SEPTEMBER 2015
enjoygalicia@gmail.com
I would like to send a warm greeting to the readers of “Enjoy Galicia”, a publication with information for the visitors, pilgrims, tourists and workers that are exploring our Country. I invite you to experience our gastronomý in our excelent restaurants and discover the galician traditional cooking. I am delighted that “Enjoy Galicia ” gives our visitors a good introduction to our wonderful land and all that our Country has to offer. Please, use “Enjoy Galicia” to discover the most interesting places in Galicia. You will find fantastic people, very friendly and kind . Thanks and best regards. Isabel Bugallo.
Thermal Capital
Ourense is the SPA capital of Galicia. This is a tradition intimately bound to the history of the city. Two thousand years ago the Romans named this city Aquis Auriensis. In Ourense there are hot springs of great quality with respect to their medicinal and mineral properties and high temperatures. The hot water springs has mineral properties through contact with the underground granite substratum, as they are filtered through natural crevices to find their way to the surface. With a volume of medicinal mineral water that exceeds four million litres daily and a one thousand year old hydrotherapeutic tradition. The point of reference for SPA in Ourense is named Burgas, in the centre of the old town and is complemented by the natural layout alongside the river MiĂąo, where we can enjoy in 3 free public bathing ĂĄreas and also 2 private hot baths.
Since the invitation was only for four days, Iâ€&#x;m sure that Iâ€&#x;m destined to return to explore more of this spectacular region. That said, I want to Thank the Tourist office of Spain in Miami for inviting me, TUREXPO Galicia and the hotels and restaurants for their hospitality. Special thanks to the bartender, a Dudley Moore lookalike, who inspired my self-guided tour of Santiago.
By Rosie Carbo– Dallas-TX
On my last trip to Spain, I visited Galicia, one of three regions christened „Green Spain‟ due to a wet climate and bucolic landscapes. Situated in northwestern Spain, Galicia is also a medieval and magical region. Galicia‟s pastoral hills, forests, rivers and raw natural beauty is not something usually seen in other parts of Spain. In fact, Galicia conjured images of Ireland and Scotland rather than the familiar dry areas of Spain. This lush green region, steeped in mysterious folklore and history, has even inspired poets and writers alike. My memorable journey through Galicia began in Santiago de Compostela, famous for its 11th century Romanesque cathedral where the apostle St. James is entombed. For centuries, pilgrims from all over the world have traveled to this ancient city to glimpse the tomb of the holy, martyred saint. But Santiago was not my actual destination on this trip. Instead, I was there to report on TUREXPO Galicia taking place in Silleda, Pontevedra. The international tourism fair began a day after my late night arrival at the Hostal de los Reyes Catolicos, a luxurious parador said to be the oldest hotel in the world. I felt lucky that I had a full day to wander on my own before a bus would arrive to whisk me off to the tourism fair. So in the morning, I took a self-guided tour of Christianity‟s third most important city after Rome and Jerusalem.
Armed with a few notes scribbled on a napkin by a friendly hotel bartender, I set out on foot to understand why millions visit Galicia each year. The first person I passed while strolling across the Praza do Obradoiro was a man playing bagpipes. I dropped a few coins in a box and that’s when the musician allowed me to snap a photo of him donned in a plaid kilt and knee socks. The man reminded me of a Scottish lad, but I learned later that Galicia natives trace their heritage to the ancient Celts. As I traversed the city on this rainy March day, I saw pilgrims trudging toward the cathedral. Many pilgrims held on to a wooden staff. Some paused to look for the “scallop seashell,” engraved on doors and buildings. Since time immemorial the seashell has guided pilgrims to the cathedral and the hallowed burial site. The San Martin Pinario Monastery and the 18th century granite Rajoy Palace were architecturally awesome buildings not far from my hotel. I noted the distinctive Roman, Neoclassical and Baroque architecture as I followed a tangle of twisted stone streets to the weekly open market. Peasant women wearing colorful scarves tended to fruit and vegetable stands. Others stood behind their stands selling homemade goat cheese. A popular cheese called “la tetita,” shaped exactly like a woman‟s breast, caught my attention. The sample I was offered was delectable.
