Porto-Santiago-Finisterre in April 2012

[Simon_Peregrino]

Friends,

I am praying about walking my very first Camino beginning "Bright Monday" (April 9, the day after Easter), from Porto. I have several questions and would love feedback and responses.

1. I have somewhere around 16-18 days, and it looks from previous forums and guidebooks that that should be sufficient time to do both Santiago and Finisterre (not so much interested in Muxia). In your experiences, is this true?

2. I know the weather may be a bit challenging in mid-April. I could wait as late as early to mid May. Any thoughts about this? Pluses and minuses? There is something compelling about flying out on Easter day to begin a pilgrimage, but I've never been to Portugal/Spain, so I just don't have a feel for what it might be like in mid-April.

3. Realistically, what's the minimum amount of money per diem one should plan for? Does one have to carry all of their money from the first or might there be banks or ATMs at key places? ATMs are becoming so ubiquitous I thought I'd check.

4. How critical will my need be to speak Portuguese and Spanish? I'm not too bad at Russian, but I don't think that's going to help me here!

Guess these four questions are a good start (out of my list of a thousand).

Blessings,
Simon

[Moira]

Hi
Good questions Simon. I look forward to the responses.

I am thinking of leaving Porto at the end of March in time to be at Santiago for Easter. Can anyone tell me if shops will be shut during this time?
Will there be anyone else travelling this route or will it be deserted?
Will it be cold and miserable?
I am still going, just want to be prepared.
Moira

[sean]

Hi Moira,

Things should begin to move again towards the end of March-early April. The Portugues Camino is never as crowded as the French Way. It is also more small farming villages that you will pass through in the main. Totally unlike the French, where you can spend many hours walking without seeing houses, or villages. The weather is normally mixed, with some rain but not as cold as sections in the mountains on the French Way. I would imagine that most shops and restaurants in the larger towns will be open and ready for business. It is a lovely walk if you get any kind of good weather. The walk along the coast out of Porto is fantastic, on the boardwalk. Be careful on the road sections, especially on day 2, as the drivers are mad/bad.
The Way to Finisterra is memorable and always a great finish to any Camino.

Enjoy,

Sean
Dublin