Reset search
Terri's Trails
Terri's Trails

Terri's Trails

traveled in 16 countries Read more🇺🇸Oregon
FollowMessageStatistics
  • Terri's TrailsCamino Portuguese 2025Traveler
    1
    211113

    Sintra

    April 25 in Portugal ⋅ 🌬 59 °F

    I'd heard so much about Sintra that I booked four nights in Lisbon so that I'd have plenty of time to enjoy it. However, I decided not to book a ticket for the Pena Palace (the most popular place to see in Sintra) before I left home because I wasn't sure how early I'd want to wake up. It turns out that my body wanted to sleep until ten. 😊

    So I actually waited until I was on the train to Sintra to buy my ticket for a 5:00 slot. I bought a ticket for the Quinta da Regaleira for 2pm. Both timings worked out perfectly, as I had plenty of time to walk to both places, though the walk from Quinta da Regaleira to the Pena Palace was more of a hike, with about 850 ft of elevation gain over 1.7 miles. But it was a beautiful hike on wooded paths.

    The main attraction of the Quinta da Regaleira is called the Initiation Well, but it turns out that it's not a well at all. There seem to be a number of stories about its purpose, one of which is that it was part of initiation rites for the Knights Templar. More information here: https://www.quintadaregaleiratickets.com/initia…
    Whatever its original purpose, it was fascinating to descend down its steps.

    The Pena Palace was actually less interesting, but because of where it sits there are wonderful views.    Read more

  • Terri's TrailsCamino Portuguese 2025Traveler
    1
    1111

    First day in Lisbon

    April 24 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F

    After approximately 24 hours of travel I arrived by Uber to my hotel around 10:30 pm, ready to hit the sack.

    My room can best be described as a shoe box with ensuite. No much room to maneuver, but the bed is comfortable and the location is quiet.

    Showering is quite a challenge in such a tiny shower. Every time I move I bump the controls with my elbow or bum, changing the temperature to cold or scalding! I won't attempt to wash my hair.

    Although I was so tired it took me a while to fall asleep, but I slept for a long time, not waking up until after 11 am. Then I set off to wander around. My first stop was the Decathlon store, then next door to El Corte Inglés department store. It's such a huge store that I had trouble finding the exit - I could have spent hours wandering around somewhat lost.

    Then it was time to go to the newly opened Pilgrim Office where I got my credential, maps, and other useful information.

    The last time I was in Lisbon I watched as a tour bus drove right into the river. It wasn't an accident, it was an amphibious vehicle. I thought that then that it looked like a lot of fun, and that I should try it if I ever got back to Lisbon. So I bought a ticket and took a Bolt (similar to Uber) to the HippoTour meeting point.

    The land part of the tour was a bit ho-hum, but the tour guide on board was quite entertaining. The fun part was when we entered the river. It was a beautiful day, and a wonderful vantage point for the Belem Tower and other landmarks.

    I walked back to the central tourist area and had dinner at the Time Out Market, a kind of large indoor food court.    Read more

  • Terri's TrailsCamino Portuguese 2025Traveler
    12

    Layover in Dublin

    April 23 in Ireland ⋅ 🌬 52 °F

    I arrived at the Dublin Airport around noon for a long layover. My Irish Camino forum friend Nuala picked me up at the airport, and we went to lunch and a lovely walk along the Irish coast. It was a great way to acclimate to my new time zone before my final flight to Lisbon.Read more

  • Terri's TrailsCamino 2023Traveler

    Rooftop Cathedral Tour

    June 28, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F

    I went on a rooftop tour of the Cathedral. The height didn't bother me, but the wind was a bit unnerving.

  • Terri's TrailsCamino 2023Traveler
    2

    Santiago de Compostela

    June 26, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F

    Just a quick post to say that I arrived in Santiago with three others who I've been walking with for the last two weeks.

  • Terri's TrailsCamino 2023Traveler

    Im really behind on posting...

    June 24, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 86 °F

    I'm several days behind and may not post until I get to Santiago on Monday.

  • Terri's TrailsCamino 2023Traveler

    A Fonsagrada to O Cádavo

    June 21, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 50 °F

    Fortunately no rain on the walk today, though it started out cool. Today's walk was through green valleys which meant several ascents and descents, including one particularly steep part. The ridges are lined with windmills.

    There are much fewer places to stop along the way for breakfast or a snack on this route than other Caminos that I have walked, and it's especially disappointing when the bar that you were counting on is closed!    Read more

  • Terri's TrailsCamino 2023Traveler

    Grandas de Salime to A Fonsagrada

    June 20, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 52 °F

    This started out as a pretty rainy day, but it only lasted a couple of hours.

