Depart USA for Portugal.

Arrive into Porto, Portugal. Plan to arrive before 12 noon. We will transfer from Porto (OPO) airport, stop for lunch and then transfer (45 minute drive) to the city of Braga, often referred to as "the Rome of Portugal." While Lisbon is the political capital, Braga is the spiritual center of Portugal, with 40 Romanesque, Baroque, and Neoclassical churches, monasteries, and chapels characterizing medieval Braga. Once in Braga we will walk the Baroque whitewashed granite stairway, considered the most beautiful in Portugal, up to the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte.  Along the stairway are chapels, crucifixes, and statues of biblical figures depicting Jesus' Way of the Cross. Further up the slope of Monte Espinho is the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Sameiro, the second largest Marian shrine in Portugal (after Fatima). Time permitting we will visit Braga's magnificent cathedral in the city center a short walk from our hotel. Check into our hotel and have a little rest time. Later we will meet for a Camino presentation with our local guide, followed by dinner.

Accommodations:  Braga (L, D)**

After breakfast, we shuttle to Vitorino where we hit the trail and have a warmup of our week to follow. We lace up our shoes to take our first steps on the Camino, getting our first stamp in the parish town of Vitorino de Piães! We finish in the lovely river valley town of Ponte de Lima. (What are all those Roman soldiers doing here?)

Accommodations:  Ponte de Lima (B,L,D)

Walking:  12 km or 8 mi

From the fortress town of Valença, where the cobblestone streets take us back to another time, we cross over the River Miño and enter Spain. As both Portugal and Spain are European Union members, the only passport you’ll need is your Pilgrim’s Passport but remember that the word for stamp will change from carimbo to sello. Once across the border, we admire the 12th-century Santa Maria Cathedral in Tui.

Accommodations:  Tui (B,L,D)

Walking:  11 km or 7 mi

Today, we make our way through O Porriño, a town known for its unique city hall architecture and its prized granite cutting mills. We continue to Mos, where the Louro River and the tranquil Galician countryside keep us company as we make our way to Tui for another lovely evening.

Accommodations:  Tui (B,L,D)

Walking: 12 km or 8 mi

Today we get the blood pumping with a good climb up to the Monte de Santiago de Antas, where we find another Roman mile marker to remind us that we are getting closer. The Camino then takes us to Redondela. Here we get our first glimpse of the Estuary of Vigo, where mussels and scallops are farmed on floating barges!

Accommodations:  Pontevedra (B,L,D)

Walking:  17 km or 11 mi

Our walk today takes us by the beautiful stone arches of the old Ponte Sampaio, where Napolean's troops were defeated in the War of Indepence in 1809. Here we can dip our toes into the Verdugo River, before preparing for our walk into the city of Ponteverda. Once in Pontevedra, we can stop and get a stamp at La Peregrina, the 18th century chapel whose floor is in the shape of a scallop shell! Tonight we have the evening free to rest or explore the city's gastronomic scene.

Accommodations:  Pontevedra (B,L)

Walking:  11 km or 7 mi

Leaving the city of Pontevedra, we quickly return to nature, crossing through quiet, wooded paths where we come to the granite Cross of Amonisa with the carved figure of Santiago facing our destination. We finish our day walking through the Parque Natural de Rio Barosa, through which the Agra River flows and along which numerous mills were built.

Accommodations:  Caldas de Reis (B,L,D)

Walking:  15 km or 9 mi

Today's Camino walk takes us through Caldas de Reis, a town renowned for its natural thermal springs. For a millennia, weary travelers have soaked their tired feet in these healing waters. We continue our journey as we walk through a hidden gem of Galicia: the verdant vineyards that produce the region’s most celebrated white wine, Albariño. A charming legend suggests that German pilgrims brought the Albariño grapes. While the true origins remain shrouded in mystery, the flavor of Albariño has captivated hearts and palates for centuries.

Accommodations: Caldas de Reis (B,L,D)

Walking: 17 km or 11 mi

Today we arrive in Padrón (or pedrón – Galician for big stone), which pays homage to the famous rock where the boat carrying the remains of the martyred Saint James was moored upon its arrival from Jerusalem. Padrón is also famous in culinary circles for its little green peppers — some hot and other not!

Accommodations:  Padrón (B,L,D)

Walking:  21 km or 13 mi

Eight days, 130 kilometers, and we arrive in Santiago de Compostela. Congratulations! Santiago is a magical city—from its fantastic cathedral housing the relics of St. James, to the lively buzz of international pilgrims and university students that fill its medieval streets. After requesting our Compostela certificates at the Pilgrims' Office, we head to our hotel and get ready for the Pilgrim's Mass, where we see the Botafumeiro in all its glory. After Mass we share a celebratory dinner!

Accommodations:  Santiago (B,L,D)

Walking:  13 km or 8 mi

This morning a local historian and guide gives us a guided tour of this medieval town and of its amazing cathedral, including a visit to the Portico of Glory, the 12th century Romanesque facade created by Master Mateo. After the tour, lunch will be on your own with the afternoon free to relax and sightsee around Santiago, before reconvening for dinner.

Optional afternoon half-day excursion to Finisterre.

Accommodations: Santiago (B,D)

For planning departure flights back to USA: Morning flights are available out of Santiago airport (SCQ) to Barcelona and Madrid (Vueling Air and RyanAir). Trains are also available from Santiago to Madrid (see the Renfe website (renfe.com) for schedules; these tickets cannot be purchased until 30–60 days ahead of travel; fastest train duration is 3 or 3.5 hours to Madrid). Due to typical morning US flight departures and timing of train routes out of Santiago, using train transfer to Madrid may require overnight in Madrid on October 8 for early morning departure on October 9th. In 2026, United Airlines announced seasonal direct flights from SCQ to EWR, so this may be an option in October 2027. (B)