Portuguese Route

Introduction
Galicia Spain
From the mid 12th century, the veneration of Saint James and the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela – considered one of the bastions of European culture – had far-reaching effects in Lusitanian lands. For centuries, the Portuguese people participated enthusiastically in this collective experience – supported by monarchs, members of the nobility and the high clergy. Indeed, from the 12th century up until the present day, much of Portugal's road network has seen the comings and goings of pilgrims heading from towns and cities all over the country – Lisbon, Santarem, Coimbra, Porto, Braga, Chaves – to their goal of Santiago de Compostela.
Their motives were originally strictly religious, yet thanks to this steady flow of movement between Portugal and Galicia, cultural, economic and intellectual exchange also flourished.

The hospitality offered to pilgrims by those stationed along the route is proverbial; the practice was started in the Middle Ages by the monks and clergymen serving the hospitals founded by the monarchs and nobility. This tradition is kept alive today by the inhabitants of the towns scattered along the Way and by the innkeepers at pilgrims' hostels.

Bridges, rural chapels, sanctuaries, stone crosses, country houses and historic cities are shelled along a route that begins on the banks of the Miño river, in the city of Tui, to conclude before the Jacobean tomb. The Portuguese Way in constitutes a route of notable monumental evidence, with strong cultural realities that go beyond the architectural and the museum.

Accomodation

Accommodations
This is a progressive ride so nights are spent in different locations.

Description
Accommodations will be in small hotels, guesthouses and rural inns along the way - most will have private bathroom facilities.
Free Wi-Fi internet and laundry facilities are available in almost all accommodations on the trail.

Portuguese Route Accommodations Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Hotel in Barcelos
Night 2: Hotel in Ponte de Lima
Night 3: Hotel in Tui
Night 4: Hotel in Pontevedra
Night 5: Hotel in Soutomaior
Night 6: Hotel in Padron
Nights 7 & 8: Hotel in Santiago de Compostella

Hotel in Barcelos
This hotel is located in the heart of Barcelos’ city center. Accommodations are simple and comfortable and come equipped with standard hotel facilities (ensuite bathroom, air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi and TV).

Hotel in Ponte de Lima
This hotel has a modern design and offers 30 simply furnished bedrooms. The hotel is surrounded by a park with many trees, allowing for a quiet stay. The rooms all include a private balcony, air conditioning, Wi-Fi internet, a TV and a private bathroom. The hotel facilities include a spa and laundry services (extra cost).

Hotel (option 1) in Tui
This hotel has 64 spacious bedrooms that all have free Wi-Fi access, air conditioning/heating, a full private bathroom, a safe and a TV. The hotel facilities include a small gym.

Hotel (option 2) in Tui
This historic building is a perfect example of Galician architecture. It welcomes guest in elegantly furnished bedrooms with air conditioning, cable TV, free Wi-Fi access and private facilities. The hotel also has beautiful garden with great views of the surrounding and a big outdoor swimming pool. Laundry services are available at this hotel at an extra cost.

Hotel (option 1) in Pontevedra
This hotel is located in the heart of Pontevedra’s city center and offers 85 simple and comfortable bedrooms. Each room comes with temperature control, satellite TV, free Wi-Fi access and private bathrooms. Laundry services are available at this hotel at an extra cost.

Hotel (option 2) in Pontevedra
This small hotel is located in the historic quarter of Pontevedra. The 22 bedrooms are simply furnished and all feature a TV, free Wi-Fi access, air conditioning and private bathroom.

Hotel in Soutomaior
This small hotel is ideally located close to the historic Castle of Soutomaior. It offers 14 bedrooms, all equipped with a bathroom, heating, and a TV. Wifi is available in shared areas.

Guesthouse (option 1) in Padron
This charming was built during the 18th century and has been welcoming guest for over 30 years. The interior features exposed stones and wood and the décor includes many antiques. Each room has its own bathroom as well as a TV and internet access.

Hotel (option 2) in Padron
This beautiful historic property dates back to the 16th century and used to be the place where the archbishops of Santiago came to relax. The complex is set on a huge parcel of land including gardens and woods. The interior is tastefully decorated and mixes perfectly history with comfort. The air-conditioned rooms all come with a TV, private bathroom and free Wi-Fi. Guests are welcome to explore the many public areas including lounges, gardens and the outdoor swimming pool.


