camino portugues over Easter?

[annie12]

I'm planning to walk the Camino for the first time this year, and I'll be flying to Porto at the end of March and then start walking from either Tui or Ourense to get to Santiago around Easter. Will I be struggling to get a bed in an albergue during Easter Week on the walk from Tui? And if so, will that be less of a problem if I start in Ourense?
Anna

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Annie12 - both routes will be busy during Holy Week and Easter but that is part of the fun. The Camino routes are always busy during this time and so you can trust that there will be a bed for you. As ever I would advise that you have some "just in case" money so you can rent a room if need be - having that may reassure you.

Buen camino

John

 

[scruffy1]

Annie12-I have walked the much busier Camino Frances twice over Easter and there was never really a problem even during the Holy Year of 2010. Do consider dates, Easter in Portugal is magnificent, the churches and the streets are adorned with floor murals made entirely of flowers and the sight is unforgettable!

 

[annie12]

Thank you - I feel much better about it now. I don't mind splashing out on private accomodation for a few days as long as I find somewhere to sleep!
I was in Granada during the Semana Santa a few years ago which was so impressive that I promised myself to go back to Spain this year at the same time. But maybe you're right, Scruffy, and I should give Portugal a try instead. Thanks for giving me something else to worry about now :wink:

 

[sulu]

Hi Annie
Between Tui (or Valenca) and Santiago there is no shortage of albergues at reasonable distances. I haven't walked from Ourense but I understand that the distances are greater, just a thought
Sue

 

[annie12]

I'll definitely stick to the Portuguese route then - thanks for pointing that out, Sue!
I just googled Easter in Portugal and the celebrations in Braga look stunning. But I've only got 7-10 days and am not sure I want to make any detours. Will there be processions etc (on a smaller scale than Braga of course) in the other Portuguese towns on the route? I can't make up my mind now whether to spend the Easter Days in Portugal or Santiago itself... all your fault, Scruffy :?

 

[scruffy1]

Annie12-Let me complicate matters even more, no not complicate but say more intriguing. I do sincerely believe that the experience of walking the Camino and how one is influenced by the freedom granted and the people one meets are a far more lasting and moving experience then the actual arrival and stay in Santiago. I do sincerely pity those who race through the stages adding more and more kilometers; nstead of allowing the Camino to affect the walker they try to conquer and defeat the Camino. My feelings on this are best expressed by a modern Greek poet, Cavafy in a poem entitled "Ithaca" and may be read here: http://users.hol.gr/~barbanis/cavafy/ithaca.html
Secondly, a bit concerning Saint James, I live in Jerusalem, yes, a Jewish pilgrim to Santiago-James is one of our boys after all. I have visited the Franciscan Church of the Transfiguration here in Israel on Mount Tabor where Jesus first revealed himself as the Son of God, Christ, in the presence of three disciples, John, Peter and...James. Please bear with me, the resurrected Christ first revealed himself to three women, Mary his mother, Mary Magdalene, and Salome, she being the mother of...James. So now we have the Easter connection to Saint James and something to consider should you find yourself in Santiago de Compostela over Easter.

 

[annie12]

That is very intriguing indeed. Strangely enough we spent the last Easter holidays in St Maries de la Mer, where of course Mary Salome is venerated. It didn't occur to me at the time though that she was the mother of James.
I love the poem, thank you for that. I'll keep it in my mind while I'm walking!

 

[scruffy1]

Bom Caminho!

 

[annie12]

Obrigada! Best wishes to you in Jerusalem.