Live the experience:Circuit to your own peace Monasteries of Galicia

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

In case your arrival is at the Santiago de Compostela airport or train station and you have chosen the rental vehicle option, we will pick you up in the car at the indicated place. In case you travel with your own vehicle, we will go directly to your accommodation in Santiago de Compostela.

This first day we will check-in and depending on the arrival time, and the necessary rest time, we will have the option of visiting the environment that surrounds us. After packing 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 living in a 16th century monastery located in the historic center of Santiago de Compostela and in front of the Cathedral. Tranquility and history in different environments such as the cloister, the garden or the lounges.

Then we will relax in the accommodation to have strength and be well rested for the next day with more movement.

First night to sleep in the designated accommodation in Santiago.

Day 2. Guided Visit Santiago de Compostela - Free afternoon

Second day at the Santiago accommodation. Once breakfast is finished we will prepare to discover Santiago de Compostela. We will visit the city on a guided tour. We will see different places in the city declared Cultural Heritage of Humanity such as its Cathedral, entering through its Pórtico de la Gloria, Platería de Platerías, Plaza del Obradoiro or the Parador Reyes Católicos.

We will eat in the city to taste its exceptional gastronomy such as Galician broth, octopus, raxo, cheeses and wines.

After the meal is finished, and well rested, we will have the afternoon free to enjoy what we have liked the most about the city or to walk around the city freely. If we want to expand the experience of monasteries in the city of Santiago, we can go to see the Monastery and Church of San Paio de Antealtares, which was the first that the city had, in the 9th century, at the wish of Alfonso II, who brought twelve Benedictine monks to guard the relics of the Apostle. You can visit the Museum of Sacred Art through the monastery church.

After this experience, we will have dinner and end this beautiful day in the assigned accommodation.

Day 3. Hospedería de San Juan de Poio - Pontevedra

After resting at the accommodation in Santiago, followed by a good breakfast, we will check-out and set off for Pontevedra.

Although the distance is not very great if we want to make a stop on the way, we suggest stopping in the municipality of Caldas de Reis, well known for being one of the last stages of the Camino de Santiago, and we especially recommend a visit to Pazo de Rubianes for the that we would only have to deviate about 5 kilometers.

When we arrive at our destination and depending on the time, we can dedicate the rest of the day to know in depth what our accommodation will be during this getaway.

The Monastery of San Juan de Poio was declared a Historic-Artistic Monument in 1970 and there are already documents from the year 942 that prove its existence.

Actually, there are two monasteries, the old Benedictine convent, with its church, the two cloisters - of the crucifix and of the processions - and other rooms and the modern one, Mercedarian, also with two parallel courtyards and a large chapel that stands out from the building.

In its garden is the granary with the largest capacity in Galicia, which gives us an idea of ​​the richness of the monastic order since it is 121 meters long, and a unique constructive morphology since it is mounted on three rows of feet.

It is, of course, an exceptional accommodation for its architecture, history and surroundings. We recommend visiting four places during our stay: the church, the two cloisters and the library. First night in our accommodation in Pontevedra.

Day 4. Guided Tour Pontevedra

Breakfast at the accommodation. Our 4th day begins, which we will dedicate to getting to know Pontevedra with aguided tour.

Pontevedra, whose name comes from Latin and means "old bridge" is one of the jewels of the Portuguese Camino de Santiago. City that, it is believed, was founded by one of the heroes of the Trojan War when he was exiled by his father.

So far, the archaeological remains do not show any occupation of the area until the arrival of the Roman Empire. It is estimated that its foundation took place during the conquest of "Gallaecia" (Galicia) and as a corroboration of this, a pillar appears at the southern head of the Puente del Burgo as a tribute to the Emperor Hadrian of the year 137.

We advise you to walk calmly knowing the most emblematic monuments and enjoy its wonderful old town and gastronomy.

Depending on the time and energy that we have left in the vicinity of Pontevedra, we can also visit the Monastery of San Salvador de Lérez. It is a Benedictine monastery founded in the 10th century that preserves the monastic cloister.

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

Day 5. Monforte de Lemos - San Vicente do Pino Monastery

We start the day having breakfast at the accommodation in Pontevedra that we will leave, to go to Monforte de Lemos.

Along the way we can make some attractive stops. Shortly before arriving in Ourense is the old Monastery of Santa María de Melón from which we can see some structures that help us imagine what this great monastery was. We will see a spectacular dovecote, and remains of a tower, as well as many monastic dependencies, beautiful cross vaults and Gothic arches.

