Fatima - Santiago de Compostela
Jan 27th, 2006, 02:20 PM
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Fatima - Santiago de Compostela
I am going to be at a retreat in Fatima in August and definitely want to go on to Santiago de Compostela. Has anyone made this trip? Car or train? How long did it take? Thanks for any other advice on the area!!
Jan 28th, 2006, 02:37 AM
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http://www.cp.pt is Caminhos Portugueses (Railroad) site. There's a rail station in Fatima but I don't know how often Trains stop there.
I think Portugalia airlines had a scheduled flight to Santiago or it may have been to a'Corunha: http://www.pga.pt
I think Portugalia airlines had a scheduled flight to Santiago or it may have been to a'Corunha: http://www.pga.pt
Jan 28th, 2006, 05:04 AM
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The trip by train from Fatima or
Leiria (the closest large town) is 14 hours. (Something I wouldn't consider!)
By car, it is a 250 mile trip. (Approximately, 4 hours ---depending on how fast your drive.) There are many interesting towns to stop at along the way to break up the journey.
You didn't mention how you are getting to Fatima for the retreat, and what city you are flying in and out of.
This additional information will get you better-informed responses.
Leiria (the closest large town) is 14 hours. (Something I wouldn't consider!)
By car, it is a 250 mile trip. (Approximately, 4 hours ---depending on how fast your drive.) There are many interesting towns to stop at along the way to break up the journey.
You didn't mention how you are getting to Fatima for the retreat, and what city you are flying in and out of.
This additional information will get you better-informed responses.
Jan 28th, 2006, 06:35 AM
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thanks to you both! I am flying into Lisbon, and the retreat is scheduled for 6 days in Fatima. I know that I want to go further afield (and blow off several of the sessions!!) Sounds like a car is definitely the best bet. If I leave the group for 2 days, I could head north to S de C day 1, spend the nite, then drive back a different way the following day. Are there other towns/stops in this route you can recommend?
Jan 30th, 2006, 02:58 AM
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"I am flying into Lisbon, and the retreat is scheduled for 6 days in Fatima. ..."
Wow! That sounds like one of those contests where the winner's prize is an overnight in Fatima and the loser gets to stay a whole week. We visited Fatima on a daytrip from Lisbon and I thought that was enough!
" ... I want to go further afield (and blow off several of the sessions!!) Sounds like a car is definitely the best bet."
I've read on this forum about rental cars being broken into near Fatima.
"If I ... drive back a different way the following day. Are there other towns/stops in this route you can recommend?"
In Portugal you could visit Coimbra or Porto, Braga and Guimaraes. There's a Toll Expressway from Tuy (across the rio Minho from Valença do Minho) to Santiago. It must be expensive from the way my (wife's) cousin gripes when we get to the toll booth. But it's Fast! I think the speed limit is 120 km/hr (75 mi/hr); but when we were driving 120 it was like doing 55 on the NJ Turnpike. We were the slowest thing on the road.
August is peak tourist season in Galicia. It may be difficult to find lodging. Last year I stayed at a Hostal in Santiago just inside the Historic area from Plaza de Galicia called A Nosa Casa (there's an parking garage under the Plaza). I also spent a couple of nights at VilaGarcia de Arousa (on the coast).
Coming back south, I recommend you take the coast road from Vigo: down the ria to Baiona (where Columbus made landfall on return from his first voyage of discovery) and continue south to La Guardia (on the Minho). There are a few nice restaurants along the esplanade across from the Fisherman's Monument.
You'll see many Celtic sites in northern Portugal & Spain but none as impressive as the one on Monte Santa Tecla.
After that, just head for the bridge that takes you back to Portugal.
Wow! That sounds like one of those contests where the winner's prize is an overnight in Fatima and the loser gets to stay a whole week. We visited Fatima on a daytrip from Lisbon and I thought that was enough!
" ... I want to go further afield (and blow off several of the sessions!!) Sounds like a car is definitely the best bet."
I've read on this forum about rental cars being broken into near Fatima.
"If I ... drive back a different way the following day. Are there other towns/stops in this route you can recommend?"
In Portugal you could visit Coimbra or Porto, Braga and Guimaraes. There's a Toll Expressway from Tuy (across the rio Minho from Valença do Minho) to Santiago. It must be expensive from the way my (wife's) cousin gripes when we get to the toll booth. But it's Fast! I think the speed limit is 120 km/hr (75 mi/hr); but when we were driving 120 it was like doing 55 on the NJ Turnpike. We were the slowest thing on the road.
August is peak tourist season in Galicia. It may be difficult to find lodging. Last year I stayed at a Hostal in Santiago just inside the Historic area from Plaza de Galicia called A Nosa Casa (there's an parking garage under the Plaza). I also spent a couple of nights at VilaGarcia de Arousa (on the coast).
