Jul
31
Galicia: the secret corner of Green Spain
Filed Under EN
Whether you want to stimulate your mind with tales of ancient civilisations,
or your taste buds with fabulous seafood, you can do it here. Or you might
want to get active by diving, fishing or sailing around that Atlantic
coastline, or explore the varied landscapes on foot, by bike or with a car.
The expanding network of hiking and cycling tracks make it easy to plan a
route, whether you have a few days or a couple of weeks.
The strategic position right in the west of Europe and the diversity of
habitats make Galicia a top spot for birdwatching. With cliffs to marshland,
estuaries to mountains, a huge variety of birds make Galicia their home at
different times of year.
While Santiago de Compostela,
with its majestic cathedral and buzzy ambience, is Galicia’s best-known
city, A Coruña in the north and Vigo in the south are equally rewarding for
an easy break, with Vueling flights from London Heathrow. Both are on the
coast with superb urban beaches, so you can combine a bit of culture with
relaxing or coastal walking, while trying out the many local specialities in
the tapas bars and restaurants.
If you ask Spaniards which region of their country has the best seafood, many
will reply that it is Galicia. That might explain why so many of them choose
the region for their holidays. Another reason is the climate, which tends to
be pleasantly warm rather than stiflingly hot – and with many more hours of
sunshine than the UK.
Vigo is the ideal starting point for a holiday exploring the Rias Baixas, as
the series of fjord-like inlets in the south-west are called. Here you can
eat oysters, mussels and clams in the old town, have a look at some Galician
art in the galleries and museums, wander from traditional to designer shops,
then take a boat over to the stunning Cíes Islands for the day.
An idyllic bay in the Cíes Islands
Alternatively, I suggest going from fishing villages such as Cambados and
Combarro to historic towns including Pontevedra and Baiona.
If you fly into A Coruña, after a couple of days exploring the city you could
follow the course of the Eume river from the mountains to the sea, taking in
the Fragas do Eume natural park, with its forests, rivers and old stone
bridges. Then it’s a good idea to take a slow drive along the Rias Altas
section of the north coast, stopping off at a series of idyllic beaches.
Where you stay is always a crucial part of any holiday. In Galicia, there is a
fine range of accommodation, much of which could only exist in this region.
There are 11 paradores for a start; these beautifully-kept, state-managed
hotels mostly occupy former palaces and monasteries. The one in Santiago – a
former pilgrims’ hospital – is said to be the world’s oldest hotel. Or you
could choose a pazo – as the palatial country estates are called – a cosy
cottage, romantic hotel or traditional village BB.
Wherever my adventures in Galicia take me, I like to end up at one of the spas
that use the mineral-rich springs and sea water for their treatments, such
as the belle époque La Toja at the end of the Ría Arousa and Mondariz, in a
secret valley inland from Vigo.
As I said before, in Galicia there is always something else to discover around
the next green headland, over the next hill or in the next valley.
You can share your experiences at www.ineedspain.com
and follow the conversations at www.facebook.com/SpainInUk
or twitter.com/Spain_inUK
Visit the Telegraph’s Galicia
homepage to discover more about this secret corner of Green Spain
Open all references in tabs: [1 – 5]
Comments
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.