Live the experience:Circuit at Your Leisure through Galicia and the Former Kingdom of León

• Day 1. Origin – León

Upon arrival at the chosen hotel, we will check in and prepare to enjoy the local culture.

This day will be used as free time to settle in, unpack, and relax with a stroll, getting a general overview of the city and its streets. After this free afternoon, we will return to the hotel to rest and prepare for the next day, which promises to be more active.

• Day 2. Guided tour of the Cathedral of León

Second day at the selected accommodation. After breakfast, we will prepare to explore León.

We will visit its Cathedral, an exceptional Gothic temple renowned for housing one of the largest collections of medieval stained glass in the world.

Afterwards, at our own pace, we will explore various landmarks in the city, such as Casa Botines, a masterpiece by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, the Palacio de los Guzmanes, or the Convento de San Marcos, which today houses the Parador de Turismo.

For lunch, we recommend heading to the renowned neighbourhood of El Húmedo to sample tapas, one of the most typical activities in León. Popular tapas and pintxos include cold cuts, spicy fried potatoes, croquettes, and blood sausage.

After lunch, you will have the afternoon free to revisit your favourite spots or enjoy a leisurely walk around the city.

• Day 3. León - Sanabria Lake National Park - Puebla de Sanabria

After a restful night at the León accommodation and a good breakfast, we will check out and begin our full-day excursion to the Sanabria Lake National Park.

The park’s jewel is Sanabria Lake, the largest glacial lake in the Iberian Peninsula. It is surrounded by forests, predominantly oak and rebollo trees, and features dozens of glacial lagoons.

We will arrive at the lake’s shore to take in the views and then head up to the Laguna de Peces, notable for its size. The road to the lagoon is narrow and winding, with sharp curves overlooking valleys such as the Forcadura River canyon, which boasts cliffs over 250 metres high. However, it also offers several viewpoints from which to admire breathtaking views of Sanabria Lake and much of the region. We will stop at several viewpoints along the way, as well as in San Martín de Castañeda.

The location of the San Martín de Castañeda Monastery, built by Cistercian monks beside the lake, made it one of the largest religious complexes in the province until the 19th century. The remains of the monastery, declared a Historic-Artistic Monument, date back to the 16th and 17th centuries.

Miguel de Unamuno visited Sanabria Lake, a place that captivated him and inspired his novel San Manuel Bueno, Mártir, which includes a poem dedicated to this village.

After the excursion, we will head to our accommodation in Puebla de Sanabria to check in and rest.

• Day 4. Guided Wolf Tour / Sanabria Lake Catamaran / Castle of the Counts of Benavente – Puebla de Sanabria

We will have breakfast at the Puebla de Sanabria accommodation and begin our second day in this village.

Depending on the season, there is the option of a guided tour at the Iberian Wolf Centre. This visit includes two parts: a tour of the Wolf Centre building and a walk through the outdoor observation areas for semi-wild wolves, including wolf-handling sessions.

The alternative is a subaquatic interpretation of the glacial bottom of Sanabria Lake aboard the world’s first solar-powered catamaran. Its glass-covered deck allows visitors to observe the lake’s geology, fauna, and flora, combining recreational science with sustainable tourism.

If these options are unavailable during our travel season or if we prefer another activity, we can opt to stay in Puebla de Sanabria and visit the Castle of the Counts of Benavente, a testament to the town’s power during the Middle Ages, thanks to its strategic position near Portugal.

Whatever option we choose, the afternoon will be free to leisurely explore the streets of Puebla de Sanabria, a beautiful stone village declared a Historic-Artistic Site and consistently ranked among Spain’s most beautiful villages.

• Day 5. Puebla de Sanabria - Allariz - Outariz Hot Springs - Ourense

After breakfast at the accommodation and checking out, we will travel towards Ourense. On the way, we will stop in Allariz, a charming village that won the European Urban Planning Award for the restoration of its historic centre.

Next, we will enjoy the renowned Outariz Hot Springs.

