10-DAYS/9-NIGHTS: JULY 16 - 25
Join Xavier Alumnae, family, friends, moms and daughters on this epic journey with the Xavier Alumnae Association. Walk the Camino Way, staying in 4- and 5-star hotels and historic "Parador" accommodations; includes cultural and sightseeing excursions, expert guides and ground transportation. Visit the charms of Porto, Portugal before heading out on this historic spiritual walking experience shrouded in religious significance.
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The Portuguese Camino is one of the most historic and scenic routes to Santiago de Compostela. Starting in Portugal and continuing through Galicia, it blends coastal beauty, rural landscapes, and vibrant towns filled with tradition. Pilgrims walk through eucalyptus and oak forests, vineyards, over medieval bridges, and through charming villages rich in local culture. From Porto, the path offers a gentle rhythm, warm hospitality, and deep spiritual meaning. As pilgrims approach Santiago, the journey becomes a powerful mix of nature, history, and personal reflection, ending at the majestic Cathedral that has welcomed travelers for centuries.
-THIS IS A COASTAL ROUTE PERFECT FOR THE SUMMER MONTHS!
- HISTORIC HOTELS, MANY WITH SWIMMING POOLS
-TWO DAYS IN PORTO, PORTUGAL WITH CULTURAL AND SCENIC EXPERIENCES BEFORE THE WALK BEGINS
-CATHOLIC MASS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO THOSE WHO WISH TO ATTEND
-SUPPORT VEHICLE AVAILABLE TO THOSE WHO DO NOT WISH TO WALK EVERY SEGMENT
-4- AND 5-STAR LUXURY AND HISTORIC CLASSIC 'PARADOR' ACCOMMODATION
-ALL BREAKFASTS AND SEVERAL LUNCHES/DINNERS INCLUDED
SELECTED HOTEL ACCOMMODATION:
(subject to change)
16-18 July 2026 - Porto Timbre Virtudes 5* https://timbrehotels.com/virtudes/
18-20 July 2026 in Vigo Pazo Los Escudos 5* https://www.pazolosescudos.com
20-21 July 2026 Pontevedra Hotel Parador de Pontevedra 4* https://paradores.es/es/parador-de-pontevedra
21-23 July 2026 Campados Hotel Parador Campados 4* https://paradores.es/es/parador-de-cambados
23-25 July 2026 Santiago Hotel Parador Santiago 5* https://paradores.es/es/parador-de-santiago-de-compostela
More information about the Xavier Camino tour organizer TWK Family Adventure Tours: http://www.twktours.com
Since 2014 TWK Family Adventure Tours has been creating group and individual travel memories to Europe, Asia, Africa and South America. Run by Central Phoenix and Xavier Alumna Carrie Whitten Simmons and her family, TWK was created from the Travel With Kids TV show on PBS.
4- and 5-star hotels in a mix of modern and historic old world "Parador" experiences
All ground transportation during excursions and walking experiences
Cultural and sightseeing experiences in Porto and along the Camino with expert local guides
Breakfast daily and some lunches/dinners are included
Airport pickup/meet and greet service
Upon completion of the pilgirimage
A vehicle on hand at all times in case guests can't complete a walking segment and want to move onward towards the next hotel.
Airfare Phoenix to/from Portugal/Spain is not included. TWK Tours will assist finding the best airfare for the group
Shopping, meals outside of what is included, laundry, gratuity
>>>CLICK ARROW TO THE RIGHT TO SWIPE THROUGH FULL ITINERARY>>>
Upon arrival at the airport, your group will be welcomed by our dedicated meet & greet team. They will assist with luggage and guide you to your private, air-conditioned bus, ensuring a smooth transition from the airport to your destination. This service ensures a hassle-free start to your journey, with personalized assistance throughout the process.
DAY 1: Begin your morning exploring the charm of Porto on a guided walking tour through its historic center. Stroll along the riverfront in the Ribeira district and admire landmarks like the Sé Cathedral, the Clérigos Tower, and Praça da Liberdade. Discover narrow cobbled streets, colorful façades, and the city’s lively markets. From hilltop viewpoints to charming cafés, each stop reveals the soul of Porto. A relaxed and inspiring way to experience the city’s history, culture, and beauty — all in one unforgettable morning.
DAY 1: Visiting Mercado do Bolhão is the perfect way to connect with the authentic soul of Porto. This historic market, beautifully restored, blends traditional energy with the fresh aromas of local produce. As you walk through its aisles, you’ll meet friendly vendors offering fruits, vegetables, salted cod, cheeses, pastries, and fresh fish from the Atlantic. The guide will share the history and traditions behind this beloved institution, showing how Bolhão has shaped the city’s culinary identity for more than a century. With its vibrant colors, buzzing atmosphere, and irresistible avours, Bolhão offers a lively glimpse into the everyday life of Porto — a cultural and gastronomic experience you won’t forget.
