Galicia,
Spain Travel & Accommodation Guide
Lodging & Tours in Galicia - "Green Spain"
|
Buy
at AllPosters.com
A
Visit to Galicia, Spain by Martin Lambert
Visiting any of Galicia's major
cities can be both enjoyable and educational. This part of Spain has a
wealth of historic buildings ranging from Celtic forts and roman ruins,
to Gothic and neo-classical architectural masterpieces. Many of the latter
are religious buildings although many grand civil structures, from town
halls to mansions, can also be found. Museums are also plentiful and popular
and most have a regional or provincial theme to their exhibits.
For a view of real Galicia,
many would suggest a visit to one of the regions many coastal towns. Most
of Galicia's towns are situated close to a bay or cove and were originally
connected with fishing. The region has a long seafaring history and although
other enterprises now prosper in Galicia, the fishing industry remains
a large employer and economic contributor. |
The
Harbour at Bayona, Galicia, Spain
Buy
at AllPosters.com
|
With a population of only
three million inhabitants, Galicia has plenty of open space and a drive
into the region's interior serves up some breath taking scenery. Forests,
meadow land, rolling hills and mountains, all populated with small villages,
are on the menu. Galician tourism is however very much there for you to
discover and help, in the form of guides and books, is limited compared
to many other places in Europe.
Cathedral
from the Park, Santiago De Compostela
Buy
at AllPosters.com
|
Part of Galicia's allure
to the tourist is certainly the appeal of visiting somewhere slightly off
the beaten track. It is certainly true to say that
Santiago
de Compostela now has a cosmopolitan tourist trade, but most of
Galicia's other cities do not and an English voice is definitely still
a rarity. Cities like Lugo,
Pontevedra,
Ourense
and the massive A Coruna and Vigo,
have little in the way of foreign tourism and although British and American
visitor numbers are on the increase, they are still small. This should
not detour the tourist though, all of these cities have great visitor appeal
and their inhabitants are generally friendly and helpful.
The time of year to visit
Galicia is definitely something to consider. The region has an extended
summer that results in mild temperatures starting in April and running
through to October. The best weather is normally reserved for June, July
and August, although in this part of Spain clear blue skies are never under
warranty. Visiting in the winter months will require the addition of warm
clothing, weather proof jackets and certainly an umbrella. |
Galician tourism is not
geared up for foreign speakers, so if you are English, American, German
or French, you will have to pick up a few basic phrases, use plenty of
courtesies and practice pointing and smiling a lot. As ever, if you want
to buy something, get your money out, this normally helps make your request
crystal clear.
Getting to Galicia
has become cheaper and easier over the last couple of years with major
carriers flying direct to Santiago's international airport. Prices have
also come down, particularly for those departing from the UK. Flying from
the USA is still comparatively costly, but as visitor numbers increase
costs will inevitably come down to match them.
Car rental is pretty
much essential for the Galician holiday maker. Galicia is a place to be
explored and the best way to do this is independently with your own transport.
If this is not an option, the other alternative is to book a tour. Coach
tours are few and restrictive and are always limited to the major cities,
or predefined routes. If you decide to opt for this type of holiday, make
sure you know exactly what is on your schedule before hand and check to
make sure you have adequate time at the main stop off points.
Top
|
| About the Author - Webmaster
for galiciaguide.com
and part time writer about Galicia and its tourist attractions. |
RURAL
HOTELS IN GALICIA / GOLF, SPA HOTELS - LUGO PROVINCE
|
|
| A
CORUÑA RURAL HOTELS & HOLIDAY COMPLEXES - GALICIA, SPAIN |
|
| SANTIAGO
DE COMPOSTELA FEATURED RURAL ACCOMMODATION - GALICIA, SPAIN |
|
| Santiago de Compostela, the
"European City of Culture" for the year 2000, is located in the northwest
region of Spain in the province of A Coruña. It is the capital of
the autonomous community of Galicia. The city's cathedral is the
destination of the important medieval pilgrimage route, the Way of St James
(in Spanish the Camino de Santiago), which is still walked today.
The cathedral fronts on the main Plaza of the old and well-preserved city.