The Outariz thermal spa, located on the banks of the Miño River, is inspired by the Japanese spa culture, with wooden facilities integrated into the natural environment. The thermal baths offer two circuits (Celtic and Zen), with 11 outdoor pools and 3 indoor pools. Additionally, various beauty treatments and massages can be booked.

Near this thermal station, there are other public outdoor thermal areas, such as the Canedo Hot Springs and the Muiño da Veiga Hot Springs, also located along the Miño River.

After this relaxing experience, we will continue to Ourense, where we will check in and spend the afternoon exploring the city. We will walk along the banks of the Miño River, passing iconic bridges like the Ponte Maior and the Millennium Bridge. We will also visit the Ourense Cathedral, renowned for its vibrant Portico of Paradise.

There will also be time to explore the Old Town, sample tapas, or visit the Main Square, known for its unusually sloping floor. To conclude, we will stroll through the Alameda Park and visit the Church of Santa Eufemia.

Finally, we will return to the accommodation in Ourense for a well-deserved rest.

• Day 6. Full-Day Excursion to Ribeira Sacra - D.O. Ribeira Sacra Wineries - Sil River Catamaran

After breakfast at the Ourense accommodation, we will embark on a full-day excursion to the Ribeira Sacra, Spain’s sole UNESCO World Heritage candidate and declared a Biosphere Reserve in 2021.

We will explore the region’s defining elements through its most notable monumental buildings. Ribeira Sacra is Europe’s area with the highest concentration of rural Romanesque architecture, due in part to the 18 monasteries located there. Key highlights include the Monastery of San Pedro de Rocas, which housed Galicia’s first monks and was carved directly into the rock, and the Monastery of Santo Estevo de Ribas de Sil, a stunningly preserved site where you can enjoy a unique visit.

One of the region’s standout features is its wine. Historical records show significant shipments of wine to the upper echelons of the Roman Empire.

We will visit one of the most prominent D.O. Ribeira Sacra wineries in the area. The steep slopes of the vineyards challenge those who lovingly tend the region’s finest grape varieties, making them the true heroes of Heroic Viticulture.

The winery will reveal the secrets of its winemaking process, which captures the full essence of its centuries-old grapes. Some of these are medieval species that are endangered. The tour will conclude at a spectacular balcony overlooking the Sil Canyon, accompanied by an excellent wine tasting.

After completing our winery tour, we will prepare for our Catamaran Tour of the Sil Canyon.

During this boat ride along the river, we will marvel at cliffs up to 500 metres high, gradients exceeding 70%, and the canyon walls with gentler slopes, home to the century-old vineyards of the D.O. Ribeira Sacra.

After this incredible day, we will return to the accommodation to rest.

• Day 7. Breakfast and End of Services

On the final morning, we will enjoy breakfast and check out of the accommodation. If a rental vehicle was used, it will be returned to the designated location (train station or airport).

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

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

• We recommend wearing comfortable clothing and suitable footwear to ensure optimal comfort and prevent potential discomfort, especially on routes that may involve uneven terrain or slippery surfaces. Some of these routes can be longer or more demanding, so it is essential to plan departure times in advance to ensure you can enjoy the experience without rushing or inconveniences.

• We advise taking caution while driving, as the journey and visits are more enjoyable when done with calmness and without hurrying.

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

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

• 7 days / 6 nights in Hotels with Breakfast (B+B).
• Guided tour of the León Cathedral.
• Guided tour of the Iberian Wolf Centre (subject to season).
• Catamaran on the Sanabria Lake (subject to season).
• Entry to the Castle of Puebla de Sanabria (subject to season).
• Complete itinerary of the natural hot springs in Ourense.
• Visit to a wine cellar with a wine tasting of D.O. Ribeira Sacra.
• Catamaran ride on the Sil River.
• Basic travel insurance.
• The guided tours included in this package are subject to availability depending on the season.

Notes:

• One option will be chosen between the "Guided tour of the Iberian Wolf Centre", the "Sanabria Lake Catamaran", and entry to the "Castle of Puebla de Sanabria", based on the client’s preferences and availability.

Not included:

• Entry to the Outariz thermal station, which cannot be booked in advance. It must be paid on site.

Additional Options:

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

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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