Live the experience:Circuit at Your Leisure Ourense, Ribeira Sacra and Lugo.

• Day 1. Origin – Ourense

On the first day, depending on the chosen vehicle (own vehicle or rental car), we will head to the designated accommodation in Ourense. If we choose a rental car, it will be picked up at the specified location. After the check-in at the hotel and depending on the time needed to recover from the trip, we will visit the city and enjoy its gastronomy.

Then we will relax at the chosen accommodation in Ourense to rest and recharge for the next more active day.

• Day 2. Ribadavia – Castelo de Ribadavia - Visit DO Ribeiro Winery

After breakfast at our accommodation in Ourense, we will head to Ribadavia, a fascinating place by the Avia River; it is a pleasure to walk through its beautiful streets. In the town, we find several places to have tapas or eat. In the same town, we can also discover the Castelo de Ribadavia very close to its Main Square.

In the afternoon, we will visit a DO Ribeiro Winery called Viña Costeira, where we will enjoy a guided tour, including a special wine tasting. We will learn about the places where some of the Galician wines are produced, which have already gained great recognition and are part of the wine lists of the best restaurants and wine cellars.

Once we are finished, we will return to Ourense where we can enjoy some good tapas in the Old Town. Then, we will return to our accommodation and rest in Ourense.

• Day 3. Full day excursion Ribeira Sacra - Catamaran ride through the Sil Canyon - DO Winery Visit

We will start the day with breakfast at the accommodation in Ourense, which we will check out from. After the check-out, we will begin our full-day excursion through the Ribeira Sacra.

We will tour some of the monasteries in the area, one of the places in Galicia with the best-preserved structures.

We will get to know the elements that most define the region through various monumental buildings. It is the region in Europe with the highest number of rural Romanesque buildings, partly thanks to the 18 monasteries it holds. Among them, the Monasterio de San Pedro de Rocas, which sheltered the first Galician monks and was carved directly into the rock. Totally different is the Monasterio de Santo Estevo de Ribas de Sil, which impresses with its beauty and the details that decorate its different rooms. Its excellent state of preservation makes it a unique visit.

Once we finish our car tour, we will prepare for our Catamaran ride through the Sil Canyon.

Mythology of the Sil Canyon:

According to Roman mythology, the Sil Canyon has an intriguing and passionate story related to jealousy. It is said that Jupiter, the father of the gods, fell madly in love with Galicia, a region so green and fertile that it captured his heart. Juno, his wife, jealous of the love he had for the Galician land, wanted to punish him by creating a wound in the heart of Galicia, something that would make it lose its beauty and make her husband stop loving it. This is how the Sil Canyon was born, a deep crack in the earth that separates the mountains of the Ribeira Sacra.

However, the story does not end there. Despite Juno's attempt, the Sil Canyon did not fulfill its purpose. Jupiter, far from despising Galicia for this wound, became even more fascinated by its beauty, its wild nature, and the power of the land. Enraged by his wife's disobedience, Jupiter cursed Juno, condemning her to wander forever through the gap she had created, as eternal punishment, as if it were a wound that would never heal.

This mystical and symbolic tale is one of many myths associated with the Sil Canyon, an impressive natural formation that, like the legend, has endured through the centuries, marked by the power of nature and history.

On this catamaran ride along the river, we will admire the drops that reach 500 meters in several areas, the slopes of more than 70%, or the canyon walls with gentler slopes where the centennial vineyards of the Ribeira Sacra Denomination of Origin are found.

And this is another reason why the area stands out: its wine. The "Ribeira Sacra" Denomination of Origin has a great peculiarity, "heroic viticulture", which forces the farmers to work on very steep slopes. There are several records of large shipments of wine to the upper echelons of the Roman Empire. We will visit a DO Ribeira Sacra Winery, where we will learn about the winemaking process and also taste one of the best wines in Galicia.

We will sleep at the selected accommodation in Ribeira Sacra.

