Seafood and Paradores route Santiago

In this tour we propose a unique adventure, immersing yourself in a region full of tradition, identity and history, always accompanied by breathtaking landscapes that will welcome you with open arms and remain in your memory. We've planned this tour so that, in short daily rides of around 40 kilometres, you can get to know the whole region, taking advantage of the best that each area has to offer - from the most typical folklore, goldsmith's art, vinho verde and gastronomy. Connecting the north of Portugal to Santiago de Compostela, you'll realise the connection between these two regions, separated by a border but united by their physical proximity and identity. This programme is based on unique gastronomic experiences, with fish and seafood from the Atlantic, as well as heritage, such as the selection of a series of Paradouros for your accommodation, allowing you to travel back in time during your tour. The route you'll take on this tour is one of the official paths, recently approved by the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, but considered by many to be one of the oldest paths used by those on pilgrimage to the chapel of the Holy Apostle, where his remains are laid to rest. The experiences we offer you on this tour have the Way of St James at the heart of their identity. More than a matter of religiosity, this route is characterised by challenges and difficulties, but for those who walk it out of devotion, they find the faith, peace and hope they so desperately seek along the way. When you arrive at Praza do Obradoiro, you'll see reflected in the majesty of the cathedral the feelings you've gathered along the way, as well as the emotions of all the pilgrims.

Day 1 - Porto | UNESCO World Heritage City, world-famous for Port Wine
 

 

Your adventure begins now, Porto welcomes you with open arms. Take the opportunity on your first day to get to know this city on the banks of the River Douro, with its unique flavours, monuments and people. In this city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you can discover a large number of monuments, around 150 of which are classified, as well as the identity of a region and its people - the well-preserved typical neighbourhoods, some dating back to the medieval period, mark the image of a city which, besides culture, has an incredibly rich and inviting gastronomic heritage - for example, the emblematic Port wine, a true national flag. We invite you to wander around the city and let yourself get lost in its narrow streets as you continue down to the River Douro. Take the opportunity to cross over to Vila Nova de Gaia and visit one of the wineries where the region's famous wines are traditionally aged and stocked.

 

 

Your cycling adventure now begins, always with the Atlantic as your guide, heading towards the north of Portugal. Here, green is not only the name of the wine, fresh and inviting, it is also the predominant colour of the landscape, where cattle graze serenely, marking the time in this region. The towns and cities you pass through mark their time with the flavour of the tides, with very fresh fish and seafood that are a real delight for the palate, served in traditional places, always welcomed by the local people, who are a pleasure to receive. On the way you'll pass through Viana do Castelo, a city that traces its origins back to the founding of Portugal. Viana, overlooking the estuary of the River Lima that spreads out over the horizon, remains one of Portugal's most important harbours to this day. The region's wealth, evident in the palaces and stately homes, was due to the Age of Discovery, when merchants bought provisions for their ships here and, later, it was in Viana's shipyards that some of the vessels used for cod fishing in Newfoundland were built.

 

Day 3 - Stage 2 - Caminha to Baiona | Between the unruly Atlantic coast and the mountain foothills 

Now is the day to cross the border to Spain, and to do this you can choose one of three options:

• Take a taxi-boat
• Ride along the bridge “Ponte da Amizade” (approx. 15 km until the bridge)

Once over the border the scenery doesn't change, the Atlantic continues to lead the way, its beauty and cool breeze remaining the motto of this stage. In the company of the Sierras de Argalo and Grova, which keep the landscape green, you'll arrive in Baiona, the city that will be your destination for today's stage, which we're stopping at for you. In this harbour town with a rich heritage, especially its imposing walls, which guard the Monterreal Fort, fish and seafood continue to be a hit and attract lovers of Galicia's rich gastronomy. But if it's too early for dinner, you can relax on one of the terraces by the sea and enjoy some tapas and a chilled Galician wine. Ensuring that your adventure will be unforgettable, your stay for tonight will be spent at the Parador de Baiona, within the walls, this historic building which is part of the Spanish Paradores network, will guarantee you an unforgettable experience.

Day 4 - Stage 3 – Baiona to Pontevedra | Crossroads of medieval Caminos de Santiago amidst Galician waterways
For the third day of your experience in Galicia, the greenery of the north remains. On the first part of the route, the Vigo estuary and various coves set the tempo and pace. Passing through the fishing village of Arcade, Galicia's oyster capital. The second part of the route through the valley of the River Louro will take you inland, with a landscape of pine forests. Here you'll be joined by the many walkers on the Way of St James, who use the same route. With Pontevedra on the horizon, your stage today almost over, you can't miss this important Galician city, located on the banks of the undulating River Lerez. A visit to the local market will give you an insight into the life of the local population, and you won't be able to resist trying one of the local cheeses. Tonight will be spent at the Parador de Pontevedra, a 16th century palace that has been extraordinarily restored and retains its original features, guaranteed by the decoration with period works of art. The rooms are accessed via a magnificent granite staircase. You can also enjoy breathtaking views and a terrace where you can recover your energy. The Parador's restaurant, another highlight, specializes in rich seafood accompanied by refreshing and aromatic white albariño wine from the Rias Baixas

 

