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Where to send gear in Porto?

DanOnTheCamino

trying to take it one step at a time...
Time of past OR future Camino
Invierno, Jan.’22
Portugues (f/Valença) Mar.’23
I want to post my trekking poles ahead of me so I can carry on pack on the plane (instead of checking it) ... does anyone know of a place in Porto that receives posted packages for Pergrinos?
Thank you.
 
Join the Camino cleanup. Logroño to Burgos May 2025 & Astorga to OCebreiro in June
If you are mailing from outside the EU there may be hold-ups and possbile questions about import duties by Spanois Customs. I recall Ivar warned us about problems he encountered receiving overseas packages sent to him for pick-up by arriving pilgrims. I defer to others if you have direct experince with overseas mail to a Camino site, as I've only mailed to Ivar from SJPP and was well-served by the postal system and Ivar too.
 
The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
If you make a reservation for a place to stay at Porto, something I always advise for larger towns and cities, send them an email to ask permission to post something to them to await your arrival.

Use an online translator, like Google or the Microsoft version, to compose a readable message in Portuguese (not Spanish... Doh!). I have often used this approach in both Portugal and Spain. So far, no hotel has refused me.

Typically, I send medicines and other consumables ahead so I can refill every two weeks. I usually send luggage with post-Camino consumables, clothes, etc. direct to Santiago. In this regard, I will either ship the stuff to Ivar, or to a hotel I have already reserved.

This will not work for albergues, generally.

Other than this, the only possible option I can think of is the "Postal Restante" system, or whatever it is correctly called in Portugal. Using this capability, you mail a parcel, etc. to yourself c/o the post office address. They hold the parcel for you, according to their policies.

If anyone on the forum knows how the Portuguese system functions in this regard, or if they do it at all (Post Restante), please contribute. I would also like to know. I do not recall the Portugues system being discussed before.

For me, sending something ahead to a reserved hotel works best. But each person is different.

Hope this helps.
 
My suggestion is to go and get a packing tube from Fedex, or if your poles can be small enough a small box and tap the poles to the bottom of the box. Tape it really well put your name on it and when you check in for your flight check the box with the poles. Definitely take your pack on the plan and pick up your poles at baggage claim. It has to be a whole lot cheaper than shipping overseas. If the airlines lose your poles file a claim or just let it go. The price of shipping I bet cant be much more than a decent pair of poles. As someone said you never know what will happen in your overseas shipment. It is all a crapshoot. I would get a box and stuff it with some foam as those long tubes seem to be misplaced more often.
 
FYI, there's a large Decathlon sports store within 10 minutes of the airport (near the Mar Shopping Center). If you're not wedded to your poles, you could always pick up a cheap pair there. I bought 2 for €10 Saturday
 
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.

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