    We crossed into Galicia today, and now there are concrete markers with the distance to Santiago down to 3 decimal points. Sometimes they are only about 50 meters apart!Read more

  • Terri's TrailsCamino 2023Traveler

    Berducedo to Grandas de Salime

    June 19, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 54 °F

    We started today's walk with ponchos on in a light rain and several km of ascent on rocky trails. Then descended into the lovely valley of the Río Navía. It was very atmospheric as we started our long descent above the clouds, then entered their mist.

    The Camino took us across the dam, which was really interesting to see.

    Naturally, we ended the day with a bit of uphill walking to reach Grandas de Salime.    Read more

  • Terri's TrailsCamino 2023Traveler
    1

    Colinas de Arriba to Berducedo

    June 18, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 55 °F

    Today was one of the stand out days on the Camino Primitivo, as I took the Hospitales route which climbs into the mountains and features views in all directions. It's called the Hospitales route because it passes by the ruins of ancient pilgrim hospitals.Read more

  • Terri's TrailsCamino 2023Traveler

    Tineo to Colinas de Arriba

    June 17, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F

    Today was cloudy and mostly cool. It started out a bit foggy, so I missed any views that there were leaving Tineo.

    Tomorrow is supposed to be the most difficult day of the Camino Primitivo. Typically, the stage is from Borres to Berducedo which is just over 24 km, but I'm staying in a great albergue in Colinas de Arriba which will make my walk tomorrow just 21 km. There will be no places with services (food, bathrooms) to stop for those 22 km.

    I knew that this albergue had a private room in addition to the dorms, and around lunchtime I sent them a WhatsApp message to ask if it was still available. It was and I'm so glad that I decided to go for it, because it's the nicest private room that I e stayed in on this year's Camino. And it has the BEST shower!    Read more

  • Terri's TrailsCamino 2023Traveler

    Salas to Tineo

    June 16, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 59 °F

    A steady uphill climb most of the day on nice shady trails. It was a very nice approach to Tineo which is built on the side of a hill, and has great views. I suspect that Tineo was hit hard by Covid because there is a plaque dedicated to Covid victims on the way into town.

    Hydrangeas grow like crazy here. I've even seen them off the trail, practically growing wild.

    I stayed in the albergue section of the Palacio de Meras hotel, which was very nice.

    Friday night in tiny Tineo was hopping, because it was high school graduation night. A boisterous group gathered at the restaurant where we had dinner.

    Edited to add: when we left town in the morning the graduation group was still partying at the bar on the main plaza.    Read more

  • Terri's TrailsCamino 2023Traveler
    1

    Grado to Salas

    June 15, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 54 °F

    Once again I'm behind on posting, so another mostly picture entry.

    It was a bit hot and humid today, but fortunately there were some shady trails. I felt like I was the only guest at Hotel Soto, which was only 25€ for a single room. There was a great sunny terrace for drying clothes, and it was close to the albergue where my two Dutch friends were staying. They invited me to have dinner there with them, which was great because it was very different from the typical fare: Asian mushroom soup with Vietnamese spring rolls, vegetable curry, bread, wine and dessert.Read more

  • Terri's TrailsCamino 2023Traveler
    2

    Oviedo to Grado

    June 14, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 54 °F

    After leaving the city of Oviedo the Camino returned to rural roads and some shady trails. The most memorable thing about today's walk was all the new pilgrims on the trail who started in Oviedo.

  • Terri's TrailsCamino 2023Traveler

    Pola de Siero to Oviedo

    June 13, 2023 in Spain ⋅ 🌧 55 °F

    I'm a few days behind on posting, so this will just be mostly photos of Oviedo. The most memorable thing about this day's walk was that about halfway through it started pouring!

  • Terri's TrailsCamino 2023Traveler
    1

    Amandi to Pola de Siero

    June 12, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F

    Today it was goodbye to the Camino del Norte, as I am transitioning to the Camino Primitivo which starts in Oviedo where I will be tomorrow.

    I left the albergue alone this morning, but soon two young women from the Netherlands who had been at the albergue caught up with me while I was attempting to fix a noisy squeak in my backpack. Hannah and Ans had already walked 1800 km from Belgium! We walked together off and on for a while, then I decided to take a detour that goes by a pre-romanesque church. I knew that it wasn't open on Mondays, but hoped to be able to see the outside. Unfortunately it and the adjacent monastery were behind a locked gate, so I had to be satisfied with a picture of the top of the church. As I climbed out of the valley I was able to see the monastery nestled in the valley below.

