Live the experience:Private Circuit Ourense, Ribeira Sacra, and Lugo

• Day 1: Origin – Ourense

On the first day, our driver will pick you up at the train station or the agreed meeting point and take us to the designated accommodation. Upon arrival at the chosen hotel, we will check in and, depending on the time needed to recover from the journey, we will visit the city and enjoy its gastronomy.

Afterwards, we will relax at the chosen accommodation in Ourense to gather energy and rest well for the next day filled with more activities.

• Day 2: Ribadavia – Castelo de Ribadavia - D.O. Ribeiro Winery Tour

After having breakfast at our accommodation in Ourense, our driver will take us to Ribadavia, a fascinating place by the Avia River; walking through its charming streets is a pleasure. In the town, we will find several places to have tapas or lunch. Additionally, we can discover the Castelo de Ribadavia, located near the Main Square.

In the afternoon, our driver will take us to a D.O. Ribeiro winery named Viña Costeira, where we will enjoy a guided tour, including a special wine tasting. We will learn about the places where some of Galicia’s most renowned wines are produced, featured in the wine lists of top restaurants and wine bars.

Afterwards, we will return to Ourense, where we can enjoy delicious tapas in the Old Town. Then, we will return to our accommodation for a restful night in Ourense.

• Day 3: Full-Day Excursion to Ribeira Sacra - Sil Canyon Catamaran Tour

We will start the day with breakfast at our accommodation in Ourense, which we will leave after checking out. Our driver will be waiting to begin our full-day excursion to the Ribeira Sacra.

We will tour some of the area's monasteries, one of Galicia's regions with the best-preserved heritage. Our driver will be available to transport us through this beautiful land shaped by the Sil and Miño rivers.

We will explore the region's defining features through its monumental buildings. This area boasts the largest concentration of rural Romanesque architecture in Europe, partly due to its 18 monasteries. Highlights include the Monastery of San Pedro de Rocas, which housed the first Galician monks and was carved into the rock itself. In contrast, the Monastery of Santo Estevo de Ribas de Sil impresses with its beauty and the details adorning its various rooms. Its excellent state of preservation offers a unique visit.

Once our car tour concludes, we will prepare for our Catamaran Tour of the Sil Canyon.

Mythology of the Sil Canyon:

According to Roman mythology, the Sil Canyon has a curious and captivating story tied to jealousy. It is said that Jupiter, the father of the gods, fell deeply in love with Galicia, a region so green and fertile that it stole his heart. Juno, his wife, jealous of his love for the Galician land, decided to punish Jupiter by creating a wound in Galicia's heart, one that would mar its beauty and make him stop loving it. Thus, the Sil Canyon was born—a deep scar dividing the mountains of Ribeira Sacra.

However, the story doesn't end there. Despite Juno's intent, the Sil Canyon did not achieve its purpose. Jupiter, far from despising Galicia for this wound, was even more captivated by its beauty, wild nature, and powerful land. Enraged by his wife's disobedience, Jupiter cursed Juno, condemning her to wander the canyon eternally, a wound that would never heal.

During this catamaran tour, we will admire cliffs reaching 500 metres in some areas, slopes exceeding 70%, and gentler slopes with centuries-old vineyards of the Ribeira Sacra Denomination of Origin.

This is also one of the region's highlights: its wine. The Ribeira Sacra Denomination of Origin has a unique characteristic: "heroic viticulture," which requires workers to cultivate vineyards on steep slopes. There are records of significant wine shipments to the high ranks of the Roman Empire. We will visit a D.O. Mencía winery, where they will explain the winemaking process, and we will also taste one of the best wines from Galicia.

We will spend the night 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, our driver will take us to Monforte de Lemos to spend the day in this historic town. The city originated in the Middle Ages as a fortress. Its castle, built for defensive purposes, was located at the highest point, the Monte San Vicente.

We will explore the town. The Monastery of San Vicente do Pino is a monumental complex watched over by the remains of the Castle of San Vicente, the former residence of the Counts of Lemos, which retains the Keep Tower and its walls. The building features a neoclassical central cloister, perfect for walking among the silence and beauty of its stones.

