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Hike on a less-traveled and more rural Camino route with stops at three UNESCO World Heritage cities - Lisbon, Porto, and Santiago de Compostela
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Savor a traditional local dinner over sounds of fado in Porto, Portugal's foodie capital, and explore the Douro Port wine region
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 Discover beautiful and historic villages on the way, including Ponte de Lima, Portugal's oldest village
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Your Guides

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The best people to immerse you in a destination are the ones who live there, which is why we feature local Adventure Guides on our trips. Here are a few that you might meet on this adventure.

Leo S.

Leo was born in the mountains of Spain’s Basque Country and made his home in Jaca, in the heart of the Pyrenees, where he spends his winters on backcountry skis. He has been guiding in the Pyrenees for many years, as well as in Nepal, Morocco, Tanzania, Peru, Chile, Venezuela, Pakistan, India, and the French Alps. He has also taught skiing in Colorado. He is an International Certified Mountain Guide (UIAGM) and a professional ski instructor (ISIA). Leo is fluent in English, French, and Basque.

Fernando G.

Fernando is a IFMGA Mountain Guide with an extensive backgrouond in mountaneering and guiding. He has hiked the Great Himlayan Trail from India, Sikkim, Buthan, Nepal and Pakistán over a period of 6 months. Fernando was the first man to ever climb to the peak of Cho Oyu (26,906') solo and in Winter. He holds the world record of permanence in altitude, remaining at the summit of Aconcagua (22,841') for 66 days; and he has climbed Aconcagua 40 times. Fernando has been guiding in the Alpes, Andes, Himalaya and Pyrenees and other Mountains in Spain for more than 40 years.

David S.

David was born in Lisbon and is an expert walking guide and outdoor enthusiast. Having an academic background in anthropology, he's equally interested in the local history and rural culture of the region, where he has his family roots. David has also spent the last few years immersed in the study of the geography and flora of Northern Portugal. Married and father of three, David and his family now live between Barcelos and Ponte de Lima, right along the Portuguese Camino de Santiago.

