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Deluxe Food and Wine Tour in Misty Enchanting Celtic Galicia Green Spain
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Price From
€3.250 Euros
Price Guide |
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ProductID:
1007 |
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Type:
Chauffeur Driven 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:
1 - 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 4* & 5*GL/Charming Hotels/Manors |
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Season:
Mar - Oct | |
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If you would like to shatter all the usual stereotypical images of Spain, then this deluxe food, wine and cultural tour of Galicia is just for you!
Galicia is in the north-western corner of Spain right above Portugal, it is a fresh and verdant land that has gushing rivers and a coastline more reminiscent of Scotland than Spain. The weather is cooler than other parts of Spain and often misty with an age-old magical atmosphere, which travelers can share in historic sites like; Cathedrals, Castles and Celtic Hill-forts.
Galicia is the most forgotten of the seven Celtic nations, the others six being; Brittany, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Isle of Man and Cornwall. Even so, it has some of the oldest Celtic traditions, going back more that 2000 years. You may even hear Galician bagpipes (Gaitas) droning across the pasture while touring this unique Celtic Land.
 On this tour you will discover Galicia with all senses... starting off in Santiago de Compostela the Capital of the region and also the end of the important Pilgrimage Way of St. James. Here you will walk the streets of the old quarter and visit the Cathedral which marks the heart of this historic centre. Then  you will follow down the Atlantic coast in the area called the Rias Baixas (Low Estuaries or Bays), here you will get a chance to stroll along the ports of small fishing villages and enjoy exclusive visits to various wineries making the highly acclaimed Albarino white wines of the D.O. Rias Baixas.
 In between winery & cultural sites you will stop to dine in a mix of different types of restaurants while touring, we have selected them to show you the variety of the Galician Cuisine... from Michelin Star Restaurants like Toni Vicente in Santiago to small fishermens taverns right on the docks offering an abundance of fresh seafood (Spider Crab, Bay Prawns, Lobster, etc...) caught just that morning and served in handmade wicker  baskets right on the table for everyone to dig in and enjoy this delectable “finger-food”. While on the coast you will get the chance to learn in-depth about the gastronomy by cooking side-by-side with a Galician woman who owns/runs a small Rural Country Manor & Restaurant and knows just about all the traditional coastal cooking secrets of Galicia!
 After following down the Rias Baixas coast your inland journey begins alongside the Mino River visiting a few more Albarino wineries, then entering into the next wine region D.O Ribeiro. Walk the streets of the old Jewish Quarter of Ribadavia the heart of Ribeiro wine country. Finally the Mino River will take us to the Ribeira Sacra (Sacred Riverbanks) where it meets with the powerful River Sil. The name Ribeira Sacra comes from having a large concentration of Monasteries  in the area, and thanks to these Monks over the years they have founded the tradition of the D.O. Ribeira Sacra wines made fundamental of the Menica red grape. A young wine that goes excellent with baby goat or lamb, which will be on the menu after visiting wineries of this region and taking a catamaran cruise down river to see the vines and beautiful landscape of this sacred land.
 Moving on across Galicia our next wine region is the D.O. Valdeorras where you will try Godello white wines as well as Mencia reds. Next we step over to El Bierzo right next door to Galicia in Castilla y Leon, but who have much in common from their ancient Celtic ties. As well in this region there is an important reminder of the Roman past with the largest gold mine of the Roman Empire in Las Medulas. In this region you will try yet another Mencia wine, but from the more arid lands of D.O. Bierzo, which have a distinct flavor to them.
 Bierzo marks the end of the winery visits, but we still have some cultural and gastronomical treats on the agenda before winding down. Making our way back to Santiago we will follow through some of the historic towns on the pilgrimage way of St. James like; Villafranca del Bierzo, then on to the mountain-top Celtic village of O Cebreiro and the Roman Walls of Lugo a UNESCO Monument.
 Our last night will be spent in the Historic Parador de Vilalba built within the old castle tower of Vilalba, nearby you will dine in a traditional restaurant saying goodbye to your final evening in this Celtic land with a magical Queimada (traditional spirit, flavoured with coffee beans, and then flamed)".
For your comfort during the trip we have selected a mix of Paradores in  Santiago, Baiona, Ribeira Sacra and Vilalba. These accommodations are placed within historic building like Monasteries, Castles, etc... Ranging from 4* to 5* GL (Grand luxury). Then as well you will have a few more rural stays in Galician Pazos, which are Noble Manor House with all the amenities of a Parador but on a smaller more personal scale.
Come Discover the Magic of Galicia with a Gourmet Appetite!
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THE TOUR INCLUDES:
- 11 nights in double room with private bathroom in selected Paradores, Historic Hotels & Pazos (Manor Houses) (See Lodging)
- Transportation in Renault Scenic for 2 to 3 People, Seat Alhambra for 4 to 5
People and Mercedes Vito for 6 People. (See Transportation)
- Private Specialist Driver/Guide for the duration of the tour
- (B): Breakfast Daily except day of arrival
- (L): 6 Lunches: 2 or 3 course gourmet meals changing the cuisine & wines typical
of each region visited. All restaurants are selected for location, service &
fine quality.
- (D): 8 Dinners 2 or 3 course gourmet meals changing the cuisine & wines
typical of each region visited. Most of the dinners are in the hotels where you
will be staying overnight. All restaurants are selected for location, service
& fine quality.
- (CL) 1 Galician Coastal Cuisine Cooking class in
Cangas with our Private Chef including class and followed by with a meal based
on what has been prepared accompanied with wine
- 1 night of Celtic/Galician Traditional Bagpipe Music
- 1 Special Queimada spectacular in Traditional Galician Tavern
- Entrance fees to sights specified in the itinerary
- Catamaran ride over the Ria de Vigo
- Catamaran ride along the River Miño or Sil in the wine region Ribeira Sacra (NOTE:
Only during MAY - SEP and depending on availability, if we do not do this
it will be substitute with further visits to wineries or monasteries in the
region.)
- Selected winery tours & commented tastings specified in the itinerary
- Detailed tour information package
- Local Taxes
THE TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Airfare
- Transfers not specified in the itinerary
- Entrance fees not specified in the itinerary
- Beverages not specified in selected meals
- Meals not specified in itinerary
- Laundry Expenses
- Telephone & Facsimile charges
- Excess Baggage charges
- Passport & Visa fees
- Personal & Travel Insurance
- Airport & Departure Taxes
- Optional excursions
- Room Service
- Tips & Gratuities to Driver/Guide
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Intro & Included
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Prices & Dates
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Itinerary
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Lodging
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Addons |
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Vacation Spotlight
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A Special culinary and cooking tour of Spain based in Santiago de Compostela, capital of Galicia. You will get the chance to learn in-depth about the gastronomy of Galicia...
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Hot Picks!
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Testimonials
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I wanted to write and tell you how much my mom and her sister's enjoyed
their trip to Spain. The driver was OUTSTANDING. They were so impressed
with him that they went on and on about how great he was. The Paradores
were lovely for them and they really enjoyed every day of the trip... 
