Night 1: Braga
Vila Galé Collection Braga
Day 1
After meeting at Porto airport, we travel by road (40 mins) to Braga, where we stay at a 4* hotel, a former monastery in the old city. Time to explore the oldest city in Portugal.
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Night 1: Braga
Vila Galé Collection Braga
After meeting at Porto airport, we travel by road (40 mins) to Braga, where we stay at a 4* hotel, a former monastery in the old city. Time to explore the oldest city in Portugal.
Night 2: Amares
Pousada Mosteiro de Amares
We drive (30 mins) to explore Citânia de Briteiros, an impressive Bronze/Iron Age site with hill fortress, and evidence also of Roman and medieval occupation. After visiting the site we walk (3 miles, 1.5 hours) to lunch. We then continue by road, and walk (3 miles, 1.5 hours) along a paved section of the Roman Via Nova en route towards the 12th century Cistercian monastery, where we spend two nights.
Night 3: Amares
Pousada Mosteiro de Amares
After a brief transfer we walk (7.5 miles, 4.5 hours) to explore the route of the Via Nova as it crosses the Terras de Bouro and enters the granite uplands. Optional afternoon walk (3 miles, 1.5 hours) via water mills, pastures and woods to the Baroque Santuário de Nossa Senhora da Abadia.
Night 4: Allariz
Hotel O Portelo Rural
We drive (45 mins) towards the Portela do Homem (750m/2,456ft), the Portuguese/Spanish border, then walk (7 miles, 4 hours) following the Via Nova over the border and into Spain, passing Roman milestones and picturesque cascades along the way. After lunch we visit the 7th century Visigothic church of Santa Comba de Bande; and Aquis Querquennis – a 1st century AD Roman staging post, offering lodging for travellers – with thermal baths! We continue (40 mins) by road o the delightful small town of Allariz, situated on the ancient Via de la Plata, which merges with the Nova route towards Santiago.
Night 5: Silleda
Pazo de Bandoiro
Family-run 'casa rural' in lovely setting
We walk from Allariz, following the Via de la Plata, before continuing by road to the monastery of San Salvador de Celanova. Founded in 986, the impressive later Benedictine complex still preserves a small Mozarabic chapel of San Miguel, dating from 942. We walk from Celanova (2.5 miles, 1.5 hours) to Castromao, a Celtic settlement dating from the 6th century BC, then continue by road (1 hour) to Silleda.
Night 6: Vedra
Enoturismo Maria Manuela
We visit the 18th century gardens of Pazo de Oca, known as the 'Galician Versailles', with their magnificent ancient camellias. We then follow the Via de la Plata from nearby Ponte Ulla towards legendary Pica Sacro (8 miles, 4 hours) and spend the night at a unique winery eco-resort in a forest setting.
Night 7: Santiago
Parador Hostal dos Reis Catolicos
We walk from the outcrop of the Pico Sacro, following the pilgrim route (9 miles, 4.5 hours) to Santiago de Compostela, and stay in the heart of the medieval city.
Transfer (15 mins) to Santiago airport. If you would like an extension booking at either end of your trip, please indicate this during the booking process and we will contact you with pricing information.
Roman road paths and tracks across granite landscapes.
Rustic, wholesome cuisine: sumptuous stews accompanied by potatoes or rice; hearty fish and vegetable soups, often enhanced by aromatic herbs and always prepared with the best of olive oils. Fish and seafood are basic to the Portuguese cuisine and bacalhau (salted cod) is still a firm favourite. Galician food is simple, using good local ingredients to complement the robust wines of the region.
The area is renowned for its interesting wines, including Ribeira Sacra which is cultivated on steep terraces along the Sil River valley, and Crego e Monaguillo from Monterrei. Another famous Portuguese wine worth sampling is, of course, Port.
Answer: Meteorological records for the area, taken over a period of more than 10 years, are represented in the Weather Chart provided with each itinerary. The temperature can vary considerably between coast and inland areas; and between altitudes, therefore it is advisable to wear layers which can be added or removed en route as required.
Our support vehicles allow you the flexibility to walk 'as much or as little as you like', with drop-offs and pick-ups appropriate to the given day's itinerary. The Tour Leader will tell you each evening about the following day's walking options.
This is an 8-day walking holiday, with walks offered on 5 days. The length of each day varies from 2 to 4 hours walking. Hours of walking, which may vary from individual to individual, means hours of actual walking and does not include stops for lunch, sightseeing etc.
The fitness level of this walking holiday is Grade 2+-3+. The route follows well-established Roman road and granite paths. There are a few rocky paths, so good firm walking boots with ankle support are recommended.
Please ensure that you have sufficient warm and waterproof clothing regardless of season. Some of our walks are very weather sensitive. If it is not possible to do a walk due to inclement weather, an alternative will be organised. Any such decision is at the discretion of the Tour Leader.
