Fonseca and Galicia Coastal Route: Salamanca to Santiago Bike Tour
8 Days / 7 Nights
Madrid
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Introduction
This route, rich in history, links the towns of Santiago and Salamanca both renowned for their human heritage. It was once the most important means of communication in the west of Spain (the Silver Trail), which later on was extended to connect the Mozarab route with Santiago de Compostela.
This is a route of contrasting beauty which runs through the provinces of Salamanca, Orense, Pontevedra and La Coruña . The Archbishop of Fonseca, a well-known figure of the Renaissance, was the main patron of archaeological and cultural projects, giving his name to several institutions such as the colleges in Santiago and Salamanca.
This
trip is varied in its beauty and geography with plenty of
monuments along the way. The people are friendly and the villages are abundant
in local architecture. Mediaeval buildings, such as castles and
palaces, will be our lodgings for most of the time. At other times, we will
be staying at Paradores de Turismo , which always offer first class.
These are privileged sites with fortresses, convents and
monasteries as well as ancestral homes, which give us all the newest
technologies for the modern needs of today`s guests and the chance to savour
the rich Spanish gastronomy, offering traditional regional cuisine.
We shall use the minibus to reach the starting point of each of the routes,
facilitating cycling on just those parts of the itinerary which will give you
the most enjoyment. Day by day itinerary
DAY 1:
MADRID - AVILA
- Pick up at Madrid Airport at the arranged
time and transfer by minibus to the Parador
of Avila. (Approximately 2 hours)
- Time to get acquainted and selection of
the bicycle
- If you wish, there is also time to stroll
around the town
- Dinner at the hotel
- Overnight in Avila
L, D
DAY 2:
AVILA - SALAMANCA - ZAMORA
City tour and 68 km/43 miles by bike
- Breakfast
- After breakfast, we go in our mini-bus to
Salamanca where we will visit its monuments
and will have lunch
- Then we will be cycling across the
Castilian fields on the Silver route until
we arrive in Zamora City. This town was once
one of the strongholds along the course of
the river Duero, claimed in disputes
throughout history by both Christians and
Arabs. The Parador is situated in one of the
prettiest Palaces of the town.
- Dinner at the Parador
- Overnight in Zamora
B, L, D
DAY 3:
ZAMORA - VERIN
75 km/47 miles rolling terrain with some
climbing
- Breakfast
- After breakfast we will start off towards
the natural reserve of Sanabria
- Then we will have a long ten miles
descent, and some more miles to the nice
village of Puebla de Sanabria where we will
have lunch
- In the afternoon, we will be cycling down
hill on the old and now solitary road until
we arrive in VerÃn
- Dinner and lodging will be at the Parador
- This town is situated on the slope of the
Monterey hill, in a valley between Galicia
and Portugal. The centre of the village is
worth seeing. It is well known for its spas
and its medicinal waters, and its castle was
once an important mediaeval fortress.
- Overnight in Verin
B, L, D
DAY 4:
VERIN - BAIONA
56 km/35 miles
- Breakfast
- We start on our way by minibus towards
Orense and Ribadavia -the land of the
Ribeiro wine- to continue until we arrive in
Valenca, Portugal, where we will begin a
route along the river Miño.
- Passing through Tui and Guarda we will
arrive at Mount Santa Tegra where we enjoy a
splendid view of the Atlantic Ocean, we then
continue, either by bike or minibus, along
the coast up towards Baiona. This town is
the port where the first news of the
discovery of America was carried, on board a
ship called La Pinta. The Parador is at the
Montreal castle overlooking the bay.
- Here we will have dinner and spend the
night at the Parador
- Overnight in Baiona
B, L, D
DAY 5:
BAIONA - CAMBADOS
45 km Rolly terrain.
- Breakfast
- We go by minibus to the island of La Toja
, to start a nice riding around this nice
island, seeing small fisherman harbours,
small and lonely beaches, seafood warehouse,
seagulls and farms
- After lunching at a seaside restaurant, we
head for the village of Cambados. A small
fishing village in the bay of Arosa and the
Parador recently renewed was a XVII century
Palace.
- Enjoy the next Parador where we will have
dinner.
- Overnight in Cambados
B, L, D
DAY 6:
CAMBADOS - SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
45 km/28 mi rolling terrain
- Breakfast
- We travel by minibus to take the
"Portuguese Saint James way" in Caldas del
Rey. On route we go through many small
farms, villages and churches until we arrive
in Santiago. This was one of the most
important towns in the middle ages.
Nowadays, it attracts a multitude of people
every year and its cathedral is a
universally renowned marvel of architecture.
- In the same square, (Plaza del Obradoiro),
and opposite the Cathedral, we will be
spending the night and will have supper in
this five star and very luxurious Parador.
The Parador was once a hospital built by the
Catholic Kings in 1501
-Overnight in Santiago de Compostela
B, L, D
DAY 7:
SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA - MADRID
- Breakfast
- In the morning we will be setting off for
Madrid where we will arrive in the evening
after 6 hours journey (NOTE: Flying
back at at your own expense is also a
possibility)
- We will stop for a lunch break on the way
- Overnight in Madrid
B, L
DAY 8:
MADRID
- Breakfast
- Transfer to the airport
- ¡Hasta pronto y buen viaje!
B
END OF TOUR SERVICES
Included
- 7 nights accommodation in Paradores & 4* hotels (CLASS A) or 4* & 3* Hotels (CLASS B)
- (B) Breakfasts as specified per itinerary
- (L) Lunches as specified per itinerary
- (D) Lunches as specified per itinerary
- Personalized guided service in English or Spanish
- Support vehicle with trailer for duration of tour
- 27-gear MTB bicycles
- Daily refreshments
- Entrances/Admission fees
- Documentation
- Free CD photo album and welcome gifts.
- Local Taxes
THE TOURS DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Gratuities/Tips to Guide
- Entrance fees not specified in itinerary
- Airfare
- Optional Private Tour Addons
- Transfers not specified in itinerary
- Beverages not specified in selected meals
- Meals not specified in itinerary
- Laundry Expenses
- Telephone & Facsimile charges
- Excess Baggage charges
- Passport & Visa fees
- Personal & Travel Insurance
- Airport & Departure Taxes
- Optional excursions
- Room Service
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
- Groups of six or more at any time if our tour calendar permits it.
- B (Intermediate) and C (Advanced). 5 routes of 35-55 km/23-38 miles per day
- For any extra night or further information before or after the trip, please consult.