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Galicia spring relaxing short vacation
This is really directed at Maribel but I hope others who know the area will chime in.
My partner and I were planning (or I as planning) a return to Puglia in May 2025 after a couple of years. He cannot join me, as he will have cataract surgery on both eyes and its more complicated than the usual cataract surgery. SO: I will have about 2 weeks to travel, in late May/early June. Solo. I want to have a relaxing trip, easy to access, easy to get around by car. Puglia is too complicated and our planned trip was too long for me to be away from home at that time. And I hesitate to visit there alone since my partner loves it so much. So will plan to re-visit the region when he is able to go along. Which leaves me with this: Where can I travel in Europe where I can swim in a heated pool and have great restaurants close at hand. Heated pools are thin on the ground in Spain, but one I do know, because we were there last May, is the GH Eurostars La Toja on the Isla de la Toja in Galicia. I could stay there about a week or a bit more,, driving to restaurants in O'Grove. This would mean flying into an airport in Galicia----Santiago, Vigo, or La Corona (I think those are the main airports but perhaps there are others I've not yet checked). It's an hour and a half from La Corona to La Toja, less from Vigo. I as in Santiago last May so thought I might try another city in which to rent the car. I would love to hear opinions of a 2-3 day-stay in either La Corona or Vigo, places I've never been. From there after resting from jet lag, I would rent a car and drive to La Toja. Then would have to do the reverse on the way back. Would love to hear comments from any Galicia-philes!! Vigo vs La Coruna, for one. I know I would likely be the only solo guest at the hotel but I am ok with that..gives me a chance to speak with other people, or remain alone for my stay--I'd be driving to dinner every night but I can manage driving to O'Grove, and even eating at D'Berto every night,, or exploring other restaurants, maybe driving a bit further if I have lunch in a nearby town. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...e3b49fe38.jpeg View from room at Eurostars La Toja https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...85ddc9857.jpeg Hotel exterior--prices are surprisingly moderate for a hotel with this much to offer; less than half the price of our intended hotel in Puglia. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...10c1595ec.jpeg Best "casual" restaurants in Europe; see how many of the top ones (the Top Five) are in Spain! And I noticed that El Farallo, in Denia, where we ate last week, is on the list as well. D'Berto is near Isla de la Toja. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...7633c44bd.jpeg Heated pool at hotel Eurostars La Toja; they also have an indoor pool and spa, so I can swim even if it is rainy or cool. |
In just a few minutes worth of reading, I think either La Corona or Santiago would be best for my first stop in Galicia, ruling out Vigo.
I would be grateful for any comments on spending a few nights in La Corona.....then renting car on the way out of the city, and returning car either in same city, or inn the other: Santiago vs La Corona. Choice upon return would be determined by flights; From Galicia to Madrid and onto JFK. Will also look into TAP flights in and out of Porto. |
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Plenty of places along the northern coast of Spain offering hot spring waters. The ones I like most are those at Ourense, by the river, built by the Romans, many of them are free and open air...a great experiences. If you google "TERMAS OURENSE" you will get a good number of results.
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Outdoor spas in Hungary exist along a major fault line while some of the indoor ones are often spectacular.
Tuscany also has a fair few natural spas and that fault line reaches all the way down through Naples to Etna Google Thermal spa on google maps |
By the way, forgot to mentioin that Ourense is one of the four Galician provinces, the only one with no access to the Atlantic ocean.
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I could visit but am looking for a swimming pool for exercise. I know nothing about Ourense and will now begin reading!! Thank you!!
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Very good meal at La Penela in A Corunahttps://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4425e425b.jpeg
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I do not think that the outdoor pools (very few, by the way) in any northern Spain hotels will be open in late May/early June, weather tends to be rainy (and definitely not as warm as in Southern Spain) any time of the year and they do not open them until late June or early July.
(edited: Just checked, La Toja hotel pool opens from July to September. Indoor heated pool will be open in May) |
Uh Oh....La Toja told me that the outdoor pool would be open and heated in June. I know it was open when we stayed there last May, but I'm a little concerned by your new information.....
