Santiago de Compostela - Porto 2024

On Saturday, you will be awaited by the Hotel AC Palacio del Carmen*****, in the city centre, a former monastery, in which antiquity and modernity have been architecturally and skilfully combined. At 6pm, we will meet up in the hotel lobby and will show you the venerable old city of Santiago during a city round tour.

In the morning, we will begin our stage on the trails of the Way of St. James through the Galician hilly country up to Padrón. The city’s name derives from pedrón, a Roman milestone on the shore of the Ria, where according to legend, the ship transporting the body of Jacob the Apostle was moored. After lunch, our route will lead through a beautiful landscape along the Ulla River and further up to Catoira. We will then travel further to Vilagarcía de Arousa, where the palace-style Hotel Pazo O Rial**** awaits us. We will enjoy dinner together.

After breakfast, we will travel by bus for about an hour to the Rio Minho, into the Portuguese border town Monção, known for its sulphate containing thermal springs and the Alvarinho-wine. Travelling on a former railway line, we will follow the Minho, which has paved its way through the natural mountainous country, up to Valença. On a journey far away from larger streets, we will approach Vila Nova de Cerveira, also known as the city of arts. After a further 2 km, we will be welcomed by the Hotel Boega****, a lovingly restored manor from the 17th century situated on a hill with a splendid view of the Minho. We will end the evening during a stylish dinner in the hotel’s own restaurant.

Travelling past several islands, parts on which wild horses still dwell, we will first travel for 9 km on a boat on the Rio Minho this morning, up to its mouth in the Atlantic at the fortress town Caminha. The city square Largo Terreiro is a sight worth seeing here, with its impressive ensemble of medieval houses. Our cycling route then leads further along the Costa Verde, characterised by extensive sandy beaches and dunes, as well as its rocky coast with numerous cliffs. Viana do Castelo lies at the mouth of the Rio Lima, whose charm and strategic location had already been recognised by the Romans and who gave the place the epithet "The Beauty". The old city is still enchanting today, with its houses and palaces in Renaissance and Manuelin style. After the city tour, we will travel by cable car onto the city hill. The Igreja de Santa Luzia sits enthroned here, a Neo-Byzantine pilgrimage church. The magnificent Pousada Monte de Santa Luzia, (swimming pool) which awaits us today, is one of the most beautifully located hotels in Portugal, due to the fantastic view over the Atlantic. We will enjoy dinner in the Pousada’s restaurant.

In the morning, we will travel by bus through the charming Lima valley back to Spain. Commencing our journey in a small pueblo, we will reach the National Park Peneda–Gerês during the course of the morning, which belongs to Portugal. We will be accompanied by extensive oak forests and a lush vegetation which is hardly to be expected in Portugal. We will be rewarded for a somewhat longer ascent with a long-stretched descent, with alternating panoramas, until we reach the da Caniçada reservoir. At our stage destination, we will be awaited by the stylish Pousada Santa Maria do Bouro, in the town of the same name. We will have dinner in the former monastery kitchen.  (Travel date 1: Pousada Caniçada-Gerês).

In the morning, we will leave our hotel and will cycle along the Cávado River up to the lovely city of Braga, the third largest and one of the oldest cities in Portugal. During a city round tour, we will explore the charming university city with its famous cathedral Sé. Braga is still one of the most important religious centres of the country, where the festivities of the Easter week and the festivities of São João are highlights in the liturgical and touristic calendar. In the afternoon, we will reach Porto by train, the second largest city in Portugal, situated directly at the famous Douro River. Here we will be welcomed by the very stylish Pestana Porto A Brasileira*****, located in the city centre (two overnight stays). As lunch is included in the travel price on Wednesday, you will have the evening to your own disposal. The old city in Porto has numerous bars and restaurants, which invite one to relax and linger.  

After an extensive city tour, we will take a short transfer to Matosinhos at the Atlantic coast. Following the lovely promenade, we will cycle past the mouth of the Douro and then continue along the river into the heart of the old city, to the charming Praça da Ribeira. The Ponte de Dom Luis I, probably the most famous of the five bridges which traverse the Douro in the urban area, can be found in close proximity. We will cross over it to Vila Nova de Gaia, the centre of port wine trade, in order to enjoy a tasting at a traditional manufacturer. We will then walk back to our Hotel Pestana Porto A Brasileira***** in the late afternoon.

After breakfast in the morning, one can still enjoy a little Portuguese city flair. From the centre, one can reach the airport by taxi in 30 minutes (transfer is not included in the travel price).

We gladly assist you on booking additional nights. All prices are on request. Please note, that it can be cheaper, when you book additional nights by yourself.