Across the square is the Pazo de Raxoi (Raxoi's Palace,) the town hall
and seat of the Galician Xunta, and on the right from the cathedral steps
is the Hostal de Los Reyes Católicos, founded in 1492 by the Catholic
Kings, Isabela and Fernando, as a pilgrim's hospice (now a parador). |
 |
 |
Hotel
CV Monte do Gozo, 3 kms from Santiago de Compostela
The Monte Do Gozo hotel
and holiday complex is located three kilometers from Santiago de Compostela,
on the final stretch of the pilgrimage route at the point where pilgrims
catch their first glimpse of Santiago's magnificent Cathedral. Those wishing
to explore the area can enjoy a range of sporting and cultural activities
organized by the hotel, from horseriding, rafting and quadbiking, to tours
of nearby towns and beautiful Galician countryside. A twenty minute walk
takes guests to Santiago and the awe-inspiring cathedral.Guests can dine
in the onsite self-service restaurant or cafeteria. A wide range
of amenities are available including a supermarket, shopping area, library,
medical services, meeting rooms and free parking. Entertainment is frequently
offered, and guests can relax by one of the swimming pools or by the artificial
lake, or take a stroll through the ample 650,000 m2 grounds. |
| PANTON,
RIBEIRA SACRA, LUGO PROVINCE - RURAL GOLF AND SPA HOTELS |
|
| The Ribeira Sacra is an incredibly
beautiful region of Galicia on both sides of the monumental canyon of the
Sil. Mountainous territory with pronounced valleys, livestock, genuine
gastronomy, and a splendid monastic past, makes it a compelling place to
visit. |
|
 |
Balneario
Aguas Santas Golf Hotel, Panton - 10 kms from Monforte de Lemos
The Hotel Balneario Augas
Santas is located in the province of Lugo, Spain, in the centre of the
Ribeira Sacra. It is one kilometre from the village of Ferreira de Panton,
and 10 kilometres from the village of Monforte de Lemos. Situated
in lush parkland, this modern hotel features a spa with therapeutic waters,
hydrotherapy, heating therapy, massages, and beauty treatments. Other facilities
include an outdoor pool with sundeck and an 18-hole golf course, while
practical amenities include room service and wireless Internet access.
Activities for children are available. The Augas Santas restaurant
is modern and serves typical Galician, and Spanish dishes, accompanied
by regional and Spanish wines. A complimentary breakfast is served to guests
each morning. Business facilities include conference rooms, and a
business centre. As well as an 18-hole golf course, there is a mini-golf
course within the hotel grounds. |
| Vilalba
- famous for its
tower, the "Torre de los Andrade en Vilalba. The town is approximately
35 kms from the provincial capital of Lugo. |
|
Search
for hotels in the Vilalba area
 |
Husa
Spa Villalba, 8 kms from Vilalba
The Husa Spa Villalba is
a contemporary spa hotel which benefits from the thermal waters of the
Lugar Alligal and is eight kilometres from the Spanish town of Villalba.
Guitiriz Golf Course is 30 kilometres from the hotel and Lugo Cathedral
is 40 kilometres away. Alvedra Airport is 110 kilometres from the hotel,
with an approximate driving time of 90 minutes. The Thermal Club has a
thermally heated swimming pool, with counter-current river, geysers, water
beds, spa tubs, and relaxation rooms Fitness equipment is available, and
the hotel also has a sauna and massage treatment rooms. Restaurant Villalba
serves local specialities in a contemporary setting. The 42 air-conditioned
guestrooms are located over two floors and have contemporary decor and
furnishings including desks. |
 |
Parador
de Vilalba, Vilalba - Lugo
This impressive tower from
medieval Galicia, now converted into a hotel, dominates the landscape of
this town, centre of the "Terra Chá" area, which originated from
this fortress, home of the Andrades, the counts of Vilalba. The hotel
offers cosy, welcoming spaces with a medieval air; in the tower, 6 bedrooms
share this medieval style with the Salón de los Andrade, with frescos
and coats of arms. In the shadow of the tower, the new stone building
is in the style of a pazo, the Galician country house, housing the remaining
42 bedrooms, the restaurant and bar. Lacón con grelos (ham
stew with greens), Raxo pie, beef kebab Don Nuño, roscón
de Vilalba (local cake), San Simón cheese... And at Christmas
time, the star of the table is a Vilalba capon, roast in the medieval style.
