Discover Spain and Portugal on the Portuguese Camino Luther College Alumni and Friends Walking Tour July 10–24, 2013 • Hosted by Luisa and Peter Forsgren ’82 Experience the exquisite beauty and unforget- for a Welcome Rendezvous as we begin the There’ll be free time in Sintra to eat lunch table charm of Portugal and Spain Portuguese Camino de Santiago de Compos- and shop for local handicrafts. The return trip in a remarkably unique fashion. tela. After your orientation, if you’re feeling to the hotel will include a stop at Cabo da Roca, Create unforgettable memories by blending adventuresome there will be free time to stroll the western-most point of continental Europe, remarkable sightseeing, physical challenge, the beach, a five-minute walk away. and a drive by Guincho Beach, famous for inter- and a culturally rich journey in a trip like none national wind surfing competitions. you’ve experienced! This night you have the option to enjoy The 2013 Luther Portuguese Camino dinner and a performance at a Lisbon fado Experience begins in Lisbon, Portugal as we house. Fado—sometimes called the Portuguese explore the wonderful blend of natural beauty blues—is a wonderfully emotive and moving and unique history of Lisbon, Sintra, Coimbra, music genre heard only in Portugal. (This event Braga, and Guimarães, Portugal. From Valença, is not included in the tour package). Portugal, we’ll walk as Pilgrims for five full days Activity level: Light walking (2–5 kilome- along the ancient Roman Route XIX on the ters/2–3 miles with some hills and stairs) Camino de Santiago de Compostela, ending in Lodging: Riviera Hotel in Carcavelos, Portugal Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Meals: Breakfast included After sightseeing in Santiago, we’ll extend July 14: Travel to Braga, Portugal, with a our walk to the “End of the Earth”—Finisterra, stopover in the university city of Coimbra Spain—and then explore the UNESCO World Later, we meet at the Riviera Hotel for a Heading north, our first stop is Coimbra, Heritage City of Porto, Portugal. delightful Welcome Dinner. Portugal’s ancient university city, which was Our journey of 13 days will be a rejuvenating Lodging: Riviera Hotel in Carcavelos, Portugal established in 1290 by King Dinis I. Enjoy a mix of natural beauty, wonderfully enchanting Meals: Dinner included brief walking tour through the University of history, and the camaraderie of wonderful July 12: Discover Lisbon from Belém Coimbra’s maze of narrow lanes. As one of people supporting one another in a magically to St. George Castle the oldest universities in Europe, the school peaceful and physically demanding journey. You’ll enjoy an interesting drive alongside the is steeped in tradition, including the Joanina You’ll eat fresh, delicious food, and experience Tagus River into Lisbon. We’ll stroll up medieval Library, established in 1717, where hundreds of the thrill of challenging yourself—and succeed- alleys to the Afama District and the Moorish live bats protect its 30,000 books from insects! ing! Besides meeting pilgrims on the trail from hilltop citadel, São Jorge Castle, and a pan- A 20-minute walk brings us to a delicious all over the world, you will build relationships oramic view of vibrant Lisbon. lunch at the historical Quinta das Lágrimas, the with Luther pilgrims of all ages and from many We’ll eat lunch at the Zambezi Restaurant, “Estate of Tears,” site of a tragic 14th century locations. which offers a wonderful blend of cuisines from love story. By afternoon, we arrive at our hotel Travel with us on the Way walked by other Mozambique and Portugal, while enjoying a pilgrims since the ninth century. Many seren- view overlooking the river. dipities await you on this unique and excep- In the afternoon, we’ll explore the seafar- tional excursion. ing Belém District, home to many of the city’s 2013 LUTHER PORTUGUESE CAMINO historic buildings. You’ll rediscover Portugal’s EXPERIENCE IS PHYSICALLY ACTIVE! Golden Age of Exploration at the heroic Monu- To ensure that you fully enjoy your camino, you ment to the Discoveries and the Monastery of should be ready to walk for up to four hours. Jerónimos. Later, treat yourself to tea and the Our walk will be indoors and out, in all weather signature pastries of Belém, an indulgence not conditions, up and down hills, and with a small to be missed. day pack for essentials and water. While on If you’re still craving adventure, spend the the Camino, you can transform just a bit of rest of the afternoon and evening on your preparation into a life-changing adventure and own exploring The Tile Museum, the Berardo delightful memories. Museum, or the Design Museum, capped with a celebratory raising of the glass at the 19th with