Live the experience:Circuit at Your Leisure Monasteries of Galicia

• Day 1. Origin - Santiago de Compostela - Hospedería San Martín Pinario

If your arrival is at the airport or train station in Santiago de Compostela and you have chosen the car rental option, we will pick up the car at the specified location. If you are traveling with your own vehicle, we will go directly to your accommodation in Santiago de Compostela.

On this first day, we will check in, and depending on the arrival time and the rest needed, we will have the option to explore the surroundings. After settling our luggage, we will take a walk through the Hospedería de San Martín Pinario, which will be our accommodation for the next two days. We will enjoy the unforgettable experience of staying in a 16th-century monastery located in the historic center of Santiago de Compostela, right in front of the Cathedral. Tranquility and history merge in various spaces such as the cloister, the garden, or the lounges.

Then, we will relax at the accommodation to gather strength and be well-rested for the more active day ahead.

First night at the designated accommodation in Santiago.

• Day 2. Guided Tour Santiago de Compostela - Free Afternoon

Second day at the accommodation in Santiago. After breakfast, we will prepare for a guided tour. We will visit various landmarks in the city, declared a Cultural Heritage of Humanity, such as its Cathedral, entering through the Portico of Glory, Plaza de Platerías, Plaza del Obradoiro, or the Parador Reyes Católicos.

We will have lunch in the city to sample its exceptional gastronomy, including dishes like Galician broth, octopus, raxo, cheeses, and wines.

After a well-deserved rest, we will have the afternoon free to revisit our favorite parts of the city or stroll around freely. If we wish to extend the monastery experience in Santiago, we can visit the Monastery and Church of San Paio de Antealtares, the city’s first monastery, built in the 9th century by order of Alfonso II, who brought twelve Benedictine monks to guard the Apostle's relics. The Sacred Art Museum can be accessed through the monastery church.

After this experience, we will have dinner and return to the assigned accommodation, concluding a beautiful day.

• Day 3. Hospedería de San Juan de Poio - Visit to Pazo de Rubianes

After resting at the accommodation in Santiago and enjoying a good breakfast, we will check out and head towards Pontevedra.

On the way, we will stop at Pazo de Rubianes. Built in the 15th century, it boasts a majestic garden and an excellent D.O. Albariño winery. It is a French-style estate, reminiscent of the petit Château, and part of Spain’s most famous camellia routes. Here, we will tour the manor, wineries, and the historic monument, culminating in a wine tasting.

After the visit, we will head to Vilagarcía de Arousa for lunch, as it is just a few kilometers away and filled with charms like its beaches, manor houses, and harbor.

We will then continue towards Pontevedra. Upon arrival, we will check in and, depending on the time, dedicate the rest of the day to exploring the accommodation or simply relaxing.

The Monastery of San Juan de Poio, declared a Historic-Artistic Monument in 1970, has documented evidence of its existence dating back to 942.

It actually comprises two monasteries: the old Benedictine convent, with its church, two cloisters —the cruceiro and the procession cloister— and other facilities, and the modern Mercedarian convent, also with two parallel courtyards and a spacious chapel that stands out from the building.

In its orchard, there is Galicia’s largest hórreo (granary), a testament to the monastic order’s wealth, measuring 121 meters in length with a unique construction morphology supported by three rows of posts.

It is, without a doubt, an exceptional accommodation for its architecture, history, and setting.

We especially recommend visiting four key sites: the church, the two cloisters, and the library during your stay.

First night at our accommodation in Pontevedra.

• Day 4. Guided Tour Pontevedra

Breakfast at the accommodation. We begin our 4th day, dedicated to exploring Pontevedra. Once ready, we will head into the city to spend the day.

We will start with a guided tour. Pontevedra, whose name comes from Latin meaning "old bridge," is one of the jewels of the Portuguese Way to Santiago. It is believed to have been founded by a hero of the Trojan War exiled by his father.

Archaeological remains, however, suggest no occupation of the area until the arrival of the Roman Empire. It is estimated to have been founded during the conquest of "Gallaecia" (Galicia). A pillar in the southern part of the Puente del Burgo confirms this, dedicated to Emperor Hadrian in 137 AD.

After the tour, we recommend strolling leisurely to explore the city’s most emblematic monuments, enjoying its marvelous old town and gastronomy.

To conclude this delightful day, we will return to the accommodation for rest.

• Day 5. Visit to D.O. Ribeira Sacra Winery - Sil River Catamaran Tour

We begin the day with breakfast at the accommodation in Pontevedra, which we will leave behind after checking out. We will start our full-day excursion through the Ribeira Sacra.

We will tour some of the area's monasteries, one of the parts of Galicia with the most preserved historical sites.