DAY 2: FULL DAY DOURO VALLEY TOUR WITH LUNCH AND WINE TASTING Discover the charm of the Douro Valley on a full-day tour surrounded by terraced vineyards and spectacular river views. Visit two traditional quintas, taste their best wines, and learn about centuries of winemaking tradition. Enjoy a delicious lunch at one of the estates, paired with Douro wines and breathtaking landscapes. With history, nature, and avour blending perfectly, this experience reveals the true soul of Portugal’s most iconic wine region. Free time on your own in the evening.
DAY 3: VILA NOVA DE GAIA TOUR A visit to Vila Nova de Gaia offers the perfect opportunity to discover the soul of Port wine. After crossing the Dom Luís I Bridge, you’ll explore a traditional bodega where Port has matured for generations. Inside the cellar, your guide explains the history, methods, and secrets that make these wines unique. The experience ends with a tasting of several Port varieties, each revealing its own aromas and personality. With views over Porto and the scent of oak barrels in the air, this visit blends culture, tradition, and avour in an unforgettable way.
DAY 3: TRANSFER FROM PORTO TO VIGO Enjoy a comfortable bus transfer from Porto to Vigo, offering a smooth journey between Portugal and Spain. Relax in a modern, airconditioned coach with spacious seating and room for luggage as you travel through scenic landscapes along the Atlantic coast. This reliable service ensures a stress-free connection, allowing you to sit back and enjoy the ride while arriving in Vigo rested and ready to continue your journey.
DAY 3: WALKING TOUR IN VIGO Discover the charm of Vigo on a guided walking tour through its lively streets and historic quarters. Stroll through the old town of Casco Vello, with its narrow alleys, traditional houses, and vibrant local atmosphere, while learning about the city’s maritime heritage and Galician traditions. Enjoy views of the port and the Ría de Vigo, explore bustling squares, and hear stories that reveal Vigo’s past and present. This walking tour is a relaxed and engaging way to get to know the city’s culture, history, and everyday life.
TUI- PORRIÑO The 18 km Starting in Tui’s charming historic center, dominated by its cathedral and medieval streets, the Camino soon follows tranquil riverside paths along the Louro, winding through eucalyptus and pine woods that offer shade and a pleasant natural atmosphere. Small Galician villages and rural landscapes accompany much of the walk. After this peaceful stretch, the route enters the industrial outskirts of O Porriño before reaching its lively town center. An easy stage that blends heritage, nature, and local culture.
REDONDELA - PONTEVEDRA 20 KM Beginning with gentle climbs that reward pilgrims with beautiful views over the Ría de Vigo, the Camino then enters pleasant stretches of oak, chestnut, and eucalyptus woods, passing through small hamlets and traditional Galician farmland. After crossing the historic Ponte Sampaio and its riverside setting, the route continues along quiet paths and rural roads before reaching the vibrant city of Pontevedra, known for its elegant plazas and well-preserved old town. A varied, scenic stage blending coast, forest, and culture.
PONTEVEDRA - CALDAS DE REI 22 KM Leaving the lively old town, the Camino quickly enters peaceful countryside, following shaded paths through oak, chestnut, and eucalyptus woods, crossing streams and passing traditional Galician villages. The route is gentle and serene, with long stretches of forest and farmland that create a calm rhythm for pilgrims. Approaching Caldas de Reis, the landscape opens toward vineyards and the thermal-water town known for its relaxing atmosphere. A pleasant, mostly easy stage rich in nature and rural charm.
CALDAS DE REIS - PADRON 19 KM Begins with gentle paths along the Umia River before entering peaceful stretches of oak, chestnut, and eucalyptus woods. The Camino winds through small villages, waterfalls, and farmland, creating a calm and scenic walk. A steady climb leads to the hamlet of O Pino before descending toward Padrón, a town deeply connected to the legend of Saint James and famous for its peppers. A varied and atmospheric stage, blending lush nature, rural Galicia, and rich Jacobean heritage.
PADRON - SANTIAGO 24 KM Head through orchards and farmland before entering classic Galician oak and eucalyptus woods. The route passes small villages and quiet, rural paths, gradually gaining elevation as anticipation grows. Nearing Santiago, pilgrims walk through historic parishes like Iria Flavia and O Milladoiro before descending toward the city. The final approach leads through urban streets to the magnificent Cathedral, the spiritual end of the Camino. A meaningful stage that blends nature, tradition, and the emotion of arrival.
DAY 9 - Free Day in Santiago - Attend mass, explore markets, or relax in outdoor cafes along bustling plazas.
(Option to depart this day if desired.)
Transfer back to Porto or your airport of choice for your onward journey home (Note: Depending our your outbound city, extra transfer costs may apply.)