We also have the opportunity to stop in the same Ourense where a route through the Old Town is one of the best activities to do. The Plaza do Ferro, the Church of Santa Eufemia, the Eroiciño dos Cabaleiros square, or the San Marcial Square are some of the places that you will find during your tour.

If it coincides with lunchtime, nothing better than to take the opportunity to taste some good tapas in the Old Town.

When we are ready we will head to Monforte de Lemos. We will dedicate the afternoon to explore our accommodation in the Monastery of San Vicente do Pino, which is a monumental complex guarded by the remains of the Castle of San Vicente, of which the Torre del Homenaje and its walls are preserved.

We will sleep in Monforte de Lemos in the selected accommodation.

Day 6. Visit to the Ribeira Sacra Monasteries

Breakfast at the accommodation and we will be ready to spend the day discovering some of the monasteries in the area, one of the areas of Galicia where they are most preserved.

Different styles, different times, on the banks of the rivers or on the slopes, ... There are so many that are preserved that it is impossible to see them all in a single day.

Therefore we list some of the most important In the first place we have the Monastery of Santo Estevo de Ribas de Sil, a baroque and Romanesque monastery dating back to the 6th and 7th centuries. We could say that it is the most imposing monastery in the Ribeira Sacra. Its grandeur even today will give us an idea of ​​the importance it had centuries ago. It has been converted into a National Tourism Parador and you can visit its three cloisters and the church.

Secondly, the Monastery of Santa Cristina, which is the quintessential Romanesque jewel of the Ribeira Sacra. It was one of the most important monasteries in the area during the Middle Ages. Much of the monastery is preserved in good condition and is located in a privileged environment, completely surrounded by chestnut trees and on the slope of the Sil Canyon with magnificent views of the Canyon.

Lastly, and given its proximity, we cannot miss the monastery of San Paio, which, although it is currently in ruins, can still be visited outside, where remains of the church, the cemetery and the old courtyard-cloister can still be seen.

The Ribeira Sacra has hidden treasures behind each curve of the road, so it is advisable to take the day calmly, stopping at different viewpoints and savoring the views.

When we finish the experience we will return to the accommodation to rest after a very full day.

Day 7: END OF THE CIRCUIT

The next day in the morning we will have breakfast and we will check-out at the hotel to leave it. If you chose to rent the car, it will be left in the indicated place.

We wish you a safe journey back hoping that you have enjoyed these days in Galicia.

• If you have chosen a rental vehicle, the meeting point will be the train station or the Santiago de Compostela airport.
• In case of traveling with your own car, the meeting point will be at the first accommodation in Santiago.

Check-in time: From 12:00 a.m., at your choice.

• It is advisable to always wear comfortable clothes and comfortable shoes in any type of experience and visit. Some of the routes are longer than others and it would be a good idea to plan departure times well in advance.
• Be careful on the road, the trip and visits are enjoyed more calmly and on time.
• There is the option of modifying this itinerary if you wish if you come with your own car.

• NO CANCELLATION FEES up to 7 days before the start
• Circuit your own way - by car
• 7 days / 6 nights accommodation + breakfast in Monasteries and Singular Accommodations in Galicia
• Guided tour in Santiago de Compostela.
• Guided tour in Pontevedra.
• Complete route itinerary.
• Basic Travel Insurance.
• Free Cancellation Insurance (up to 30 coverage)
• Telephone assistance service en route.

The guided tour included in the circuit will be subject to availability depending on the season.

It doesn't include

• Visit to Nuestra Señora de La Antigua (Monforte de Lemos). Reservations are not allowed. Donation price: €5 to be paid in cash

Additional options.

• 5-seater rental vehicle for the entire route

HOW TO FORMALISE YOUR BOOKING:

Our travel agency advised to book minimum 15 days in advance for a better management. It remains feasible to book this gateway although is made less than 15 days. However it is advisable to do it with more time in advance.

A deposit of 60€ will be required so as to formalise the reservation.

Once your reservation has been formalised, shortly after, our team will be in contact with you to specify all of the details. Once the reservation is finalised, we will send you all the information for your compliance.

Once all the services have been booked and confirmed, the client must make full payment minus the deposit paid in advance, 15 days before the beginning date. In case the reservation has been formalised less than 15 days before starting date, the client must paid in full the total amount NO CANCELLATION FEE up to 7 days before beginning date.

In this case, we will refund the total amount paid as deposit. Up to 7 days before the start date, there is no cancellation fee.

In the unlikely event that it gets cancel, the deposit will get refund in full.

If you require any further information, please contact us via email info@getingalicia.com or mobile/whatsapp (+34) 639 935 925

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