|
|
|
 San
Sebastian Hop-on Hop-off Tour Online Reservations Look at San Sebastian from a different point of view. Hop on a double-decker bus and discover the highlights of the city.King Sancho el Mayor of Navarra is said to have founded the city of San Sebastian around 1180. The city's unique geographical location with a port, made it an ideal military stronghold. To fortify itself Mount Urgull was converted into a castle armed with artillery to defend the region. This is one of the reasons why the region has seen several wars and experienced many sieges during the 15th and 16th centuries. In 1721, San Sebastian saw a battle between the English and French. After occupying the region for three years the French were defeated and finally withdrew after the signing a peace treaty. In 1808 Napoleon's troops again occupied the walled city, which was reduced to ashes after an intense battle with Anglo-Portuguese troops. |
Car Rentals in Spain |
The survivors, with great will power set out to rebuild the city. The city got more attention when Queen Isabel II first visited the city in 1845 and the city began to grow.
With street lighting, telephones, water and other infra structural facilities being developed, the city expanded and attracted visitors from all over the world. Although the 19th century saw more Carlist wars, San Sebastian still prospered.
In 1863 San Sebastian was named capital of the Gipuzkoa province. The role of the city changed, the walls were demolished, the focus was more on commerce, the city became a popular tourist destination and spa resort, the economy boomed and San Sebastian became the most cosmopolitan city in Europe.
Full
Day Tour to Ourense and Ribeira Sacra
Online Reservations
Ourense, is the capital city of the only Galician province that lacks sea coast. It was an important place in Roman times due to their settlement and because it was a convenient spot for crossing the River Mino.
The Puente Viejo (Old Bridge) dates from that time. The Cathedral dates back to the 12th century and its Portico del Paraiso recalls the well-known Portico de la Gloria of Santiago Cathedral. Streets, squares and gardens make up a pleasant site. The Burgas, unique thermal springs, are not to be missed.
Lunch will be taken in Luintra before continuing to San Estevo Ribas do Sil. Benedictine monastery located in a characteristic deciduous forest, whose existence is documented proven since the 10th century, although its origins seem to date back to the 6th and 7th century. It is basically a Romanesque church, though it also shows Gothic and Baroque-style elements.
The Ribeira Sacra's relief is comprised of high plateaus and mountains with gentle slopes, which due to erosion, give way abruptly to the waters of the River Sil. The result is a canyon that is up to 500 meters deep in some spots.
At the top of the canyon there are numerous natural viewpoints that "hang" over the river, making them ideal places to contemplate an unusually beautiful landscape.
In San Pedro de Roca you will find a historical-artistic monument founded in the year 573. The monastery gives impressive views over the Rocas Manor and a huge conifer forest that climbs uphill towards the rocky peaks which gave it its name (Rocas).
Full
Day Tour to the Galician High Estuaries - Pontedeume, Mino, Betanzos, La
Coruna The High Estuaries area, situated on the Artabro gulf, is known for fishing and tourism. It offers a wide variety of scenery and a rich historical past that goes back to pre-roman times.
Your tour will take you to the North of Galicia region, along the beautiful coastline, scattered with beaches and villages. Arrive at Pontedeume, a lovely medieval fishing village, situated at the foot of the very steep Breamo Mountain.
Continue on to Betanzos where you will see Mino, a seaside town with a long beach and sandy hills and wonderful view to the Betanzos-Estuary. Betanzos is a pretty town, with interesting Romanesque and Gothic monuments including Santa Mary's Church of Azogue, and Santiago and San Francisco Church.
For lunch, enjoy a three-course meal introducing you to some of the gourmet flavors of the region.
In the afternoon you will have the opportunity to visit La Coruna, the provincial capital. This beautiful seaside city, situated on a peninsula, is divided into three parts: the old City, the center, or pescaderia, and the "Ensanche."
It has an active international fishing and passengers' port, as well as wonderful galleries which enhance the facades of the houses, giving rise to its other name, the "Glass City". See Hercules Tower, the only Roman lighthouse still working in the world.
Full
Day Tour to the Galician Low Estuaries - Carril, Cambados, Toxa, Sanxenxo,
Combarro, Pontevedra The whole of the Galician Low Estuaries offers a balmy climate all year round, extraordinary monuments and country mansions, magnificent museums, Romanesque and Baroque churches, plentiful seafood dishes and delicious wine - there is something for everyone.
Begin traveling to the South of Galicia region, where you will pass small towns such as Iria Flavia, an important site of Roman emperors. You will also pass Padron, a medieval town lying between the rivers Sar and Ulla, before arriving at Carril, where you will admire the view of Cortegada Island.
After Carril, visit the town of Cambados, with the amazing 16th century Fefinanes Palace, and its busy port and fish market.
Next stop is Toxa, a dream-like island, nowadays a very up-market tourist destination with the best hotels and spas in the Region. On this island they produce the famous black soap of La Toja. You will have lunch at a typical restaurant in the beautiful seaside town of Sanxenxo.
After lunch, you will visit Combarro, declared a monumental town because of its narrow medieval streets, granaries and stone-crosses.
The last stop before returning to Santiago is the city of Pontevedra, the provincial capital, surrounded by Lerez river. In this pretty city, a walking tour will take you to see St. Mary's, San Francisco and the Pilgrim Madonna churches.
Full
Day Tour of the Low Estuaries and The Landscapes of "Sea Inside"
Online Reservations
A Barbanza is a peninsula which harmonize with the hilly landscapes and the skylines of the estuaries and open coasts. Prehistoric memories, savoir vivre in free time combined with a busy fishing activity. The whole Barbanza is a combination of marvelous landscapes.
Stop in Padron, a medieval town with a very important jacobean tradition lying between the rivers Sar and Ulla. Land of poets like Rosalia de Castro, Macias, Rodrigo de Padron, Camilo Jose Cela.
Rianxo is a small harbor crowded with boats. Foremost figures of Galician Literature were born here; the brilliant artist Castelao, the avant-garde poet Manuel Antonio and the elegant writer Rafael Dieste.
Next stop is Ponte Goianes Manor house which is called "Torres de Goianes", rebuilt by Domingo de Andrade on the 17th. Century.
Stop at Puebla del Caraminal a quaint villa, composed of two parts; Puebla del Dean, quarter of nobility and former places, and Santa Maria del Caraminal, marine district where the salting industry grew up.
At the top of the Barbanza mountains is Monte Curota (498 meters) high; sanctuary of the nature. From the Natural balcony "Valle Inclan" of national importance you can get a most impressive view to the Arosa Estuary among wild horses.
After stopping for lunch, continue to Santa Uxia de Ribeira, a prosperous town, the third best fishing village of Galicia and the fifth overall in Spain; shellfish, sardine, whiting.
Corrubedo has views over the probably most beautiful dune of Galicia and visit to the lighthouse, and Dolmen de Axeitos is one of a large number of dolmens in Galicia, which remember a former style of live.
Finally, Castro de Baronafaces a magnificent and tidal wave beach. It was
excavated and opened for tourists, who admires the art and living of the
Celtics.