Discover the allure of the UNESCO World Heritage Site city of Santiago de Compostela on this full day tour.

Traveling by coach, it's a comfortable ride of just over 1 hour to this charming town that offers visitors a magical glimpse into the past. Upon arrival, you will disembark your coach for a ten-minute walk to the center of the city where you will find the famous cathedral at Plaza del Obradoiro. Here, you can appreciate the great Romanesque architecture of the Cathedral and surrounding buildings. Positioned to one side of the Cathedral is the well-known Hostal de Los Reyes Catolicos, a former hospital which is now a luxurious hotel. Directly opposite the Cathedral is the Palacio de Rajoy. Built in the 18th century, the Palace today serves as the Town Hall and also the parliament building for the regional government.

Making your way to the Hostal de Los Reyes Católicos, you will be treated to a leisurely lunch of local favorites accompanied by a glass of rosé wine. Following lunch, your guide will provide you with plenty of information from the exterior of the Cathedral. Afterwards, those who wish may enter the Cathedral independently during the free time you will be provided. For those who choose to enter, you will find a unique gamut of architectural styles. Romanesque, Baroque and Ogival Gothic styles are all combined with the most elegant Plateresque throughout the vast confines of the cathedral. There is also a silver urn containing the ashes of St. James, the Apostle of Santiago. The urn is kept in a small crypt situated immediately under the ornate high altar dominated by the carved image of the Patron Saint of Spain.

Your guided tour resumes with a walk through the Old Town of Santiago de Compostela. Before rejoining your coach for the transfer back to the ship, free time will be provided to explore on your own or do some souvenir shopping.

Enjoy a panoramic tour of La Coruña and visit the famous village of Betanzos on this excellent half-day tour.

Commencing from the pier, you will first enjoy a drive through La Coruña, passing the famous Tower of Hercules. Now declared a National Monument and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Tower was built by the Romans in the 2nd century AD by the order of the Emperor Trajan. It is one of the oldest lighthouses in the world that is still used for its original purpose of guiding ships into the harbor and amazingly, its light can be seen from 32 miles away. Next, your coach will travel along the seafront promenade past the San Anton Castle, which now houses the Archeological Museum.

Leaving La Coruña behind, you will make the 45 minute drive to Betanzos, a wonderful Galician town that offers a genuine and unspoiled view of the region and its colorful past. Upon arrival, you will embark on a guided walking tour of this former Roman town that emerged from the ancient settlement of Castro de Untia. The town later came into an era of prosperity when King Alfonso IX granted it the same law-code as La Coruña. However, it was the mighty Andrade family and other noblemen who were the protagonists of Betanzos' medieval history, hence the name of Betanzos de Los Caballeros ('of the Knights'). The nobility and bourgeois who made their homes here, attracted the Franciscans, whose church is a masterpiece of the Galician art. A visit to the Church of San Francisco is included in your tour as well as viewing several other notable sights, such as the 16th century clock tower and well-preserved town walls.

Before rejoining your coach for the drive back to La Coruña, you will make your way to a local hotel for a refreshment break.

This pleasant tour gives you a great overview of some of La Coruña's most notable sights.

Boarding your coach at the pier, it's a short transfer to the heart of historic La Coruña. Upon arrival, you will leave your coach behind and commence a guided walking tour through the ancient, narrow streets to Maria Pita Square. Enjoy a stroll through San Carlos Gardens, declared a Historic-Artistic sight, it is truly one of the most charming and beautiful spots in La Coruña. These wonderful gardens are located inside the battlements of the fortress of San Carlos and date back to 1843.

Continuing on, your route will take you along the promenade, passing unusual Celtic stone monoliths while on your way to the remarkable Tower of Hercules. Now declared a National Monument and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it was built by the Romans in the 2nd Century AD by the order of the Emperor Trajan. It is one of the oldest lighthouses in the world that is still in operation and can be seen from 32 miles away.

Rejoining your coach, you will travel back to the pier where your tour concludes.

Your tour begins with a stop at the historic Castle of Santa Cruz. The Castle was built right on the shore by orders of Captain General D. Diego das Mariñas in 1594, in order to defend the bay of La Coruña. It was to defend the entry to the Ría de A Coruña. In 1640 the defensive system was completed by pieces of artillery.

Afterwards, you will enjoy a scenic drive to Betanzos, the former Roman town that emerged from the ancient settlement of Castro de Untia. This unspoiled, traditional town contains wonderful examples of medieval architecture, with various houses still bearing coats of arms. The quaint fishing quarter also adds to the charm and ambiance of this popular location. Once a flourishing port, it now lies some distance from the sea. The town, like many in Galicia, is cut into a slope and has a number of different built up tiers as it rises above its estuarial rivers, the Mandeo and Mendo.

