Santa Maria da Feira Municipality, Portugal Travel Journals & Blogs

Traveler Terry’s 2024 Camino Portuguese
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- Apr 3, 2024, 6:10pm
- ☁️ 16 °C
- Altitude: 216 m
- Portugal Aveiro São João da Madeira Jardim Público de Casaldelo 40.894236, -8.49619640°53’39” N 8°29’46” W
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Day 19
A Sunny Day!
April 3 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
I had to take it easy today, and only did 18 km's to Sao Joao da Madiera. The albergue here is very different. It is in a room in a wing of a hospital! I hope it is not an insane asylum, or I might not get out! It is called Santa Casa da Misericordia. Google it and somebody let me know. In 2 more days I will be in Porto. Just a straight forward sunny walk today. Have a look at the pics.Read more
Traveler Ooh, nice!
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Traveler Glad you're having nicer weather!😃🌞
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Traveler Yay for sun!
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Traveler Terry’s 2024 Camino Portuguese
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- Apr 4, 2024, 9:13pm
- ☁️ 14 °C
- Altitude: 114 m
- Portugal Porto Grijó 41.02603, -8.58074541°1’34” N 8°34’51” W
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Day 20
Gijo
April 4 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C
It was an uneventfull walk to Gijo today. It was only 19 km's, and only 16 km's for tomorrow to get to Porto. Doing 35 all at once looked like too much. Especially since it was mostly road walking. It seemed like every house that I went by today had barking dogs. (See video) Most of them looked like that's all they have done there whole life. Tonight there are just 2 of is. A guy from Uruguay, and I. We went to get something to eat at a place recommended by the hospitalero, and it was excellent. Anyway, Porto tomorrow and the start of what is said to be the best part of this camino.Read more
Traveler Francescinha!
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Traveler I think that's the albergue we stayed in too. It was pretty skeezy when we were there. We had a traditional family meal next door which was fantastic. We wouldn't have known if the Portugese guy staying at the albergue hadn't have organized it.
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Traveler They sure have a lot to say. Is that portuguese or Spanish?
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El Camino
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- May 20, 2022, 1:24pm
- ⛅ 24 °C
- Altitude: 134 m
- Portugal Porto Grijó 41.026389, -8.57823841°1’35” N 8°34’42” W
Day 20
Day 17/6 Oliveira de Madeira to Grijo
May 20, 2022 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
When we checked into our hotel yesterday afternoon, we were pleased to learn that it was four star rated AND breakfast was included in the room rate.

As a result, The Core Four took full advantage of the "free" food and, by the time we completed our Uber ride, didn't arrive back in Sao Joao de Madeira to start our walk until 8:45.

The day started out at 18 degrees and slowly crept up to 27 by the time we arrived at our destination in Grijo. The walk today had an elevation gain of 268 meters, considerably less than yesterday, and a distance of just 19.69 kms. In pilgrim terms: a relatively easy day.

We spent most of the day walking through residential neighborhoods, but, to add some spice to our trek, on our first rest break at about 7kms, the cafe owner offered us some delicious cinnamon toast to go with our coffee.

We also had various periods following the ancient Roman road, which somehow always brings me to reflect on how many others have trodden these same cobbles as I.

At one point, we came across a group of bikers who were leaving their mark on a metal wall simply by writing on it with a finger, and I felt obliged to do the same.

We arrived in Grijo shortly after 1:00 and took an Uber into Porto so that we can enjoy the charms she has to offer while we overnight here today and tomorrow.

One of these charms that had Brenda salivating all day was a gluten-free bakery that offers GF Pastel de Nata. However, when we arrived at the shop, there were no Pasteles to be found! Forrunately, we were told a fresh batch would be ready within the hour, so we decided to go for an early dinner. Of course, dining in Europe before 7:00 is out if the question and two vegan restaurants we tried to patronize informed us they were closed until 7:00

We ended up dining in the first place we found that offered a vegetarian burger and some typically delicious fries before returning to the GF bakery for Brenda's dessert. Although the crust didn't live up to the standard puff-pastry crust, Brenda thoroughly enjoyed the treat.

