Galicia’s Camellia Route 1207
Galicia’s Camellia Route 1207
Galicia’s Camellia Route 1207
6 Days Starting and ending in London, UK
Visiting: A Coruña, London, The Sir John Moore - JD Wetherspoon, Pazo de Mariñán, Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Pazo de San Lourenzo de Trasouto, A Estrada, Pazo de Santa Cruz de Ribadulla, Castelo de Soutomaior, Illa de Arousa, Vigo, Museo Quiñones de León
Tour operator:
Tour code:
BCGG
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
6 - 25
Age range:
1-99
Special diets catered:
Vegans, Meat, Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Tour Overview
With a milder, wetter climate than the rest of Spain, the gardens in Galicia have a luxuriant air, accentuated by the fact that many belong to grand country mansions (pazos). Another happy feature of the climate is that camellias thrive here, and in the spring sunshine of February and March they provide welcome splashes of colour, blooming exuberantly in shades of white, pink and red.
We will follow the length of the camellia route, which extends from La Coruña in the north by way of the historic pilgrimage centre of Santiago de Compostela to Vigo in the south. Along the way, we visit a collection of splendid gardens, including the outstanding Castillo de Soutomaior, while enjoying some spring sunshine and the uplifting sight of one of the garden world’s favourite flowering plants in full bloom.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : London-La Coruña
Location: A Coruña, London
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Eurostars Ciudad de La Coruña
We depart on a flight from London to La Coruña. On arrival we will be met by our local coach and transferred to our hotel. Evening is at leisure.
Day 2 : La Coruña
Location: The Sir John Moore - JD Wetherspoon, Pazo de Mariñán
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Eurostars Ciudad de La Coruña
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning following breakfast we shall have a tour of the city to see its modern parks and the historic city centre. We shall also visit the little park around the tomb of Sir John Moore on the city ramparts.
Following lunch (not included) we will visit the garden of Pazo de Mariñan overlooking the quiet waters of a river estuary. At the entrance to the Pazo we are welcomed by banana trees, walnut trees from India and huge eucalyptus trees, while the drive is bordered by two rows of trees, with spruce planted on one side and camellias on the other. The garden was first completed in the eighteenth century, and was designed by the artistic gardener Martin Thiebe, who was well known for completing many gardens for others "Pazos" in the region during this time. Amongst the botanical varieties to be found here are many old camellia plants with multiple trunks, along with others which have been planted over the years to add fragrance and colour to the garden in the winter and spring.
Day 3 : La Coruña-Santiago De Compostela
Location: A Coruña, Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Pazo de San Lourenzo de Trasouto
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Eurostars Gran Hotel, Santiago de Compostela
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast we check out of the hotel. We leave La Coruña and head for Santiago de Compostela where we will visit the Monasterio de San Lorenzo de Trasouto. Although there are other gardens within this property the pazo owes its horticultural renown to the cloister garden. The upper part of the two-storey cloister is glazed but the lower part is open with single columns, up which grape vines have been trained. Its garden is occupied by an extraordinary masterpiece of box topiary; a wriggling rounded hedge with only the smallest of spaces separating its parts. a sculpture of the Virgin clothed in ivy.
We then visit the great Romanesque Cathedral with its Baroque facade and its Cloisters, which is reputed to hold the remains of St James. This has made Santiago a centre for pilgrimage and thousands walk the pilgrim’s way of El Camino de Santiago each year. Following our visit here depart for our hotel in Santiago de Compostela, where the evening is at leisure.
Day 4 : Santiago De Compostela-La Estrada-Pazo De Santa Cruz De Rivadulla-Santiago De Compostela
Location: Santiago de Compostela, A Estrada, Pazo de Santa Cruz de Ribadulla, Santiago de Compostela
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Eurostars Gran Hotel, Santiago de Compostela
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast this morning we depart for Pazo de Oca at La Estrada, where the practical and the beautiful are united in a network of canals and two ponds in a mainly 18th century garden. The basic layout of the garden has remained unchanged since 1743 despite the introduction of new species at a later date. In the first half of the 18th century it changed from being a collection of small productive spaces with fruit trees and vines to a Baroque garden ornamented with ponds, fountains and statues.
Our next visit is to the Pazo de Santa Cruz de Rivadulla at Vedra-Ortigueira. Once the home of the canon of Santiago Cathedral, this charming manor house now boasts one of the region’s best plant collections. In the 19th century, the owner Ivan Armada added many new species to the already established garden, including hundreds of varieties of Camellia, which still bloom today. Unique in the north of Spain, and a truly amazing sight, are the avenues of ancient gnarled olive trees that criss-cross the garden.
Day 5 : Santiago De Compostela-Arousa-Castillo De Soutomaior-Vigo
Location: Santiago de Compostela, Castelo de Soutomaior, Illa de Arousa, Vigo
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Eurostars de Vigo
Meals Included: Breakfast
Following breakfast we visit the Pazo de Rubianes at Arousa, where the garden was started in the mid 18th century and developed in both the 19th and 20th centuries with recent expansion onto the hill behind. The well-proportioned garden features fountains, pools and camellia walks, which complement perfectly the handsome villa.
We then visit the impressive hill top Castillo de Soutomaior. This garden, which has an important and historic camellia collection, is situated on a steep bluff surrounding a small crenellated castle and commands views over the attractive wild, hilly countryside of this part of Galicia. The origin of the park goes back to 1870 when the Marqués de la Vega de Armijo y de Mos decided to make the castle his summer residence. He set about restoring the castle itself and laying out a pleasure garden on what were previously fields of maize. Following our visit here we continue to our hotel in Vigo.
