Porto. See Joining Arrangements and transfers section later in this trip dossier. After checking into the hotel in Porto you may have time to explore the city. The entire old city of Porto was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1996 and there is plenty to do and see here. Set on the bank of the Douro river and near the Atlantic Ocean, the city is also internationally known for its famous Port wine. And there are plenty of terraces and restaurants in Porto to enjoy it! Hotel, Porto. Day 2 After breakfast a short transfer to Maia saves you having to walk through the suburbs of Porto. Today s walk is primarily level and after your transfer has dropped you off amongst the pleasing countryside you begin your walk along the Camino Portuguese. (your main baggage will continue by car to Fajozes. Along the way there are numerous old and interesting churches along the Camino, such as the twelfth century monastery Mosteiro Leca do Balio. There is an ATM, shops and all the usual facilities in Fajozes. Walking distance 23 km. Walking time approx 5hrs 45mins, 250m ascent, 150m descent. Hotel, Fajozes. Day 3 From Fajolez the Camino starts to head North East, gradually getting away from the coastline. A few kilometres after leaving Fajolez, you cross the beautiful medieval Dom Zameiro Bridge. The first woodlands of this section also appear here, with pine and eucalyptus trees providing shade from the sun. Reaching Arcos you then step off the Camino to reach your accommodation tonight in Lalin, which is around 2km away and has shops and an ATM. Walking distance 25 km. Walking time approx 6hrs 15mins, 50m ascent, 50m descent. Hotel, Lalin. Day 4 Today is an enjoyable and shorter walk as you retrace your steps to Arcos and then head for the lively market town of Barcelos. Gently undulated woodlands and charming villages alternate on today's route and you then have the option to visit the Chapel of Santa de Franqueira, perched at 290m and to enjoy a panoramic view from the top of the hill. Further on, you cross one of the many well preserved medieval bridges of the Camino and soon enter Barcelos and its attractive main square.there is an ATM and shops in Barcelos. Walking distance 15 km. Walking time approx 3hrs 45mins, 50m ascent, 300m descent. Hotel, Barcelos. Day 5 Leaving Barcelos you start to feel Galicia is approaching. Indeed, the landscape begins to change, becoming both hillier and greener, offering some nice views all day long. This day is the hardest of the section as there are not so many towns nor villages along the Camino and several steep ascents but it is also the most beautiful one! Tonight s halt is Ponte de Lima, which has ATM s and shops. Walking distance 33 km. Walking time approx 8hrs 15mins, 220m ascent, 220m descent. Hotel, Ponte de Lima. Day 6 As for the previous day, there is a good deal of ascent today along the Camino, with its highest point at Alto da Portela Grande (alt. 410m). There are also numerous chapels and wayside crosses where pilgrims to Santiago have placed stones to mark their passage. ATM and shops available in tonight s overnight location. Walking distance 33 km. Walking time approx 8hrs 15mins, 220m ascent, 220m descent. Hotel,San Pedro de Rubiaes. Day 7 Today is a special day as you start the walk in Portugal, and finish it in Galicia, Spain! The landscape here is very like the rest of Galicia: green and hilly. So it is no surprise you start by walking down towards Rio Coura before starting a long climb up to Alto Sao Bento da Porta Aberta. Then, it is a steep descent to Fontoura before continuing towards Rio Minho, natural and modern border between the two countries. You then head towards the town of Tui, the last stop over of this section. ATM and shops available in Tui. Walking distance 20 km. Walking time approx 5hrs, 150m ascent, 250m descent. Hotel, Tui Day 8 Depart Tui, or continue to Santiago if undertaking the combination itinerary. See Joining arrangements and transfers section. Portugal- Camino Portuguese 5