I just booked (refundable) for 8 nights, and now see that La Lanzada beach is close to the hotel and looks beautiful although I am certain that the water will be too cold for swimming. I only want to relax, take short exploring drives, and eat great seafood. I know the roads are easy to drive around there so I think I will be ok alone with GPS. https://www.osalnes.com/en/discover/...ada-beach.html I remember that there was a boat tour that rides out to see mussel farming....(although, now when I read reviews of those tours some mention disco music!! I will ask when I get there.....) I think I will fly into La Coruna or Santiago and fly home from the other. I've never been to La Coruna and it is only 1.5 hours drive from hotel. |
Originally Posted by ekscrunchy
(Post 17617975)
I could visit but am looking for a swimming pool for exercise. I know nothing about Ourense and will now begin reading!! Thank you!!
The Nautical Club of Vigo hs an indoor pool. We were in Galicia in 2018, Vigo was our base for three nights, Ferrol for two. |
Thanks so much for that, and for the great-looking hotel in Vigo!!
Did you like Vigo a lot? Might I ask how did you entertain yourselves while you were there?? Just walking around?? The good thing about Vigo, for my trip, is that the airport is the closest to Isla de La Toja, So less driving.... I know absoutely nothing about Vigo, or La Coruna. I did visit Santiago last May and had a good time except for the horrible weather....so thought I ought to visit another Galcian city this time, with airport. (Ourense has no airport). |
We loved Vigo.
Our main reason was to visit the Cies Islands, rally enjoyed the experience despite the fog. We stayed at the AC Palacio Universal a most convenient location. One day was just following coastal roads and half a day at Ponteverda. Stumbled on a nudist beach, ( not as exciting as I imagined it would be) One day was just for exploring the city and drinking Albarino. https://www.turismodevigo.org/en/cies-islands Our favourite discoveries in Vigo were Taberna Eligio and Heladeria Capri. https://www.elespanol.com/treintayse...3172113_0.html https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restau...a_Galicia.html |
If La Toja has told you that itīll be open in June, then itīll be open, my info may not be updated to next year.
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Thanks, Mikelg,
I booked the hotel for 8 nights in June. It's really a wonderful hotel. From the photos online some might get the idea that it is stuffy or formal, and that the rooms are old-fashioned. But the reality as we found it is that guests, at last in May, were Spaniards of all ages with many young couples. The staff are exceptionally warm and helpful. It's really a cozy hotel despite the "grand" designation. Those Cies Islands look beautiful, and the beach..glorious! I won't have time to go there, I don't think, but who knows... |
Going in April, 6 nights in Pontevedre, then 6 in Porto. Lots of day rips
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Originally Posted by mike1728
(Post 17619118)
Going in April, 6 nights in Pontevedre, then 6 in Porto. Lots of day rips
That's great!!! I'd love to hear about it once you return, and even before, it would be good to read about the day trips you might take from Pontevedra, since I will be close to there. I can recommend a restaurant in Pontevedra: Eirado da Lena. (I have others in the report I wrote last spring) https://oeirado.com If you get to O'Grove, do not miss: ASADOR D'BERTO.......seafood spectacular! |
Ms. Eks,
for day trips from Pontevedre (never have been, but seems like a fantastic city to explore the Galicia region) I tentatively have planned short trips to Baiona (50 min via auto), Soutomaior Castle (30 min via auto/40 min by bus), Village of Combarro (15 min via auto/25 min by bus) and Santiago de Compostela (1 hour via auto). It will be the first week in April, so hopefully not too much rain! |
Sounds great, Mike!
Pontevedra's historic district is pretty small so I think you will have lots of time for the day trips. I'll be VERY interested in how you fare. I'm going to just plan for rain and clouds but maybe we will both get lucky; I did not see much sun during May last year, but even when it rained it was never pouring for too long... Make sure to visit the food market in Santiago; and there are a number of really good places to eat around there--away from the Main Street which seemed to be packed with more touristy eating spots... |
Rain is always a possibility in Galicia, despite the time of the year, so make sure you bring appropriate rain gear.
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Will do! I have my trusty white rain jacket rom Costco!!! With a hood!
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Years ago, in Santiago de Compostela there was a pub crawl known as the "Paris-Dakar Rally" because it started at the Paris bar on Rua dos Bautizados and ended at the Dakar bar on Rua do Franco. The route was less than 200 metres long but was very popular, especially among university students.
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