    After stopping for second breakfast I caught up with a young French guy, and we walked together the rest of the way to Pola de Siero where we are staying at the public albergue, which has mostly single (non bunk) beds. I'm in a room with Dorotée from France who is also my age. It's a comfortable building with high ceilings and plenty of space between the beds. Shortly after arriving it started to rain, then pour, then loud claps of thunder. I'll wait a bit before heading to the grocery to resupply my snacks.    Read more

  • Terri's TrailsCamino 2023Traveler
    11

    Lastres to Amandi - goodbye to the sea

    June 11, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 59 °F

    After saying goodbye to the sea I walked about 45 minutes to rejoin the Camino in Colunga. It was already pretty warm and humid, and after stopping for breakfast I put my umbrella up to give me some shade and sun protection. But after a couple of hours of walking the Camino went off the road and onto the rarest kind of path on the Camino del Norte - a non rocky shaded dirt path beside a creek! It was wonderful to walk on after so much asphalt and stony trails.

    I met up with a very nice Spanish woman from Bilbao who patiently talked to me in slow clear Spanish. After a while we met a Spanish man, also from Basque Country, and the three of us walked together into Villaviciosa. They were stopping at the albergue there, but my destination for the day was a donativo albergue a couple of kilometers down the road.

    I was warmly welcomed by a young German woman who was volunteering there. I was a bit unhappy that all of the lower bunks were already taken, and had resigned myself to an upper bunk when the owner came in the room and folded another bed down from the wall because it was going to be a full house that night.

    The owner was a super nice and engaging guy named Sergio. As we arrived he wrote our names on a board accompanied by the flag of our nationality. He joined in a spirited game of Uno, then made a delicious vegetable paella for dinner, accompanied by a nice salad, bread, and wine, with homemade bread pudding for dessert.

    In the morning we were awakened by soft music playing on a speaker in the room at 6:30, then we all sat down to breakfast at 7:00. I haven't stayed in many albergues on this trip, but this was definitely one of the best albergue experiences I've had on any Camino.    Read more

  • Terri's TrailsCamino 2023Traveler
    11

    A bit of Trompe l'oeil

    June 10, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 61 °F

    Shortly after I began walking this morning I came across the house with some great trompe l'oeil paintings.

  • Terri's TrailsCamino 2023Traveler

    San Esteban de Leces to Lastres

    June 10, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 61 °F

    I ended up not walking on the Camino today. I realized that if I did I wouldn't see much of the coast again because I will be heading inland to connect with the Camino Primitivo in a couple of days. So I decided to take a coastal path and walk to Lastres, a picturesque little fishing town terraced above the sea. Tomorrow I'll have a few extra kilometers to walk to get back on the Camino.

    It was a beautiful sunny (but a bit humid) day, perfect for taking in the views.

    My only problem was finding something to eat after I showered and washed my clothes. It was the time of day that most restaurants were closing down after lunch, but there was one across the street that was open. No menú del día offered today since it was Saturday. Most of the dishes on offer were raciones, which are portions meant to be shared, so I had to settle on an overpriced salad.

    Per usual, by the time I had eaten and had a chance to walk to the closest beach the skies had clouded over and the temperature had dropped. But the afternoon was saved by an open ice cream shop. 😅    Read more

  • Terri's TrailsCamino 2023Traveler
    2

    Pendueles to Naves

    June 8, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F

    Today didn't start too great. It started by being woken up at 5 am by the alarm of the only other person in the room, despite the large sign asking people not to make noise before 7:30am. The alarm was followed by the sounds of rustling plastic bags as he packed up for an interminably long time. I did manage to get about another 45 minutes of sleep, but not as much sleep as I would have liked before walking 27 km.

    Fortunately today's walk took me past several beautiful beaches, and eventually the alarm clock offender eating breakfast - I chose a different place for breakfast. 😉

    I had reserved a hotel for tonight in what can be best described as a hamlet, as it's too small to be called a village. I'm waiting for one of the two bar/sidrería/restaurantes to open at 8 so that I can eat dinner. I'll be joined by Tamara from the DC area who decided to stay here rather than walk farther at 4:30.    Read more

  • Terri's TrailsCamino 2023Traveler
    12

    San Vicente de la Barquera to Pendueles

    June 7, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F

    I was really hoping to stay at the donativo albergue Aves de Paso in Pendueles because I had read really good things about it and its owner, but I messaged her yesterday and she wrote back that the albergue is closed until tomorrow due to a death in the family. I ended up at another place with a very nice owner, and the room that I'm in has only four single beds (no bunk beds!). It's after 8 pm and there are only two of us in the room, so it's very comfortable.

    The walk today was on country roads which led to the ocean, so I had nice views most of the way. There was cloud cover which kept the day fairly cool for walking, and it even rained for about 15 minutes.