You will next make your way to the 18th century Pazo de Mariñán. Located on the banks of the Betanzos and Mandeo rivers, it is perhaps one of the best Pazos in Galicia and Spain. Retracing the historical events that occurred at this location have helped to identify the Pazo's most famous owner, the influential Gómez Pérez das Marinas. Living here during the 15th century, he is remembered as the invincible defender of the city of La Coruña against the attacks from the Count of Benavente. As soon as you enter the grounds, you will discover unique gardens that include giant shade-creating banana trees, walnut trees from India and huge eucalyptus trees, all of which stand in greeting as you make your way inside. The path that leads up to the Pazo is a paved road, bordered by two rows of trees. This spectacular arrangement of trees becomes visible shortly after passing a Piceas planted on the left side of the path, and on the right side, a colorful row of Camellias.

Further along the path you will discover the Pazo´s Chapel, which was originally built by Costanza das Marinas in the 15th century in honor of Saint Roque. The Italian influence in the garden is evidenced in the stairway that is connected to the terrace. The stairways also lead to the owner's once private gardens, which are decorated with fountains, busts and statues of the Count of Mos.

At the conclusion of your visit to the Pazo de Mariñán and gardens, you will rejoin your coach and make your way back to the pier. Your return has you driving along the picturesque Antabro Gulf, passing by Meirás and Sada.

What better way to discover a destination up-close than on foot. This delightful and delicious tour allows you to not only experience the charming atmosphere of La Coruña, but its lively Galician food culture as well.

Your tour begins with a brief walk from the pier to the beachfront that runs along the Atlantic coastline. Along the way, you will pass by many conservatories and beautiful old homes that capture the character of La Coruña. From here, it's on to the San Agustín Market, which is the town's main food market. Every day, a huge variety of products are available for purchase here and the Market is especially well-known for its impressive and wide-ranging selection of seafood.

Next, you will have the opportunity to enjoy local tapas as your tour takes you around to two local taverns, know as tapas bars. During your visit, you will be treated to various tapas, which are typically made with fresh seafood and ham, accompanied by the best wines in Galicia, like Albariño or Ribeiro.

Following your visit to the tapas bars, your guide will escort you back to the pier where your tour concludes.

Enjoy a panoramic driving tour through La Coruña with an enlightening stop at a market that offers many of the ingredients that will be found in your lunch. While traveling through the historical seaside port, you will notice that many of the buildings boast glass-enclosed balconies called “galerias,” the reason La Coruña is called “Crystal City.” Even so, the Tower of Hercules stands as the city’s most-recognized symbol, as this UNESCO World Heritage site is the only fully preserved Roman lighthouse still used for maritime signaling. Browsing one of the many local food markets will offer another perspective of the city. You will see locals shopping for traditional ingredients, especially Galician seafood. A meal that includes freshly caught octopus awaits you at A Pulpeira de Melide, a casual tavern-style restaurant in the heart of the city. Galician octopus is remarkably tender and typically flavored with olive oil and Spanish paprika.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Settle in for a driving tour of La Coruña and pass highlights such as the Tower of Hercules.
• Browse a bustling food market that especially reflects the bounty of local seafood.
• Dine on a traditional Galician lunch that features octopus, a local specialty.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Settle in for an immensely panoramic drive along La Coruña’s beautiful coastline and enjoy a seafood lunch at a restaurant in the park atop San Pedro Mountain. Several of the city’s finest beaches rim Orzán Cove, and you may spot surfers there because the waves are often high. If you look at the peninsula directly across the cove, you will see the city aquarium and the Tower of Hercules, a still-operational lighthouse whose foundation dates to Roman times. The steep funicular-like railway that runs from the shore to the top of San Pedro Mountain is another landmark. As you might expect, the views of the Atlantic Ocean will be spectacular from the mountaintop restaurant. Your lunch will be equally impressive as it will feature fresh, locally sourced seafood. If time permits, you may also see the large artillery guns that were painstakingly transported up the mountain in 1933 to guard La Coruña.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Take in the picture-perfect views while traveling along the coast that rims La Coruña.
• Gaze out over the Atlantic Ocean while driving to the top of San Pedro Mountain.
• Enjoy a lunch featuring locally sourced seafood at a mountaintop restaurant.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Gain an understanding of rural life in the Galicia region by visiting a monastery and several small farms that produce signature cheeses and specialty meats. The Monastery of our Lady of Sobrado was founded in 952, and while touring you will see the cloisters, church and kitchen where the monks prepare dishes that reflect the bountiful local agriculture. Galicia is also renowned for its excellent pork and beef, which are essential ingredients in stews, empanadas and churrasco. You will learn how Galician pigs and cows are bred and raised while touring one of the farms. Another farm will lend great insight into the use of milk from cows and goats for cheese. You can expect to see the animals milked and learn the cheese-making process step by step. Some of the more popular Galician cheeses are creamy tetilla and lightly smoked San Simon. A tasting of cheeses and meats will provide an even deeper understanding of the cuisine.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit a monastery and see how the monks prepare dishes with Galician ingredients.
• Tour two farms, one that breeds pigs and cows, the other devoted to cheese making.
• Sample a variety of cheese and specialty meats that reflect Galician cuisine.

