Up Date on My Last Thread

[Urban trekker1]

I'm thinking, fly into Lisbon, spend 2 days. Train to Santarem, spend 2 days, train to Coimbra, spend 2 days, start walking Caminho from Coimbra to Santiago. Total time front door to front door, 30 days. Good Plan?

 

[jsalt]

Instead of Santarem, Fatima would be a good choice.

 

[Stephen Nicholls]

Instead of Santarem, Fatima would be a good choice.

.... but only if you're really into Fatima/Roman Catholic tradition. I went there last May and was very disappointed at the commercialization - and the bizarre crucifix ....
My Diary [Pilgrimage III] on the web site tells exactly where I trained and bused - due to bad feet. But it was a wonderful experience, and Pilgrimage IV is under preparation
Don't forget that if you're over 65 years old, you get a substantial discount on train fares, but will need to produce your passport as proof of age.

 

[flewitheagles]

Stephen,
Concerning the discount on trains. Do I just announce my (advancing) age and show the passport? Do I need a card? Is there another "something" that I have to do to get the discount?

 

[peregrina2000]

I agree that there's not much to keep you in Santarem for two days. I know that people have religious reasons for going to Fatima, but for many who don't, it is a bizarre place just as Stephen described. Personally, I would visit Tomar instead. Very nice small town, monastery up on the hill is a Templar monastery and has the best manueline window in Portugal (if anyone cares about that, ).

I know that in Spain to get the old folks discount, you need to purchase a card. I have one, it costs about 5 euros and is good for one year. You need your passport to buy it. In Portugal, I'm not sure, but the discount may just be given with proof of age. Stephen will be able to help us out on this one, I'm sure.

 

[Urban trekker1]

I agree that there's not much to keep you in Santarem for two days. I know that people have religious reasons for going to Fatima, but for many who don't, it is a bizarre place just as Stephen described. Personally, I would visit Tomar instead. Very nice small town, monastery up on the hill is a Templar monastery and has the best manueline window in Portugal (if anyone cares about that, ).

I know that in Spain to get the old folks discount, you need to purchase a card. I have one, it costs about 5 euros and is good for one year. You need your passport to buy it. In Portugal, I'm not sure, but the discount may just be given with proof of age. Stephen will be able to help us out on this one, I'm sure.

I just turned 64 so I'll be out of luck on the senior discount. Thanks for the heads up on the Templar Monastery though. Castles, ancient ruins, old cities, these are things that have been on my bucket list since I was a child. When I went to my first Mayan ruin you could hear me purr!

 

[peregrina2000]

I just turned 64 so I'll be out of luck on the senior discount. Thanks for the heads up on the Templar Monastery though. Castles, ancient ruins, old cities, these are things that have been on my bucket list since I was a child. When I went to my first Mayan ruin you could hear me purr!

In Spain the discount kicks in at 60, don't know about Portugal!

 

[Urban trekker1]

In Spain the discount kicks in at 60, don't know about Portugal!

I was unaware of that. In fact the last time I was there I was told that senior discounts didn't start until 65. I'll be sure to ask for them next time. The discount card you mentioned, where does one acquire one.

 

[peregrina2000]

Hi, Urban trekker,

They are called that "Tarjeta Dorada" and here's some information on how you get them. I just got mine at the RENFE ticket counter right before I bought my ticket: http://www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/me...os/avant/descuentos_avant_tarjeta_dorada.html

 

[Urban trekker1]

Hi, Urban trekker,

They are called that "Tarjeta Dorada" and here's some information on how you get them. I just got mine at the RENFE ticket counter right before I bought my ticket: http://www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/me...os/avant/descuentos_avant_tarjeta_dorada.html

That's going to be a problem. Every time I went to a RENFE counter, no one spoke English and I can barely find a bathroom with my Mexican Spanish. Just checked the site used trains on several occasions last May. Card would have been very useful Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Diogo92]

That is a very good plan, but I would pass Santarém and instead, take the train until Tomar. It's preferable, and it has many more things for you to see.

I think that for Lisbon, if you just stay 2 days (counting with the night of your arrival) it will not be enough

Coimbra also worth’s the trip, trust me. Don't forget to visit the Biblioteca Joanina (Joanina Library), to see one of the best book collections in the world (they even have books covered in gold!).

