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Galicia Tours
Albarino Wine Tours Rias Baixas, Galicia, SpainAlbarino Wine Tour of the Rias Baixas Galicia Spain a Land of Seafood and Fine White Wines Private driver/guided tour down the magnificent Atlantic shore of Galicia's Rias Baixas, Albariño Wine Country. Fine wines & seafood in quaint fishing villages on the Celtic coast…more...
Camino de Santiago and Albarino Wine Walking Tour in Galicia Spain Walk part of the Camino de Santiago trail during the Festival of St. James! (July 25th). Follow the ancient pilgrimage trail and then down the beautiful coastline of the Rias Baixas, Galicia, The land of Albariño white wines and Fresh Seafood...more...
Deluxe Food and Wine Tour in Misty Enchanting Celtic Galicia Green Spain Deluxe Food, Wine & Cultural Tour in Galicia, Spain. A Private driver/guide will show you gastronomical and historical delights of this area. Discover distinct Spanish wines, cuisine, music…more...
Sailing Day Trip to the Cies Islands in a Luxurious Private Yacht A deluxe sailing tour starting in Vigo, the most important fishing port in Europe, with a beautiful bay holding secrets of sunken treasures & historic battles. Blessed with fresh seafood, islands…more...
Riding Along The French Trail to Santiago Riding from the border of Galicia through un-spoilt countryside of hills, rivers, valleys, monasteries… arriving in Santiago de Compostela as horse-riding pilgrims of the past…more...
Private Galician Cuisine Cooking Class at Restaurante Roberto in Santiago de Compostela Hands-on Cooking Class followed by meal based on what you have prepared with your Chef at the fabulous Restaurante Roberto in Santiago de Compostela...more...
Albarino Wines and Celtic Sites of the Salnes Valley Rias Baixas On this private day tour you get a taste of what the Galician coast has to offer. Follow down the Rias Baixas coastline passing villages, Celtic Hill-forts…enjoy a seafood lunch, Albariño wines…more...
Historic Santiago de Compostela Tour from La Coruna On this full day excursion from La Coruna you will enjoy a guided tour of Historical Santiago. You will visit the old quarter of the city and the stunning cathedral of the Pilgrimage capital of Galicia...more...
Horse Riding Along the French Trail of Camino de Santiago from Astorga This way was the oldest and most important cultural route of Europe. We shall ride along the final section of this route just starting at the point where this route reaches Galicia... Finally arriving in Santiago de Compostela…more...
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GALICIA, SPAIN TRAVEL GUIDE
Featured Pontevedra Hotels  /  Galicia Private Tours
  /  Galicia Rural Self-Catering / Vacation Rentals

Galicia Travel Guide

Camino de Santiago de Compostela:  A Modern Pilgrimage
Explore Northern Galicia
Ferrol and The Northern Coast of Galicia
Hunting For Treasures in Pontevedra
Stay in Southern Galicia
The province of Coruna in Spain
Vigo - A Tale of Two Cities
Visit The Rias Baixas Galicias Western Coast

Hunting For Treasures in Pontevedra   by Scott James

With regards to the tourist industry within Spain, Northern Spain and in particular Galicia especially have been very much a hidden treasure and hidden within lies a further particular treasure called Pontevedra. Of all of the autonomous regions of Spain Galicia is considered the most remote and therein lies the charm of Pontevedra hidden away longing to be discovered. Galicia has always been seen as a poor rural region, whose economy was dependent upon agriculture and fishing and did not lend itself to modernisation and yet as far as tourism is concerned it is this constant contact with the past that gives the region its appeal and charm. The Galicians are fiercely proud of their culture and language and their Celtic heritage; it is what makes them unique (they feel) within modern day Spain. Galicia always seemed to be a very closed and inward looking area being fiercely resistant to any formal external invasion and in many ways this degree of isolation was very much driven by the geographical location of the region. In what has been a mountain to climb slowly but surely Galicia is now trying to manage successfully the twin track of its regional lifestyle with a much more modern society and thankfully this appears to have had very positive results with regards to tourism with little sign of negative effects..
For those who wish to visit somewhere slightly interesting and possibly out over the ordinary then a trip to Pontevedra is just the order for the day.

