This taster is really a mini Camino Experience so much of the structure is the same. This is useful for you to know if this taster then makes you wish to move on to the main Camino Experience afterwards.

As I said it’s about YOU and time to put yourself first. This is not selfish, though many of us have been brought up to believe it is. Not at all – by giving to yourself,you have your needs met and are then in a much better place to give to others. It’s all part of selfcare, something we should all be doing regularly.

So there are no beds to make, piles of ironing to work through, supermarket shopping to do or food to prepare. No-one else’s demands to attend to. All you have to do is get from A to B, enjoy your post walk drink, a hot shower and then dinner.

All your accommodation is booked in advance on the path and your large bags are moved on every day so you only have to carry a day pack.

I’ll provide you with a fitness plan, a tried and tested packing list as well as advice and guidance on gear, travel and anything else you need/want to know so that you can feel confident when you join us.

If possible, time zones allowing, we’ll have a group call a few months before the event so you can all say ‘hi’ to each other and start to build the bond that will inevitably grow, and there’ll also be a one to one follow up call with me afterwards.

You have me from you sign up till we part on return … and perhaps even longer if you want some help in bringing everything to fruition as you want. 

  The Journey

The Camino Taster 2025 takes place from Sunday June 22nd to Friday June 27th

While a Camino Experience is a full on 5, 6 or even 7 days walking the taster starts more gently, and differently, with a planned day of sightseeing and our last day is also walk free to allow relaxation, some more exploration as well as being the day we travel home, unless you plan further onward travel.

We start our time together with dinner in Porto the first evening which means that you can choose to fly in when suits you and take some time to chill. I will be guiding on flights and always try to get people on the same flights. I will set up a WhatsApp group a week or two in advance so that last minute questions can be asked there and for us all to keep in touch especially as we travel.

This allows a relaxed start over breakfast on day 1 and plenty of time to explore this beautiful city which is very colourful with steep streets, interesting architecture, tiled walls, a famous bookshop, a beautiful cathedral and lots of port houses. We will visit the cathedral and in the late morning, we will go port tasting.

At some point during this first day we will sit down together to discuss the details of the days ahead and talk about what you might want to get from the experience. There’ll be a little down time back at the hotel and then in the evening we will come together for drinks and dinner.

On day 2 we will leave Porto and walk, first along the river Duoro until it reaches the Atlantic ocean and then our walk takes us along the Atlantic coast to Matoshinos, where we will return to Porto on the Metro. This is a gentle 6/7 mile route. Once back in Porto we will have some lunch and take the bus to the coastal town of Viana do Castelo where, you can chill or join me to take the funicular up Monte de Santa Luzia and enjoy amazing panoramic views over Viana.  If the timing is right we can also visit the Santuario de Santa Luzia which dominates the skyline.

Day 3 is a walking day with 12 miles to cover. Do not fear though as it is described as ‘An easy day walking across dunes and sea promenades to Praia da Ancora.’ It’s a flat walk and through your training this will be well within your capabilities. It is a path of mixed terrain, sometimes we are on developed walking paths used by many locals, sometimes earthen and towards the end quite a lot of boardwalk walking along the tops of the dunes.

On our journey we cross many beautiful beaches, along the rocky coast and at times along sea promenades. When we arrive there may be time for a swim in the sea as well as the usual well earned beer or wine.

On day 4 our journey is again only 6 miles. Today we walk to Caminha, where if you were continuing your coastal Camino, you would catch the ferry or the pilgrim taxi across the river to Spain. For us, this is where we stop and in this pretty town which apart from in July and August, seems to escape tourism, we have time to explore, and focus on you.

We stay in a spa hotel close to the beach so an afternoon for you to swim, have some treatments if you wish, escape over to a Spanish beach for a few hours or just read, journal or ‘be’.

At some point in his calm place it seems fitting to take the time to reflect and review the last 4 days. To look at what has happened, what has come up and what you want to carry forward as you return home. It’s also a great opportunity to prepare for the transition back from simple quiet days to the faster pace of your everyday life.

How do you maintain all the positives that have come up for you while away?

In the morning of day 5, there are options some of which will depend on flight times. There may be time to walk into Caminha and go to the market, have coffee etc, or you may want more time by the pool.

The plan for return is to catch the train back to Porto travelling along though some of the places you will have walked and from there it is up to you whether you fly home or take the opportunity to spend some more time in this beautiful location or perhaps explore further afield. There could be an option of taking a taxi directly to the airport as we are north of Porto as the airport is. This will be much more expensive though may be manageable if a group of you decided to do it. It is a decision that doesn’t need to be taken until the last day, it at all.

On all of our days there will be time for reflection, mindfulness and chatting together in our small group as well as supporting each other as we maximise this time away, something us women do not do enough of.

You deserve this time for your self care and self love because when you have these and have your needs taken care of you are in a much better place for all aspects of your life. 

I look forward to welcoming you.