    Edit to add - I had a great meal at the Mexican restaurant down the street, Casa Flor. Really delicious enchiladas suizas and a margarita.😋. A nice change of pace from the standard menú del día.    Read more

  • Terri's TrailsCamino 2023Traveler
    111

    Comillas to San Vicente de la Barquera

    June 6, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 59 °F

    My decision to "wing it" paid off. I ended up walking a short distance of about 12 km and having a semi rest day. When I walked this route in 2018 I took note if San Vicente de la Barquera, not because it was the most beautiful or historic place, but because it just looked comfortable to me. I had wanted to stay here, but didn't think that I would want to only walk 12 km, but when I arrived around 9 am today I just knew that I wanted to be here to rest and relax.

    While I was having breakfast at a local restaurant I consulted my guide book, apps, and booking.com to see where I could stay. One of the least expensive options was described as a 1905 stone mansion. I looked up from my breakfast and saw that it was right across the street from where I was sitting. I had noticed it while walking into town and assumed that it would be over my budget.

    After paying for my breakfast I walked over to the hotel to ask about a room, and not only was one available for the night it was ready right then at 10 in the morning, and was only 40€!

    It has a lively foyer and a grand staircase. The receptionist indicated that I could use the elevator, but I thought "forget that - I'm taking the beautiful stairs!"

    My room is good sized with high ceilings and large windows. After washing my clothes I settled down to a short nap that I didn't realize I needed.

    After the nap I went up the hill (there is always a hill!) to see the old church and the tower.

    Then back down to enjoy the menú del día at the same restaurant where I had breakfast.    Read more

  • Terri's TrailsCamino 2023Traveler
    11

    Santillana del Mar to Comillas

    June 5, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F

    I walked from one tourist town to another today, though Comillas is nowhere near as touristy as Santillana del Mar. It does have a house designed by Gaudí that is very interesting.

    I had been hoping to "wing it" today and stop whenever I felt like it, but I began hearing from others in the albergue last night that accommodation was tight in Comillas, which was 22.5 km away. My other option was San Vicente de la Barquera - which would have required at least another 2.5 hours to get to, and it was going to be a warm day. So I caved and booked a room in a pensión since the only hostel in town was fully booked.

    I did enjoy arriving early enough to go down to the beach, then tour the Gaudí house.

    This is what my guide book says about Comillas and the influence of the aristocracy from Barcelona:

    "Comillas boomed in the 19th century when the Barcelonan aristocracy started summering here – and brought their architects along. The local shipping magnate, Antonio López, made a fortune from the Cuban slave trade, bought the title of Marquis de Comillas, and married the daughter of Barcelona’s richest man. With money to burn, the marquis became Antoní Gaudí’s primary patron, and Gaudí left his mark in Comillas. The Capricho de Gaudí was entirely his own creation. Built as the marquis’s summerhouse, it is a stunning combination of iron, brick, and ceramic, displaying Spanish and Arabic influences. Sunflowers are prominent on this surrealist structure. Gaudí assisted with the general design and furnishings of the Palacio de Sobrellano, which is more properly attributed to Joan Mortorell. An impressive neo-Gothic building, this dominates the left hill as you follow the camino out of town. The interior is considered even finer than the exterior, particularly the grand salon. Regular tours run daily (€3). Gaudí also contributed to the Capilla-Pantéon, which holds the crypts of the marquis’s two sons."

    My plan for tomorrow is no plan. There are several towns that I can stop in along the way.    Read more

  • Terri's TrailsCamino 2023Traveler
    1

    Albergue El Convento

    June 4, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F

    This albergue in Santillana del Mar is fantastic. Most of the rooms have only one bunk bed. I'm in a room with a bunk bed occupied by two French women and my single bed. I asked for a lower bed and was asked if a room for three people was okay. I think that I really lucked out with not having to deal with a top bunk or lack of headroom of a lower bunk. The price is 14€ with a communal dinner offered for 10€.

    There's a big common room and a large garden with clotheslines.    Read more

  • Terri's TrailsCamino 2023Traveler
    1

    Liencres to Santillana del Mar

    June 4, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 59 °F

    Today was about the same distance as yesterday - approximately 27.5 km, but the there was more road walking which I can walk faster on than a stony trail and fewer photo opportunities, though there were some really pretty spots in the coast before I turned inland.

    Since my sojourn on the coast took me out of sync with some other pilgrims that I've met I'm happy to be staying at a large albergue with a communal dinner tonight. I have seen a few others that I've met before who had a rest day in Santander or split up the approx 36 km stage in two days.

    Santillana del Mar is a medieval walled city, and a tourist destination full of many souvenir shops and tourists, especially since it's a Sunday. Many of the shops have locally made products and not too much foreign made junk. The albergue where I'm staying is a former convent.    Read more

Get your own travel profile

Free

QR code

FindPenguins for iOSFindPenguins for Android

  • 2025© FindPenguins
  • Home
  • About us
  • Group Tracking
  • Press
  • Terms
  • Privacy Policy & Cookies
  • Help Center
  • Legal notice