You don’t have to! You can either get a lift with the Tour Manager to the lunch location or the next hotel, or we can suggest options
to allow you to walk for part of the day. If the itinerary does not involve a hotel change on a given day, you can simply stay in the town and explore, and join (or not join) the group for lunch. The Tour Leader will discuss the next day’s options with the group every
evening.
Meeting the group
The destination airports for this trip are Porto (arrival) and Santiago (departure). There will be
a set meeting time at Porto airport for the transfer to the first hotel; a set time for the return transfer to Santiago airport at the end of the trip; and a 'recommended flight' to connect with the airport transfers. Booking the recommended flight - which we strongly encourage - guarantees transfers to and from the airport, irrespective of flight schedule changes or delays. For clients not on the 'recommended flight' we cannot guarantee a transfer from the airport should you be delayed for any reason in meeting the group at the specified place and time. In this instance you will have to make your own way to the first hotel, at your own expense. The transfer to the airport at the end of the trip will also be timed according to the recommended flight and we cannot offer transfers at alternative times. Please check with the Reservations Team before making independent arrangements. You are of course welcome to meet the group at the first hotel.
If you would like a transfer to the first hotel, please ensure that you inform us of this and advise us of your arrival time and flight number as soon as possible. Please also ensure that
your flight arrives at the destination airport at least 1 hour before the meeting time, to allow sufficient time to pass through customs and collect your luggage.
If you take the recommended flight or are meeting the group at the airport our Tour Leader and Tour Manager will be waiting to meet you for the minibus transfer to the first hotel, which will depart shortly thereafter. They will be wearing green polo shirts bearing the ATG logo.
If you arrive late and find that the group has left (there is no sign of them in the arrivals hall or our minibuses with the ATG logo outside the terminal building), please check for a message at
the information desk and make your own way to the first hotel, letting the ATG office know you’re on your way. The ATG office number is +44 1865 315 678 or outside office hours please call the emergency number which is +44 1865 315 600.
If you are meeting the group at the first hotel, our Tour Consultants will contact you on their arrival.
Bring whatever clothes and footwear you find most comfortable for everyday wear, and a change or two for the evenings – smart/casual.
Most trips tend to include some quite distinguished hotels and restaurants, for which you may wish to ‘dress up’. For walking we recommend lightweight walking boots with firm ankle support (make sure you wear them in before the trip!), a small daypack for your
lightweight waterproof clothing, camera, fleece etc. An increasing number of people bring telescopic walking poles. For a comprehensive packing list click here:what to bring
On our escorted trips all meals are included.
Breakfast
Most of the hotels we use offer a buffet-style breakfast with a range of both hot and cold choices. 4- and 5-star hotels almost always offer ‘cooked’ breakfast. Occasionally, in more remote areas, or in some 2 or 3-star hotels, breakfast can be a decidedly more ‘contenental’ affair – e.g bread, croissant, juice, coffee. If a breakfast needs ‘topping up’ to meet the needs of those with a
full morning of walking ahead, the Tour Manager will ensure this happens.
ATG Picnic lunches
ATG picnic lunches in Europe are renowned! ‘Happening upon’ an ATG picnic in an idyllic location punctuates each day’s walk. Picnics are colourful, varied and nutritious. Buffet-style, there is a choice of meats, cheeses, salads and fruits. Many salads are ‘exclusive’ to ATG and some of these original recipes are in the ATG ‘Table of Moveable Feasts’.
After being greeted with mineral water, followed by wine and an abundant lunch of local organic produce and specialities, there’s usually time for a siesta! Where there is a particularly spectacular and remote picnic spot we may occasionally carry
packed lunches. Outside Europe the location of lunches may vary, from picnics to meals in restaurants or private houses.
Dinner
Dinner is usually at about 8.00pm (later in Spain). We tend to eat in the best and most interesting restaurants available, which serve traditional local dishes as well as regional classics and excellent regional wines. To ensure that we enjoy the best that the area has to offer, the Tour Manager, with his/her specialist knowledge and experience, will have worked closely with the chef in advance, selecting the most interesting and characteristic menu possible. This not only ensures that we eat far better than people who ‘come in off the street’, but enables us to enjoy a very wide range of local specialities during the trip, and also to cater imaginatively for those with special dietary needs.
At the start of dinner each evening, it is ATG ‘style’ to
tell you about the menus and wines for that evening. If there’s anything different that you would prefer, you have only to ask.
What sort of food can I expect in this area?
Portuguese cuisine is characterised by rich, filling and full-flavoured dishes and is closely related to Mediterranean cuisine. The influence of Portugal’s former colonial possessions is also notable, especially in the wide variety of spices used, such as piri
piri, black pepper, cinnamon, vanilla and saffron.
Olive oil is a key ingredient in Portuguese cuisine, both for cooking and flavouring meals. Garlic is also widely used, as are herbs such as coriander and parsley. A common soup is the caldo verde with potato, shredded cabbage, and chunks of chouriço sausage. Portugal is a seafaring nation with a well-developed fishing industry and this is reflected in the amount of fish and seafood eaten.