time to explore the ancient Roman city of ITINERARY century Port Wine House. There’s no end to the Braga, especially the 12th century Romanesque July 10: Depart United States (on your own) list of attractions in Lisbon. Cathedral of Braga. Activity Level: Light walking = 5–6 kilome- Activity Level: Light walking = 3–6 kilome- July 11: Welcome to Lisbon, Portugal ters/3–4 miles on hills) ters/2–4 miles on mostly level terrain We’ll gather at our hotel near Lisbon at 3 p.m. Lodging: Riviera Hotel in Carcavelos, Portugal Lodging: Hotel Don Sofia in Braga, Portugal Meals: Breakfast and Lunch included (Zambezi Meals: Breakfast and lunch (Quinta das Lagri- Restaurant) mas, Coimbra) July 13: Explore the magical Pena Palace and July 15: Tour Guimarães, Portugal, the the Moorish Castle in Sintra, Portugal European Capital of Culture 2012 Today you’ll travel by bus to Sintra, an inspi- Guimarães is often referred to as the birthplace rational hilltop town near Lisbon. We’ll climb of the Portuguese nationality. A UNESCO World along the walls of a Moorish Castle, and take in Heritage Site, the city has had an important the beauty of the Pena Palace, a 19th century role in the formation of Portugal since it was Romantic home to the Portuguese royals, with settled in the ninth century. The medieval magnificent views of the Atlantic. streetscapes of Portugal’s “Cradle City” are being reborn as a cultural center to the city’s Activity Level: Moderate walking = 20 kilome- the hillfort Castro Lupario. Just a few kilometers many young people. ters/12 miles on hills, stairs, and uneven terrain later, we come to the oldest wayside crosses in You’ll complete the day with a sunset walk up Lodging: Parador de Pontevedra in Pontevedra, Galicia. Nearing Agro dos Monteiros, it is now the Santuário Bom Jesús do Monte, a Baroque Spain possible to see the towers of the Cathedral hilltop pilgrimage site. Our ride back to the hotel Meals: Breakfast included de Santiago. Finally, the Camino passes the features sweeping views overlooking Braga. July 18: Camino de Santiago ruins of a castle known as A Rocha Vella before Activity Level: Light walking = 3–6 kilome- Stage 3: Pontevedra, Spain, to Caldas De Reis, entering the City of the Apostle, Santiago de ters/2–4 miles on mostly level terrain and stairs Spain Compostela. Lodging: Hotel Don Sofia in Braga, Portugal Passing chestnut groves, the Camino leaves Activity Level: Moderate walking = 24 kilome- Meals: Breakfast included Pontevedra and runs parallel to the railway ters/15 miles on hills, stairs, and uneven terrain for a bit. Passing through the hamlet of Ponte Lodging: 3-star hotel in Santiago, Spain, city Cabras, we encounter the rectory of Santa center Maria de Alba, tucked away among pine and Meals: Breakfast and dinner included eucalyptus trees. July 21: Morning tour of Santiago de Emerging from the dense woods of Lom- Compostela, Pilgrim’s Mass and afternoon bo da Maceira, you’ll see a statue of Saint journey to Corcubión James the Pilgrim, his cane pointing the way We’ll begin with a tour of the ancient Santia- to proceed. The lovely village of Tibo—with go de Compostela Cathedral in the peaceful its fountain, public washing place, and stone morning hours to capture its beauty before the cross—brings us to Caldas de Reis. crowds gather. We’ll eat a hearty breakfast and Activity Level: Moderate walking = 21 kilome- prepare for the Pilgrim’s Mass at noon. ters/13 miles on hills, stairs, and uneven terrain In the afternoon, you’ll enjoy a bus ride to Lodging: Balneario Davila in Caldas De Reis, Corcubión with its carefully conserved old Spain quarter and seafront promenade facing the old Meals: Breakfast included fishing harbor. And, we’ll reserve some time to July 19: Camino de Santiago rest. Stage 4: Caldas De Reis, Spain, to Padron, Spain Lodging: Corcubión, Spain Leaving Caldas De Reis, we take a bridge over Meals: Breakfast included the River Umia which leads to a fountain of July 22: Walk to Finisterra, “The End of the hot spring water. The famous springs have lent Earth” travel from Finisterra, Spain, to Porto, their name to this picturesque town since an- Portugal cient Roman times. Entering the woods again, During this morning’s walk, we are treated to July 16: Begin the Camino de Santiago the Camino makes its way gently uphill to the fabulous views of coastal cliffs and coves on the Stage 1: Valença, Portugal, to Redondela, Spain hamlet of Santa Marina. way to Cape Finisterra and its lighthouse. At the Travelling by bus to the beautiful city of Now walking downhill, we cross the river end of our journey, we travel by bus to Porto, Valença, we start our walk by crossing the Min- Fontenlo. And finally, following a path lined Portugal.