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                    [Headline] => Asseiceira and the Templar City of Tomar
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Enjoy a scenic bus ride from Lisbon, heading north. Reach sleepy Atalaia, a town with a rich farming history that sits between two rivers, Targus and Almonda. Visit the Igreja Matriz de Atalaia, then start your day\'s hike from this charming village. Along the way, enjoy spotting colorful wildflowers and marvel at eucalyptus plantations planted where oak forests used to be. Stop for lunch in Asseiceira, then transfer to Tomar, the city that grew out of the 12th-century Templar stronghold, and home to the Convent of Christ which today towers over the town. Stroll through the town with your guides, from the Castle of Tomar to various monuments, arriving at the Praca da Republica and our hotel for the night.
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                    [Latitude] => 39.231
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                    [Headline] => Take in the Conimbriga Roman Ruins
                    [ActivityOverview] => 6-7 hours/12.5 miles hiking with 620\' elevation gain and 1,180\' elevation loss
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                    [Lunch] => 1
                    [Dinner] => 1
                    [Travel_Type] => 1-hour private transfer
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                    [Latitude] => 40.204
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                    [Headline] => University of Coimbra, the Land of Port, and Fado Music
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Visit Coimbra\'s landmark UNESCO-listed university, the oldest in Portugal, founded in 1290. Afterwards, transfer to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Porto, capital of port wine and beloved by foodies for its wine, cheese, croquettes, and cod. Today\'s urban hike will include the Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar and its magnificent view of the Douro River, a walk along the river, a visit to a wine bodega, the Ponte Luis I bridge, the cathedral, Sao Bento station, the Clerigos Tower, and the Lello bookshop. After a rest at the hotel, enjoy dinner in a traditional restaurant accompanied by fado music.
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                    [Travel_Type] => 1.15-hours private transfer
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                    [Latitude] => 40.847
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                    [Headline] => Continue on to Beautiful Braga 
                    [ActivityOverview] => 6-7 hours/12 miles hiking with 660\' elevation gain and 985\' elevation loss
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After breakfast, transfer to Sao Pedro de Rates, a wonderful Roman-style church, for a visit before starting your hike from there. Trek between small villages along quiet pathways and sections of peaceful roads. Take time for lunch on the trail, then end the day in Barcelinhos and its gorgeous church, Igreja Matriz de Santa Maria Maior. From here, transfer to elegant Braga, famous for it religious festivals and Barqoue churches.
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                    [Travel_Type] => 55-minute private transfer
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Travel to Balugaes, the starting point of your hike to Ponte de Lima. As you walk this seven-mile section made up of dirt tracks, cobbled paths, and the occasional paved road, take in the vine-covered landscapes and small shrines along the way. On Rio Lima, you\'ll find the pretty Ponte de Lima, one of the oldest villages in the country with medieval houses, lovely flower gardens, pretty squares, and many ancient religious buildings.
                    [Breakfast] => 1
                    [Lunch] => 1
                    [Dinner] => 1
                    [Travel_Type] => 40-minute private transfer
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                    [Latitude] => 41.321
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                    [Headline] => Hike the \"Queen\'s Stage\"
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Start today\'s hike from Ponte de Lima, crossing the bridge over the Lima River. This is one of the most beautiful portions of the Portuguese Camino - the “Queen\'s Stage” - during which you will cross the hill of “the Witch” and hike up to Pilgrims Cross. Descend to the bus and return to Ponte de Lima for a second night.
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                    [Travel_Type] => 20-minute private transfer
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                    [Latitude] => 41.763
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                    [Headline] => Venture on to the Final Portuguese City, Valenca
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Transfer back to Rubiaes, where you ended yesterday\'s hike and start walking along an old Roman road, between forest and small villages. After lunch and more urban terrain, arrive in Valenca, the last Portuguese city on the route, with a wonderful citadel overlooking the Minho River, the natural border between Portugal and Spain. Once in Galicia in Spain, you will reach the hotel, where you will spend the night. If time and energy allow, visit the 12th-century Santa Maria Cathedral in the Old City of Tui. 
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                    [Lunch] => 1
                    [Dinner] => 1
                    [Travel_Type] => 20-minute private transfer
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                    [Latitude] => 41.897
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                    [Headline] => Cross the Verdugo River 
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                    [ActivityLevel] => 
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In the morning, transfer to Arcade, where you begin your hike across the Verdugo River via the Pontesampaio Bridge. Walk through narrow streets and beautiful forest along the way. Prepare to be amazed by your arrival into Pontevedra and its old town.
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                    [Dinner] => 1
                    [Travel_Type] => 40-minute private transfer
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                    [Latitude] => 42.429
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                    [Headline] => Travel Through Galicia to the Ultimate Goal, Santiago
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Transfer to Escravitude, near Padron, famous for Padron peppers, which you\'ll have opportunity to taste along the way, as well as for being the former Roman city where apostle Santiago\'s remains were brought from Jerusalem. As you hike along, notice the horreos, granaries built of wood or stone in Galicia and raised from the ground to keep out rodents. Finally, at long last, arrive in Santiago and visit the Cathedral in the wonderful town square. Spend the night in one of Spain\'s oldest hotels, the Parador de Santiago de Compostela.
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                    [Lunch] => 1
                    [Dinner] => 1
                    [Travel_Type] => 35-minute private transfer
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                    [Latitude] => 42.879
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                    [Headline] => Bid Farewell to El Camino Portugues
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With your Camino passport stamped, and your heart full, bid farewell to your fellow travelers and tour leaders. After breakfast, transfer to the airport in Santiago de Compostela for departures home.
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    [ActivityHighlight] => Moderate hikes of up to 12 miles per day on well-marked trails and country roads with bus transfers to help shorten the hikes.
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Accommodations

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Comfortable and luxury historic hotels with modern conveniences, restaurants, and ideal locations.