Traditional Portuguese desserts are mostly rich, egg-based and flavoured with cinnamon or vanilla. The most typical desserts are arroz doce (rice-pudding) and leite-creme (a set egg custard).Cakes and pastries are also very common.
Galician food is simple, using good local ingredients to complement the robust wines of the region. It is seasonal food, usually prepared with home-grown ingredients. Whilst it is a traditional cuisine, it is not a poor one – meat, game and seafood feature strongly alongside the more simple dishes, e.g., Caldo Gallego.
The Galicians have a sweet tooth, producing a variety of almond cakes and light biscuits and are a dairy-producing people, providing a varied and interesting cheeseboard which contrasts the sheep and goat cheeses of Castile and the Basque Country.
The area is renowned for its interesting wines, including Ribeira Sacra which is cultivated on steep terraces along the Sil River valley, and Crego e Monaguillo from Monterrei. Another famous Portuguese wine worth sampling is, of course, Port.Walking to eat
One of the greatest pleasures of travelling is enjoying a range of different regional cuisines. Part of the ATG experience is discovering the diversity of local ingredients and culinary traditions of the particular methods of cooking, and styles of restaurant. ATG trips include a wide range of different restaurants, with some of the finest and most famous in the world. Each has been carefully selected. Others are more traditional, providing excellent local cuisine, using recipes that have often become established ‘classics’ of regional cooking.
Which is better? It is thrilling to eat at great restaurants
– each course a revelation of sensation, aroma, texture, taste, colour and decorative design, with a superb selection of wines to match. It is also a delight to find a small restaurant specialising
in authentic local cuisine using fresh, organically grown local produce, and accompanied by the best regional wines. At ATG, whose founder/MD ‘travels to eat’ – food matters!
When you book, let us know about any restrictions. This will give the Tour Manager the opportunity to shop and prepare menus
accordingly prior to your trip. At the start of the trip the Tour Manager will meet with you to discuss in more detail your requirements.
Generally casual or smart/casual attire is appropriate, but we also visit some notable restaurants en route - some where a jacket or skirt/dress would be appropriate.
On escorted trips everything is included (per the published itinerary) apart from travel to/from the destination airport, items of a personal nature, snacks and drinks outside of the set meals.
We are delighted to book extensions for you at either end of your trip. We only book hotels with which we have an established relationship and where we can ensure a high level of service and enjoyment. If you would like an extension booking please indicate this during the booking process and we will contact you with pricing information.
For FAQs relating to the Company and general trip questions, click here
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ATG trained Tour Leader and Tour Manager
Small, compatible groups of like-minded people (max 16)
The best available accommodation
All meals and wines at the best available restaurants
Celebrated ATG picnics
Transfers
Specified excursions and visits
Mercedes minibus (es) to transport your luggage and facilitate walk pick-ups
Close WindowThe destination airports for this walking holiday are Porto (arrival) and Santiago (departure). There will be a set meeting time at Porto airport for the transfer to the first hotel; a set time for the return transfer to Santiago airport at the end of the trip; and a 'recommended flight' to connect with the airport transfers. Booking the recommended flight - which we strongly encourage - guarantees transfers to and from the airport, irrespective of flight schedule changes or delays. For clients not on the 'recommended flight' we cannot guarantee a transfer from the airport should you be delayed for any reason in meeting the group at the specified place and time. In this instance you will have to make your own way to the first hotel, at your own expense. The transfer to the airport at the end of the trip will also be timed according to the recommended flight and we cannot offer transfers at alternative times. Please check with the Reservations Team before making independent arrangements. You are of course welcome to meet the group at the first hotel. Please indicate your intention during the booking procedure.
Close WindowEach of our trips is graded according to terrain and length of walking/cycling routes, providing an indication of which grade of trip might suit you.
Gentle terrain, walking/cycling along good paths, tracks and quiet lanes, with a few short, usually gentle, ascents and/or descents.
Walking/cycling along well-established paths and tracks. Occasional loose (gravel) surfaces, and open meadows. Ascents and/or descents up to 1 hour.
Walking/cycling along a variety of paths, some stony in places, with ascents and/or descents of 1-2 hours.
Walking/cycling along a variety of paths and surfaces, occasionally challenging, with ascents and/or descents of 2-3 hours.
Challenging walking/cycling with a variety of terrain, some long days, and/or long ascents and/or descents.
Each of our trips is graded according to terrain and length of walking/cycling routes, providing an indication of which grade of trip might suit you.
Gentle terrain, walking/cycling along good paths, tracks and quiet lanes, with a few short, usually gentle, ascents and/or descents.
Walking/cycling along well-established paths and tracks. Occasional loose (gravel) surfaces, and open meadows. Ascents and/or descents up to 1 hour.
Walking/cycling along a variety of paths, some stony in places, with ascents and/or descents of 1-2 hours.
Walking/cycling along a variety of paths and surfaces, occasionally challenging, with ascents and/or descents of 2-3 hours.
Challenging walking/cycling with a variety of terrain, some long days, and/or long ascents and/or descents.
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