6 Joining Arrangements and Transfers- Porto to Tui section You should join this section in Porto on day 1 of the trip itinerary and depart Tui on day 8 (unless you are continuing to Santiago- see Joining Arrangements for Porto to Santiago if continuing). Here you would then take the urban bus (C9a route) to Vigo Aiport (approx 20mins) As this is an independent, self-guided walking holiday airport transfers are not provided and you should use public transport as advised below. If you are intending to arrive/depart by air you can fly either to Porto in Portugal or Vigo in Spain, as several different companies fly to both airports, directly from UK, Ireland, and main cities in Europe. Arriving Porto Airport Ryanair fly direct to Porto from several regional airports in the UK and Ireland. See for further details of schedules and prices. You will find details of other airlines flying to Porto at and From Porto Airport to Porto city centre, take either the Subway, linea violete or bus Regular departures all day long. Taxi is an alternative, but will be more costly. Departing Porto Airport From Tui you should take the public bus (journey time approx 30mins) service firstly to Vigo. From Vigo there is a direct bus service to Porto Airport (journey time approx 45mins) A private Tui to Porto transfer can be booked in advance through Walks Worldwide. Cost is 150 per car (max 4 persons per car) Arriving Vigo Airport Several airlines fly from various UK and Ireland Airports to Vigo see and for more details. From Vigo Airport you would take the regular shuttle bus to Vigo s main bus station. You would then travel by bus (approx 1hr journey time) to Porto, usually four buses each day see for the latest schedule. Departing Vigo Airport From Tui you would take a bus (approx 30mins journey time) to Vigo main bus station Portugal- Camino Portuguese 6

7 Spanish Section (Tui to Santiago) Day 1 Make your way to your hotel in Tui. ( via Santiago). See Joining Arrangements and transfers section later in this trip dossier. You will be booked in a hotel in the heart of Tui. The rooms are en-suite. If you arrive in good time we suggest you take a walk through the picturesque streets of this town, then as you approach the Plaza de San Fernando, the silhouette of the west-facing facade of the 12th-century cathedral will leave you breathless. Tui has ATM s and shops. Hotel, Tui. Day 2 From Tui's old port the Camino winds its way up to the old town, following the so-called Camino da Barca. Then through the Tunel das Monxas, the Camino enters a very steep section and leads to the evocative bridge of San Telmo. From there, travelling over a less abrupt terrain, you come to the town of O Porrino, your overnight halt. ATM and shops in O Porrino. Walking distance 16 km. Walking time approx 4hrs, 90m ascent, 80m descent. Hotel,O Porrino. Day 3 A longer day, however the terrain becomes easier as you cross the Louro valley. Keeping the valley to the east, after a gentle climb you arrive at the chapel of Santiaguino de Antas; a pleasant place to take a rest. The route now enters a wide expanse of woodland. Surrounded by pine trees, the Camino starts its descent through the hamlet of Setefontes and comes to Arcade. ATM and shops in Arcade. Walking distance 22 km. Walking time approx 5hrs 30mins, 310m ascent, 300m descent. Hotel, Arcade. Day 4 Reaching the historic site of Ponte Sampaio, the Camino crosses the Verdugo River. During the War of Independence, Napoleon's army suffered one of its greatest defeats in Galicia at this bridge. Heading up a cobbled footpath we come to the 13th century church of Santa Maria. Views of the Bay of Vigo are stunning! Tonight s overnight halt is in Pontevedra. ATM and shops available. Walking distance 11 km. Walking time approx 3hrs, 100m ascent, 180m descent. Hotel,Pontevedra. Day 5 Passing chestnut groves, the Camino leaves Pontevedra and runs parallel to the railway for a while. After passing through the hamlet of Ponte Cabras, we encounter the rectory of Santa Maria de Alba, tucked away among pine and eucalyptus trees. Emerging from the dense woods of Lombo da Maceira, you'll see a statue of Saint James the pilgrim, his cane pointing the way to proceed. The lovely village of Tibo, with its fountain, public washing place and stone cross, bring us to Caldas do Rei. ATM and shops in Caldos do Rei. Walking distance 24 km. Walking time approx 6hrs, 110m ascent, 100m descent. Hotel,Caldas do Rei. Day 6 Exiting the town, you take a bridge over the river Umia that leads to a fountain of hot spring water that had lent the town its name since Roman times. Entering the woods once more, the Camino make its way gently uphill to the hamlet of Santa Marina. Going downhill, you