Pontevedra can be found on the main road leading from Vigo northwards to Santiago de Compostela on the N550. If you believe the stories that surround the town according to myths and legends and then Pontevedra was supposedly built by a character called Teucro who was one of the heroes of the Trojan War.

In reality however Pontevedra was actually constructed by the Romans who first constructed a bridge across the Lerez River and the present day town began to emerge round this bridge.

Fishing Boats, Combarro, Ria De Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain, Europe
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The original bridge has now been restored almost to its original condition and is now called A Ponte do Burgo and the bridge remains to this day one of the town's principal landmarks. The town is also one off the four provincial capitals within Galicia.

A tour of Pontevedra is probably best started on what is called the Alameda Boulevard which has often been described as the green lungs of the town. One of the more established parts of the city the boulevard houses many lovely 19th century buildings that are now home to many important offices.

If one had to provide a potential top five of "must see" sites in Pontevedra then I guess that the following would make it onto the list.

The first site would possibly be the Ruinos do Santa Domingo which are the ruins of a Gothic church which can be found at the end of the Alameda Boulevard. These ruins form part of the Museo de Pontevedra where it is possible to see Roman artefacts medieval coats of arms and tombs. The main buildings of the museum which is highly regarded and viewed as one of the best in Galicia can be found on the Praza da Lena.

All in all museums and collections house rare artefacts including Gold Celtic bracelets and necklaces and locally found Bronze Age treasures. Alongside these ancient artefacts can be found rare paintings from down through the centuries including paintings by Zurbarin and Goya.

There are other attractions within Pontevedra amongst which is the huge Praza da Ferraria with its huge fountain in the centre. Alongside this and worthy of a mention is the Casa das Caras with its sculpted faces, the 14th Century Iglesia de San Francisco.

Perhaps the best site to see in Pontevedra is what could be described as one of the greatest monuments to Galician Architecture is the 16th Century Basilica de Santa Maria la Mayor.

The church, dedicated to Pontevedra's patron saint, the Virgin de la Peregrina and is built to a circular plan and features amongst its many highlights a bow fronted façade that is well worth a visit.

All in all Pontevedra is perhaps not the tiny, boring little town in the regions that many assume it to be.

Featured Pontevedra Hotels  / Top  / Galicia Rural Self-Catering / Vacation Rentals

About the Author: Scott James  writes about a great many Internet Travel based issues and more on the above can be found at Accommodation in Galicia . For a more complete overlook at Tourism in Galicia try http://www.turgalicia.es

Visit The Rias Baixas Galicias Western Coast   by Stephen Morgan

Featured Galicia Hotels  /  Galicia Rural Self-Catering / Vacation Rentals

 
Albarino Wines and Celtic Sites of the Salnes Valley Rias Baixas On this private day tour you get a taste of what the Galician coast has to offer. Follow down the Rias Baixas coastline passing villages, Celtic Hill-forts…enjoy a seafood lunch, Albariño wines…more... Deluxe Gastronomic Sailing Journey along the Rias Baixas Coast of Galicia A Private sailing tour weaving around the picturesque Rias (Estuaries) of Galicia's Rias Baixas. Savour seafood and wines, visit the Cies Islands...more...

Northern Spain and Galicia particularly has long been an undiscovered jewel in the whole of the Spanish tourism industry and within that undiscovered jewel in particular we are going to take a look at Rias Baixas.

Overall of all of the autonomous regions of Spain possibly Galicia is the most remote and this makes Rias Baixas even more of an undiscovered treasure.

Traditionally, Galicia was seen as a poor agricultural region, whose economy did not lend itself to modernisation and yet as far as tourism is concerned it is this constant contact with the past that gives the region its appeal and charm.

The Galicians, whose origins are Celtic, are fiercely proud of their culture and language; it is what makes them unique (they feel) within modern day Spain.
 
Praia De Foxos, Atlantic-Facing Beach, Ria De Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain
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It absorbed little in the way of outside influence being fiercely resistant to all forms of outside intervention (and we mean all forms of outside intervention), was never conquered by the Moors, and in the Middle Ages fell under the control of the kingdom of Asturias.

