Portugal

So many fantastic places, so many interesting people, such a difficult language!

Camino Portuguese da Costa

Once back in Porto, I was ready to start the Camino.

Days 1 and 2 – Porto to Vila do Conde

Days 3 and 4 – Vila do Conde to Viana do Castelo

Days 5 and 6 Viana do Castelo to La Guarda

Days 7 and 8 La Guarda to Mos

Days 9 and 10 Mos to Pontevedra

Days 11 and 12 Pontevedra to Caldas de Reis

Day 13 Caldas de Reis to Herbon Monastery

Day 14 Herbon to Teo

Day 15 (final) Teo to Santiago de Compostella

Links to individual blogs about walking in Portugal: the Algarve and Alentejo regions, plus ones on Coimbra, Fatima and more, are below.

Porto

I flew to Porto with my eldest daghter and met the youngest at the airport before taking the metro into the city (using an Andante card: 1.20 euros per jurney, 80 cents for the card which you can then top up at newsagents around the city and at the larger stations or interchanges – good for buses and metros but each zone needs a different andante card!)

Porto

I had a lovely week with the girls – a mix of culture (you must see Seralves contemporary art museum), lounging by two of the outdoor, slightly out-of-town pools, eating some good food, sampling the port wine and of course wandering and wandering the streets to simply admire the architecture.

You will find these brightly coloured fish all over Porto

Having a laugh by the Pedro Cabría Reís, Cabinet d’amateur 1999, Saralves, Porto

Carmelite Church, Porto, Portugal. Covered with the famous blue and white tiles – an amazing sight

The Virgin’s big heart, Corrigos Tower museum, Porto, Portugal

Lisbon

I took a bus from Porto to Lisbon to stay with a Filipa and meet Sonia, both Shiatsu women who kindly answered my message on the Shiatsu in Portugal facebook page.

Interior of Portugal – River Zâzere and Fátima

On the spur of the moment, I went on a weekend retreat near the Zazere River for wild swimming and peace. I visited the papal shrine and walked the (very short via sacra) in Fatima.