then cross the river Fontenlo. Finally, following a Camino lined with pine trees, you catch up again with the river as you arrive in Padron. Padron is famous for being the first land sighted by the ship bearing the body of Saint James. ATM and shops available in tonight s overnight location. Walking distance 18 km. Walking time approx 4hrs 30mins, 120m ascent, 100m descent. Hotel, Padron. Day 7 The Camino passes through many small villages and hamlets before arriving at the Baroque sanctuary of A Esclavitude. On a hilltop to the left stands the mysterious, abandoned ruins of the hill fort Castro Lupario, and couple of kilometres later, you come to the oldest wayside crosses in Galicia. Nearing Agro dos Monteiros, it is now possible to see the towers of the cathedral. Finally the Camino passes by the ruins of a castle known as A Rocha Vella. You enter through its modern outskirts, then head directly into the ancient centre. The place you head for is the Plaza del Obradoiro, Santiago s grandiose central square. You then go to the cathedral office to receive the certificate of completion, and then to the cathedral to complete the obligatory pilgrim's rituals within its Gothic walls. Walking distance 11 km. Walking time approx 3hrs, 100m ascent, 180m descent. Hotel, Santiago Day 8 Depart Santiago See Joining arrangements and transfers section. Portugal- Camino Portuguese 7

8 Joining Arrangements and Transfers- Tui to Santiago section You should join this section in Tui on day 1 of the trip itinerary and depart Santiago on day 8 As this is an independent, self-guided walking holiday airport transfers are not provided and you should use public transport as advised below. If you are intending to arrive/depart by air you should fly to Santiago. Ryanair ( and Iberia ( fly direct to Santiago from the UK. From Dublin Aer Lingus operate flights to Santiago. See the respective websites for flight schedules and prices. Arriving Santiago Airport From Santiago Airport you take the bus to Vigo (journey time approx 1hr) From Vigo there is a regular bus service to Tui (journey time approx 30mins) until late. A private Santiago Airport to Tui transfer can be booked in advance through Walks Worldwide. Cost is 40 per car (max 4 persons per car) Departing Santiago Airport There is a regular shuttle bus from the centre of Santiago to the Airport. Alternatively a taxi will cost around Portugal- Camino Portuguese 8

9 Portuguese and Spanish Combination If you are selecting the combination of the Portuguese and Spanish sections, then the daily walks will be as detailed in the two individual sections. You would start in Porto and follow the Portuguese section first. However, instead of departing Tui on day 8 (as described in the Portuguese section), you would continue by walking to from Tui to O Porrino on day 8 (as per day 2 of the Spanish section). Departing Santiago Airport There is a regular shuttle bus from the centre of Santiago to the Airport. Alternatively a taxi will cost around Ryanair ( and Iberia ( fly direct to the UK from Santiago. Aer Lingus operate flights from Santiago to Dublin.. See the respective websites for flight schedules and prices. Please see the 14 day outline itinerary previously within this trip dossier. Joining Arrangements and Transfers- Portuguese and Spanish sections combined You should join this combination itinerary on day 1 in Porto and would depart Santiago on day 14. It may be possible for you to book flights with Ryanair on a one way basis to Porto and a one way basis from Santiago if you are flexible in your UK airport preference. See for flight schedules and prices. As this is an independent, self-guided walking holiday airport transfers are not provided and you should use public transport as advised below. If you prefer to both arrive and depart from Porto, private transfers can be booked in advance through Walks Worldwide. The approximate cost will be 160 per car ( max 4 persons per car) Arriving Porto Airport Ryanair fly direct to Porto from several regional airports in the UK and Ireland. See for further details of schedules and prices. You will find details of other airlines flying to Porto at and From Porto Airport to Porto city centre, take either the Subway, linea violete or bus Regular departures all day long. Taxi is an alternative, but will be more costly. Portugal- Camino Portuguese 9

