Blogs from Vigo, Galicia, Spain, Europe

Only about two weeks before we left we had decided to go for a walking holiday, along the pelegrin’s route to Santiago de Compostela. Out of a 14-day holiday we planned to spend 8 days walking. Choosing the “Camino Portugues de la Costa“ we started in the lovely town of Baiona. Few years back we had been there already once and always wanted to return to the beautiful green and lavish landscape of Galicia facing the wild Atlantic ocean. Arriving in the rain, walking around in the port area and then enjoying a great dinner at la Boqueria with “Pimiento de Padron“, “Polpo a la Gallega”, Croquetas con Jamon and rice with vegetables we got ready for the walking day. The day started in the rain. Along with other raincoats ”pelerinas” on the pilgrim’s route quickly ... read more

The ride Ricardo organised for us was perfect; on time, a nice clean Volvo SUV, and a complimentary bottle of water each. Ricardo had nothing good to say about Porto taxis, and booked us an Uber type of thing, and we left the fare on the bench. It’s a shame the same can’t be said of the train. After a light breakfast at the station, we waited wth a growing crowd for the 412 to Vigo. This dirty, scratched old train pulled in, missing so much paint, I thought it was headed for the workshop. This was no fast train and was a little tight in the legroom department. No one thought this could possibly be it, and the crowd stood still. Asking around was pointless as there were many differing opinions, as is often the ... read more

21st April Woke at dawn to an odd chorus of 2 songbirds & an owl, dozed for an hour until the sun came up over the mountain. Over breakfast we could hear a hoopoe & a cuckoo; a chill to the morning air up here & we both had fleece jumpers on for breakfast outside. Off on the bikes & down the mountain to Galende for bread which was really lovely following a river down which opened out into big pools here & there. I fancied coming back with my fishing rod but didn’t fancy the cycle back again. And the road was very quiet which is a surprise as it’s so beautiful up here & you can park near the lake. We weren’t looking forward to the cycle back uphill but apart from one 400 ... read more

21 September 2016, day 23, from Baiona to Vigo. 17.5 miles Hotel Junquera. We meet Jo, Julian, and Moira at 0730, for breakfast in the Parador Baiona, take our bags to the desk and checkout. Then we pose with the armor statue. Breakfasts at the paradors are wonderful; hot eggs and bacon as well as lots of fresh fruit and of course the usual bread and ham and cheese we have become accustomed to as the only fare. We reluctantly leave this lovely historic hotel situated in the old fort on a peninspula on this lovely day. We have some beautiful views of the harbor and look back at the castle fort that surrounds the parador. We had thought of taking a rest day here but the internet said the boats to the islands, Ilas Cies, ... read more

Do not be fooled by the photos, we have not been to the Caribbean! The Cíes Islands are a small archipelago at the entry of the Ría de Vigo. They are part of the National Park of the Atlantic Islands and they have access restricted to a certain number of people a day to preserve the flora, fauna and beauty of the place. The only way to stay overnight there is staying in the one and only camping (or if you have your own boat) and you need a reservation in advanced or you won't be allowed on the boat from Vigo. The archipelago is just 2 hours away from my hometown but I have managed to somehow not to go there in all my years (however, this is not that bad, since as I was ... read more