#MAGICALTOWNS-GRAND MAGICAL WINE ROUTE

After a wonderful night you will go down for breakfast because you have to recover strength for the day ahead. Today we leave to discover the treasures of Castronuño. We begin with a visit to the Church of Santa María del Castillo. Built in the thirteenth century, with characteristics of an advanced Romanesque, under Gothic influences. It was declared a monument of Cultural Interest (BIC) in 1962. We will continue with a walk through the Parque de la Muela. The whole park is a recreational area. In the center of the park we find the amphitheater, where musical performances are held with the nature reserve as a backdrop. Next, we will have a visit to Las Bodegas Tradicionales. The subsoil of Castronuño is perforated by numerous subway cellars. The origin dates back to between the 15th and 17th centuries and have traditionally been used for winemaking. We will finish our adventure with a visit to a Finca and winery with a wine tasting of wines from the Rueda DO. Afterwards we will invite you to have lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch we will say goodbye to Castronuño and continue our route to the next Magic Town, Toro. Declared of tourist interest and historical-artistic monumental site. Its origins date back to Celtiberian times. Royal seat, dwelling of nobles and court meeting place. You will arrive at the end of the afternoon at the accommodation we chose with time to rest a little before going out for dinner one of the typical dishes of the region, in a local restaurant. After a full day return to the accommodation for a well deserved rest.

Have an early breakfast and set off to discover Toro. We start by visiting the Royal Monastery of Sancti Spíritus. Inhabited by MM. Dominicas, converted into a Regional Museum of Sacred Art. It stands out among others the Moorish cover, and the sepulcher in alabaster of Queen Beatriz of Portugal. We continue our tour visiting the Alcazar of Toro. It is a symbol of the strategic-military importance of Toro in the Middle Ages. Its current configuration corresponds to the time of Queen Maria de Molina, “Lady of Toro”. We will finish our visit to Toro appreciating its stately houses. Another of the pleasures of the city is the visit to its palaces. Although with similar structures, all of them have a special charm that recalls past times of counts, dukes and kings, then we will invite you to visit a wine cellar with wine tasting and aperitif, before eating one of the typical dishes of the region in a local restaurant. After lunch we say goodbye to Portomarín and continue our route to the next Magic Village Larouco. Municipality of river and valleys, of mountains, of terraces that invade the slopes for the best exploitation of vineyards. It is surrounded by three rivers: the Sil, the Bibei and the Xares, which give a special stamp to its impressive landscape. You will arrive at the end of the afternoon at the accommodation we chose with time to rest a little before going out for dinner one of the typical dishes of the region: the Caldo de Cocido. After a full day we return to the accommodation for a deserved rest.

Have an early breakfast and set off to discover Larouco. We start with the Church of Santa Maria de Larouco. It stands out for its decorative sobriety, but also for its history. It dates back to 1793, as an inscription : “Haec est domus mea, ano de 1793” (Here is my house, year of 1793)... We will continue to El Castrillón. Recently excavated, it has the singularity that it was never Romanized. It is a unique castro in Galicia since it was found a pre-Roman infant burial that places us in the year 200 before our era. We continue our journey to Los Codos de Larouco and Ponte de Bibei. This place was crossed by the Via Nova, a Roman road that connected Astorga with Braga, in Portugal. The Romans left a spectacular civil engineering legacy. Then we will invite you to eat one of the typical dishes of the region, El Jabalí Estofado, in a typical restaurant. After lunch we say goodbye to Larouco and continue our route to the next Magic Town, A Pobra de Trives. Full of history, this municipality of Celtiberian origins radiates beauty and uniqueness. It is essential to climb to the top of Pena Folenche and let the view fly over the landscape. You will arrive at the end of the afternoon at the accommodation we chose with time to rest a little before going out for dinner one of the typical dishes of the region: The Botillo with potatoes and turnip greens. After a full day back to the accommodation for a well deserved rest.

