 Galicia
Tradition, myths and beliefs!
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| Itinerary Highlights: |
Day 1
Arrival in Vigo and transfer to your lodging at the 4*
hotel reformed Monastery of San Clodio that dates from
the XII century, where after some time to rest you will
be offered a welcoming dinner at its excellent restaurant.
Days 2
In the morning we will head to Lansbriga one of the most
important celtic sites in spain before being introduced
to Ribeiro wine by the hand of a local wine maker. After
lunch we will visit Ribadavia ,the capital of the Ribeiro,
which is part of the world heritage of wine lands. Considered
one of the oldest wine-producing towns in Europe, the
historic site of Ribadavia, with its medieval streets
and old arcaded squares, is the result of wine production.
Over one thousand years old, Ribadavia is part of the
lineage of towns that brought so much knowledge and culture
to Europe.
Due to the wealth generated by the wine, an important
Jewish community established itself in the town during
the Middle Ages, which was concentrated in the Calle de
la Judería. In the Pazo of the Counts of Ribadavia
the Jewish Information Centre of Galicia exhibits the
history of Jews in Galicia. Currently, Ribadavia is part
of the Caminos de Sefarad tourist route, which includes
the most important Spanish cities with a Hebrew past.
Days 3
We will explore this morning one of the most unique areas
of Galicia: Ribeira Sacra, where the limits of the earth
are just as blurred as those of the sky. Nobody knows
where the Ribeira Sacra begins or where it ends.
The name Rivoyra Sacrata refers to shelters for monks
and hermits in the gorges of the rivers Sil and Miño
from the Suevian times. There was about a dozen monasteries,
most of them under the Benedictine rule ,located in spots
that invite to reflection.
In spite of the strong average differences in height,
this landscape has a human touch in the soutos and vineyards
created on socalcos (terraces) on hillsides exposed to
the sun, where we will learn about the wine of this area
at a local winery before lunch.
In the afternoon Monforte, the capital of the Ribeira
Sacra awaits us where from the fortifications that have
protected it since the Middle Ages we have a magnificent
overview of the valley of Lemos.
Days 4
Today we move on to A Coruña on the coast, stopping
at Lugo, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Here
you cannot help walking over monuments from Roman times
and reliving the same steps. A walk along the walls of
this two thousand year old city is a must. Dating from
the 3rd century AD, the walls form a 2,200 meter perimeter,
with over 70 towers, at an average height of 10 meters.
After lunch in the old part of the city we will continue
to the 5* Hotel Maria Pita that overlooks the sea in A
Coruña ,After a walking tour to the Modernist part
of the city, you will have the chance to sample some of
the best seafood in Spain in one of the many establishments
that are to be found there.
Days 5
Our morning will take us first to the local market before
visiting the oldest part of A Coruña which was
simply called the "City" to differentiate it
from the area outside the walls, known as the Pescadería
(Fisherman’s quarter) , that holds a surprisingly
well preserved and differentiated atmosphere from the
rest of the actual city. Our next stop will be at the
Tower of Hercules, which is the oldest Roman lighthouse
in the world and the only one still in operation. Its
light has been a reference point for sailors since the
2nd century.
The town of Betanzos awaits us after lunch with its well
preserved historical old part that reflects the importance
it once had as one of the capitals of the kingdom of Galicia.
Day 6
This morning we will set out to Santago de Compostela.
Our first stop will be at the castle of Vimianxo that
beholds actually a museum dedicated to the local handicrafts
where we can see in the different workshops their elaboration
. We continue our way to meet the sea at the western most
point of Europe at Finisterre, located in what is known
as la costa da morte – the death coast- due to its
abrupt coastline that has witnessed many ship wrecks and
storms.
We will follow the coast after lunch encountering the
fishermen’s villages such as Muros or Noia , where
the legend says Noah’s ark settled after the great
flood and takes its name from one of his daughters and
is also really where the pilgrimage to Santaigo ends ,
collecting here a seashell as final proof of having completed
the route. Four star hotel Virxe da Cerca awaits us at
the end of the day in Santiago.