Thankfully slowly throughout the 20th century Galicia has begun to develop a way in which to manage the traditional lifestyles with a modern community to ensure that none of its rich history is lost and this is now starting to show very real and tangible benefits as far as the local tourism economy is concerned.

This southern part of Galicia's west coast consists of a series of four Rias or inlets set amongst pine covered hills and really is a most beautiful location.

The beaches on this part of the coast are extremely good, the scenery is terrific and beaches are extremely safe for tourists to bathe in and given that the climate is much milder than on the wild Coast to the north and you can understand why there is such an appeal for this part of Galicia for tourists.

This part of the Galician coast is very much the most popular part and whilst as has been said that the beaches are good they are perhaps not as good as those found further north round the Coast da Morte.

The Rias Baixas is very much the coastal tourist attraction as far as most Galicians are concerned and the description of the area can be very confusing. Firstly there is this general conception that the Rias are like Norwegian Fjords and whilst there may be an argument to be had on this issue further north, in the Rias Baixas the waters are very shallow and the beaches very sandy. The majority of the quality shell fish provided by Galician fishermen is farmed and caught in this area.

There are parts of the coast line of the Rias Baixas that are popular but by and large the coast is unspoilt. The areas around Vilagarcia de arousa and Panxon are the made tourist areas but there are quieter areas of the Rias such as the stretch of coast between Muros and Noia.

This part of the Galician coastline provides some of the richest and most fertile fishing areas on the entire Spanish coast and the climate in this area is such that it produces the finest in Galician Wines.

Featured Galicia Hotels  / Top  / Galicia Rural Self-Catering / Vacation Rentals

About the Author: Stephen Morgan writes about a great many Internet Travel based issues and more on the above can be found at Accommodation in Galicia . For a more complete overlook at Tourism in Galicia try http://www.turgalicia.es

Featured Galicia Tours
Albarino Wine Tour of the Rias Baixas Galicia Spain a Land of Seafood and Fine White Wines by Self Drive with some guides and meals Self drive journey down the magnificent Atlantic shore of Galicia's Rias Baixas, Albariño Wine Country. Fine wines & seafood in quaint fishing villages on the Celtic coast...more... Camino de Santiago Trail in Galicia Independently Walking with baggage transfers Walk the Camino de Santiago! This version of our Camino de Santiago is designed for independent travelers who would like to walk the last 100kms/62 mi of the Pilgrimage trail with baggage transfer from accommodation to accomodation...more... Deluxe Galicia Short Break Sailing Tour from Vigo Bay visiting the Cies and Ons Islands on the Rias Baixas Coast The Journey starts in Vigo, the most important fishing port in Europe, which has a beautiful Ria holding the secrets of sunken treasure and historic battles...more...
Exploring Green Spain Paradores from Galicia to the Basque Country Explore Green Spain starting in Galicia's capital Santiago de Compostela and ending in the Basque city of Bilbao, home of the famous Guggenheim Museum. On this self-drive tour you will experience the charm of Northern Spain's Paradores...more... Low Estuaries and The Landscapes of the movie Mar Adentro (The Sea Inside) On this excursion from Santiago de Compostela you will enjoy a full day tour discovering Low Estuaries and The Landscapes of "Mar Adentro"...more... Albarino winery and Baiona Coastal Village Tour from Vigo Wine tour from Vigo to the O Rosal valley sub-zone of the D.O. Rias Baixas, land of Albariño wines then follow the coast to Baiona...more...
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PONTEVEDRA AND PROVINCE, GALICIA HOTELS