Day 6 : Vigo-Pazo De Quiñones De León-La Coruña-London
Location: A Coruña, Museo Quiñones de León, Vigo, London
Meals Included: Breakfast
Following breakfast we check out of the hotel and visit the Pazo de Quiñones de León, 2km south west of Vigo. A Baroque mansion, which became a city museum in 1937, it is situated at the top of Castrelos Park, formerly part of the property of the Tavarés family, through which the River Lagares flows, which is dammed to form a lake adjacent to an open air theatre.
We later continue back to La Coruña in time for our flight back to London.
What's Included
-
Services of a professional tour manager
-
Return flights
-
Accommodation
-
Comfortable coach travel throughout
-
Meals - as per itinerary
-
Entries to all sites as per the itinerary
What's Not Included
Check out our Q&As
-
What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
Moderate A decent level of fitness is required for our moderate tours. There could be walking between sites, more standing and more travelling to encounter.
-
Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
-
Are flights included in this tour?
No
-
Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
As detailed in the itinerary.
-
Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes
-
Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No
-
Will I receive more details of the holiday before I travel?
You will receive detailed joining instructions around 10 days prior to you departure, but you are of course welcome to contact us at any time should you have any queries.
-
What facilities do your coaches have?
Generally, our coaches have reclining seats, air-conditioning and toilets, however this cannot always be guaranteed as sometimes we have to use smaller vehicles. Toilets are recommended for emergency use only and regular comfort stops will be made throughout your holiday while travelling around.
-
Do I have to go on the included excursions?
Absolutely not. You are more than welcome to spend the day at your hotel or exploring independently should you wish. All we ask is that you inform your Tour Manager, so they are not left waiting for you to join the group.
-
Is there time to relax?
Although our itineraries may seem jam-packed, boasting access to some of the most exclusive sites across the UK and beyond, a Brightwater Holiday is just that: a holiday. Each trip will counter in more than enough free-time for you to explore places at your own leisure. And with most nights and the majority of meals being included in our tour prices, you can relax in hand-picked accommodation.
-
Do I need to be an expert?
Absolutely not! Although some of our tours are specifically focused on one thing, all you need to enjoy a Brightwater holiday is interest and bags of enthusiasm! Even on our most specialist tours, we take travellers from all skill levels, from experts to beginners.
-
How fit or active do I need to be for one of your holidays?
You need to be able to get on and off the coach unassisted, and most – but not all – coaches have a kneel facility that lowers the front step for ease of boarding
-
Do you have self-drive holidays?
Yes, we do – tailored to your exact requirements!
-
What’s the luggage allowance on your coaches?
There’s no fixed limit, but we generally say one large suitcase to go in the luggage compartment and a smaller bag that you can take onto the coach with you. For flight-inclusive holidays, we include a luggage allowance of at least 20kg.
-
Where are your departure points?
UK garden holidays generally depart from London, with additional pick-ups depending on the route of the coach, while holidays to Scotland depart from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Perth, with Dundee, Inverness and Aberdeen sometimes included. All Eurostar holidays depart from London St. Pancras and flight-inclusive holidays depart from one or more of the main London airports, with regional flights .
-
What about the company that will be kept?
For single travellers, those with a companion or even those travelling in a larger group, you'll find that the signature of any Brightwater Holiday is the company. You won't ever be travelling with a group of strangers, instead, you'll find yourself surrounded by like-minded people with a strong shared interest who will soon become your firm friends.
-
What is a Brightwater Holiday?
Bursting with enthralling, educational and enlightening itineraries, a Brightwater Holiday, by its very nature, is packed with bucket-list-worthy destinations, behind the scenes passes and expert-led experiences. From creating bespoke quality garden and special interest tours for groups and individuals alike, we have made it our business to make our guests' travel dreams come true.
-
Why is there a single supplement?
Unfortunately, single room supplements are charges that are often imposed on us as a company when we book rooms for group holidays. However, most hotels do charge less for single occupancy, and we always pass this saving on to our solo travellers in the form of a modest single supplement.
-
How much are your optional excursions?
Prices start from as little as £20, but please contact our friendly team for questions about specific itineraries or excursions.
-
Can I pre-book my coach seats?
Yes, you can. In the case of front seats, guests with limited mobility are given priority. Please get in touch with our friendly team to discuss any requirements you may have.
-
How to get there? Easy!
With a Brightwater Holiday, the journey is just as important as the destination and we make getting you to your tour start point easy. From organising group flights and individual travel plans, to offering accessible local departure and pick-up points, we go out of our way to ensure that your journey is as convenient and hassle-free as it can be.
-
Do I need to have travel insurance?
Travel insurance is required for all overseas holidays and is also strongly recommended for UK holidays – primarily to protect yourself against cancellation charges should you be unable to travel.
Reviews of this operator
1 Select your preferred date
Wednesday - Monday
Mar 12, 2025 - Mar 17, 2025Wednesday - Monday
Mar 12, 2025 - Mar 17, 2025Book with Confidence
-
Free Date Changes
CTS demo white label allows you to make 20 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 0 days before the start of the tour.
-
Low Deposit
CTS demo white label requires a minimum deposit of 55% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.
-
Terms and Conditions