A Taste of the Camino: Porto to Bilbao

World-famous port wine, an iconic iron bridge and knots of medieval alleys – our journey along the Camino will begin in postcard-perfect Porto. You could spend a day (or two!) getting acquainted with this captivating city before meeting our small group for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant this evening. 
  
So, how will your story unfold in Porto? Perhaps you’ll uncover hidden courtyards and say olá to friendly café owners as you meander up the Ribeira district to the city’s hilltop cathedral. From the cathedral’s terrace, you can watch the sun light up terracotta roofs and catch a glimpse of the mighty Douro River before exploring the vast cathedral complex itself. Be sure to look out for traditional blue and white azulejos (hand-painted tiles) that adorn facades as you go. Or, you could simply stroll along Porto’s vibrant riverfront, soaking up the cosy chatter from restaurants that spill onto the path as traditional rabelo boats float on by. All best enjoyed with a pastel de nata (a classic, Portuguese egg custard pastry) in hand, of course! 

Legends of Roman soldiers and a mythical river await – our journey north kicks off with a visit to Viana do Castelo. Step off our luxury minicoach and take in your surroundings, from the dazzling white Gil Eannes ship to the sparkling harbour. Have you spotted the neo-Byzantine Santuário de Santa Luzia in the distance? We’ll make our way up to this hilltop church to admire its impressive rose window and vast domed roof (adorned with 16 painted angels, no less!). Perched up here, the views over the Atlantic Ocean are truly spectacular – spot the River Lima flowing into the sea, and notice waves caressing the nearby golden shores like layers of tulle.  
 
Then, we’re off to Ponte de Lima, one of the oldest towns in Portugal. We’ll admire its ancient bridge, first constructed by the Romans in 1 AD (yes, really!) and enjoy some free time exploring the historic centre dotted with quaint cafés, vibrant flower gardens and sunny plazas. Don’t forget to ask your in-the-know Tour Leader for the best local seafood options for lunch.  
 
Having crossed the border into Spain, we'll arrive at Santiago de Compostela – our home for the next two nights and the final stop on the fabled Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. More on that tomorrow... Tonight, you could start your chapter in this sacred city by uncovering hole-in-the-wall bars along its narrow streets or simply spend the evening relaxing at our hand-picked hotel. Decisions, decisions...

Santiago de Compostela is believed to be the burial site of Saint James (one of Jesus’ 12 apostles), and so hundreds of thousands of pilgrims make the journey to this fabled city every year. While we may not be trekking the Camino de Santiago ourselves, this morning we’ll meet a friendly local guide who will help us delve deeper on a walking tour. Discover why the Camino’s symbol is a scallop shell, seek out the perfect Tarta de Santiago (a traditional almond cake, typically decorated with the Cross of Saint James) in the Old Town’s medieval, arcaded streets and admire the Cathedral’s cascading spires and intricate Baroque details as you wander.  
 
With free time this afternoon to slow down and explore, be sure to visit the cathedral’s magnificent interior. Feel the enduring spirit of pilgrims who have visited over the centuries, hear the gentle hum of Mass echo from the barrel-vaulted, Romanesque nave, and smell the smoky fragrance of burning incense as you take it all in.  
 
Dinner’s yours for the taking this evening, so why not seek out a local restaurant and dive into traditional Galician cuisine? The Pulpo a la Gallega (boiled octopus seasoned to perfection with sea salt, paprika and olive oil) or Empanada Gallega (a savoury pie filled with meat or seafood plus onions, peppers, and tomatoes) are a delicious place to start. Bellies and hearts full, we’ll sleep well tonight! 
 
 

Follow in the footsteps of the Knights Templar – a visit to the impressive Castillo de los Templarios awaits. Cross the drawbridge, feel the cool touch of ancient stone under your fingertips and travel back in time as we wander the mighty walls of this giant fortress, imagining stories of what life might have been like in medieval times. Built in 1178 to protect the pilgrims on their road to Santiago de Compostela, it’s a fitting start to our day’s journey.  