OVERVIEW

Dive into the world of Estrella Galicia beer in Spain’s very first museum devoted to beer culture, an attraction that is as iconic as La Coruña’s other landmarks. While browsing the MEGA Museum, you will learn step-by-step how Estrella Galicia beer is brewed and how the various ingredients affect the flavors that differentiate the brand. Virtual-reality exhibits depict the history of the beer, which has been locally produced from a traditional family recipe for more than a century. During the sampling, you will have the opportunity to pour your own beer. La Coruña is also known for its coastal beauty, which you will experience firsthand while driving past Orzán Beach and San Anton Castle, a 16th-century fortification overlooking the sea. This experience is suitable for the whole family. Afterward, enjoy free time on Real Street, which has long been the city’s shopping hub. You can expect to find exquisite local merchandise.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Tour Spain’s first beer museum, entirely devoted to the premium brand Estrella Galicia.
• Sample a variety of beers and learn the finer points of how to properly pour a beer.
• Pass some of La Coruña’s most emblematical landmarks while driving along the coast.
• Spend free time browsing the plethora of stores along Real Street.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Relax on one of La Coruña’s beautiful beaches after gaining a historical perspective of the city by walking to several of its most revealing landmarks. Founded in the 12th century, Santiago Church has been renovated following several fires and may well be Old Town’s most recognizable icon. Nearby Maria Pita Square tells the story of Sir Francis Drake’s attack on La Coruña in 1589 as it is named for a woman who heroically defended the city during that siege. Free time around a memorial obelisk built in 1895 will allow you to discover the modern side of the city. Then, you will be able to enjoy a refreshing break during which you can delight in a typical Spanish Mediterranean taste while taking in the breathtaking sea view. Alternatively, you can lay your towel on the beach, stretch out and bask in the sun, stroll along the shore without a care in the world, and take a refreshing swim. Then, you will be able to enjoy a refreshing break during which you can delight in a typical Spanish Mediterranean taste while taking in the breathtaking sea view. Alternatively, you can lay your towel on the beach, stretch out and bask in the sun, stroll along the shore without a care in the world, or take a refreshing swim.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Walk through La Coruña’s atmospheric Old Town and admire its historical landmarks.
• See the city’s oldest church and several monuments commemorating key events.
• Delight in a typical Spanish Mediterranean taste or spend free time relaxing on a popular beach known for its natural beauty.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing with a swimsuit underneath.
• Bring a towel and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Settle in for an immensely panoramic drive along La Coruña’s beautiful coastline with stops to snap photos and to enjoy a beer-and-cheese pairing. Some of the city’s finest beaches rim Orzán Cove and you may spot surfers there because the waves are often high. If you look at the peninsula directly across the cove, you will see the Tower of Hercules, a still-operational lighthouse whose foundation dates to Roman times. The beacon is so impressive that UNESCO deemed it a World Heritage site. Besides scenic beauty, La Coruña boasts Spain’s first beer museum, which is entirely devoted to Estrella Galicia beer. As you browse the MEGA Museum, you might pause at the virtual-reality exhibits that depict the history of beer, the Estrella brewing process and the ingredients that give the various beers their unique flavors. You will sample a flight of five of those brews thoughtfully paired with local cheeses.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a panoramic coastal drive that presents many of La Coruña’s premier attractions.
• See the Tower of Hercules, a UNESCO World Heritage site lighthouse.
• Browse the virtual-reality exhibits at Spain’s first museum devoted to beer.
• Sample a flight of Estrella Galicia beers paired with cheeses at the museum.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Follow sections of the English Way pilgrimage route that ends in Camino de Santiago – where the apostle Saint James is said to be buried – and dine in a biosphere reserve along the way. The route starts in La Coruña’s atmospheric Old Town but soon passes through the modernist district, whose glass-faced architecture inspired the nickname – The Crystal City. This delightful mix of old and new marks much of downtown, whose most iconic landmark is the Tower of Hercules, a Roman-built lighthouse that is still in use. UNESCO deemed the beacon worthy of a World Heritage site designation. It also listed the basins of the Mero and Mandeo rivers, which lie farther south on the English Way, an official biosphere reserve. The forested basins support an enormous diversity of flora and fauna. While dining at the Brasa de Beche restaurant within the reserve, you will likely spot hikers nearing the end of the pilgrimage route.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a panoramic drive through La Coruña that follows the English way pilgrimage route.
• See the Roman-built Tower of Hercules and pass through La Coruña’s modernist district.
• Dine in a UNESCO biosphere reserve that promotes sustainable development.
• Gain a historical understanding of the English Way pilgrimage route.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.