We capped off our evening with a round of drinks on an outdoor patio with Anita and Ernie.

Tomorrow we pick up where we left off in Grijo and will enjoy one more night in Porto before moving onward.Read more
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Traveler Camino Portuguese
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- Sep 17, 2023, 5:01pm
- 🌧 19 °C
- Altitude: 114 m
- Portugal Porto Grijó 41.026187, -8.58077841°1’34” N 8°34’51” W
Day 7
Walking Day 4
September 17, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ 🌧 19 °C
Malaposta (Residential Solar) to Grijo Albergue.
Another short stage. We got away a bit late, I woke up with a headache and the weather was terrible, raining and windy. It rained pretty steadily until we stopped for morning tea, then mostly dry until we reached Grijo.
I had left behind somewhere a walking pole and went back a km or so to look for it. Unfortunately didn't find it, and in the meantime an Australian pilgrim got ahead of us and got to the albergue just before us. He took the last room with two beds, and we are in a room with six beds. Missed it by that much! There are now (5:13pm) two Canadians also in the room. So our first night in a dorm style albergue with bunk beds. Tomorrow about 17km to Porto.Read more
Hope the dorm room went OK. At least you get to meet some people from other countries [Ann]
9/17/23Reply
Traveler That's right Ann. It does feel a more camino "vibe" when you're in the dorm style rooms.
9/18/23Reply
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Traveler Camino Portuguese
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- Sep 26, 2023, 7:20pm
- ☀️ 70 °F
- Altitude: 374 ft
- Portugal Porto Grijó 41.026116, -8.58075241°1’34” N 8°34’51” W
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Day 22
Day 18 SJDM - Grijo
September 26, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F
Day 18 - Sao João de Madeira to Grijo
Tuesday, September 26

Started at 7:14 am. Finished at 11:25 am. 18.8k/11.7m. Walking time 3h39m. Steps 23,966. Calories 868.

Not much happened today. Other than walking on pavement. Walking along a very busy, noisy two lane highway and trying to cross the highway without a crosswalk or light.

Did a short day because there is no accommodation between Grijo and Porto and definitely was not going to walk 35+k.

Staying in Albergue S Salvador for E10. One of first to arrive, so had choice of room. Surprised there was an option of 2-bed or 6-bed rooms. Aimee and I chose the 2-bed room.

Enjoy the journey. Photos have captions. Bom Caminho.Read more
Traveler Beautiful passport!!
9/26/23Reply
Traveler It is getting full!
9/26/23Reply
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Traveler El Camino Portugues
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- Jan 19, 2024
- ☀️ 14 °C
- Altitude: 781 ft
- Portugal Aveiro Fiães 41.002598, -8.54474941°0’9” N 8°32’41” W
Day 16
The only way to get there is to walk
January 19 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C
I left around 7 this morning and it was quite nice to walk in the early morning as I’d generally been starting out later to avoid the typical morning rain shower.

Today’s walk was pretty much completely through urban areas. Either through a town or next to the road. It really was a good way to get a sense of how people live. I do think that I generally prefer more of the farmland and natural scenery though for a whole day of walking.

Some things I’ve noticed:

* There are a surprising number of animal pastures like right next to or in the middle of large town.
*Terracotta roofs are quite heavy. I saw a number of abandoned houses, and it seems like the roof always caves in first.
*Almost no one uses a leash when walking a dog.
*Very few bill boards
*At least to my untrained eye, it’s pretty rare to see houses that are tiled, have similar tiles to other houses. There are so many unique patterns!
*All large name brand grocery stores have tent like awnings for people to park their car beneath.