We use one of the following hotels in Santiago de Compostella:
- Option 1: This beautiful hotel is ideally located on a hillside, offering great views over the city. It has a big garden with an outdoor swimming pool and even a small chapel. The rooms are elegantly decorated and all feature air conditioning/heating, a safe, a TV, free Wi-Fi access and an ensuite bathroom.
- Option 2: This modern hotel is offering comfortable and well-designed accommodations, all with air-conditioning, private facilities, a safe box, cable TV, and free WiFi. In addition, the hotel has a small garden with an outdoor swimming pool and a small gym.

Room Occupancy
If we are unable to find another rider to share the room with you, the single supplement fee applies.



Meals
All meals are included with this trip and you will have the opportunity to try traditional Galician dishes in local restaurants.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to all dietary restrictions with prior notice.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding

Horses
We mostly use pure Spanish horses as well as Arabian crosses. All horses have been trained to be quiet and easy-going.

Pace
We typically cover 25-35km in a day (approximately 6-7 hours in the saddle). The hours are broken up by one break in the morning and another for lunch, however we can stop again if necessary. The ride is set at a slow pace, giving you the opportunity to experience the pilgrimage as it first took place in the Middle Ages. There are some opportunities for trotting and cantering.

Itinerary

During the rides, breakfast is usually served around 8 am so that you can start riding at about 9 am. Along the way, you stop for a small break at 11 am. You then stop for lunch and siesta at about 2pm and start riding again around 4 pm, arriving at the accommodation for 6-6:30 pm.
Dinner is generaly served at 8:30 pm.

Sample Itinerary: Portuguese Route - subject to changes 

--This is only a guideline. the actual itinerary may vary depending on the time of year--

This route, from Portugal to Spain, follows the Atlantic coast of northern Portugal and Galicia.  Being a coastal route, the trail does cross numerous river drainages as they approach the Atlantic resulting in a series of ups and downs. Generally the route is through agricultural land but this is interspersed with pine and eucalyptus forests. It does not have any high mountain passes, with the highest elevation at about 275 meters. Alleged to have existed since the Middle Ages, the route is filled with historic bridges, country chapels, sanctuaries, stone crosses, ancestral homes and ancient cities on the way to the grave site.

Day 1: Arrive in Tui
Pick up from Santiago and transfer to Tui, where you will enjoy a nice welcome dinner.

Day 2: Tui to Pontevedra
We start from Tui and come to a bridge that gives us a couple of options: we can continue over the bridge or take a detour path to the left. In the end, both trails will arrive to Madalena. From here, we follow a Roman road and come to N-550, which goes to Redondela and the monastery Vilarella. The route will pass through the town, where we find the historic inn "Casa da Torre" a 16th century building. As we leave Redondela, we ride past the railway bridge, right through the woods to Soutoxusto. Surrounded by pine trees, we ride through it and then climb down to the village of Sete Fontes. We will eventually arrive to Arcade, a place known for its delicious seafood! Once you have had a good taste, we are off to the historic site Pontesampaio where the route crosses the river Verdugo and saw one of the greatest defeats of Napoleon's army during the Revolutionary War! We ride on to more points of interest, like the St. James Bertola, as we approach Pontevedra.

Day 3: Pontevedra to Souitomaior
After reaching the city, the road will leads us to the square and across the street to Santina. The road runs parallel to the railway line Pontecabras and we ride under the pine and eucalyptus trees until we arrive to the church of Santa María de Alba.

Day 4: Soutomaior to Padron
We find the trail of Casal de Eirixio and O Pino in the deciduous forests, which are located near the old mills. At the mill of Solleiros the road bends slightly to Valga and then we will ride in the direction of Padrón, in the Province of Coruna.

Day 5: Padron to Santiago de Compostella
On our way to Santiago, we stop in Santiaguiño do Monte, which has a charming view, and a chapel dedicated to Santiago and an altar with the picture of Santiago in one of the stones. In Santiago we enter O Obradeiro, where we can appreciate the principal entry of the Saint James Basilica.

Day 6: Santiago de Compostella
After the cathedral visit, we will transport you to the Airport or train station (departure around noon).

Note: The 7-day route starts in Ponte de Lima and it takes 187 km to get to Santiago. You can also opt for a longer or shorter trip.

Other options to ride the St James Way include:
French Route
Northern Route
Sea Route
Finisterre Route


-- click here for larger map

Rates and Dates for Portuguese Route

Dates Note: * Please inquire about other tour dates

Other Info
Meeting: Santiago de Compostela
Airport: Santiago de Compostela
Transfer: Santiago de Compostela Airport (SCQ) or Railway station.

Climate:
                                    Santiago de Compostela area