Read about Pontevedra: Hunting For Treasures in Pontevedra   by Scott James

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Husa Villa Covelo, Poio, Pontevedra
The three-storey Husa Villa Covelo overlooks the sea on the border of Pontevedra, and is situated 1.5 kilometres from the picturesque fishing village of Combarro. Santiago de Compostela Airport is 84 kilometres away and can be reached in one hour by car.  The Husa Villa Covelo hotel features an outdoor pool and a health club that includes a gym overlooking the fjord and mountains, a sauna and a solarium. Wireless Internet access is available in the hotel's public areas. Staff at the 24-hour front desk can look after valuables in the hotel safe. A buffet breakfast is served each morning in the Villa Covelo restaurant, which offers a choice of traditional Galician dishes for lunch and dinner.  The 50 air-conditioned guestrooms are furnished in a simple style and offer sea views.
Exterior Views Husa Galicia Palace, Pontevedra
This hotel is located in Pontevedra. Santuario de la Peregrina and Praza de la Pelegrina are area attractions. Another nearby attraction is San Francisco Church. Dining options at Husa Galicia Palace include a restaurant and a bar/lounge. Room service is available 24 hours a day. This 4.0-star property offers small meeting rooms and business services. Guest parking is available for a surcharge. Additional property amenities include a coffee shop/café and laundry facilities. A total renovation of this property was completed in 2008. Bathrooms feature showers and hair dryers. Televisions have satellite channels. Air-conditioned rooms also include desks and minibars. 
Exterior Views Parador de Pontevedra, Pontevedra
16th century renaissance palace - The Parador occupies a palace which was formerly the residence of the Counts of Maceda. In the historic centre of the city, it combines regal, noble lines with countless references to rural retreat in surroundings which invite one to explore the many coves and beaches. Distinguished, lordly and illustrious are three definitions of the interior, with a plethora of fine details, antiques and regal furnishings, and relaxing garden views. The carved stone staircase is noteworthy, leading to welcoming rooms and accentuating the aristocratic character of the Parador. Let us come into the restaurant, decorated with regal furniture, suited to the rest of the common areas. The menu is very varied, giving us the chance to taste the meats, fishes and shellfishes of the region, everything accompanied by the excellent Albariño, Ribeiro or Mencía wines.
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- BAIONA - PONTEVEDRA PROVINCE, GALICIA HOTELS

Exterior Views Parador de Baiona Pontevedra Province
Occupying the Monterreal Peninsula, this is one of the most extraordinary Paradores, half medieval fortress and half Galician stately architecture. It rises up as an impressive viewpoint over the ocean, surrounded by a walled enclosure, protected by the sea and flanked by a beautiful pine wood. The Parador has regal and elegant common rooms in which decorative elements from other times abound. Stately living rooms and spacious bedrooms, many with views of the sea, make up a grandiose interior in which the splendid stone staircase of the entrance hall stands out. The sea-bass with razor clams in a sauce of turnip greens, seafood dishes, Santiago cake and 'filloas' (type of crepe) make up the varied gastronomic showcase of this Parador.
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- CAMBADOS - PONTEVEDRA PROVINCE, GALICIA HOTELS
Exterior Views and Terrace Parador de Cambados, Cambados, Pontevedra Province
The former Pazo de Bazán country house, an ancestral mansion on which construction begain in the 17th c., is located in the green landscape of the Rías Baixas, specifically in the Ría de Arousa. Luxuriant pine groves, beaches, coves and numerous country houses run along the Galician coast. The Parador is located in the centre of the small town of Cambados, a short distance from the Isla de la Toxa, and has an attractive inner courtyard in which the arcades, the fountain and a slender palm tree stand out. It also has pleasant, bright bedrooms with comfortable furniture, along with stone columns, wooden ceilings and beams in the rest of the common rooms, not forgetting the garden and a tempting swimming pool. The restaurant offers local products such as 'empanada de berberechos' (cockle pie), 'lenguado al Albariño' (sole prepared in Albariño wine) and shellfish.
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- TUI - PONTEVEDRA PROVINCE, GALICIA HOTELS
Exterior Views Parador de Tui, Tui, Pontevedra
The Parador of the historical town of Tui, on the border with Portugal, faithfully reproduces a rural Galician country house, in a setting with mountains and rivers. This establishment is ideal for sports lovers and for outdoor activities. With its granite walls, Galician chestnut- wood floors, ceilings, beams and staircases, it recreates the decoration of the typical local country houses. The soft shades of the walls and the rustic furniture achieve a friendly and peaceful atmosphere in the comfortable bedrooms. It also has a splendid swimming pool and a beautiful garden. In the dining room it is possible to sample succulent lamprey and delicious elvers 'a la tudense' (seasonal). A typical dessert is Tarta San Ero.  Moreover, we have an agreement with the Nautical Club, so that all boats may dock onto a fairly large wharf.
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