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Deluxe Food and Wine Tour in Misty Enchanting Celtic Galicia Green Spain by Self Drive with some guides and meals
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Price From
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ProductID:
1008 |
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Type:
Self Drive Tour
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Country:
Spain |
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Theme:
Wine Tours and Cultural Adventures
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Region:
Galicia |
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Group Size:
2 - 6 People
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Start City:
Santiago de Compostela |
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Duration:
12 Days / 11 Nights
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Lodging: Paradors/Charming Hotels |
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If you would like to shatter all the usual stereotypical images of Spain, Galicia is the place to go. It is fresh and verdant, it has gushing rivers and a coastline more reminiscent of Scotland than Spain. The weather is cool often misty and the land is impregnated with an age-old magical atmosphere, which travelers can share in cathedrals, castles, Dolmens & Hill-forts. You may even hear Galician bagpipes (Gaitas) droning across the pasture. Galicia is in the north-western corner of Spain. It is the most forgotten of the seven Celtic nations. Even so, it has some of the oldest Celtic traditions, going back more that 2000 years. Ancient Galicia´s borders were much different than today´s, they stretched into neighboring provinces of Asturias, Leon, Zamora, Salamanca, Avila, and down into the Green Coast of Northern Portugal. The stone and water crazy Galicians have equals in their Celtic brothers of Brittany, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Isle of Man and Cornwall. Traveling in Galicia, one can sense this Celtic feeling coming back from the ancient times. One does not see the calm magic of Galicia, one breathes it in: in the genuine hospitality of the people; in the popular fiestas and carnivals. In the fruits which land and sea share out generously to locals and strangers: seafood, meat, fish and wine. Also in the restful pleasure of the parador hotels, or experience the rural beauty in accommodations like Monasteries, Castles, Convents, Manor Houses (Pazos) and Country B&B´s converted into beautiful rural inns all with there own distinct character. That is the magic of Galicia. Always attractive. Always... UNFORGETTABLE.
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12 Days / 11 Nights
DAY 1: MON
SANTIAGO
- Arrival to SANTIAGO
DE COMPOSTELA the end of the Pilgrims' way
- Pick up your car rental at the Europcar booth in the airport (SEE CAR RENTAL
DETAILS)
- Drive to hotel, you can check in anytime after 2:00pm
- At your own leisure to explore the streets of the capital of GALICIA
- Tonight you have dinner booked in the beautiful restaurant of the Parador de
Santiago
- Overnight in Santiago
D
DAY 2: TUE
SANTIAGO - WALKING DAY TOUR IN THE HISTORIC QUARTER OF THE ANCIENT PILGRIMAGE
CITY
- Breakfast
- Morning visit of the Ethnographic museum of the Galician people, plaza de
Abastos market, cathedral & old quarter with a PRIVATE GUIDE
- Lunch on your own
- Explore the city the rest of the day
- Table Reservation for Dinner in Michelin Star Restaurant restaurant (Class A) or Traditional
Restaurant (Class B) in the old quarter
- Overnight in Santiago
B, DR
DAY 3: WED
SANTIAGO - NOIA - BAROÑA - CORRUBEDO - CATOIRA - CAMBADOS - PONTEVEDRA
- Breakfast
- Follow down the UPPER
RIAS BAIXAS coastline passing by many small fishing
- Visit the CELTIC
HILL-FORT OF BAROÑA
- Visit the ancient DOLMEN
OF AXEITOS
- Lunch in a restaurant in the village of CORRUBEDO
with excellent views of the coast and delicious fresh seafood & Albariño
white wines
- Visit the DUNES
OF CORRUBEDO, a nature beach park with large sand dunes, wild flora &
fauna
- Entering into the RIAS
BAIXAS OF O SALNES, visit the remains of the 17th century defense towers in CATORIA
- Visit BODEGA
PAZO DE SEÑORANS, an Albariño winery located in the O
SALNES sub-zone of the DENOMINATION
OF ORIGIN RIAS BAIXAS
- Then visit CAMBADOS
village, the heart of Albariño wine country
- Walk around the Plaza de Fefiñanes and quaint streets of this noble village
- After this we drive by highway to Pontevedra
- Check in Hotel and some free time
- Table Reservation for Dinner in Michelin star restaurant (Class A) or in the hotel (Class B) with traditional cuisine & Albariño wines.
- Overnight in Pontevedra
B, L, DR
DAY 4: THU
PONTEVEDRA - DONON - NATURE WALK AROUND MAN´s CAPE - HIO - SOUTOMAIOR -
PONTEVEDRA
- Breakfast
- In the morning a PRIVATE LOCAL CHAUFFEUR/GUIDE will meet you in the lobby to
take you on a day tour
- Starting off by visiting PONTEVEDRA
city´s Archeology & Art Museum, also the old quarter
- Then we continue on following along the coastline arriving at the point of the
Peninsula
of O Morrazo.