Parador de Santiago de Compostela

Luxury Hotel

Travel back in history with a stay in this grand hotel — originally a royal hospital built in the 15th century — in the center of Obradoiro Square. Four-poster beds, brocade linens, warm woods, and rich velvets adorn the comfortable rooms. The restaurant serves a delicious menu of Galician-style food, although endless culinary delights await outside the hotel.

Hotel Republica

Comfortable Hotel

Designed and built entirely by Portuguese companies, this five-star boutique hotel oozes local vibes. Its 19 rooms come complete with many comforts, from marble bathrooms with walk-in showers to plush bathrobes. Right in the heart of town, the hotel places you perfectly for easy exploration of Tomar and its sights.

InterContinental Porto Palacio das Cardosas

Luxury Hotel

This elegant, five-star, city center hotel was created from the 18th-century Palacio das Cardosas and boasts an enviable view of the emblematic Avenida dos Aliados and the Belle Epoque-era Praca da Liberdade. Surround yourself in old-world luxury, beneath crystal chandeliers and in the English library-esque bar, with its grand piano and extensive selection of local port wines. Rooms are surprisingly spacious with a contemporary feel and period accents, from the detailed crown molding to the ceiling-height mirrors.

Parador de Tui

Comfortable Hotel

A replica of a traditional Galician country house, Parador de Tui enjoys a central position in Tui, surrounded by mountains and overlooking the river. Its airy rooms feature traditional decor, and come complete with WiFi, minibars, and flat-screen TVs. The hotel's restaurant serves regional specialties, while its outdoor facilities include a lush garden, a tennis court, and a seasonal pool.

Parador de Pontevedra

Comfortable Hotel

Occupying a beautiful 16th-century Renaissance palace, this four-star hotel bedazzles with elegant details like the marble staircase in the lobby and the exposed beams in the bar. The rooms feature vintage furnishings, flat-screen TVs, and mini refrigerators. The ambiance pairs perfectly with the convenient location, just minutes away from Basilica de Santa Maria a Maior.

Vila Gale Collection Braga

Comfortable Hotel

With its peaceful garden and indoor and outdoor swimming pools, Vila Gale Collection Braga feels reminiscent of a regal estate. The former Sao Marcos hospital, which dates back to 1508, now offers comfortable guest rooms with modern amenities such as free WiFi, room service, and available spa treatments. It's all conveniently close to Braga's dining, shops, and attractions, including the notable Braga Cathedral.

The One Palacio da Anunciada

Luxury Hotel

Located in the heart of historic Lisbon, The One Palacio da Anunciada is a 5-star hotel within easy walking distance of Avenida da Liberdade and Praca dos Restauradores. The hotel's 83 rooms feature sophisticated interiors crafted from high-quality materials and decorated with hand-painted ceramics. Award-winning designer Jaime Beriestain combined the original 16th century building with the modern comforts of a top-notch hotel including a striking swimming pool and soothing spa.

Carmo’s Boutique Hotel

Luxury Hotel

Carmo's Boutique Hotel is a countryside gem surrounded by lush gardens in northern Portugal. Listed as a Small Luxury Hotel, the property makes an excellent base to explore nearby UNESCO-listed heritage sites. Eighteen spacious rooms and suites feature canopy beds, soaking tubs and wide windows to let in the light. Taste traditional dishes at the onsite restaurant, relax at the spa, or explore vintages at the wine atelier.

Hotel Quinta das Lagrimas

Luxury Hotel

The historic Quinta das Lagrimas is said to be the site of a 14th-century prince's forbidden love affair. Surrounded by botanical gardens, the grand palace exterior is complemented by charming modern rooms with a nod to the site's history. The garden spa includes indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a Turkish bath and steam room. The restaurants focus on fresh ingredients, locally sourced, sometimes from the hotel's own garden.