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

After finishing our tour of Monforte de Lemos, our driver will take us back to our accommodation to rest.

• Day 5: Visit Monasteries of Samos - Gastronomic Experience in Sarria - Lugo

After breakfast and checking out from the accommodation in Ribeira Sacra, our driver will be ready to take us to Sarria, stopping at several points along the way. The first stop is Samos, home to the Monastery of San Julián and Santa Basilica of Samos. This monastery dates back to the early medieval period, specifically to the Visigothic Kingdom in the 7th century, and is attributed to San Martiño Dumiense and renewed by San Fructuoso.

Two major fires mark the recent history of the abbey, which fortunately shows no trace of them today. It serves as the seat of the Benedictine Order.

Next, we will visit Sarria, a well-known Jacobean town where many begin their pilgrimage on the Way of Saint James. We recommend entering the historic area via the Escaleira da Fonte or Main Staircase. From here, you can already observe the Church of Santa Mariña with its pyramid-shaped tower.

We will enjoy a menu that captures the essence of the region. Beef is the queen of the kitchen here, thanks to the extensive meadows covering much of the Lugo region. The selected menu also includes a special nod to pork, specifically Celtic Pork, a unique variety of this classic animal, native to the region of Lugo.

Once we have finished and rested, we can complete our walk at the Miradoiro do Cárcere, bidding farewell with stunning views of the town and the Vega de Sarria.

Finally, we will arrive in Lugo, check into the assigned accommodation, and spend the rest of the day resting and settling in.

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 explore the city on a guided tour, discovering its treasures hidden under its 2000 years of history with a complete walk through the historic centre. The most outstanding feature of the city is the Roman walls of the ancient city Lucus Augusti. However, Lugo also boasts other fascinating remnants of Roman presence, such as the Roman baths and a Roman bridge.

In addition, Lugo has numerous post-Roman historical monuments and must-visit locations, such as the Cathedral of Santa María or the Main Square.

It also has a famous tapas area, a tradition for all who visit the city. We recommend stopping by during lunch to enjoy some wines and leave feeling almost full. In the afternoon, you will have free time to revisit your favourite spots or stroll leisurely.

Day 7: End of the Circuit

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

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

• The meeting point will be previously indicated in Ourense, where our chauffeur will receive you in an appropriate vehicle (5, 7, or 9 seats), depending on the number of passengers in your group.
• Check-in time: Starting at 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, an additional charge will apply (to be consulted).

• It is recommended to wear comfortable clothing and appropriate footwear to ensure optimal comfort and prevent potential discomfort, especially on routes that involve 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 to fully enjoy the experience without rush or setbacks.
• Please note that the activity itinerary is subject to availability at the time of booking the tour, so we suggest confirming the details as soon as possible.

• Private transfers included throughout the tour.
• 7 days / 6 nights in Hotels with Breakfast (B+B).
• Guided tour of a Bodega D.O. Ribeiro, including vineyards, production process, and a special wine tasting.
• Catamaran ride along the Río Sil (Available from March to October).
• Guided tour of a Bodega D.O. Ribeira Sacra.
• Gastronomic experience in Sarria.
• Guided tour in Lugo.
• Basic travel insurance.

Not included:

• Visit to Nuestra Señora de La Antigua (Monforte de Lemos). Reservations are not allowed. Payment must be made on-site.
• Visit to the Monastery of Samos. Reservations are not allowed. Payment must be made on-site.

Additional Options:

• Half board supplement.
• Single room supplement.

How to formalize 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 notice, we will still proceed to manage it, although it is always advisable to book in advance.

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

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

After the reservation is formalized, we will send you all the related information for your confirmation.

Once all services are confirmed, and 15 days before the start of the trip, the client must pay the remaining balance of the reservation, that is, the total price of the trip, minus the deposit already paid.

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

Free cancellation 7 days before

If you wish to cancel your reservation, you will not incur any cancellation fees if you do so at least 7 days in advance of the start of the trip, with the corresponding 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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