Live the experience:Private Circuit Monasteries of Galicia

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

On the first day, our driver will pick you up from the airport or train station and take you to the designated accommodation. Upon arrival at the chosen hotel, we will check in and prepare to enjoy our stay.

Depending on the time of arrival and necessary rest, we will have the option to explore the surroundings. After settling in, we’ll take a walk around the Hospedería de San Martín Pinario, which will be our accommodation for the next two days. You will experience the unforgettable sensation of staying in a 16th-century monastery, located in the historic center of Santiago de Compostela, right in front of the Cathedral. You can enjoy the tranquility and history offered by its various spaces, such as the cloister, garden, or halls.

After this first contact, we will relax at the accommodation to recharge and rest properly for the next day.

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

We begin the second day in Santiago with a hearty breakfast at the accommodation. Next, we will prepare for a guided tour of the city. We will visit iconic places of this UNESCO World Heritage city, such as its Cathedral (entering through the Pórtico de la Gloria), the Plaza de Platerías, the Plaza del Obradoiro, and the Parador de los Reyes Católicos.

At lunchtime, we can savor the exceptional Galician gastronomy, featuring dishes like caldo gallego, octopus, raxo, cheeses, and wines.

After a satisfying meal, we will have the afternoon free to explore the city at our own pace. If desired, we can continue our monastery experience in Santiago by visiting the Monastery and Church of San Paio de Antealtares, the city’s first monastery, founded in the 9th century by Alfonso II. Here, we can learn its history and visit the Sacred Art Museum, located in the church of the monastery.

At the end of the day, we will dine at a local restaurant, and our driver will take us back to the accommodation for rest after this day full of discoveries.

• Day 3. Hospedería de San Juan de Poio - Pontevedra

After resting in Santiago, we will enjoy a hearty breakfast before checking out. Our driver will take us to Pontevedra, making a stop along the way to visit the Pazo de Rubianes, built in the 15th century. This majestic French-style estate, surrounded by beautiful gardens and a D.O. Albariño winery, is part of Spain’s most famous camellia routes. We will take a guided tour of the pazo and the winery, ending with a wine tasting.

After the visit, we will head to Villagarcía de Arousa for lunch. This charming town, located just a few kilometers away, is known for its beaches, manor houses, and port.

After lunch, we will continue to Pontevedra, where we will check in at our accommodation, the Monastery of San Juan de Poio. Depending on the time, we may spend the rest of the day exploring this magnificent monastery, declared a Historical-Artistic Monument in 1970.

This monastic complex consists of two parts: the old Benedictine convent, with its church, two cloisters (the cloister of the cross and the cloister of processions), and other dependencies; and the modern Mercedarian convent, which features two parallel courtyards and a spacious chapel. In its orchard is Galicia’s largest granary, measuring 121 meters in length, with a unique structure supported by three rows of pillars.

During our stay, we highly recommend visiting four key areas: the church, the two cloisters, and the library.

• Day 4. Guided Tour of Pontevedra

We start the day with a delicious breakfast at the accommodation. Today is dedicated to exploring Pontevedra. Our driver will pick us up and take us to this city, whose name comes from the Latin "old bridge." Pontevedra is one of the gems of the Portuguese Way of Saint James. It is believed that the city was founded by a hero of the Trojan War, exiled by his father.

The Roman presence in the area is confirmed by the discovery of a pillar on the Ponte do Burgo, dated to the year 137, which pays homage to Emperor Hadrian.

After this historical introduction, we will embark on a guided tour to discover the most iconic monuments of Pontevedra, its historic center, and its renowned gastronomy. Later, we will have time to stroll through the city at our leisure.

At the end of the day, we will return to the accommodation to rest.

• Day 5. Full-Day Excursion: Monasteries of Ribeira Sacra

We begin the day with breakfast at the accommodation in Pontevedra, which we will be leaving today. After checking out, our driver will pick us up at the scheduled time to begin our full-day excursion through the Ribeira Sacra.

We will explore some of the monasteries in the area, one of Galicia's regions where the most are preserved. Our driver will be at your service to transport you through this beautiful land shaped by the Sil and Miño rivers.