Day 7
Santiago de Compostela is Galicia’s grand creation
for the world and vice versa. Because what is inside Compostela
can not be explained without what comes from outside:
both the city and the Camino de Santiago are UNESCO denominated
World Heritage Sites and it has also been named as the
Leading Cultural Itinerary of Europe. If it did not exist,
it would genuinely have to be invented. Granite is the
material that contains life in a city preferred by the
rain. It is a centre of nearly 100,000 residents, many
of them part of the university, through which over 3 million
visitors pass each year.
Our morning will be dedicated to admire the architectural
splendor of the city as well as those quiet corners that
escape the attention of average tourist. This afternoon
you will have free time to continue discovering the many
attractive features that configure the singular character
of the city before our farewell dinner. (Note:
This is our oficial farewell dinner even though our tour
is not complete. Our last day is full and our departure
morning will come very early. The last night is yours
to pack.)
Day 8
An outing to the nearby Monte de Gozo, where the pilgrims
are able to see for the first time the goal of their pilgrimage
and a visit to the Pazo de Oca with its cultured architecture,
like a stone ship sailing among gardens with Baroque pools,
fountains, box tree avenues, magnolias and camellias and
the Pazo de Santa Cruz de Ribadulla, with its beautiful
forest, olive avenues and plantations.
The afternoon will be free to enjoy any of the many museums
of the city or for picking up last minute gifts.
Day 9
Transfer to Santiago Airport and Departure.
Our first hotel is housed in the ancient Monastery of
San Clodio which has been declared a National Monument.
This XII Century building is located in beautiful environment
has two cloisters of Baroque and Renaissance style. It
was inhabited originally by Cistercian monks and later
by Benedictines.
The hotel was perfectly restored and became a four star
hotel in 1999. The ample renovation has strictly respected
the natural beauty of the stone and the austere Romanesque
style of the building, creating a sober, yet relaxed atmosphere,
with its facilities renovated to the standards of modern
comfort with exterior bedrooms that have views to the
mountain and valley, all decorated with classic elements
of its epoch, furniture and carpets of noble material
and classic style. It also has an excellent restaurant
where we will enjoy our welcoming dinner.
Our next lodging is Hotel Maria Pita in A Coruna, located
on the shoreline of Orzan and Riazor beaches. This emblematic
glassed building has marvellous views over the sea and
is near to the city's historic, cultural and shopping
centres.
Only few minutes walking from the hotel, one will find
the new Finisterrae Aquarium, Domus Museum and the ancient
Hercules Tower, which is the city's eternal symbol.
Situated in the hear of the monumental part of town Hotel
Virxe da Cerca occupies a building from the 18th century,
it used to be a banking house and the residence of the
Jesuits and in front of its facade passed the royal road.
Two different surroundings, two different worlds live
together and each contributes its own charm to this restored
manor house, whose fated is orientated towards the market
place of the monumental part of town, where daily the
most typical products are offered by the country women.
Its other facade is orientated towards the beautiful Belvis
park, it also has a spacious private garden and a romantic
dinning area surrounded by glass, like a cloister, which
take us into a world of privacy and enchantment.
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| 2008 Tour Dates: |
30 may - 07 june 2008
05-13 september 2008
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| Land Cost: |
Guaranteed departure*
*With
a minimum group of 4 people.
Cost: 2.785 Euros
Single supplement: 520 Euros
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| This tour includes: |
• off-the-beaten-path
places
• deluxe hotels
• gourmet dining
• fine local wines
• landmark sites
• knowledgeable, regional, English-speaking
guides
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| Hotels: |
3 nights:
Monastery San Clodio
2 nights:
Hotel Maria Pita
3 nights:
Hotel Virxe da Cerca
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