Located in the Northwestern corner of Spain, Galicia is a spectacular evergreen region with a distinctive Celtic character. Its coastline is dotted with beautiful fiord-like inlets, and Santiago de Compostela – its World Heritage capital – is the final destination on the legendary Way of Saint James pilgrimage route.
But that’s not all… on this culinary tour you’ll discover that Galicia is a wonderful off-the-beaten-path foodie destination. The word seafood will have a whole new meaning after this trip, and you’ll be amazed with the quality and variety of the local foods and cuisine, not to mention the famous Albariño, Ribeiro and Ribeira Sacra wines! New wineries, with good "new" wines, extraordinary meat and seafood.
This route starts in A Guarda following the wild Atlantic coast before reaching Baiona, at the heart of the coastal inlets or fjords known as the Rías Baixas, and then moving onto Vigo and Pontevedra, where you will pick up the traditional route once again.
Itinerary not valid to get the Compostela certificate.
ITINERARY
1st day: ARRIVAL IN
TUI.
2nd day:
RIBEIRA SACRA
3rd day
CAMINO STAGE: A GUARDA OIA /BAIONA (20 km– difficulty 2/3)
4th day
CAMINO STAGE: BAIONA - VIGO (24 km– difficulty 2/3)
5th day
CAMINO STAGE: VIGO - PONTEVEDRA (32 km– difficulty 2/3)
6th day
RIAS BAIXAS
7th day
CAMINO STAGE: PONTEVEDRA /CALDAS DE REIS (18 km - difficulty 1/3 )
8th day:
CALDAS/ SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
9th day:
FISTERRA CAMINO- SANTIAGO
10th day:
TOUR OVER AFTER BREAKFAST
The Price includes:
- 9 nights in handpicked hotels and inns, all with en-suite accommodation, on a bed and breakfast basis.
- 5 dinners
- 4 lunches
- Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel
- All group transportation from Tui/Vigo to Santiago
- Professional English speaking guides and local experts
- Bus excursions to Rio Sil and Rias Baixas
- Santiago culinary walking tour
- Pilgrimage walk along the Camino de Santiago trail
- 5 wine tastings
- Travel insurance
- Credencial (Pilgrim's passport)
- Camino Tips and maps
- 24/7 telephone assistance (English-speaking)
Ask for bus transfer from or to Porto (Portugal)
The Price does not includes:
- Single room supplement
- Activities indicated as optional
- Additional meals
- Personal expenses
- Wine or alcohol with meals, unless specified.
- Services not specified.
PRICE PER PERSON BASED ON DOUBLE ROOM
GUARANTEED DEPARTURE WITH GROUP OF MINIMUM 16 PARTICIPANTS
DAY - BY - DAY
1st day: ARRIVAL IN TUI.
Arrival in Santigo/Vigo. Transfer to
TUI
Today we begin with a Welcome dinner with local typical fish.
.
Dinner and accommodation in Tui
2nd day: RIBEIRA SACRA
Departure for visit
the heart of Ribeira Sacra to a famous winery in Panton, from which we visit one of his vineyards by the Miño. The bodega is in an old stone house which is more than 300 years old, situated below the site of the old castle of Ferreira de Panton. In the middle of the day we visit and lunch at an Adega (
winery), a very high class winery near the Sil canyons, where Fernando Gonzalez makes a range of excellent reds and whites (from local varieties) that are highly rated by Parker. The landscapes are astonishing and we marvel at the way that man can overcome nature to make brave and noble wines both over lunch at the winery and on a river cruise down the Sil in the afternoon that gives the best vantage point for the almost vertical vineyards.
