Villa Verdugo Dos is located in the quiet village of Antas, to the east of Pontevedra and within easy access of the stunning Rias Baixas beaches, rivers, towns and villages. Its countryside location is stunning and perfect for those that love nature and exploring the wild and scenic beauty of Galicia.
The Rias Baixas are a series of four estuarine inlets, the Ria de Muros e Noia, the Ria de Arousa, the Ria de Pontevedra and the Ria de Vigo. The Rias are rich in marine life and are beautiful to explore. They boast more towns, villages and restaurants than other stretches of the Galician coast. Guests will enjoy superb seafood and can visit the lovely towns of Pontevedra and Vigo, the quaint albarino wine capital Cambados and Galicia's jewel in the crown, the historic city of Santiago de Compostela.
Guests can also take trips to the pretty offshore islands. The Rias Baixes beaches are stunning with a good range of watersports on the larger beaches and peace and intimacy on the hidden little coves. Though chilly, the waters are generally calm. Playa de la Lanzada, one of Galicia's best beaches offers over 3km of dazzling white sand and clear blue sea backed by stunning dunes. The sky lights up in all shades of pink, orange and red at sunset. The picturesque Playa Area das Pipas enjoys delightful rocks and tide pools and is lined with fragrant pine trees. The beaches on Illas Cies are spectacular.
Pontevedra is a beautiful, well-preserved old town. Brimming with beautiful buildings, interlocking narrow lanes and picturesque plazas, it combines history, culture and style. It is a great place to shop, dine and sightsee. The town’s Gothic Santa Maria la Mayor Basilica is stunning.
Cambados, the capital of the albarino wine country, is actually a fusion of three medieval villages: Fefinans at the north end of town, Cambados in the middle and the fishing quarter of Santo Tome in the south. It is comprised of ancient streets lined with beautiful stone architecture and sprinkled with inviting taverns and restaurants.
Santiago de Compostela has its origin in the shrine of Saint James the Great, now the magnificent Cathedral de Compostela. Since the 9th century, thousands of pilgrims have travelled the St James' Way every year, reaching this majestic capital of Galicia and entering the iconic cathedral. Along with its pilgrimage history, it is a buzzy city with countless restaurants and bars where visitors can enjoy delicious seafood and local delicacies. It enjoys its UNESCO World Heritage centre along with contemporary art galleries and trendy bars. One of the most special places in the city is Plaza del Obradoiro, the site of the Cathedral, Raxoi Palace and the luxurious Hostal de los Reyes Catolicos, said to be the world’s oldest hotel. There is a ritual for visiting the Cathedral, you will admire the Portico de la Gloria, embrace the figure of St James on the main alter, go down to the crypt and up to the sensational rooftop to enjoy the views. There are many other fascinating historical buildings such as the imposing Monastery of San Martino Pinario. A visit to the colourful Mercado de Abastos food market is fabulous, the second most visited place in the city. You can buy and taste seafood fresh from the Rias, delicious cheeses and Padron peppers and well as the famous tapas. In the heart of the old town you can also enjoy tapas, octopus a feira, scallops and Santiago cakes along with the delicious Albarino wines. In the university area you will find contemporary architecture including Cidade da Cultura by the New York architect Peter Eisenman and the Galacian Contemporary Art Centre.
Guests can also enjoy a wonderful day out in Vigo. You can stroll through the old quarter, taste oysters in A Petra, laze on the beach in Samil, visit the manor house and gardens in Casterlos Park or take a boat tour to the halcyon Cies Islands. The vibrant streets are brimming with pretty camelias, a joyful scene.
The Region
About Galicia
Like many parts of Spain, Galicia has its very own identity that has remained intact through its regional dialect and distinguishing culture. Although Galicia is recognised for its holy traditions, we urge budding tourists to also consider its astonishing green countryside & rivers and its UNESCO World Heritage sites. Occasionally you may even hear the gentle tootling of bagpipes, known locally as the Galician Gaita, along this northern corner of the Iberian Peninsula.
You're likely to fly into Santiago de Compostela, which is the capital of Galicia and is probably best known for the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage and its route. Many of the travellers embark on this journey by foot and are mesmerised by this fine city at the end of their trek. Casco Viejo, or the Old Town, is a good place to end or even start your holiday. This area of the city is full of markets, restaurants, bars and buildings from a bygone era. After exhausting yourself in the busyness of the city, take a day trip to Praia de Rodas, on the gorgeous Cíes Islands. These small islands, accessible by boat from Vigo, Baiona, or Cangas, have been noted as having some of the best beaches in the world. It has to be seen to be believed!
Galicia is divided into four key regions: A Coruña, Lugo, Ourense and our favourite – Pontevedra. A Galician proverb states that
'Pontevedra gives water to travellers'. We firmly believe this to be true, as this particular part of Galicia has everything a traveller could need for an unforgettable experience and it feels like this city is constantly giving back. Whilst you holiday in Pontevedra you will realise that days are structured around mealtime. And why wouldn't they be? With some of the best seafood you will experience in Spain and the noteworthy Albariño wine, you may notice your jeans feeling a little tighter toward the end of your holiday... but don't worry! Pontevedra is blessed with some of the best hiking trails, medieval monasteries, estuaries, and valleys in Spain to keep you active. Don't forget about the coastline either! Rarely you will you find so many empty beaches, so make the most of this privacy and just embrace the nature around you.
Galicia is still an unspoilt part of the world. It has everything a diverse group of friends & family need to have a glorious adventure.
Getting There
Galicia is served by either Santiago de Compostela Airport, A Coruña Airport, or Vigo Airport. Various train lines connect the main cities and towns of Galicia to other destinations in Northern and Central Spain (and even Portugal). There are also various coach routes that you can take throughout the region and to other cities in Spain.
From the UK:
Direct flights are available from London with easyJet, Ryanair, Vueling, and many others. Although, travellers should be aware that Vigo Airport only receives domestic flights, so a stopover is needed if you wish to travel to this airport. Chartered flights are also available from several other UK airports.