Have an early breakfast and go out to discover A Pobra de Trives and the Route of the 3 Viewpoints. We start with the Pena Folenche viewpoint. A haunting viewpoint, full of stories and legends in a typical Galician village. It is essential to go up, let your eyes fly over the landscape and get a panoramic view of the whole region. Then we will continue to the Mirador das Penas de Rome, the most spectacular in the area. Formed by hexagonal platforms imitating bee panels, a nod to the beekeeping tradition of the area, with the glass base at the end of its two balconies, which will make you feel like flying over the abyss and flying over one of the most impressive places of the Peninsula, the Navea ravine. Overlooking the Penas de Rome, a rock formation above the ravine and what was declared the first Protected Landscape of Galicia, the Navea valley. We continue our journey to the viewpoint of Pena de Andurineira. A breathtaking viewpoint, in Pontenovo, from where you will enjoy a bird's eye view of the Meander formed by the union of the Navea river and the river Bibei to flow into the river Sil! A spectacular wooden platform, located on a rock and with two glazed balconies with latticed metal floor, that will take your breath away! Then we will invite you to eat one of the typical dishes of the region, the Galician Churrasco in a typical steakhouse. After lunch we say goodbye to A Pobra de Trives and continue our route to the next Magic Town, Ribadavia. It comprises a valuable historical heritage reflected in its cobbled streets, its imposing castle and medieval wall, as well as its spectacular Jewish Quarter, considered a National Monument. You will arrive at the end of the afternoon at the accommodation we chose with time to rest a little before going out for dinner some of the typical dishes of the region: the Galician Octopus and Zamburiñas Empanada, accompanied by a good Mencia Red Wine. After a full day we return to the accommodation for a well-deserved rest.

Have an early breakfast and go out to discover Ribadavia. We start with a visit to the Jewish Quarter. The Jewish quarter extends from the Plaza Mayor to the medieval wall, where the Church of Magdalena is located. Then we will visit the Monumental Complex of Santo Domingo, declared a National Monument in 1931. It is a monumental complex composed of the Convent, the church of Santo Domingo and the chapel of the Virgen del Portal. From the XIII and XIV centuries.

Then we will visit a winery. In this experience you will enjoy the best views of the Miño river from the viewpoint of San Cibrao. You will be introduced to the most traditional Ribeiro viticulture while you walk through the vineyards and learn about the main native varieties of the area and their differences. You will enter the winery and discover the most special products and elaborations. The experience ends with a guided tasting of two wines in the wine store accompanied by Galician cheeses and picos. Afterwards we will invite you to have lunch in a typical restaurant. After lunch we say goodbye to Ribadavia and continue our route to the next Magic Town, Combarro. Seafaring village of narrow alleys. More than 60 hórreos on the edge of the sea, arcades, crosses and balconies built in stone, are the protagonists of this town north of the estuary of Pontevedra. Declared a site of artistic and picturesque interest since 1972, Combarro is the Galician village with the most traditional hórreos on the shores of the Rías Baixas. Next, we will visit the Monastery of San Xoan de Poio. Declared a Historic-Artistic monument in 1971, it houses artistic treasures such as two cloisters, one of the most important monastic libraries in Spain and a monumental hórreo. You will arrive at the end of the afternoon at the accommodation we chose with time to rest a little before going out for dinner some of the typical dishes of the region: Hake a la Gallega, accompanied by a good white wine Albarino. After a full day we return to the accommodation for a well deserved rest.

Have an early breakfast and go out to discover Combarro. We begin with a visit the Monastery of San Xoan de Poio. Declared a Historical-Artistic monument in 1971, it houses artistic treasures such as two cloisters, one of the most important monastic libraries in the State and a monumental granary. Immediately we will invite you to eat in a typical restaurant. After eating we say goodbye to Combarro and will continue our route to the next Magical Town, Cambados. Walking through the streets of its three neighbourhoods: the stately Fefiñáns, the commercial-administrative Cambados and the seafaring Santo Tomé, you will discover corners full of history. You will arrive at the end of the afternoon at the accommodation we chose with time to rest a little before going out for dinner some of the typical dishes of the region. After a full day we return to the lodge for a well deserved rest.

Have an early breakfast and go out to discover Cambados. We start with a visit to the Pazo de Ferfinans, a historic place that keeps the tradition of the great Galician pazos. Built in the shape of an “L”, where you can appreciate its attractive circular balconies. Next, we will visit the Barrio Marinero de S. Tome, which retains its charm of yesteryear with its sailor houses, being a must visit the Tower of San Sadurniño, located on a small island, and the Pazo de Montesacro of the s. XVIII. From here we will leave to discover the ruins of Santa Marina Dozo, which were built on a Romanesque temple of the twelfth century. It was abandoned for political and religious reasons, and its remains were declared a National Monument in 1943. We will finish the visit of Cambados, with a visit to a winery overlooking the Ria de Arousa tasting three Albariño wines. The end of this adventure comes and nothing better than finishing this fantastic Magic Route with an incredible Galician Mariscada.