10 Practical Information- applicable to both sections Baggage Please make sure that your baggage is clearly marked with your name, inside as well as outside, in case the labels get detached. We request you limit your main baggage to one piece per person to a maximum of 20kg. As your main baggage will be transported by vehicle between accommodations a normal suitcase can be used for your main baggage. Land Only The Land Only price does not include International flights. IMPORTANT- MAKE SURE YOUR CHOSEN HOLIDAY IS CONFIRMED BEFORE YOU PURCHASE AIR TICKETS AND MAKING ANY OTHER TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS. Please contact the Walks Worldwide office to check the status of your chosen holiday BEFORE purchasing your International Air ticket. If you are purchasing your own air ticket, you should be aware that most of the cheaper airline tickets available for sale on the internet or from low cost carriers are non-refundable in the case of cancellation. For this reason we strongly advise you check the rules of the ticket when you make a flight booking, and check the limitations of any cancellation insurance policy you have. We cannot be held liable, for losses incurred relating to any flight bookings or subsequent travel arrangements you have made yourself. You should book flights that enable you to arrive at the hotel on Day 1 of the specific trip itinerary as detailed in the relevant joining arrangements and transfers section. Return flights should be booked that enable you to depart no sooner than those advised in the relevant joining arrangements and transfers section for your chosen itinerary. You should take into account the transfer times of the public transport before booking your flights. Passports and Visas British passport holders do not require a visa for stays up to three months in either Portugal or Spain (please ensure your passport has at least 6 months validity). Accommodation Accommodation will be reserved for you on a twin share basis unless you have already requested a single room at extra cost in advance. The accommodation used on this trip is of a 2* and 3*standard. The actual hotels used will be availability dependent. Rooms will be en-suite unless demand dictates these are not available. It is possible to upgrade to a 5* Parador hotel in Santiago, or add extra nights in Santiago either in the 5* Parador or 3* hotel. Extra nights can also be arranged in Porto and Tui. Please contact us for prices. Other than the 5* Parador upgrade/extra nights in Santiago, it is not possible to upgrade to In- Style accommodation on this trip. If you require In-Style accommodation please see our Spain-Camino In Style self-guided holiday. Food A fine selection of Portuguese and Spanish foods is available in the villages, cafes and hotels along the way. Breakfasts usually consist of bread/toast with butter and jam. Lunches are bought by yourselves on the majority of days, and shops have a selection of cold meats, cheeses, breads, tomato salads or tapas. Evening meals are usually threecourses. In Portugal and Spain evening meals are served much later than in the UK and breakfasts are usually not possible before 0700hrs. Climate It is of course impossible to predict the precise weather conditions you will encounter during the course of your holiday. However, we do schedule our holidays to coincide with what should be the most suitable weather periods for walking. Spring, early summer and early autumn are the best times to visit in terms of the weather. Mid-Summer is hot, and the winter is chilly along the entire Pilgrim's Way, and especially damp in Galicia. Expect temperatures between C in the spring to early summer months. Be aware that the reason for the lush vegetation in Galicia is that showers do occur regularly! Don t forget to pack your waterproofs and do not confuse the climate of northern Portugal and Spain with that of the Algarve and Costas. For climate statistics visit Vaccinations and medical precautions We always recommend visiting your doctor and dentist for a check up before travelling. Your doctor will also have access to the most up to date information on vaccinations and medical precautions for the country you are about to visit. In general, no vaccinations are necessary for Portugal and Spain and health problems here are quite rare. Portugal- Camino Portuguese 10