We will explore the region’s most distinctive elements through its monumental buildings. This area has the highest concentration of rural Romanesque architecture in Europe, partly thanks to the 18 monasteries it houses. Notable among them is the Monastery of San Pedro de Rocas, which sheltered the first Galician monks and was carved into the rock itself. In contrast, the Monastery of Santo Estevo de Ribas de Sil stands out for its beauty and the detailed adornments of its various rooms. Its excellent state of preservation offers a unique visiting experience. The region is also renowned for its wine. The Denomination of Origin Ribeira Sacra is characterized by its distinctive "heroic viticulture," which requires farmers to work on steep slopes. Records show large shipments of wine to the Roman Empire's elite. We will visit a D.O. winery, where we will learn about the winemaking process and enjoy a tasting of some of Galicia’s finest wines.

After completing our road trip, we will prepare for a Catamaran Tour along the Sil River Canyon.

During this catamaran tour on the river, we will admire cliffs reaching up to 500 meters in some areas, slopes exceeding 70%, and gentler canyon walls where century-old vineyards of the Ribeira Sacra Denomination of Origin are located.

The Ribeira Sacra reveals hidden treasures at every turn, so it is recommended to take the day at a leisurely pace, stopping at various viewpoints to savor the scenery.

After this experience, we will head to our selected accommodation in Monforte de Lemos, where we will check in and rest after a very full day.

• Day 6. Monforte de Lemos - Monastery of San Vicente do Pino

Breakfast at the accommodation, and we will be ready to spend the day discovering Monforte de Lemos. The city originated in the Middle Ages as a fortress. Its castle was strategically placed on the highest point, Mount San Vicente, for defensive purposes.

We will start by exploring our accommodation. The Monastery of San Vicente do Pino is a monumental complex guarded by the remains of the Castle of San Vicente, the former residence of the Counts of Lemos. The structure retains the Tower of Homage and its walls. The building features a central neoclassical cloister, perfect for strolling amidst silence and the beauty of its stonework.

Next, we will visit the College of Our Lady of Antigua, where we will explore the church, cloister, and museum. This majestic building stands by the Río Cabe and was built in the late 16th century by Cardinal Rodrigo de Castro. It is popularly known as the "Galician Escorial," being one of the few constructions in Galicia in the Herrerian style.

After our walk through Monforte de Lemos, we will return to our accommodation to rest.

• Day 7. Breakfast and End of Services

On the final morning, we will have breakfast and check out of the accommodation. If we opted for a rental car, it will be returned at the specified location (train station or airport).

We wish you a pleasant journey home and hope these days in Galicia have left unforgettable memories in your heart.

• If you have chosen a rental vehicle, the meeting point will be at the train station or the Santiago de Compostela airport.
• If you are traveling with your own car, the meeting point will be at the first accommodation in Santiago.
• Check-in time: From 12:00 p.m., at your convenience.

• It is recommended to wear comfortable clothing and appropriate footwear to ensure optimal comfort and prevent potential discomfort, especially on routes that pass through uneven terrain or slippery surfaces. Some of these routes may be longer or more demanding, so it is essential to plan departure times in advance, ensuring you can enjoy the experience without rush or setbacks.

• We recommend exercising caution when driving, as the journey and visits are best enjoyed at a relaxed pace and without haste.

• You have the option to adjust this itinerary to your needs and preferences as you see fit.

• The guided tours included in this itinerary will be subject to availability depending on the season.

• 7 days / 6 nights in Monasteries of Galicia with Breakfast (A+D). (subject to availability)
• Guided tour in Santiago de Compostela.
• Visit to Pazo de Rubianes (includes a tour of the D.O. winery and wine tasting).
• Guided tour in Pontevedra.
• Catamaran ride along the Sil River.
• Visit to a winery with wine tasting of D.O. Ribeira Sacra.
• Basic travel insurance.
• The guided tours included in this itinerary are subject to availability depending on the season.

Not included:

• Visit to Nuestra Señora de La Antigua (Monforte de Lemos). Reservations are not accepted. To be paid on site.

Additional Options:

• Half board supplement.
• Single room supplement.
• Rental vehicle (5 seats) for the entire trip.

How to Make Your Reservation

For the best management by our travel agency, we recommend making your reservation at least 15 days in advance. However, if the reservation is made with less notice, we will proceed to manage it regardless, though it is always advisable to book earlier.

To formalise the reservation, a payment of €60 is required as a deposit and administration fee per person.

Once your reservation has been formalised, our team will contact you as soon as possible to finalise all the details.

After the reservation has been confirmed, we will send you all the related information for your review and approval.

Once all services are confirmed, and 15 days prior to the start of the trip, the client must pay the remaining balance of the reservation, which corresponds to the total trip cost minus the previously paid deposit.

If the reservation is made less than 15 days in advance of the start of the trip, the client must pay the full trip amount at the time of booking.

Free Cancellation Up to 7 Days Before

If you wish to cancel your reservation, no cancellation fees will apply as long as you do so 7 days in advance of the trip’s start, with a full refund of the amounts paid.

For more information, you can contact us by sending an email to info@getingalicia.com, or by calling or sending a WhatsApp message to (+34) 639 635 925.

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