Tomorrow I should arrive in Porto! I’m planning on spending a few days there, maybe 3.Read more
Traveler Nice observations! Porto should be interesting and fun!
1/20/24Reply
Traveler Just joining your journey Luke. I have enjoyed reading back through your journal and look forward to watching you continue your trip.
1/21/24Reply
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Camino Portugués
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- May 6, 2023, 8:59am
- 🌧 16 °C
- Altitude: 161 m
- Portugal Porto Perosinho Guimarães 41.048699, -8.571441°2’55” N 8°34’17” W
Day 1
A morning in Porto
May 6, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ 🌧 16 °C
We spent the morning in Bolhão, a part of Porto with a nice market and the famous Confeitaria do Bolhão where we had a nice meeting with friends. Now we left with the bus for Coimbra where we will spend mother's day with Alejandro. We will soon return to Porto when we pass this beautiful city on our camino portugués.Read more
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Traveler El Camino Portugues
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- Jan 20, 2024
- ☀️ 13 °C
- Altitude: 374 ft
- Portugal Porto Grijó 41.026747, -8.58151141°1’36” N 8°34’53” W
Day 17
Etapa 13: Grijó
January 20 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C
I have been calling Alburgues ahead of time so that I can make sure they are open. The person answering the phone for the Grijo Alburgue really didn’t seem to speak English but did mention something about a form and that they would send me a WhatsApp message about it.

I never did get the form, but when I arrived I completely walked into the wrong building that turned out to be a bar and asked for the Alburgue. They pointed me to the back of a house where the check-in would be. When I knocked, a 7 year old girl answered the door and called for her mom that there was someone here for the Alburgue. I provided my credential and information while in their living room. I think I’d pretty clearly interpreted some kind of gather because there were 4 young kids running around and a group of older men all talking together.

I did get into the Alburgue though! And saw Lee. The two of us went to dinner together and a dish that in the English menu was called ‘cod with cornbread’. I’m not sure exactly where the cornbread was, but it was super tasty!

After dinner, Lee offered me some different kinds of South Korean candy that were all ginseng flavor. It was a very unique taste, but probably not going to be a new Halloween favorite for me.Read more
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Traveler Camino Portuguese
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- Sep 17, 2023, 10:34am
- 🌧 17 °C
- Altitude: 241 m
- Portugal Aveiro Fiães 41.001147, -8.54101241°0’4” N 8°32’28” W
Day 7
Walked day 3
September 17, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ 🌧 17 °C
Just stopped for a break in a little bakery after walking in the rain for the last 6km.
Yesterday wasn't too bad weather wise. Had a nice breakfast at the hotel and got away around 9, cloudy but not raining. Started raining just as we stopped at San Jaoa de Madeira (John the Baptist) so we had lunch and stayed for a couple of hours, waiting for the rain to stop. Stopped in a church a little further along to get out of the rain again. We'd booked a B&B for the night which had a bar attached. The two dinner options were meat or fish. We got the fish, which we realised afterwards comes with potato and veges, whereas the meat dishes, which we have been having, come with rice and chips. Apparently that's traditional Portuguese. Since Lisbon not many people have spoken English, so we're never really sure what we're going to get, or how much it costs, until afterwards. Last night dinner was huge, had main meal first then soup, plus wine for €7 each!Read more
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Traveler Camino Portuguese
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- Sep 25, 2023
- ☀️ 79 °F
- Altitude: 745 ft
- Portugal Aveiro São João da Madeira Praça Luis Ribeiro 40.899385, -8.49284240°53’58” N 8°29’34” W
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Day 21
Day 17 AlbANova -Sao Joao de Madeira
September 25, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 79 °F
Day 17 - Albergaria-a-Nova to Sao João de Madeira
Monday, September 25

Started at 7:16. Ended at 2:00. 24.0k/14.9m. Walking time 4h46m. Steps 30,062. Calories 1,194.

It was an unexpected hilly day. Quite a few steep portions and then downhills. Never really left city/urban area during the walk.

Highlights of the day: seeing Jess/Peter on the trail a couple times. And then met up with Aimee (MN). The four of us and Peter/UK got together for dinner and had a great time. People help make moments into memories that last forever.

Enjoy the journey. Photos have captions. Bom Caminho.Read more
Traveler LOVE the photo with your fellow pilgrims!
9/26/23Reply
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