Camino from Porto with a child in April

[YanaCamino]

Hi everyone!

I am planning my first Camino Portuguese, starting in Porto in early April. It just so happens we arrive in Santiago on Easter weekend. I'm very much looking forward to seeing Santiago on Easter, quick Google showed it's quite beautiful

After reading enormous amount of info online there are still a few questions I can't find answer to:
1. What is the weather like along the coast in Portugal in April? (We will probably combine coastal and central) Is it raining frequently? Do I need a lot of layers and a sleeping bag? Or will it be warm enough? Also boots/shoes for this time in Portugal?

2. Are there still cheap albergues in Santiago? Hotels look quite expensive, I guess Easter weekend doesn't help.

3. I travel with a 12 year old son, and we plan to stay in albergues. Is there anything I need to be aware of? Any specific safety or other advice? If anyone traveled with a child, how did you get them to eat new foods?

4. Is there anything special along the route during Holy Week that we absolutely must stop and see?

5. How busy is it during Easter holidays on Camino Portuguese and which route is busier? Giving that I am "solo female with a child" we would probably chose the busier route.

6. Random one, but any recommendations for hiking trousers please? I don't like how "exposed" the leggings look, but still want to hike comfortably.

Thanks for reading, and buen Camino!

 

[Kiwi-family]

Hi Yanacamino
I've walked with all eight of my kids (both caminos and hiking at home) so I'll weigh in on those questions.
At 12, I found my kids were no less able than adults - I realised I was not really thinking of them as "kids" but as fellow pilgrims. They liked this. Yours might too.



I was blessed to have adventurous kids, but I wonder if some of that is because we presented them with a wide range of foods, and expected them to at least try them (and thank the cook even if something wasn't their favourite). The wriggling bugs in Laos were optional! We were able to travel easily with kids because they were not fussy and travelling with them helped them become accustomed to eating all sorts of things - circular logic! After crickets, frogs, durian, buffalo, garlic milk in Mongolia.....Spain was a doddle!
If your 12yo is fussy at home when it comes to eating, they will still be fussy on the camino. Or maybe they won't because they will be hungry. Either way, in preparation, you could try cooking some Spanish recipes before you go - even better, have your child cook them. My kids ate eels they had barbecued for over half an hour (yes, they were as tough as old boots) - simply because they had caught, killed and cooked them themselves. In fact, there's a life hack right there - kids rock in the kitchen. Mine became "famous" on the camino - people would come up to us and ask them "Are you the kids that cook dinners? I've heard about you"
This can certainly be a great opportunity for growth - enjoy the process.

 

[trecile]

I have a friend who walked from Porto this year in April who experienced great weather - only two days of light rain towards the end.

 

[YanaCamino]

Hi Yanacamino
I've walked with all eight of my kids (both caminos and hiking at home) so I'll weigh in on those questions.
At 12, I found my kids were no less able than adults - I realised I was not really thinking of them as "kids" but as fellow pilgrims. They liked this. Yours might too.

View attachment 179725

I was blessed to have adventurous kids, but I wonder if some of that is because we presented them with a wide range of foods, and expected them to at least try them (and thank the cook even if something wasn't their favourite). The wriggling bugs in Laos were optional! We were able to travel easily with kids because they were not fussy and travelling with them helped them become accustomed to eating all sorts of things - circular logic! After crickets, frogs, durian, buffalo, garlic milk in Mongolia.....Spain was a doddle!
If your 12yo is fussy at home when it comes to eating, they will still be fussy on the camino. Or maybe they won't because they will be hungry. Either way, in preparation, you could try cooking some Spanish recipes before you go - even better, have your child cook them. My kids ate eels they had barbecued for over half an hour (yes, they were as tough as old boots) - simply because they had caught, killed and cooked them themselves. In fact, there's a life hack right there - kids rock in the kitchen. Mine became "famous" on the camino - people would come up to us and ask them "Are you the kids that cook dinners? I've heard about you"
This can certainly going to be a great opportunity for growth - enjoy the process.

Thanks for such a detailed answer!
My kid is definitely more adventurous than me. In fact, I was planning to do Camino by myself, and he convinced me to take him
We'll certainly try cooking Spanish food at home, thanks for the suggestion! I'm currently trying a "no thank you" bite, and it doesn't go well so far, but there a hope
I think this hike will help us both grow. I'm hoping once he's tired and hungry he'll have no choice, but ultimately I don't want to ruin the experience for him either.
I sometimes think my son is more capable than me he is sharp in situations requiring quick thinking, he's not afraid of heights like I am etc.
I'm so looking forward to spending Camino together, I think I've got a lot to learn from him

 

[YanaCamino]

I have a friend who walked from Porto this year in April who experienced great weather - only two days of light rain towards the end.

Thanks!
Was it coastal or central route? I wonder if the weather along the coast is different in any way

 

[JCLima]

The weather in April can be anything.
Super rainy one day, sunny the next.

You should know that we have a saying in Portugal: Abril, águas mil (April, a thousand waters.).

Be prepared for anything, because you will probably get a little bit of everything in terms of weather during your walk.