Where Shall We Go Today?
Travel guides and inspiration from the road.
Vigo – Redondela (15 km)
A short stage to Redondela, with a €11 lunch, an unexpected guided tour of the Convento de VillaVella, a free city tour and dinner with pilgrims.
Nigrán – Vigo (18 km)
Walking separately to Vigo, with a stop at Samil beach, a climb up Monte do Castro and the job of blister nurse to the pilgrims.
Oia – Nigrán (25 km)
From Oia to Nigrán via Cape Silleiro, Baiona and the Ramallosa Roman Bridge, with lunch in Baiona, laundry done and dinner as a group.
A Guarda – Oia (16 km)
An easy 16 km stage by the sea to the O Serrano hostel in Oia, with reunions, snooker and an evening on a terrace.
Viana do Castelo – A Guarda (32 km)
A 32 km stage from Viana do Castelo to A Guarda, with a boat crossing of the River Minho into Spain, haggled down to €5 a head.
Marinhas, Esposende – Viana do Castelo (21 km)
Inland to Viana do Castelo, with five churches and three chapels, an improvised terrace in the mountains and the climb up Santa Luzia hill.
Vila do Conde – Marinhas, Esposende (27 km)
A 27 km stage along the coast to Marinhas with Natalie, a stop in Apúlia, two big dogs on the beach and dinner in Esposende.
Porto – Vila do Conde (35 km)
Leaving Porto Cathedral at 7 am, the stone ritual at the Boa Nova chapel and a full hostel that meant walking another 8 km to Vila do Conde.
Journey home to Porto
A last night at Coco Bongo, a farewell brunch with Isabel and Tatiana, a lift to the airport and the journey home via Mexico City and Madrid.
Cancún, the farewell party
The ferry from Holbox to Chiquilá and a colectivo to Cancún, the Selina hotel with a lagoon view, Forum beach with Isabel and Tatiana and dinner at Taboo.
Holbox Island and the carnival party
A walk to Playa Mosquito with birds and a flamingo, an afternoon at Punta Coco, bioluminescence at dusk and a carnival parade through the island's streets.
Holbox Island
From Mérida to Holbox by ferry from Chiquilá, a deluge on arrival and the carnival opening on the island, with muddy dirt streets and golf carts.
Mérida and Izamal
A colectivo to Izamal, the yellow city, a local market in Mérida, a children's carnival parade, a play about carnival and the Serenata Yucateca.
Mérida and Puerto Progreso
A bus from Valladolid to Mérida, a hostal on the main square, an afternoon at Puerto Progreso beach and the opening of Mérida carnival.
Valladolid and Chichén Itzá
Chichén Itzá and Cenote Ik Kil on our own, cochinita pibil for dinner, video mapping at the convent and a Valentine's Day night in Valladolid.
Valladolid
A lift to the ADO terminal in Bacalar, a bus to Valladolid for 363 pesos, a free walking tour in the late afternoon and a vegetarian dinner at L'Kaat.
Bacalar, the sunrise and the carnival party
Sunrise on the lagoon with Marcela, lunch at El Manari, a reunion with friends who arrived from Playa del Carmen and a dance contest at Bacalar carnival.
Bacalar and the sailing trip on the lagoon
A colectivo from Tulum to Bacalar for 180 pesos, carnival in the square and a sailing trip on the lagoon of 7 colours with Sarah, then torrential rain.
Tulum and Cobá
A colectivo to the Cobá ruins, cycling to Cenote Choo Ha with Marta, a bus back to Tulum and a salt cod dinner with Lorena.
Tulum, the archaeological ruins and the Mystika Museum
A bike lent in exchange for a French lesson, the Tulum ruins at dusk and almost 3 hours at the Mystika Museum, telling the story of photographer Soho.
Tulum
By colectivo to Tulum, a €10-a-night hostel, a walk to the ruins and the beach, a chat with Antónia and a night of tequila and partying at Bar Santini.
Playa del Carmen and Cenote Casa Tortuga
A guided visit to Cenote Casa Tortuga, with caves and bats, lunch with new friends in the park and a last night on the hostel rooftop in Playa del Carmen.
Playa del Carmen
From Cancún to Playa del Carmen by colectivo, a stroll down 5th Avenue, the beach to Punta Esmeralda, oysters with lime and a night of bars and bachata.
Cancún and the beaches
A morning of pool, sauna and billiards on the hostel terrace and an afternoon between Caracol and Forum beaches, before heading to Playa del Carmen.