Continuing our route into northern Castilla, we’ll arrive at León. And, tonight, dinner is yours for the taking. Why not head out and hunt down some local tapas? Typically enjoyed alongside a drink (or two!), tucking into tapas is a social affair. So, you could team up with others from our small group and feast on a plethora of flavours together as the sun sets on another wonderful day. Our favourites? Look out for Pimientos de Padrón (green peppers, fried in olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt), Tortilla de Patata (Spanish omelette), Gambas al Ajillo (shrimps cooked sizzling in garlic) and Jamón Ibérico (cured Iberian ham) for a delicious initiation into Spanish cuisine.  
 
Tonight, we’ll settle into our accommodation – an 11th-century monastery-turned-hotel that’s nestled right in the heart of León’s historic centre. Spot the original features like oak floors and stone walls that give each room its unique charm, then get some well earnt shut-eye ahead of more adventures tomorrow.  (B) 

Wake up to the sound of the cathedral’s chiming bells, fuel up on a café con leche (coffee with milk) and get ready to set out for the day. We’ll meet our expert local guide to kick things off with a walking tour. With the city’s origins dating back to Roman times, it’s only fitting that we start at the Roman walls before taking in the splendour of the Romanesque Basilica de San Isidoro and the Casa de los Botines (designed by none other than Antoni Gaudí). Then, it’s onto the striking cathedral where we’ll discover why this Gothic jewel is often called the ‘House of Light’ – the 1,800 square metres of kaleidoscopic stained-glass windows might just have something to do with it...  
 
All this exploring is thirsty work, so we’ll set a course to a local winery to indulge in a couple of glasses of the region’s finest. As we stroll through the vineyards, spot the sun-kissed Prieto Picudo and White Albarin grape varieties, and take a moment to pause... listen to the breeze rustle through the lush vines like a hushed whisper. We won’t blame you for buying a bottle (or three) after our visit to take home! Compare tasting notes over a generous group lunch (in a wine cellar, no less) before we head back to León. ¡Buen provecho! 
 
Tonight, you’re free to shape your own path in León. Your knowledgeable Tour Leader is bound to have a few suggestions up their sleeve for where to spend a memorable evening. 

Limestone peaks graze the sky like mythical towers emerging from the earth, gorges carve deep into the ground as if created from the hand of a giant sculptor and vibrant wildflowers pepper the emerald green pastures like nature’s confetti – we’re leaving the metropolis behind and journeying to the mesmerising Picos de Europa National Park. Relax in the minicoach and drink in the stunning views as we thread our way slowly through this cinematic landscape, with plenty of photo opportunities along the way.  
 
Once at Parador de Fuente Dé, we’ll tuck into a hearty lunch together. With traditional recipes from the Cantabrian region of Liébana on the menu such as cocido lebaniego (a nourishing chickpea and meat stew), we’ll be fuelled up and ready to take on the remainder of the day. 
 
Take to the skies with a thrilling cable car ride to the soul-stirring Aliva viewpoint – brace yourself for the spectacular views over the verdant Liebana Valley and surrounding jagged peaks as we ascend an impressive 753 metres. Once at the top, linger for a moment... take a deep, cleansing breath of crisp mountain air and feel the immense power of the majestic mountains around you.  
 
We’ll end our day in the Cantabria region. Make yourself at home in our thoughtfully-selected accommodation and unwind before our final group meal together. Perhaps a dip in the pool has your name on it? Over dinner, we’ll raise a toast to the moments we’ve shared over the past week – which has been your favourite? 
 

Gaze out over the Cantabrian Sea’s bright blue water and cast your eyes over the lilting waves for sea lions and seals – the Magdalena Peninsula beckons! We’ll hop on the peninsula’s little train to admire the scenery and get a close-up view of the Palacio de la Magdalena (one of the most prominent examples of civil architecture in northern Spain) before immersing ourselves in Santander’s charm and seeking out a local haunt for lunch. With its golden, crescent-shaped bays and fresh seafood at every turn, it’s easy to fall in love with this historic port city. 
 
We’ll wind up our day in bustling Bilbao to say our goodbyes. And while this may be the final page of your Camino adventure, your taste of the region’s spirit is sure to leave a lasting impression.