Coming back south, I recommend you take the coast road from Vigo: down the ria to Baiona (where Columbus made landfall on return from his first voyage of discovery) and continue south to La Guardia (on the Minho). There are a few nice restaurants along the esplanade across from the Fisherman's Monument.
You'll see many Celtic sites in northern Portugal & Spain but none as impressive as the one on Monte Santa Tecla.
After that, just head for the bridge that takes you back to Portugal.
Jan 31st, 2006, 02:16 PM
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thanks for the advice (and I agree about a week in Fatima, but it's cheap, central to lots of places I've not been and there are 3 whole sessions that I want to go to!!) Besides, I'm going to spend another week in Central Spain at the beginning of the trip, which is pretty wonderful in my book!!
Seriously, I've been to Lourdes, also, so I'm figuring Fatima can't be too much tackier? (part of the fun of singing with a Cathedral choir is hitting some real hot spots!!) I still refer to it as "Six Flags Over Mary" for which I will probably go straght to hell, do not pass go, do not collect $200!!
Seriously, I've been to Lourdes, also, so I'm figuring Fatima can't be too much tackier? (part of the fun of singing with a Cathedral choir is hitting some real hot spots!!) I still refer to it as "Six Flags Over Mary" for which I will probably go straght to hell, do not pass go, do not collect $200!!
Jan 31st, 2006, 03:14 PM
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Seriously, I've been to Lourdes, also, so I'm figuring Fatima can't be too much tackier? snip
Well I hope you like tacky...I to have been there here’s my experience.
I took my mother and after visiting the church she was looking for some religious goods for friends. She happened upon such goodies as OLF tennies, wine bottles, bedpans, sheets etc. The corker was OLF condoms. So mad was she that she bought two packs went to the hotel and wrote a letter which she made me take right then to the post office to send to the Pope special delivery - that was fun. About three years later she got a reply from Rome stating something to the effect that they can't control what people use the image etc on. This past year in Rome they were selling Pope John wine cork extractors and beer can openers on sale of course.
The drive there from Lisbon was lovely as were many of the towns along the way. We stopped a couple of times at old I think monasteries or castles anyway lovely buildings.
Well I hope you like tacky...I to have been there here’s my experience.
I took my mother and after visiting the church she was looking for some religious goods for friends. She happened upon such goodies as OLF tennies, wine bottles, bedpans, sheets etc. The corker was OLF condoms. So mad was she that she bought two packs went to the hotel and wrote a letter which she made me take right then to the post office to send to the Pope special delivery - that was fun. About three years later she got a reply from Rome stating something to the effect that they can't control what people use the image etc on. This past year in Rome they were selling Pope John wine cork extractors and beer can openers on sale of course.
The drive there from Lisbon was lovely as were many of the towns along the way. We stopped a couple of times at old I think monasteries or castles anyway lovely buildings.
Feb 1st, 2006, 02:36 AM
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momofrajah writes: "... I'm going to spend another week in Central Spain at the beginning of the trip, which is pretty wonderful in my book!!"
Why not fly to Santiago from Madrid; overnight there, and fly back to Madrid?? There's lots of competition on that route (Iberia, SpanAir & Air Europa) so you can usually find a cheap flight.
"I've been to Lourdes, also, so I'm figuring Fatima can't be too much tackier? ... I still refer to it as "Six Flags Over Mary"..."
At Fatima, our relatives refer to the Runway as the Angels' Landing field. I've been to Lisbon several times and any Fatima 'stuff' I have bought i got at a little shop across the street from Nossa Senhora da Fatima Church just off Avda Berna. They have lots of books, posters, rosaries, etc.
BTW
There are still some people out there who believe reports about the Marian apparitions at San Sebastian de Garabandal in Cantabria, Spain (1961). I met a group of Irish Pilgrims at a Hostal in the mountains near there.
Why not fly to Santiago from Madrid; overnight there, and fly back to Madrid?? There's lots of competition on that route (Iberia, SpanAir & Air Europa) so you can usually find a cheap flight.
"I've been to Lourdes, also, so I'm figuring Fatima can't be too much tackier? ... I still refer to it as "Six Flags Over Mary"..."
At Fatima, our relatives refer to the Runway as the Angels' Landing field. I've been to Lisbon several times and any Fatima 'stuff' I have bought i got at a little shop across the street from Nossa Senhora da Fatima Church just off Avda Berna. They have lots of books, posters, rosaries, etc.
BTW
There are still some people out there who believe reports about the Marian apparitions at San Sebastian de Garabandal in Cantabria, Spain (1961). I met a group of Irish Pilgrims at a Hostal in the mountains near there.