- In the small village of DONON
we will have a seafood lunch in a local restaurant.
- After lunch we will walk around what is know as Cabo Home (Man´s Cape) here we
see a few lighthouses (including an Ancient Celtic Lighthouse at the top of
Monte Facho) all with excellent view of the Cies
Island in front.
- From here we walk in the direction of the Beach of Melide whereas we reach an
other lighthouse of this Cape, which faces to the RIA
OF VIGO offering spectacular view over the Ria.
- Before returning we stop in the small village of Hio to visit
the Wayside
Cross of Hio the most famous in Galicia and built from on solid block
of granite. Beside the cross is the Romanesque Church of San
Andres (St. Andrews) we take a peek inside before leaving.
- Then we make our way around the other side of the Peninsula passing through
small fishing villages like CANGAS
and enjoying views of the Rande Bridge and Vigo across the Ria
- Curling around the BAY
OF SAN SIMON we arrive in Soutmaior
- Then we visit the vineyard valley of SOUTOMAIOR, another
sub-zone of the D.O. Rias Baixas and the CASTLE
OF SOUTOMAIOR
- Dinner in a traditional Galician Tavern, with live Celtic Music
- Overnight in Pontevedra
B, L, D
DAY 5: FRI
PONTEVEDRA - VIGO - PLAYA AMERICA - BAIONA
- Breakfast
- Drive by highway to Vigo
- Then t- VIGO
city & it´s picturesque bay today viewing from the other side
- Visit the QUINONES
DE LEON MANOR MUSEUM
- Free time for Lunch on your own
- At leisure to shop the streets of Vigo and visit its famous fishing port
largest port in Spain. Or even take an optional ferry ride across the Ria de
Vigo to visit the fishing village of Cangas
- In the late afternoon, drive to BAIONA
village stopping to visit the America beach where Europe first got word of
the discover of America
- In the harbor you will also see the replica of the Caraval Pinta which brought
the word of the discover of America
- Then off to the Castle of Monterreal
- Dinner in Parador
- Overnight in Baiona
B, D
DAY 6: SAT
BAIONA - LA GUARDIA O ROSAL - TUI - BAIONA
- Breakfast
- Today continue down the LOWER
RIAS BAIXAS until reaching La Guardia fishing village
- Visit the MONTE
SANTA TECLA CELTIC HILL-FORT with reconstructed huts and the museum with
artifacts
- Lunch in a restaurant at the top of the hill with PANORAMIC
VIEWS of the RIVER
MIÑO meeting the Atlantic sea, and views of the mountains of Northern
Portugal. Enjoy a Seafood feast with Lobster, crab etc... and Albariño wines
- Visit BODEGAS
TERRAS GAUDA, an Albariño winery located in the O
ROSAL sub-zone of the D.O. Rias Baixas
- Visit the FORTIFIED
CATHEDRAL OF TUI and it´s old quarter
- Then we return back to Baiona by highway
- Dinner on your own
- Overnight in Baiona
B, L
DAY 7: SUN
BAIONA - TUI VALENÇA DO MINHO MELGAÇO ARBO RIBADAVIA - LEIRO
- Breakfast
- In the morning a PRIVATE LOCAL CHAUFFEUR/GUIDE will meet you in the lobby to
take you on a half-day tour
- Today we drive by highway until reaching the boarder whereas we cross over an
ancient Iron Bridge into NORTHERN
PORTUGAL´s MINHO VALLEY region to visit the Fort boarder village of VALENÇA
DO MINHO
- Free time to walk around the Fort of Valenca with its quaint shops etc...
