Day 1. Arrival at O Grove
We will meet at Santiago de Compostela airport, where our private driver will welcome us to Galicia. We will have a first contact through the centre of the city and with the Galician gastronomy in the Mercado de Abastos, the second most visited place in the city after the Cathedral, where we can observe the bustle of the Santiagoese to take home the freshest products. We will enjoy the products of the land in a local restaurant in Santiago. At the end, transfer to the hotel in O Grove. Afternoon free to rest or go out to enjoy the festive atmosphere of the seafood fair. Free dinner. Overnight in O Grove.
Day 2. Seafood route in Cambados and Albariño wine.
After breakfast at the hotel we will meet our driver and head to Cambados to enjoy an unforgettable experience in the Baixas estuaries, cradle of great wines and better seafood. Upon our arrival, we will be able to approach the low seas to join the group of shellfish harvesters. We will get to know her work and collect, together with our friend María José, the delicious Galician seafood. The next step will be to go to the checkpoint where the seafood is selected prior to sale in the fish market. To regain your strength and feel the culture of the sea, you will visit the maritime district of Sao Tome. Next, we will visit a historic manor palace, where we will enter the world of wine. We will know the history and process of making Albariño wine from the hand of our expert winemakers. We will enjoy a tasting of three carefully selected wines, which reflect the excellence of local viticulture. From fresh whites to intense reds, each sip will transport you to the unique landscapes and flavors of the region. At the end of the visits, we will eat at a local restaurant, before returning to O Grove and enjoy the activities of the seafood fair. Free dinner. Overnight in O Grove.
Day 3. Seafood fair and mussels in the Ria de Arousa
Breakfast at the hotel. Today we will dedicate the morning to visit the stands of the seafood fair and participate in the popular vermouth of 1pm. We will eat at the fair based on Galician empanada, seafood rice, and various bivalves. In the afternoon, we will have an appointment on board the catamaran of our friend Alberto, who will take us to know the Ria de Arousa and the baths where the authentic mussel of the Rías Baixas is grown. A good tasting of mussels and white wine on board will be the final touch of our visit. Free time for dinner. Overnight in O Grove.
Day 4. Visit to Sanxenxo and Portovo. End of party with Noite Meiga
After breakfast at the hotel, we will meet our private host and our driver to go out and discover the beauty of Sanxenxo, the most recognized city in the Rías Baixas for its high quality beaches, among which Silgar beach stands out. We will also visit Portonovo and eat in its fishing port in a local tavern. At the end, we will return to the hotel to rest before the last night of fair. On our way to the accommodation, we will make a must stop at La Lanzada Beach, from where we can contemplate spectacular views of the Galician coast and the Atlantic.
After dinner at your leisure, we will meet at 10:30 p.m. to go out together to the fair. The Festa do Marisco concludes with an unforgettable night: the “Noite meiga”. The Plaza do Corgo is transformed into a magical stage, where the Celtic music of the harp and the zanfoña transport to ancient times. The “Lenda de Roi Caldaloba” comes to life in melodic notes as a dense fog envelops the place. The ritual of the queimada, with its purifying fire, drives away evil spirits while the magician Un meigo recites the ancestral incantation. The virtual bonfires illuminate the sacred stone where the mystical drink is prepared. The festive energy is unleashed with the joyful songs of the cantareiras, marking the beginning of a celebration full of magic and tradition. Overnight in O Grove.
Day 5. Back home
Breakfast at the hotel and free morning in O Grove. We can walk around the Island of La Toja, famous for the healing properties of its waters, for its soaps, to which it gives its name, and also for being one of the favorite places for Galicians to escape from day to day. We recommend you visit the chapel of the shells, which owes its name to the fact that it has the facade completely covered with shells, also walk the promenade, where you can buy some souvenirs.
At the stipulated time, departure to the airport to take the plane back home.
