Walking the Portuguese Camino: A Journey of History & Spirit
Tour Notes
Welcome to your upcoming tour! These Tour Notes are designed to provide you with important information about your journey, helping you prepare for a smooth and enjoyable experience. Inside, you’ll find essential details about your destination, including cultural insights, local customs, weather tips, and packing recommendations.
We’ve also included practical information about your tour, such as meeting points, transportation details, and any specific requirements or reminders. Please take a moment to review these notes thoroughly—they’ll help ensure you’re ready to make the most of this exciting adventure!
 | Pre-Travel Form We need some important information prior to your trip. This information will include your flight details, which we need for your transfer. Please fill in this information as soon as possible. |
Options For Your Tour
Use this form to add options to your tour. To be added if available.
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| Arrival Details Arrive to Porto, Portugal – Francisco Sa Carneiro Airport (OPO) – at any time on or before the first day of the tour. | Departure Details Depart from Santiago de Compostela, Spain – Santiago-Rosalia de Castro Airport (SCQ) – at any time on the last day of the tour. | Airport Transfers Airport transfers are included with your tour. You will be met at the airport. After you exit the secure area look for someone with a sign with either your name or the Women’s Travel Club. If you have purchased your own pre-night or post night accommodations (not through the Women’s Travel Club) you will have to arrange your own airport transfer or take a taxi. |
 | Flight Booking The Women’s Travel Club recommends booking flexible or refundable air tickets when possible. If you would like assistance booking international flights for your tour, please use the form below. The Women’s Travel Club Flight Desk will work with you to arrange the best options. Our flight management fee is CAD 200.00 + HST per tour. |
Entry Requirements and Information
Visa
Portugal and Spain are Schengen area countries. Canadian and U.S. citizens do not need a visa for travel to countries within the Schengen area. However, visa-free travel only applies to stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Stays are cumulative and include visits to any Schengen area country.
Passport
Passports must be valid for 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave the Schengen area and have 2 blank pages. Make sure that the Portuguese border officer stamps your passport when you enter Portugal. Without a stamp, you could be fined or detained from Portugal.
Vaccinations
While no specific vaccinations are required, we recommend that your routine vaccinations are up to date and that you visit a local travel health clinic or doctor for advice prior to the trip. It is the traveler’s responsibility to ensure they meet all requirements.
Travel requirements may change at any time. Please visit your government’s travel recommendations page.
Canada – https://travel.gc.ca/
USA – https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel.html
Suggested Packing List
| This is a suggested packing list for your tour. Please keep in mind that your personal needs or requirements may differ from the items on this list. – Flight information and documents – eticket number – Travel insurance policy (with photocopies) – Passport (with photocopies) – Pen (please bring your own for filling out documents) – Camera (with extra memory cards and batteries) – Cash, credit card and debit card – Cell phone, tablet, etc with charging cables – Ear plugs (if needed) – Electrical adapter and converter – External charger – First-aid kit and medications (bring extra medications in their prescription bottles/packages) – Fleece top/sweater – Footwear including comfortable closed toe shoes – Hat – Headphones or earbuds – Light jacket – Locks for bags – Long pants, capris and/or shorts – Money belt (optional) – Personal entertainment (reading and writing materials, cards, music player, etc) – Refillable water bottle – Shirts (blouses, t-shirts, tank tops, etc) – Sleepwear – Small travel towel (optional) – Smart outfit (optional for evenings out) – Sunglasses – Toiletries – Watch and/or alarm clock |
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| Weather Spain’s weather in September is generally warm and pleasant, with countrywide temperatures averaging around 77-82°F (25-28°C) during the day and dropping to around 68-72°F (20-22°C) at night. | Currency PORTUGAL: Portugal is one of 19 European Union countries whose common official currency is the euro. 1 euro is divided into 100 cents. The coins come in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, and 1 and 2 euros. The notes are differentiated by their size and colour and come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros. One side of the coins has a common design (the European side), and the other side has a national symbol. All euro coins can be used in any euro-zone country, irrespective of which national symbols they display. ATMs (Multibanco): Portugal has a national network of cash machines (ATMs) identified by the symbol MB (Multibanco), from which you can withdraw cash 24 hours a day. Currency Exchange: You can exchange money at banks, which are open from 8.30 a.m. to 3 p.m. five working days a week; at bureaux de change; and at automatic currency exchange machines (these are for currency sale transactions only). Credit cards: In Portugal, the most commonly used credit cards are: Visa, American Express, Diners Club, Europay / MasterCard, JCB and Maestro. SPAIN: The official currency in Spain is the Euro (€/EUR). 1 euro is divided into 100 cents. Coins come in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, and 1 and 2 euros. Notes are differentiated by their size and colour and come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros. One side of the coins has a common design (the European side), and the other side has a national symbol. All euro coins can be used in any euro-zone country, irrespective of which national symbols they display. ATMs are easy to find in shopping centres and shopping areas, large urban centres and historic centres in small towns. Currency can be exchanged at bureaus de change, at various banks, and at the majority of hotels and travel agencies. In Spain, cash is accepted in almost all cases, and usually only Euros are accepted. Visa and Mastercard are the commonly accepted credit cards. Note that a minimum consumption of around €10 may be required for payment by card and this may be subject to commissions depending on the conditions of your card. | Electric Outlets In Portugal and Spain there are two associated plug types, types C and F. Type C plugs have two round pins and type F plugs have two round pins with two earth clips on the side. Portugal and Spain operate on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz. A universal all-in-one travel adapter (can be purchased from retailers like Amazon) will allow you to plug in and charge most electronic devices. Most electronic devices have built-in converters. However, if you plan to use North American appliances like hair dryers, flat irons or curling irons you will need a converter. |