- Following along the Portuguese side of the Miño River until reaching MELGAÇO,
visit the Solar do Alvarinho wine museum of the DENOMINATION
OF ORIGIN VINHO VERDE, which displays the Alvarinho wines in this region of
Northern Portugal
- Cross back over into Galicia entering ARBO
"Villa da Lamprea" (village of Lamprey Eel)
- Lunch in a quaint Manor House overlooking the Miño River
- Visit Sean O'Rourke´s family Artisan wine cellar inside the old ABADIA
(ABBEY) DE CABEIRAS that does not sell on a commercial level and conserve
the traditional method of producing Albariño & Condado wines in the valley
of CONDADO
DE TEA, another sub-zone of the D.O. Rias Baixas
- Visit the Miños
da Rocha, recently resorted old flower-mills
- Now you will continue on the rest of the day on your own
- Drive to visit the historic Jewish quarter of medieval RIBADAVIA
village, heart of the DENOMINATION
OF ORIGIN RIBEIRO
- Then drive on to Leiro
- Dinner in the hotel´s restaurant famed for excellent local cuisine accompanied
by BODEGA
VIÑA MEIN, an excellent wine from a winery which is located right near the
hotel and is within the D.O. Ribeiro
- Overnight in Leiro
B, L, D
DAY 8: MON
LEIRO - SAN AMARO - OURENSE - MONFORTE
- Breakfast
- In the morning drive to close by San Amaro to visit the ancient CELTIC
HILL-FORT OF SAN CIBRAN DE LAS hidden on a plateau in the mountains
- Then a scenic drive passing by vineyards stopping in OURENSE
city
- Meet your PRIVATE GUIDE on the Roman bridge who will take you to visit: As
Burgas Fountain, Plaza Mayor, Pilgrimage Cathedral & Old Quarter
- Lunch on your own
- Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the city and for some shopping
- Then we drive to Monforte
- Free time before dinner
- Dinner in hotel
- Overnight in Monforte
B, D
DAY 9: TUE
MONFORTE - CHANTADA - CATAMARAN RIDE IN THE RIBEIRA SACRA VALLEY - MONFORTE
- Breakfast
- Today you will drive to the village of CHANTADA where you will board a Catamaran for a ride
through the vineyard covered canyons of the RIBEIRA
SACRA VALLEY
- Disembarking have lunch on your own
- Then in the afternoon drive to visit BODEGAS
VIA ROMANA, a winery in the D.O.
RIBEIRA SACRA
- Tour of the winery and vineyard
- After this you can drive to MONFORTE
DE LEMOS, here you will meet a PRIVATE LOCAL GUIDE to visit the remains of
the Tower and a monastery.
- At leisure until dinner
- Dinner in hotel
- Overnight in Monforte
B, D
DAY 10: WED
MONFORTE - A RUA - LAS MEDULAS - PONFERRADA - VILLAFRANCA DEL BIERZO
- Breakfast
- In A Rua visit BODEGA
JOAQUIN REBOLLEDO, a winery in the DENOMINATION
OF ORIGIN VALDEORRAS
- Driving through the mountains leaving Galicia and entering into the region of EL
BIERZO
- Visit LAS
MEDULAS, extensive Roman Empire gold mines
- Lunch on your own
- In PONFERRADA
visit the Templar Castle
- In VILLAFRANCA
DEL BIERZO, visit BODEGA
PALACIO DE ARGANZA, a winery in the DENOMINATION
OF ORIGIN BIERZO
- Check in to Parador
- Dinner in a unique restaurant constructed as a Celtic thatched-roofed house
offering local cuisine & Mencia wines
- Overnight in Villafranca del Bierzo
B, D
DAY 11: THU
VILLAFRANCA DEL BIERZO - O CEBREIRO - LUGO - VILADONGA - VILALBA
- Breakfast
- In the morning follow along THE
FRENCH WAY TO SANTIAGO IN GALICIA entering back into Galicia
- Visit the Celtic mountain village of O
CEBREIRO
- In LUGO
city, meet your PRIVATE GUIDE at the main entrance of the Roman Walls. Visit the
Roman Walls, Pilgrimage Cathedral & Old Quarter
- Lunch on your own and free time to explore the city
- In the late afternoon, drive to visit the CELTIC
HILL-FORT & MUSEUM OF VILADONGA
- Drive to Parador in VILALBA
the capital of THE
TERRA CHÁ (FLAT LANDS)
- "Galician Goodbye Dinner" in Parador with local cuisine &
wine
- "Galician Queimada spectacular" with the Galician folkloric verse
the CONXURO
- Overnight in Vilalba
B, D
DAY 12: FRI
VILALBA - LAVACOLLA, SANTIAGO´s INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - TRAIN STATION & CITY
CENTRE
- Breakfast
- Drive to Lavacolla, Santiago´s International Airport, NOTE: When
arranging your fight departure if you are flying out of Santiago it must be no
earlier than 12:00pm due to the traveling time from Vilalba
- Drop off your car rental at the Europcar booth in the airport
B
END OF TOUR SERVICES
CAR RENTAL DETAILS:
PICK UP: SANTIAGO - AIRPORT
DROP OFF: SANTIAGO - AIRPORT
2 PAX (PEOPLE):
CAR TYPE
DOORS SEATS
RENAULT
MEGANE SCENIC 1.9 DTI 5
5
(Or Similar type)
4 PAX (PEOPLE):
CAR TYPE
DOORS SEATS
SEAT
ALHAMBRA TD
5
7
(Or Similar type)
6 PAX (PEOPLE):
CAR TYPE
DOORS SEATS
MERCEDES
VITO 110-D
4
9
(Or Similar type)
INCLUDING:
- Unlimited Km´s
- Partial Collision Damage waiver (CDW)
- Partial Theft waiver (THW)
- Local taxes
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Included
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Lodging
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