We will discover the key elements that define the region through its monumental buildings. Ribeira Sacra is the region in Europe with the largest number of rural Romanesque structures, thanks in part to its 18 monasteries. Notable among these is the Monastery of San Pedro de Rocas, which provided shelter to Galicia's first monks and is carved into the rock. In contrast, the Monastery of Santo Estevo de Ribas de Sil impresses with its beauty and the intricate details that adorn its various rooms. Its excellent state of preservation makes it a unique visit.

Another highlight of the region is its wine. The Ribeira Sacra Denomination of Origin is known for its "heroic viticulture", which requires workers to cultivate on steep slopes. Historical records document significant wine shipments to the upper echelons of the Roman Empire. We will visit a D.O. Mencía winery, where we will learn about the winemaking process and sample some of the best wines from Galicia.

After completing our route by car, we will prepare for a Catamaran Tour of the Sil Canyon.

During this catamaran ride along the river, you can admire cliffs reaching up to 500 meters in height, slopes over 70%, and the canyon walls, where century-old vineyards of the Ribeira Sacra Denomination of Origin cling to less steep gradients.

Ribeira Sacra is filled with hidden treasures at every turn, so it’s advisable to take the day at a leisurely pace, stopping at different viewpoints and soaking in the views.

At the end of the experience, our driver will take us to the 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

After breakfast at the accommodation, we will be ready to spend the day exploring Monforte de Lemos. The city originated in the Middle Ages as a fortress. For defensive purposes, its castle was located at the highest point, Monte San Vicente.

We will begin 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. Preserved features include the Keep and its walls. The building boasts a neoclassical central cloister, ideal for strolling amid the silence and beauty of its stones.

Next, we will visit the College of Our Lady of Antigua, where we will enjoy a guided tour of the church, cloister, and museum. This majestic building, located on the banks of the Río Cabe, was constructed in the late 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 constructed in the Herrerian style.

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

• Day 7: End of the Circuit

After breakfast, we will check out from the hotel. Depending on the departure time of your flight or train, our driver will take you to your point of departure, whether it is the airport or the nearest train station, marking the end of the circuit.

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

• The meeting point will be previously indicated in Santiago de Compostela, where our driver will welcome you in an appropriate vehicle (5, 7, or 9 seats), depending on the number of passengers in your group.
• Check-in time: From 12:00 p.m., at your chosen time.

It is possible for the meeting point to be at another airport or station, such as in A Coruña, Vigo, or Santiago de Compostela.

In this case, a supplement would apply (to be confirmed).

• It is recommended to wear comfortable clothing and appropriate footwear to ensure optimal comfort and prevent possible discomfort, especially on routes that traverse uneven or slippery surfaces. Some of these routes may be longer or more demanding, so it is essential to plan departure times in advance to ensure you can fully enjoy the experience without rush or inconvenience.
• Please note that the activity itinerary is subject to availability at the time of booking the circuit, so we suggest confirming the details as soon as possible.

• Private transfers included throughout the circuit.
• 7 days / 6 nights in Monasteries of Galicia with Breakfast (B+B).
• Guided tour in Santiago de Compostela.
• Visit to Pazo de Rubianes (includes a tour of the D.O. winery and tasting).
• Guided tour in Pontevedra.
• Full-day excursion to the Ribeira Sacra.
• Catamaran ride along the Río Sil.
• Visit to a winery with a tasting of D.O. Ribeira Sacra wines.
• Basic travel insurance.

Not included:

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

Additional options:

• Half Board Supplement.
• Single Room Supplement.

How to Confirm Your Reservation

For better management by our travel agency, we recommend making your reservation at least 15 days in advance. However, if the reservation is made with less time, we will still process it, although it is always advisable to book in advance.

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

Once your reservation is confirmed, our team will contact you as soon as possible to finalize all the details.

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

Once all services are confirmed, and with 15 days in advance of the start of the trip, the client must pay the remaining balance of the reservation, i.e., the total price of the trip minus the previously paid deposit.

If the reservation is formalized with less than 15 days in advance of the trip's start, the client must pay the total cost of the trip at the time of reservation.

Free Cancellation Up to 7 Days Before

If you wish to cancel your reservation, there will be no cancellation fees if done with 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 messaging via WhatsApp at (+34) 639 635 925.

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