Feb 1st, 2006, 01:55 PM
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really appreciate all the different ideas and am taking copious notes! I was thinking of Segovia, Toledo and Salamanca when I fly into Madrid. It's been 30 years (when I was a wee thing) since I first saw these places - made enough of an impression that I changed my college major to European history! (Totally worthless in finding a job, but easy to get a great GPA when you love the subject!!
I just found this site for the first time last week and have become addicted!!! Am curious NEDSIRELAND - do you indeed live in Ireland? if so, what part of the country? Have been there on two different visits and it's high on my list for places to return...am always looking for a new spot to check out!!
I just found this site for the first time last week and have become addicted!!! Am curious NEDSIRELAND - do you indeed live in Ireland? if so, what part of the country? Have been there on two different visits and it's high on my list for places to return...am always looking for a new spot to check out!!
Feb 2nd, 2006, 02:44 AM
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momofrajah writes: "... Am curious NEDSIRELAND - do you indeed live in Ireland?"
No, I live in Philadelphia but I am an Irish Citizen (dual citizenship). But I travel to Ireland quite often, about ten times since I retired in 1995. In Sep, 2002 I met my late mother's first cousin: 105 years old! When I returned to the village in County Mayo the following year I inquired discretely about her thinking she may have passed away. I was told that she was having so much fun at her 106th birthday party (at Kiltane's Pub) that she didn't want to go home.
My Ireland visit motivations are as much for the Golf as for Traditional Irish music (in the pubs). I've also done some genealogical research and discovered many cousins and some hard to believe facts about relationships and family in general.
No, I live in Philadelphia but I am an Irish Citizen (dual citizenship). But I travel to Ireland quite often, about ten times since I retired in 1995. In Sep, 2002 I met my late mother's first cousin: 105 years old! When I returned to the village in County Mayo the following year I inquired discretely about her thinking she may have passed away. I was told that she was having so much fun at her 106th birthday party (at Kiltane's Pub) that she didn't want to go home.
My Ireland visit motivations are as much for the Golf as for Traditional Irish music (in the pubs). I've also done some genealogical research and discovered many cousins and some hard to believe facts about relationships and family in general.
Feb 2nd, 2006, 06:23 PM
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Hi NEDSIRELAND,
I was interested in your post about the Celtic sites in northern Portugal & Spain.You mentioned the impressive one on Monte Santa Tecla. I searched hrough my books and maps and couldn't find a site by that name. Would it by chance also be called Citania de Briteiros just north of Guimaraes? We do love all things ancient! Have three weeks in Portugal in late May, early June. Thanks!
I was interested in your post about the Celtic sites in northern Portugal & Spain.You mentioned the impressive one on Monte Santa Tecla. I searched hrough my books and maps and couldn't find a site by that name. Would it by chance also be called Citania de Briteiros just north of Guimaraes? We do love all things ancient! Have three weeks in Portugal in late May, early June. Thanks!
Feb 2nd, 2006, 11:38 PM
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Teresa, Santa Tecla is in Galicia (Spain), located just by the Miño river.
A couple of sites :
http://www.aguarda.com/museo/
http://www.agalicia.com/aguarda/
http://www.iregua.net/cultura/imespana/stegra/tegra.htm
http://tinyurl.com/7bjx2
You might find it also with the galician name of Santa Tegra.
Rgds, Cova
A couple of sites :
http://www.aguarda.com/museo/
http://www.agalicia.com/aguarda/
http://www.iregua.net/cultura/imespana/stegra/tegra.htm
http://tinyurl.com/7bjx2
You might find it also with the galician name of Santa Tegra.
Rgds, Cova
Feb 3rd, 2006, 02:06 AM
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TeresaJAT writes: "... interested in your post about the Celtic sites in northern Portugal & Spain.You mentioned the impressive one on Monte Santa Tecla. I searched hrough my books and maps and couldn't find a site by that name. Would it by chance also be called Citania de Briteiros just north of Guimaraes? We do love all things ancient! Have three weeks in Portugal in late May, early June."
No, but you'll find a museum of Celtic artifacts in Guimaraes.
Maybe we keep it a secret because at the (inland) foot of the mountain is the Rosal Valley where Rosal, queen of the Albariños (wines) comes from.
The Monte Santa Tecla site (Tegra in Galego) is in Pontevedra (Galizia): closest town is La Guardia (a'Guarda in Galego). It overlooks the mouth of the rio Miño and Portugal on the other bank.
Cova's Links will point you there (as long as you understand Spanish).
No, but you'll find a museum of Celtic artifacts in Guimaraes.
Maybe we keep it a secret because at the (inland) foot of the mountain is the Rosal Valley where Rosal, queen of the Albariños (wines) comes from.
The Monte Santa Tecla site (Tegra in Galego) is in Pontevedra (Galizia): closest town is La Guardia (a'Guarda in Galego). It overlooks the mouth of the rio Miño and Portugal on the other bank.
Cova's Links will point you there (as long as you understand Spanish).