Heading north, with the ocean as your compass, your stage today will be divided by landscapes that cross forests and streams, and by extensive vineyards. This is where the famous Albariño wine from the Rias Baixas is produced, recognized as one of the best in the world. As you head towards the Atlantic, the Ría de Arousa will mark the landscape with its green forests and blue waters. Continue on to its mouth, where you'll find Cambados - the capital of Albariño wine and your destination for today's journey. There are many reasons to get lost in Cambados. The fishing neighborhood of San Tomé, with its house façades decorated with scallop shells, is one of the region's ex-libris, combined with its rich gastronomy, where seafood is king, are just two examples. The authenticity of Cambados doesn't stop there, if you want to have an immersible experience, you can (on request) have a unique experience and go seafood fishing with a local family. Using artisanal techniques, you'll catch cockles and mussels by hand on the sandbanks. In keeping with the essence of the tour, the accommodation we have reserved for you today is the Parador de Cambados, known as Pazo, housed in a 17th century manor house. This Parador is located right on the sea and you can walk to one of the wineries to learn about the history and production of Albarño wine. Take some free time to relax by the hotel's swimming pool and enjoy the beautiful gardens, as well as the peaceful and charming atmosphere of the interior patio and terrace-cafeteria. At this stage you can enjoy the optional Wine Tasting package (includes a guided tour and wine tasting in an awardwinning traditional winery), as well as the optional "Wine & Dine" package - a seafood dinner in a popular local restaurant, accompanied by Albariño wine from the Rias Baixas wine region. The chef will delight you with new and modern ways of preparing a variety of seafood. Highlights include smoked local oysters, charcoal-grilled octopus, hake fillet with chili, steamed cockles with Albariño wine - it'll be a treat for your palate.

 

Day 6 - Stage 5 – Cambados to Carril | Rias Baixas Atlantic Islands National Park and fishing traditions
The penultimate day of your tour will be full of adventures. Continuing along the Atlantic, and in the company of seawater mills, you'll reach the island of Arousa, a small island with numerous fishing villages and surrounded by the Carreirón Natural Park, which is home to numerous bird communities. You can't leave Arousa without visiting the fishing port of O Xufre, the Punta Cabalo lighthouse (built in 1852) and the Con do Forno. Now head towards your destination for today's stage, the fishing village of Carril. Here, mussels are the most famous and it will be difficult to choose between the famous typical restaurants for cooking this bivalve. But there's plenty to do in Carril, apart from the inviting white sandy beaches for a swim, the nautical activities are also very tempting. You can choose between a kayak trip or a boat trip to the island of Cortegada (on request). This very small island is part of Galicia's Atlantic Islands National Park and is home to Europe's largest laurel forest, centenary trees (a truly rare experience), and it is possible to take a 2km guided tour of the island (on request). Another experience you can do in this region is a one-hour boat trip in the Arousa estuary, famous for the unusual wooden platforms used to grow mussels. With two daily departures at 12.30pm and 5pm between June and mid October, embarking at the port of Vilanova. As well as learning about this production technique, this tour includes a mussel tasting, accompanied by white wine on board. Whichever experience you choose, it's sure to be an unforgettable adventure. The icing on the cake, dolphins can often be spotted close to the coast

 

Day 7 - Stage 6 – Carril to Santiago de Compostela | Historical UNESCO World Heritage City and shrine to the Apostle Saint James 
This will be your last stage of the tour we have prepared for you, and it will be the culmination of the great adventure, completing the Camino de Santiago with your arrival at the Cathedral. Leaving the village of Carril behind, part of your route will be along the banks of the River Ulla, a wetland area that retains the landscape of the previous stages. However, the second half of the stage will take you through hills and forests, from Padrón (where, according to legend, the boat carrying Santiago's body arrived from Jerusalem) to your final destination. Saint James the Apostle, adopted by the Catholic kings as patron saint of Spain in the 15th century, saw his cult begin in the 9th century when Bishop Teodomiro officially recognized his remains and the pilgrimage to the Holy Apostle began. Compostela, where Santiago's relics lie and a small hermitage was built, quickly became a holy place of pilgrimage, along with Rome and Jerusalem. The importance of Santiago de Compostela is very evident and many pilgrims from all over the world, regardless of their motivation, make their way here every year for centuries. Some make the journey out of faith and return, fulfilling a promise, others do it to test their limits, or even as a life experience, but arriving at Praza Obradiro is always a remarkable moment of great emotion and renovation. Now that you've reached your destination, a visit to the cathedral is a must, the magnificence of the monument is overwhelming, pass through the Pórtico de la Gloria, the work of Master Mateus, whose construction began in the 12th century, this portico guards the entrance to the cathedral, the final destination of the righteous, presided over by the risen Christ. As well as visiting the Cathedral, a walk through the medieval streets and pavements of the center of Santiago will take you back in time, passing through the city's main squares such as Obradoiro, Quintana and O Toural, all of which are very lively and have many bars and restaurants where you can try some of the region's best cuisine. Another outstanding place is right next to the Cathedral, the pilgrims' hospice, founded in the 15th century by the Catholic Monarchs to support the growing number of pilgrims travelling to the city. Today it is one of the most luxurious and refined Paradors in Spain, with special emphasis on its imposing cloisters and elegant rooms. Its dining room is also a reference point; in addition to the space and decoration, the menus are a true ex-libris of the hotel.

 

Day 8 – Transfer out
Transfer to Porto airport or city centre.
End of the program.

 

Wine and Dine Experience. Featuring:

 

We are delighted to offer you a truly special dining experience! You will have the opportunity to taste the authentic flavours of the region with 4 dinners accompanied by carefully selected wines during your tour.

• 6 light lunch meals to carry on bike in riding days

 

E-Bike for 5 stages (subject to availability due to the limited number of E-Bikes)