Hungry yet? |
| VIVEIRO
FEATURED RURAL HOTELS (LUGO) |
|
| Viveiro (also known as Vivero)
is a town and municipality in the province of Lugo, in the northwestern
Galician autonomous community of Spain. It borders on the Cantabric Sea,
to the south of the municipality of Ourol, to the east of Xove and to the
west of O Vicedo. It has a residential population of over 16,000 (2007
figures), which however triples in the summer months with visitors to the
coastal region. |
|
|
Visit
Viveiro In The Heart Of The Rias Altas
|
Search
for hotels in the Viveiro area
 |
Pazo
da Trave, Galdo, near Viveiro
Pazo da Trave is located
on the coast of Lugo in Galdo, Spain, in a valley 3 kilometres from the
Ria de Viveiro. Viveiro town centre and its train station are 3 kilometres
away. Pazo da Trave is set in a stately stone country house, formerly
a medieval palace, surrounded by a garden shaded by Galician trees, and
featuring a small chapel. There is an outdoor pool surrounded by greenery,
and fitness equipment is available. Multilingual staff at the front desk
can secure valuables in the safe-deposit box, and complimentary newspapers
are provided in the lobby. Pazo de Trave Restaurant has a dining room with
exposed timber frames and a glass-enclosed arbour. Traditional dishes from
the Galician region are served for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A sandy
playground is available for children and the hotel can organise activities
such as paintball, surfing, cycling, and learning activities. There is
also a reading room featuring a fireplace. |
RURAL
HOTELS IN GALICIA / GOLF, SPA HOTELS - OURENSE PROVINCE
|
|
| LEIRO
(OURENSE) FEATURED RURAL HOTELS - GALICIA SPAIN |
|
| Leiro
- In the Ourense Province
of Galicia - inland town with beautiful mountainous scenery and historic
areas. The remote hillside village of Leiro is eleven kilometres from the
historic village of Ribadavia, 16 kilometres from Arnoia Spa, and 30 kilometres
from Ourense. The Santiago de Compostela Airport is 110 kilometres. |
|
Search
for more hotels in Leiro
 |
Hotel
Monumento Monasteiro de San Clodio, Leiro
The Monumento Monasterio
is a picturesque 12th century Cistercian monastery combining Baroque and
Renaissance cloisters in the remote hillside village of Leiro, eleven kilometres
from the historic village of Ribadavia. The hotel is 11 kilometres from
the historic village of Ribadavia, 16 kilometres from Arnoia Spa, and 30
kilometres from Ourense. The Santiago de Compostela Airport is 110 kilometres.
Guests can relax by the pool or explore the historic grounds and buildings
that make up the monastery. Among them guests will find conference and
banqueting facilities for up to 235. Restaurante San Clodio offers and
extensive à la carte menu fusing traditional local dishes with nouvelle
cuisine in relaxed rustic surroundings. Those keen to explore the surrounding
area can get local information and advice from the hotel's concierge desk.
The 25 guestrooms have a separate seating area with doors leading to balconies. |
 |
Pazo
Almuzara - Guest House, Boboras, 6 kms from Leiro
The Pazo Almuzara Guest
House is located in Boboras, Spain, 50 kilometres from the Amanteira Monastery.
Ourense is 25 kilometres away and includes a cathedral and the Bellas Artes
Museum. Leiro is 6 kilometres away from the guest house. The guest
house has a swimming pool in the gardens and complimentary Internet in
the public areas. There are express check-out and check-in facilities.
There is also onsite complimentary parking. Pazo Almuzara Guest House
serves a continental complimentary breakfast in the dining room each morning.
The 19 guestrooms have televisions, DVD players, and complimentary Internet
access. The telephones offer free local calls and the guest house provides
complimentary bottled water. |
RURAL
HOTELS IN GALICIA - PONTEVEDRA PROVINCE
|
|
| VILABOA
RURAL HOTELS/B&B NEAR PONTEVEDRA - PONTEVEDRA PROVINCE |
|
 |
Pazo
Larache - B&B - Rural Country House in Vilaboa - 13 kms from Pontevedra
Pazo Larache was constructed
in the 18th century and underwent several phases of extension at the beginning
of the 19th century, it was finally reconstructed between 2002 and 2006
which gave rise to the present construction. In the access to the estate
it is possible to enjoy the construction of a typical silo in Galicia (hórreo),
furthermore there is the entrance area with its great historical and architectonic
value. You can see a "lagar" of the 18th century in the access to
the house. The property has a beautiful garden with an extension
of fifty and five thousand square meters of land of great biological diversity
with centennial trees that dominate the Ría of Vigo. All this will
cause that you enjoy an pleasant and unique stay in Pazo Larache. |
Top
|
|