11 A useful travel health online resource is fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk Please make sure that you obtain form EHIC either online or from your local post office you will need to produce this if you have to see a doctor. First Aid You should always carry your own small, personal first aid kit. This should consist of the following: A general anti-biotic, throat lozenges, painkillers, plasters (band-aids), blister treatment, insect repellent (DEET), rehydration salts, antiseptic cream, diarrhoea treatment (e.g. Imodium). Currency. The Portuguese and Spanish currency is the Euro. Please refer to / up to date rates. ATM machines are available at all overnight locations. Many of the hotels, restaurants take credit cards, some shops do as well. But many of the villages are small and it is best to carry part of your spending money in cash. Language Portuguese and/or Spanish (in Galicia, the language used by locals is closer to Portuguese than Spanish, but Spanish is understood by all). Most of the local people do not speak English but almost all are extremely friendly and if you don t speak any Portuguese or Spanish then we recommend you take along a relevant phrasebook. Travel Insurance It is a condition of booking any of our holidays that you have comprehensive travel insurance. It is your to responsibility to ensure you are covered for medical and personal accident risks for the part of the world you intend to travel and the activities involved. This cover should include repatriation costs, air ambulance and helicopter rescue. It is also advisable to take out cancellation insurance as all deposits paid are non-refundable. You may arrange either single-trip or annual multi-trip travel insurance through Walks Worldwide. Please call us on or us- sales@walksworldwide.com for a quotation. Inclusions and exclusions Inclusions Meals as listed above Accommodation. Maps and route notes Luggage transfers for all walking days. Not Included Arrival and departure transfers International Flights Souvenirs and personal items Insurance Meals not indicated in the trip itinerary Portugal- Camino Portuguese 11

12 Clothing and Equipment Lists At least one set of casual / non-walking clothes will be useful for wearing in hotels on this holiday. Whilst walking you must not worry about how you look: comfort and protection against bad weather are of prime importance. Because mountain weather is so very variable, we recommend a number of thin layers rather than a few thick ones. The following list is our suggested guide to help you with your packing based upon our many years of travelling/walking. Using your own judgment for packing is of course important, especially with regard to casual clothing etc but please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about packing for your holiday, or are uncertain as to the suitability of your clothing and equipment. CLOTHING Walking boots and spare laces Trainers/approach shoes Socks 3+ pairs (Walking and Casual) Underwear 3+ T-shirts 3+ Trekking Trousers Short trousers 2+ Light fleece 1-2 Thick fleece 1-2 Thermal underwear (optional but light and useful if cold (early Spring and Autumn) Waterproof jacket with hood Waterproof trousers Gloves (Spring and Autumn) Sun Hat Warm Hat EQUIPMENT Daypack/rucksack approx. 30 litre capacity. 2 Large water bottles (1 litre each) Towel quick drying pack towel is recommended Torch (and spare bulb and batteries) Camera & accessories Binoculars (optional) A variety of dry bag/plastic bags (kitbags are not waterproof) Sunglasses Trekking poles (highly recommended) Reading material (optional) Washing/Shaving kit & toilet paper Insect Repellent Small personal First Aid kit (see section above) Anti-Bacterial Handwash Water purifying tablets Sun Cream & lip salve Blister plasters i.e. Compeed Tickets/E tickets Passport Money Portugal- Camino Portuguese 12

13 The following items should also considered as being useful on a walking holiday Penknife/small scissors (DO NOT PACK IN HAND LUGGAGE) Moisturising cream Baby wipes Snacks/Energy bars Safety pins (DO NOT PACK IN HAND LUGGAGE) Padlock for your kitbag Small sewing/repair kit (DO NOT PACK IN HAND LUGGAGE) Small mirror Nail clippers (DO NOT PACK IN HAND LUGGAGE) Spare glasses/contact lenses Cold water Travel Wash (preferably biodegradable) Travel adaptor Portugal- Camino Portuguese 13