Although I spoke to the women in Spanish, they remained silent. They also shied away from being photographed, but I quickly realized the camera made them feel threatened. The women spoke to one another in their native language, Gallego. Since I had never heard Gallego spoken, I was intrigued. Next on my itinerary napkin was a bar called El Gato Negro. The empanada Gallega the bartender had told me to try was delicious. In a typical ceramic cup, I tried white wine from one of the barrels that lined the rustic bar wall. Since Iâ€&#x;m a red wine drinker, I followed up with a taste of local Mencia wine. I had been advised to take a raincoat because in Galicia it can rain daily in the month of March. But since I am from drought-ridden Texas, the steady rain and cool weather felt heavenly. So I continued my tour across the city undaunted by the rain and cool wind. The following morning a bus arrived to take me and a handful of other travel journalists, who had already boarded from other area hotels, to TUREXPO Feira Internacional de Galiciaâ€&#x;s opening ceremony. After a reception, speeches and a tour of various exhibits, we boarded a waiting bus to begin our tour. As a group, our first stop was Pontevedra, a medieval provincial town that boasts monumental architecture such as the Santuario de la Peregrine or Church of the Pilgrim. A brisk walk around the town made want to see more.
Pontevedra, in Rias Baixas, is known for white wines. That‟s why we toured Martin Codax, a winery in the Salnes Valley. It is the birthplace of Galicia‟s famous Albariño white wines. This winery uses its own estate-grown wines to produce this exceptional wine, which has grapefruit and pineapple notes. Albariño also has a fresh, crisp minerality that pairs perfectly with seafood. Situated on the Atlantic Ocean, Galicia offers the unique opportunity to feast on all manner of seafood. So I indulged on freshly caught octopus, mussels and shrimp to my heart‟s content at the Parador de Cambados that evening. Our official hosts wanted to show us all of Galicia, but with only a few days budgeted for a tour, we were asked to choose from two different itineraries. While some of my international colleagues chose to visit Lugo and Ourense, I and another colleague chose to visit Vigo, Galicia‟s largest cosmopolitan city. With only half a day to explore, our professional tour guide pointed to several important buildings as she led my group through Vigo‟s city streets. Then she remarked that Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim keeps his yacht anchored near the port of Vigo. Needless to say, we were all very impressed. Another choice I made was to visit the Island of Toja, which is world famous for its sea culture and the creation of sea soaps. Although brief, the exquisite Gran Hotel La Toja attended to all my needs and pampered us right up until our departure the next day. .
The French Way is the most famous of all the Camino de Santiago routes, featuring in many documentaries, books and movies such as „The Way‟. While St Jean Pied de Port is the official starting point of the French Way, many also choose to start their Camino from other points along the route. The most popular starting point is the town of Sarria, in Galicia, 111km away from Santiago. The last section of the French Way from Sarria to Santiago is also the most social part of the route, where you will meet many fellow pilgrims and find the real spirit and camaraderie of the Camino! Along the French Way, you will discover beautiful cities, charming medieval towns and stunning landscapes: the Pyrenees, the vineyards of La Rioja, the vast open spaces of the Meseta, the rugged mountains of Léon and O Cebreiro and finally the peaceful hills of rural Galicia before reaching Santiago de Compostela. More info
PORTA DA PIA RESTAURANT
Dont forget to visit the Ourense hot springs . It‟s a trendy option in Europe. You need to experience it. Will be awesome! Take your time also to know the old town of the city with its
“wine´s street” or “calle de los vinos” and visit the Burgas, the Plaza Mayor, the Catedral, the Museums… Enjoy your walk and don‟t forget to buy some gifts for friends in the Craft Shops.