Vigo: Rías Baixas Atlantic Coastal City Foodie Short Break

A Foodie Journey through Galicia´s Rías Baixas

Come join our founder on a flavourful short break savouring the seafood, and wines on Galicia´s Southern  Rías Baixas coast. Our short break food, wine, and walking journey starts in the urban coastal city of Vigo, Europe´s largest fishing port and second in the world behind Tokyo.

Our trip starts with a special show cooking a welcome dinner of innovative Galician cuisine at a Michelin-starred restaurant and a cocktail at the skyline bar of our hotel with amazing night views of the bay, a great way to begin our memorable trip.

The first few days we explore the Rías Baixas, taking a boat ride to a fishing village for a walk around the market to learn about the different varieties of fish and seafood caught locally in the bay. Then a hands-on Galician Coastal Cooking class with a chef specializing in traditional seafood dishes of the area.

We like to make things a bit flexible, so you will have a choice on one of the days when in Vigo to explore the city as you please, take a sailing trip over to the golden beaches of the Cíes Islands or walk part of the Camino Portuguese coastal way visiting a winery in the sub-zone of O Rosal. If you haven´t been to Santiago de Compostela then you could spend the day there to visit the Cathedral and the old quarter with our expert local guide.

For those who would like to extend their trip, we have add-ons down to Porto, Lisbon over to Seville and could end up in Madrid the capital city of Spain. Let us know and we can suggest the best way to combine the add-on either pre-tour or post-tour just ask one of our tour specialists.

On this trip, you will see the contrasts of the blue Atlantic coast and green river valleys of Galicia´s wine country. Walking coastal trails, exploring fishing villages, etc... An abundance of seafood and fish on the coast like; Pulpo (Octopus), Vieiras (Scallops), Lubina (Sea Bass), Merluza (Hake), just to name a few!

DAY 1: 
VIGO - ARRIVAL AND WELCOME DINNER

• We have left the start of the tour a bit flexible since many will arrive at the city of Vigo in different ways.
• You could fly into Porto and stay a few nights there or just transfer up to Vigo (Only 1hr30mins away).
• You might decide to fly into Madrid then over to Vigo, or even from Barcelona. There are flights into Vigo from each of the cities.
• If you are coming from Santiago you could take the high-speed train down to Vigo which only takes 50mins.
• For additional transfers or pre-tour packages see our Add-ons section of the tour.
• Upon arrival to the hotel in Vigo check in and relax before our evening meeting time (NOTE: You can check-in any time after 02:00PM, if you do arrive earlier you can ask to store luggage with reception and check in later)
• Afternoon to relax and you have 1hr free access at the rooftop spa bath you can use today or save it for another day!
• 08:00PM: Meet your food & wine guide in the lobby of the hotel
• Welcome drink and group introduction meeting on the terrace of the cocktail bar.
• Then we will take a short stroll through the streets to the Michelin-starred restaurant Maruja Limón where we will enjoy a special tasting menu prepared by Chef Rafa Centeno and his team.
• Walk back to our hotel just around the corner.
• The night is not over! Optional if you still want more... there is an amazing rooftop Skyline bar of the whole to see the bay of Vigo and lights at night you could have that last night-cap.
• Overnight in Vigo

DAY 2:
VIGO - O MORRAZO COASTAL FISHING VILLAGES & COOKING CLASS - VIGO

• Breakfast
• 10:00AM: Meet your food & wine guide in the lobby of the hotel this morning
  
• We will take a walk down to the port of Vigo, the largest fishing port in Europe and 2nd in the world behind Tokyo.
• We will start our Gastro-Day on the Peninsula of O Morrazo on the other side of Vigo Bay.
  
• Enjoy a short ferry ride over Vigo Bay (20 mins.) to the small fishing village of Cangas.
• Arriving in Cangas we will walk along the seaside promenade to the market and take a look at what has been caught that morning.
• After visiting the market we will take a walk around the old part of Cangas and a little walk along the promenade.
• Then you will be picked up and transferred to Moaña to the local cooking school where you will enjoy a private fun cooking class with a local Galician Chef who has worked in various local restaurants.
• It will start with a demonstration of the dishes you will prepare then the main course/dish hands-on. It will be based on products of the area... fish, seafood, etc... A 1st starter course (could be 1 or 2 dishes), 2nd main course then 3rd dessert dish.
• You will eat lunch based on what you have prepared with your chef and guide accompanied by Albariño white or Mencía red wines. From the dining area enjoy views of Vigo Bay and Moaña in the background. A special foodie experience and a great introduction to the gastronomy of the Rías Baixas, Galicia.
• After lunch a coastal drive to make a brief stop in the small village of Hio to see the Wayside Cross of Hio the most famous in Galicia and built from on solid block of granite. Beside the cross is the Romanesque Church of San Andres (St. Andrews) we take a peek inside before leaving.  
• Then we stop at a lookout point in Donon to enjoy the excellent view of the Cíes Island in front.
• Here we will take a coastal walk/hike (2-3km./1.25-1.85mi. approx.) up a hill (about 163mt./532ft. in elevation approx.)  Monte O Facho. We walk up a stony path arriving at an ancient Celtic Lighthouse with remains of a hill-fort settlement at the top offering a viewpoint with spectacular views of the Costa da Vela and Cies Islands protecting the mouth of Vigo Bay.
• Return to Vigo by highway.
• Drop off at your hotel and free time this evening.
• Dinner on your own, we will recommend restaurants close by your hotel
• Overnight in Vigo