About the train… The 50% discount it's only valid for people over 65 years old. So sorry mate, no can do. They have now a special campaign that if you buy your ticket untills 5 days before your trip, they will make a 40% discount! You can check prices, schedules and other information’s in here: cp.pt

If you need something in Lisbon, just ask ok?

Best Regards
Diogo

 

[peregrina2000]

That is a very good plan, but I would pass Santarém and instead, take the train until Tomar. It's preferable, and it has many more things for you to see.

I think that for Lisbon, if you just stay 2 days (counting with the night of your arrival) it will not be enough

Coimbra also worth’s the trip, trust me. Don't forget to visit the Biblioteca Joanina (Joanina Library), to see one of the best book collections in the world (they even have books covered in gold!).

About the train… The 50% discount it's only valid for people over 65 years old. So sorry mate, no can do. They have now a special campaign that if you buy your ticket untills 5 days before your trip, they will make a 40% discount! You can check prices, schedules and other information’s in here: cp.pt

If you need something in Lisbon, just ask ok?

Best Regards
Diogo

Thanks, Diogo, for the heads up on when the "old age" discount kicks in in Portugal. I guess the Portuguese authorities view me as still young at 63, while the Spaniards think I'm over the hill.

And a few other scattered things -- absolutely, if you can, plan to spend at least two full days in Lisbon. Three is really the minimum, IMO, for getting a basic touristic view of the city, but I know that we're pilgrims first and tourists second. But Lisbon is an absolutely wonderful place.

Buen camino, Laurie

 

[Urban trekker1]

That is a very good plan, but I would pass Santarém and instead, take the train until Tomar. It's preferable, and it has many more things for you to see.

I think that for Lisbon, if you just stay 2 days (counting with the night of your arrival) it will not be enough

Coimbra also worth’s the trip, trust me. Don't forget to visit the Biblioteca Joanina (Joanina Library), to see one of the best book collections in the world (they even have books covered in gold!).

About the train… The 50% discount it's only valid for people over 65 years old. So sorry mate, no can do. They have now a special campaign that if you buy your ticket untills 5 days before your trip, they will make a 40% discount! You can check prices, schedules and other information’s in here: cp.pt

If you need something in Lisbon, just ask ok?

Best Regards
Diogo

If you live in or near Lisbon or along the Caminho, let me buy you lunch or dinner or a beer. Your incites and information have been very useful. Tony

 

[Urban trekker1]

Thanks, Diogo, for the heads up on when the "old age" discount kicks in in Portugal. I guess the Portuguese authorities view me as still young at 63, while the Spaniards think I'm over the hill.

And a few other scattered things -- absolutely, if you can, plan to spend at least two full days in Lisbon. Three is really the minimum, IMO, for getting a basic touristic view of the city, but I know that we're pilgrims first and tourists second. But Lisbon is an absolutely wonderful place.

Buen camino, Laurie

LOL You're not over the hill until they bury you in it! For me it's about the walk, the sights, and the places, and the people. If I can get a financial break, all the better. Hope to see you some day on the Camino.

 

[Diogo92]

@Urban trekker1 , it's just contact with each other and see if I'm avaliable. I work in Lisbon, and live near the Caminho route. The only thing is, since you are going in May, it really depend of the time, because I will also do my second Caminho next May I just don't know the dates yet.

Best Regards
Diogo

 

[Urban trekker1]

@Urban trekker1 , it's just contact with each other and see if I'm avaliable. I work in Lisbon, and live near the Caminho route. The only thing is, since you are going in May, it really depend of the time, because I will also do my second Caminho next May I just don't know the dates yet.

Best Regards
Diogo

If you're inclined, keep me informed. I'm retired and my dates are flexible. Obrigato

 

[peregrino_tom]

Ut1 - I suggest you review the stages you plan to walk. The caminho between Santarem and Tomar is quite nice. The section between Tomar and Coimbra is lovely and should not be missed! After Mealhada, Brierley calculates that the next 3 stages are more than 80% roads. The final 30k from Sao Joao is more than 90% roads or pavements - and really not very inspiring. The only saving feature is arriving in Porto, suddenly high up by the metro station and in a wide busy avenue, thence taking the long stroll down to the famous bridge.

 

[Urban trekker1]

I just ordered Brierleys guide to the Caminho Portuguese. Will firm out my route using that and the feed back I have received from so many peregrinos.