Accommodation in Tui
3rd day camino stage: A GUARDA OIA /BAIONA (20 km– difficulty 2/3)
This part of the route includes the best coastal landscapes in Galicia which showcase the immensity of the Atlantic Ocean. The fishing village of A Guarda is home to Galicia’s most impressive Galician-Roman settlements: the Santa Tegra hill fort is an authentic archaeological gem with breathtaking views over the ocean. On your way out of Mougás/Oia stop for a while to visit Baiona to admire its fortified castle surrounded by a stormy ocean
Possibility to walk only the distance you want or all the stage
Dinner and accommodation in Baiona
4th day camino stage: BAIONA - VIGO (24 km– difficulty 2/3)
Today you will follow the coast from Baiona to Nigrán before finally reaching the city of Vigo. Enjoy fantastic views over the Bay of Vigo, with the magnificent Cíes Islands on the horizon. On a hot day, stop off at the blue flag beach known as Praia América, in Nigrán for a quick swim.
Possibility to walk only the distance you want or all the stage
Dinner and accommodation in Vigo
5th day camino stage: VIGO - PONTEVEDRA (32 km – difficulty 2/3)
From the city of Vigo, continue on your coastal Camino with the Bay of Vigo to your left. Vigo is one of the seven largest cities in Galicia, and is currently probably the most populated one. People from the entire region and even from other parts of Spain have always flocked to this city to work in its naval and fishing industries. After the serenity of the isolated Mougás, Vigo will give you the experience of life in a busy town. The way out of Vigo might be a bit confusing, but once you manage to leave the city, the path begins to clear and the open ocean gives way to the “rías” or Galician fjords.
Possibility to walk only the distance you want or all the stage
Dinner and accommodation in Pontevedra
6th day RIAS BAIXAS
Departure for morning visits to the premier wineries in the premier sub region of the Rias Baixas - the Val do Salnes. This is the area that revolutionized Spanish white wines in the 80s and 90s and sets the standard for great delicate Albariños. Firstly we visit Pazo de Señorans, an old Galician country house that makes one of the very best (and best loved) Albariños and we also could taste its
orujo; and then we make our way to Cambados for a visit and tasting at the very elegant (wines and buildings of) Palacio de Fefiñanes. We then have lunch by the Atlantic at Cambados seafood restaurant.
Possibility to walk only the distance you want or all the stage
Accommodation in Pontevedra
7th day camino stage: PONTEVEDRA /CALDAS DE REIS (18 km - difficulty 1/3 )
This stage starts in the historic centre of Pontevedra, with a walk out of the old city to the millennial bridge, O Burgo, over the River Lerez, and continues along the beautiful valley of the River Gandra to San Mauro. From here, the path widens, making for a peaceful and serene hike. We finally reach Caldas de Reis via the church of Santa Maria, close to the bridge over the River Umia, where this stage ends. We leave Caldas de Reis with our bus to arrive at Padron, the place where, according to legend, the stone ship with the body of the Apostle James (Santiago) was moored.
Possibility to walk only the distance you want or all the stage
Dinner and accommodation in Caldas de Rei
8th day: CALDAS/ SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA-
Today we begin our programme with a transfer from Caldas to Santiagode Compostela, UNESCO World Heritage Site. Santiago has a lot to offer and that includes art and architecture. Stories that go back in time but something survived the passing of time; the love for quality in wines and freshness in food that we will detect in our promenade in the medieval cobbled streets of the old town. In morning weekdays tour we will visit the traditional market - Plaza de Abastos - with its traders - in many occasions producers, harvesters, butchers and fishmongers selling their fresh vegetables, fruit, local cheeses, seafood from the coast. To taste and enjoy some great Galician wine and some local appetizers we will stop in one of the best specialized wine stores in the historical town. A nice moment to relax and have a good time.
Free time in the afternoon for shopping or guided visit of the Cathedral.
Dinner and accommodation in Santiago.
9th day: FISTERRA CAMINO- SANTIAGO
Today is the last day of our culinary tour, after have walked some sections of the Camino, we offer the possibility to eat in one of the special small Galician restaurant, but don't surprise yourself if you see a Michelin three star cook eating nearby or going out from the kitchen.. Yes,we offer the possibility to eat in "where famous chefs eat". In order to say farewell we'll end our tour with the spectacular sunset at the end of the world": Fisterra
Accommodation in Santiago.
10th day: TOUR OVER AFTER BREAKFAST
After have breakfast transfer to Santiago or Vigo airport.