• Day 4. Monforte de Lemos

We will start the day with breakfast at the accommodation in Ourense. Then, we will prepare to spend the day in Monforte de Lemos. The city originated in the Middle Ages as a fortress. Its castle, for defensive reasons, was located in the highest area, on the San Vicente mountain.

We will explore the town. The Monasterio de San Vicente do Pino is a monumental complex guarded by the remains of the Castillo de San Vicente, the former residence of the Counts of Lemos, from which the Homage Tower and its walls are still preserved. The building features a neoclassical central cloister, perfect for strolling through the silence and beauty of the stones.

Next, we will visit the Colegio de Nuestra Señora de la Antigua, where we will see the church, the cloister, and the museum. This majestic building stands on the banks of the Cabe River and was built at the end of the 16th century by Cardinal Rodrigo de Castro. It is popularly known as the Galician Escorial, as it is one of the few buildings in Galicia in Herrerian style.

Once we finish our walk through Monforte de Lemos, we will head to our accommodation to rest.

• Day 5. Visit to the Monasteries of Samos - Sarria - Lugo

After breakfast and check-out from our accommodation in the Ribeira Sacra, we will head towards Sarria. On the way, we will make several stops. The first one will be in Samos, where the Monasterio de San Julián y Santa Basílica de Samos is located. It dates back to the early medieval period, specifically from the Visigothic Kingdom in the 7th century, with its foundation attributed to San Martín Dumiense and renovated by San Fructuoso.

Two major fires are unfortunately the most notable events in the recent history of the abbey, which today shows no trace of them and is currently the headquarters of the Benedictine Order.

Our next stop will be Sarria, a well-known Jacobean town where many pilgrims start their journey on the Camino de Santiago.

We recommend entering the historical area of the town through the Escaleira da Fonte or Escalera Mayor. From there, you can already see the Iglesia de Santa Mariña with its pyramid-shaped tower. We can end our walk at the Miradoiro do Cárcere and say goodbye with some beautiful views of the town and the Vega de Sarria.

Finally, we will arrive in Lugo, where we will check in at the assigned accommodation and spend the rest of the day resting and settling in our luggage.

We will spend the night at the assigned accommodation in Lugo.

• Day 6. Guided Tour of Lugo

We will have breakfast at the hotel in Lugo. Today we will tour the city on a guided tour where you will be able to contemplate the current city with its 2000 years of history, discovering its hidden treasures with a complete tour of the historic center. The most prominent feature of the city are the Roman Walls of the ancient city of Lucus Augusti. But the city of Lugo also has many other interesting Roman landmarks such as the Roman baths and a Roman bridge.

Additionally, Lugo has many other monuments and historical sites that are must-see after its Roman period, such as the Catedral de Santa María or the Plaza Mayor.

The city also has a great tapas area that has become a tradition for everyone who passes through. We recommend visiting during lunch hours to enjoy some wines and snacks. Afterward, you will have the afternoon free to savor what you liked most or take a leisurely walk.

• Day 7: Breakfast and End of Services

The following morning, we will have breakfast and check out from the accommodation. If we rented a vehicle, we will return it at the indicated location (train station or airport).

We wish you a pleasant return and hope these days in Galicia have left unforgettable memories.

• If you have chosen a rental vehicle, the meeting point will be at the Ourense train station.
• If traveling with your own car, the meeting point will be at the first accommodation in Ourense.
• Check-in time: From 12:00 p.m., at your choice.

• 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 Hotels with Breakfast (B+B).
• Guided visit to DO Ribeiro Winery, vineyards, production, and special tasting.
• Catamaran ride on the Sil River.
• Guided visit to DO Ribeira Sacra Winery.
• Guided tour in Lugo.
• Basic travel insurance.
• The guided tour included in this itinerary is subject to availability depending on the season.

Not included:

• Visit to Nuestra Señora de La Antigua (Monforte de Lemos). No reservations allowed. To be paid on site.
• Visit to Monastery of Samos. No reservations allowed. 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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